PGDDM: Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Fees
PGDDM is a one year postgraduate management course that deals with imparting knowledge about disaster preparedness, mitigation and rehabilitation. PGDDM jobs after graduation include Environmental Health and Safety Manager, Hurricane Program Manager, Nuclear Emergency Planner, Emergency Services Director, Safety Specialist, etc.
Table of Contents
- About PGDDM
- Who Should Pursue a PGDDM Course?
- How To Get Admission to PGDDM?
- Types of PGDDM Courses
- Popular Entrance Exams for PGDDM
- Top PGDDM Colleges in India
- Study PGDDM Abroad
- Fee Structure for PGDDM
- PGDDM Course Comparison
- Syllabus and Subjects for PGDDM
- Why Choose a PGDDM Course?
- Preparation Tips for PGDDM Course
- Scope of PGDDM For Higher Education
- Salary of a PGDDM Graduate
- Career Options After PGDDM Graduation
- Skills That Make You The Best PGDDM Graduate
PGDDM Course Details
| Degree | Postgraduate Diploma |
| Full Form | Post Graduate Diploma in Disaster Management |
| Duration | 1 Year |
| Age | There is no upper age limit. |
| Entrance Exam | TISS NET, IGNOU OPEN MAT |
| Subjects Required | Bachelor's degree in a relevant field |
| Minimum Percentage | 50% |
| Average Fees | ₹6K - 80K PA |
| Similar Options of Study | MBA. M.Sc, MA |
| Average Salary | INR 2 - 6 LPA |
| Employment Roles | Environmental Health and Safety Manager, Hurricane Program Manager, Nuclear Emergency Planner, Emergency Services Director, Safety Specialist, etc. |
| Top Recruiters | SAARC Disaster Management Centre, NDRF, Department of Revenue and Disaster Management |
About PGDDM
PGDDM Full Form stands for Post Graduate Diploma in Disaster Management. PGDDM courses are composed of many artistic disciplines and offer various subject combinations to candidates to choose from apart from compulsory subjects. The course falls under the umbrella of PGD course.
PGDDM syllabus covers all the related topics for the field and gives rigorous training to the students. This course provides learners with a regional, national and international perspective on disaster management. PGDDM duration is generally for one year, depending on the country and institution.
Eligibility Criteria for PGDDM
PGDDM eligibility includes students having to successfully pass their graduation from a recognized university in any stream with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks. In addition, many colleges and universities conduct entrance exams for students to be eligible for the course.
There is no age limit to applying for this course. For PGDDM course admission, the students need to know the eligibility criteria and all the PGDDM course details.
Who Should Pursue a PGDDM Course?
The PGDDM course is for those aspirants that want to set up a career in disaster management. Those that want to pursue a career in disaster management research can enrol for the PGDDM course. Depending on the nature and type of PGDDM course, aspirants can set up their careers in the domain of their preferences.
When To Do PGDDM Course?
Typically, it makes sense for PGDDM aspirants to apply for their respective courses immediately after completing their undergraduate. However, students from any stream can apply for a PGDDM course.
How To Get Admission to PGDDM?
PGDDM admission is possible through both entrance examination and merit-based selection. Many universities offer direct and entrance exam-based admission to the PGDDM course. Candidates applying for the PGDDM degree should have their results from the respective entrance exam boards required by the selected/opted universities.
Though the admission process varies from college to college, below are the steps that one should generally go through to get admission.
How to Apply?
The PGDDM degree course applications are available either online from the university website or offline by visiting the university's admissions office. In addition, some colleges may conduct interviews before admissions to check if students have good communication skills.
Candidates applying for the Post Graduate Diploma in Disaster Management program should have all the necessary documents before the entrance test, such as graduation results and ID verification.
Selection Process
The selection process for the courses under PGDDM in India is usually the same irrespective of the specialisation. Generally, once the application for the course is received, colleges decide on the final selection of the candidates based on the marks obtained by them in the entrance exams. Additionally, the merit obtained by the candidates in their undergraduate degrees also plays an important role.
Types of PGDDM Courses
Aspirants can pursue the PGDDM course in the full-time or part-time mode. Below are the types of PGDDM courses in detail:
Full-Time PGDDM
The full-time PGDDM program is typically for 1 year, during which students will have to attend classes in person, submit assignments, and write their exams on campus. The advantage of a full-time PGDDM course is that students will gain a lot more exposure, experience and knowledge through direct interaction with their peers and faculty.
