PGDCA: Course Details, Admission, Fees, Eligibility Criteria

Sakshi Chaudhary

Updated on - Jan 8, 2024

PGDCA is a one-year postgraduate diploma course that focuses on various aspects of computer science and information technology used in programming languages, computer networks, and software engineering. The course curriculum helps students to pursue their careers in software development, system analysis, and IT consulting.

What is PGDCA Course?

PGDCA full form is a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications, an undergraduate course that aims at an in-depth understanding of computer applications and their application in different fields. The PGDCA course duration is one year. 

PGDCA Admission 2024 requires students to have a minimum of 50% in a 10+2+4 or any undergraduate degree. The candidate must qualify with the required cut-off marks in entrance exams such as JMIEE, CUET, etc. PGDCA syllabus and subjects are designed to cover all essential aspects of operating systems, database management systems, and web programming.

After completion of the PGDCA degree, graduates can pursue careers in the IT industry, e-commerce, digital marketing, etc. The average salary of a PGDCA graduate is in the range of INR 2-6.5 LPA.

Why Choose a PGDCA Course?

The Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications helps students develop computer application skills to face industry challenges and provide adequate solutions. Below mentioned are points regarding why one should pursue a PGDCA course:

• The IT industry is predicted to reach $350 billion in revenue by 2025, with a 7.7% growth rate in fiscal year 2020-21. (As per NASCOM). 
• Information technology and software development have made PGDCA careers one of the most sought-after careers around the globe.
• In a world run by technological innovation, PGDCA course graduates are in high demand and possess a certain level of soft skills and logical aptitude.
•  It is one of the most lucrative pay scale careers with designations of experienced professionals earning more than six figures in India annually. 
• With an increase in demand for software development, database administration, etc., the PGDCA course is one of the relevant course.

Who Should Pursue a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications Course?

 Below are the points regarding who should pursue the PGDCA course:

• Aspirants who want to set up a career in computer science and information technology can pursue this course.
• Students who are interested to build their career in research, web designing, software development, or consultancy can enroll in this course.
• Individuals who want to enhance their knowledge and skills in the field of computer applications can pursue this course.

Read More: PGDCA Jobs and Scope

PGDCA Eligibility Criteria

For admission to a PGDCA course, it is important to meet a certain set of standard eligibility criteria which is mentioned below: 

• The candidate should have passed 10+2+4 or any Bachelor's degree from a recognized institution with a minimum of 50% marks.
• Some colleges also require students to have studied Mathematics as a mandatory subject in graduation.
• The candidate should also clear-cut off for entrance exams such as JMIEE, CUET, etc.
• There is no minimum age limit to enroll in the course.

PGDCA Admission 2024

Admissions to the PGDCA course can be done through both online and offline methods Below are the steps regarding the details of the admission process in general: 

• Step 1: Students are required to fill out the application through online or offline mode.
• Step 2: The candidates are required to clear the entrance exam cut-off for admission to their respective colleges.
• Step 3: Further, the candidates are called for an interview or GD process.
• Step 4: Once the final merit list is published students are required to complete the document verification process and pay the fees.

PGDCA Entrance Exams

For the PGDCA admission process, the selection of candidates is either based on merit or through an entrance exam conducted at the national or institute level. Candidates must ensure they prepare for the entrance exam of PGDCA along all the lines of requirements.

Listed below are some of the popular entrance exams for the 1-year PGDCA course:

PGDCA Fees Structure

The average PGDCA course fees is in the range of INR 7,000 -1 Lakh. Below is a list of the best PGDCA colleges along with a breakdown of their fees:

Types of PGDCA Courses

The PGDCA course can be pursued by students in regular, part-time, or distance mode with colleges like IGNOU. Below mentioned are the PGDCA course details:

Distance PGDCA Course:

Below mentioned are the distance PGDCA course details:

• PGDCA course is also available through distance mode from colleges such as IGNOU, LPU, Kalinga University, etc.
• The eligibility criteria for colleges like IGNOU requires a candidate to pass graduation with mathematics as a compulsory subject or a student is required to pursue a BCA course along with a PGDCA course.
• The average course fee is INR 10,000-25,000.
• The maximum duration can be extended to 3 or 4 years as per college guidelines.
• There is no minimum age limit to enroll in the course.

Read More: Distance PGDCA

Top PGDCA Colleges in India

With the rise in demand for computer science and application graduates, there is an increase in colleges providing PGDCA courses. Admission is based on merit score and few colleges may require entrance exam scores as per the requirement.

Top PGDCA Government Colleges in India

Below listed are government colleges offering PGDCA course:

Top PGDCA Private Colleges in India

Below listed are private colleges offering PGDCA courses:

Top PGDCA Colleges by City

Top PGDCA Colleges by State

PGDCA Syllabus and Subjects

The PGDCA subjects introduce students to a wide array of theoretical to practical approaches combined with technical skills per industrial demands. The various subjects of study during the PGDCA course duration are visual basics, java, e-commerce, oracle, and C++. 

The subject list for the PGDCA computer course is listed below:

• Introduction to Linux
• Fundamentals of Computer Programming
• Java
• Computer Organisation and Architecture
• Soft Skills
• Practical Work
• Programming
• System Analysis and Design

Read More: PGDCA Syllabus and Subjects

PGDCA Course Comparison

PGDCA stands for Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Application and is typically catered to students interested in and inclined towards information technology, software development, web designing, programming, etc. Below is a comparison of the PGDCA course with other courses:

PGDCA vs DCA

The table below showcases the differences between PGDCA and DCA:

Read More: DCA

Courses After PGDCA

Graduates who want to enhance their skills and domain knowledge can go for various certification courses and higher degree options. Some of the higher education opportunities available to graduates having a PGDCA qualification are listed below:

• M.Sc
• MCA
• MBA
• PhD

Career Options After Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications 

While conducting research into the PGDCA course details, one should look into the career options that PGDCA offers for its graduates. Some of the job roles for PGDCA graduates are listed below:

• Networking Trainee
• System Administrator
• E-Commerce Executive
• Bank Operations
• Software Developer
• IT Consultant

PGDCA Course Salary in India

The average PGDCA salary offered in India is in the range of INR 2-6.5 LPA. The salary of a graduate is influenced by various factors such as skills, experience, domain knowledge, etc. The pay range goes higher as the graduate acquires more technical skills with experience.

Read More: PGDCA Salary

Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Application Scholarships

Students pursuing computer science or application courses get various scholarships provided by the government and private organizations as financial aid. Below is a list of scholarships for the computer application-related course:

• Department of Computer Science and Engineering Junior Research Fellowship IIT Kanpur
• IIT Kharagpur Centre of Computer Science and Engineering Junior Research Fellowship
• IIT BHU Varanasi Department of Computer Science and Engineering Junior Research Fellowship 
• IIT Indore Department of Computer Science and Engineering Junior Research Fellowship
• Albert Einstein International Scholarship Test
• Kingston University Postgraduate Scholarships
• ABV-IIITM Gwalior DST-SERB Junior Research Fellowship
• Google Scholarship

Read More: Computer Science Scholarships

Skills to Excel as a PGDCA Graduate

The PGDCA course details focus on making students skill oriented in the field of computer science and applications. Listed below are a certain set of skills that a PGDCA graduate should possess:

• Management skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of the core subject
• Leadership ability
• Interdisciplinary approach
• Programming skills
• Collaborative skills