Part-Time PGDDM
The part-time PGDDM course is designed for students who cannot attend regular classes. Part-time courses either entail weekend or night classes or online classes, depending on the type of course. The advantage of the part-time PGDDM course is that students can pursue this course while simultaneously being engaged in employment, research, etc.
Distance PGDDM
Many universities and colleges in India offer the Distance PGDDM course. The course is designed keeping the Distance Education methodology in mind. This course is designed for students who cannot afford to attend classes on-campus or those engaged in some form of employment and cannot take time out to pursue a full-time course.
Popular Entrance Exams for PGDDM
Entrance exams are a common and popular means for some colleges to have a screening to decide which student must be admitted to the course. Many popular colleges around the country have made a name for themselves by conducting internationally acclaimed research projects.
These colleges often conduct entrance exams, as the demand to enter these colleges is higher than the number of seats available. Listed below are some of the popular exams:
A Quick Glance at the PGDDM Entrance Exams
Students can access the PGDDM course details by going to the college's official website to which they are interested in applying. Specialisation plays a vital role in the college's approach to the entrance exam. Below listed are some of the general guidelines of the PGDDM entrance examinations:
- The exam pattern includes English, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Thinking, and subject-specific questions according to the specialisation.
- The papers are objective and MCQ-based.
- The syllabus, mode of examination, and question pattern may change according to a university/conducting body.
Top PGDDM Colleges in India
Below is the list of the top 10 best PGDDM Colleges in India:
| Sl.No | Name of the College | Average Fees (INR) |
| 1 | Punjab University, Chandigarh | 60,000 PA |
| 2 | IGNOU, New Delhi | 65,000 PA |
| 3 | Kashmir University, Srinagar | 9,000 PA |
| 4 | SRTMUN, Nanded | 5,500 PA |
| 5 | Jamia Millia, New Delhi | 15,000 PA |
| 6 | Christ College Irinjalakuda, Thrissur | 50,000 PA |
| 7 | Swami Vivekanand University, Sagar | 27,600 PA |
| 8 | Symbiosis Institute of Geoinformatics, Pune | 50,000 PA |
| 9 | TISS, Mumbai | 45,000 PA |
| 10 | IGNOU, Delhi | 50,000 PA |
Top PGDDM Colleges in New Delhi
India’s capital city is home to some of the best institutions for PGDDM in India. Check the table below for the top PGDDM colleges in New Delhi:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Lady Shri Ram College for Women |
| 2 | Miranda House |
| 3 | Hindu College |
| 4 | Hansraj College |
| 5 | Ramjas College |
Top PGDDM Colleges in Pune
Pune also has some of the best institutions for PGDDM in India. Check the table below for the top PGDDM colleges in Pune:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Fergusson College |
| 2 | MCASC |
| 3 | St. Mira’s College for Girls |
| 4 | MES Abasaheb Garware College |
| 5 | Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce |
Top PGDDM Colleges in Chennai
Tamil Nadu’s capital city is home to some of the premier institutions for PGDDM in India. Check the table below for the best PGDDM colleges in Chennai:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Loyola College |
| 2 | Presidency College |
| 3 | Madras Christian College |
| 4 | Women’s Christian College |
| 5 | Guru Nanak College |
Top PGDDM Colleges in Bangalore
The capital city of Karnataka is renowned around the country for colleges offering top PGDDM programmes. Check the table below for the best PGDDM colleges in India:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Christ University |
| 2 | Vivekananda Degree College |
| 3 | Jain University |
| 4 | Kristu Jayanti College |
| 5 | Presidency College |
Top PGDDM Colleges in Kolkata
West Bengal’s capital city, Kolkata, has some of the best colleges for PGDDM courses in India. Check the table below for the best PGDDM colleges in Kolkata:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Presidency College |
| 2 | St. Xavier’s College |
| 3 | Adamas University |
| 4 | Lady Brabourne College |
| 5 | Jadavpur University |
Top PGDDM Colleges in Hyderabad
The Telangana state capital has some premier institutions in the country for PGDDM courses in India. Check the table below for the top PGDDM colleges in Hyderabad:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Nizam College |
| 2 | AV College of Arts, Science and Commerce |
| 3 | Osmania University College for Women |
| 4 | St. Ann’s College for Women |
| 5 | St. Francis College for Women |
Top PGDDM Government Colleges
There are several top Government Colleges offering quality PGDDM programmes across the country. Check the table below for the top PGDDM government colleges in India:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Lady Shri Ram College for Women, New Delhi |
| 2 | Loyola College, Chennai |
| 3 | Miranda House, New Delhi |
| 4 | Presidency College, Chennai |
| 5 | Hindu College, New Delhi |
Top PGDDM Private Colleges
India has seen significant growth in the number of quality PGDDM private colleges that offer some of the best programmes in the country. Check the table below for the top PGDDM private colleges in India:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | St. Xavier's College, Mumbai |
| 2 | Christ University, Bangalore |
| 3 | BML Munjal University, Gurgaon |
| 4 | Madras Christian College, Chennai |
| 5 | Fergusson College, Pune |
Study PGDDM Abroad
Students can opt to study a PGDDM course abroad if they can afford it. PGDDM course abroad is for 1 year, depending on the type of course, college and country. The benefits of studying a PGDDM course abroad are access to some of the best resources, facilities, and faculties, apart from worldwide exposure in terms of subject matter and other cultures.
In addition, PGDDM is one of the best courses to study abroad because of its diversity. Below are some of the top PGDDM colleges abroad and the relevant fees structure:
Top PGDDM Colleges Abroad
The table below contains the list of some of the best colleges abroad for PGDDM:
| Institution | Fees PA |
| University of Oxford | USD ​​33220 |
| Harvard University | USD 46690 |
| University of Cambridge | USD 25670 |
| University of California, Berkeley | USD 41722 |
| Stanford University | USD 17501 |
| Yale University | USD 54650 |
| New York University | USD 52538 |
| University of California, Los Angeles | USD 32160 |
| Princeton University | USD 53346 |
| Columbia University | USD 59105 |
Top PGDDM Colleges in USA
The USA is home to some of the best universities and colleges offering top-notch PGDDM programmes in the world. The table below contains the list of top PGDDM colleges in the USA:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Harvard University |
| 2 | University of California, Berkeley |
| 3 | Yale University |
| 4 | Stanford University |
| 5 | New York University |
Top PGDDM Colleges in the UK
The UK has institutions that date back to the 13th century. This makes the UK one of the best destinations for pursuing a PGDDM. The table below shows the top colleges in the UK for PGDDM:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | University of Oxford |
| 2 | University of Cambridge |
| 3 | University of Edinburgh |
| 4 | University College, London |
| 5 | London School of Economics |
Top PGDDM Colleges in Canada
Known as the ‘Great White North, Canada is one of the most sought-after destinations for PGDDM programmes in the world:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | University of Toronto |
| 2 | University of British Coloumbia |
| 3 | McGill University |
| 4 | University of Montreal |
| 5 | University of Alberta |
Top PGDDM Colleges in Australia
Known as the ‘Land Down Under, Australia has emerged as one of the top destinations for higher studies for many students. The list of top PGDDM colleges in Australia is as follows:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | University of Melbourne |
| 2 | Australian National University |
| 3 | University of Sydney |
| 4 | Monash University |
| 5 | University of New South Wales |
Fee Structure for PGDDM
PGDDM fees is not fixed and depends on many factors. Some of the factors which affect the PGDDM course fees include location, faculty, demand, infrastructure, and the facilities available to the students. The average PGDDM fees in India is around INR 10,000 - 1.5 LPA.
| Sl.No. | Name of the College | Total Fee Structure (INR) |
| 1. | St Stephens College, New Delhi | 1 LPA |
| 2. | Miranda House, Delhi University | 36,000 PA |
| 3. | Madras Christian College, Chennai | 56,000 PA |
| 4. | Loyola College, Chennai | 13,000 PA |
PGDDM Course Comparison
PGDDM stands for Post Graduate Diploma in Disaster Management and is typically catered to students interested in and inclined towards disaster management. Below is a comparison of the PGDDM course with other courses:
PGDDM vs PGDRM
The table below showcases the differences between PGDDM and PGDRM:
| Course | PGDDM | PGDRM |
| Full Form | Post Graduate Diploma in Disaster Management | Post Graduate Diploma in Risk Management |
| Stream | Commerce | Commerce |
| Course Duration | 1 year | 1 year |
| Eligibility | Graduation | Graduation |
| Entrance Exams | TISS NETIGNOU OPEN MAT | TISS NETIGNOU OPEN MAT |
| Top Colleges | Punjab University, ChandigarhIndira Gandhi National Open University, New DelhiUniversity of Kashmir, SrinagarSwami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded | Punjab University, ChandigarhIndira Gandhi National Open University, New DelhiUniversity of Kashmir, SrinagarSwami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded |
| Fees | INR 10,000 - 1 LPA | INR 2 - 4 LPA |
Syllabus and Subjects for PGDDM
The course syllabi included in the curriculum of some of the most popular PGDDM courses are listed below. The crux of the syllabus is maintained throughout most colleges across the nation, although minor deviations may be observed for a few colleges. Listed below are some subjects that the students get a chance to study:
- Strategic Management
- Lab Aspects of Disaster Management
- Concepts, Approaches and Theories of Disasters
- Strategy on Disaster Risk Reduction
- Role of International Agencies in Disaster
Read More: PGDDM Syllabus and Subjects
Why Choose a PGDDM Course?
When students decide to pursue the PGDDM qualification, they should research PGDDM course details to ensure that they know the course they are enrolled in. Some of the common queries that students encounter are, "What is PGDDM" and "Why PGDDM?". To understand the answer to these questions, we can make it simpler by breaking it down into the following three short questions:
What is PGDDM All About?
A Post Graduate Diploma in Disaster Management Degree or PGDDM course is a postgraduate management degree awarded to students, usually in a branch of the Management.This course involves disaster-coping, pre-disaster strategizing and implementation of plans and strategies so that losses can be prevented, minimised, or even averted.
Throughout the course, students are trained to spot impending calamities and to handle such situations with organisational skills. The PGDDM course enhances the candidates’ communication, research, and analytical skills.
What Does a PGDDM Graduate Do?
Students can select the subjects of their choice depending on their interest in job prospects available in the specific field. Since graduates with a Post Graduate Diploma in Disaster Management degree possess skills in various subjects, there are career opportunities available in multiple fields for them. In addition, there are many responsibilities that graduates of this role have to undertake, which makes the role very dynamic and diverse.
Environmental Health and Safety Manager: It is the responsibility of the EHS Manager to ensure that all employees are following safety protocols and procedures. This includes conducting safety audits, investigating accidents, and developing safety programs.
Reasons Why PGDDM Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career?
The PGDDM course is a very reflective and exciting stream of education. Students can gauge the intrinsic worth of a PGDDM course because it offers more avenues of employment opportunities than any other stream. Thus, the PGDDM job scope is forever widening and appealing.
Diversity in Job roles: There is a diverse range of job roles available for the graduates of this course. Since the specialisations available to the students are very flexible, it enables the students to pursue a wide range of roles in their careers.
Read More: PGDDM Jobs and Scope
Preparation Tips for PGDDM Course
There are many tips that students must note when deciding to pursue a PGDDM degree. Some important preparation tips are listed below to ensure that the students crack the course and pass the exams without any hurdles.
Improve Vocabulary: Improving vocabulary is very necessary as the PGDDM course deals with many writing and reading activities. So having excellent communication and writing skills are a plus for the student studying the PGDDM course.
Read and Practice More: Being up to date with the syllabus every day is very important. Practising and reading more will help the student be thorough with the syllabus and do well in the exams.
Have Intrinsic Knowledge and Interest in Subjects: Having intrinsic knowledge about the subject and having the same interest will keep the student motivated to learn more than what's in the syllabus.
Revise Methodically: Revising from time to time can be a key to scoring well in the final exam. Keep revising regularly and understand the subject properly. Revision is the key to scoring good marks.
Scope of PGDDM For Higher Education
Students can pursue many specialisations under PGDDM. There are also many higher study options available for graduate students after a PGDDM degree, which can help them better understand the subject.
Also, gaining more education can help students pursue a career in research if they are interested in it. Listed below are some of the popular higher education options available for students:
Salary of a PGDDM Graduate
The PGDDM salary for the graduates can differ according to the specialisation that the aspirants decide to pursue. Other factors that can affect PGDDM salary in India include experience, geography, and the industry they are working in.
Graduates can increase their salary by doing internships and work placements as it would add to their experiences. The average PGDDM jobs salary for graduates is around INR 2 - 8 LPA [Source: PayScale].
Read More: PGDDM Salary
Career Options After PGDDM Graduation
There are plenty of jobs available for students looking for a career in Disaster Management. The job roles will differ based on the specialisation that one has opted for. PGDDM graduates have abundant job opportunities with good salary packages that include the following fields:
- Environmental Health and Safety Manager
- Hurricane Program Manager
- Nuclear Emergency Planner
- Emergency Services Director
- Safety Specialist
Skills That Make You The Best PGDDM Graduate
There are many complex and soft skills that PGDDM graduates need to possess to succeed in their careers. These are not necessarily skills that students can get in a classroom setting. Instead, these are skills that are learned through experience.
Therefore, students should always put in the effort to go out of their comfort zone and gain as much experience as possible. Some of these skills include:
- Quantitative Analysis Skills
- Research Skills
- Analytical Skills
- The Ability to Work Under Pressure
- Interpersonal Skills