PGDM: Full Form, Course Details, Eligibility, Courses, Fees, Admission

Shubhangini Priyadarshi

Updated on - Aug 27, 2024

PGDM or Post Graduate Diploma in Management is a 2-year postgraduate management course, designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of various management concepts like Planning, Organizing, Leading, Group Dynamics, etc. A Post Graduate Diploma in Management course equips students with the skills required to succeed in the business world.

To be eligible for PGDM admissions, candidates must complete a bachelor's degree in any stream with a minimum of 50% marks and qualify for PGDM entrance exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, etc as per college requirements. PGDM syllabus is skill-oriented and typically covers a wide range of subjects, including Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Ethics, Marketing, Operations, and HRM, etc.

PGDM course equips with job-relevant expertise to become successful managers, leaders, and executives in specialized business units. The average salary package for PGDM graduates is around INR 4 LPA - 24 LPA. Top PGDM institutes have a 100% placement record with leading recruiters like Deloitte, EY, Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy, Aditya Birla, Accenture etc.

What is PGDM Course?

PGDM full form is a Post Graduate Diploma in Management. It is a skill-oriented course that focuses on providing knowledge and expertise based on practical approaches to several core areas of management and its functions.

The PGDM course is equivalent to an MBA degree and is recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). PGDM specializations are available in different disciplines such as Marketing, Finance, HR, Operations, IT, etc to cater to the diverse career aspirations of students.

The average PGDM course fees ranges from INR 3 Lakhs - 12 Lakhs Per Annum, depending on the government and private entity, specialization, location, etc. Top colleges in Delhi such as IMI Delhi, IMT Ghaziabad, etc., have average fees between INR 8-9.50 LPA, whereas, colleges in Bangalore like IIM Bangalore, Welingkar Institute of Management and Research have average fees between INR 7-12 LPA.

PGDM Eligibility Criteria 

Candidates interested in pursuing PGDM courses must first check their eligibility. However, the PGDM eligibility criteria may slightly differ between institutes. Candidates should always check the institute's official website for comprehensive PGDM course eligibility criteria. The general PGDM eligibility is as follows:

Also Read: NIRF Ranking 2024 Management

Why Choose a PGDM Course?

PGDM course or Post Graduate Diploma in Management is one of the highly demanded management programs for various reasons as it aids management aspirants in acquiring in-depth knowledge in business administration.

Here are some specific reasons why one should enrol in a Post Graduate Diploma in Management program in 2024:

• Exposure: A management degree allows you to see the practical business environment through internships, professional interactions, corporate meetings, and industrial workshops.
• Further studies: After completing the PGDM course, aspirants can pursue a doctorate program, which is available in different specializations.
• Demand: The Bureau of Labour Statistics predicts that employment in management jobs will rise by 8% between 2021 and 2031.
• Opportunities: A management degree is one of the most important criteria that companies consider when hiring. In addition, a management degree would be a good choice for those seeking higher positions in their career.
• Job role: PGDM course aspirants can pursue various career paths, such as Operations Manager, Project Manager, HR Manager, and Operations Consultant, depending on the type of specialization they pursue.
• Lucrative Compensation: The job scope after PGDM course includes a good starting salary and adequate compensation benefits for freshers and experienced graduates as well. 

PGDM Admission 2024

PGDM Admissions for Tier I and Tier II colleges are mostly based on entrance exam merit scores, followed by GD/PI assessment rounds and Written Aptitude Tests (WAT). Students may also be admitted to private colleges through management quota, seats of which are limited in numbers.

The step-by-step PGDM admissions process of top institutions and universities is mentioned below.

• Step 1: The online portal must be used to get the PGDM application form first after reviewing the PGDM course details
• Step 2: The aspirant must upload/attach the required documents as per the guidelines and specifications mentioned. Pay the admission fees for the PGDM course registration. 
• Step 3: The selection is based on the eligibility criteria and the cut-off scores acquired in the entrance exams. 
• Step 4: Aspirants are called to write a written test, participate in group discussions, and have a personal interview after passing these exams.
• Step 5: Students must provide the required paperwork and pay the appropriate PGDM course fee after being selected.

Also Read: MBA vs PGDM

PGDM Entrance Exams

Some major business schools have their entrance exams or accept National/State entrance exam results for admission to PGDM courses. Students interested in studying PGDM courses must meet the eligibility criteria and have the required percentage of marks to apply for admission. Once the candidate meets this condition, they can take the entrance tests and get admitted to the shortlisted colleges of their choice.

Candidates can take the following national state-level PGDM entrance exams:

Also Read: CAT vs CMAT vs NMAT vs MAT

PGDM Cutoff 2024

Admission to PGDM courses depends on the qualifying entrance exam with the required cut-off marks. The cut-off marks can change every year depending on demand, institution rank, academic structure, etc. Detailed information on two important PGDM entrance exams and their expected cut-off marks are listed below.

PGDM CAT Cutoff 2023 for Top Colleges

Every college publishes its required cutoffs following the PGDM entrance examinations. Admission to the IIMs for PGDM is based on the CAT entrance exam. Although, the CAT cutoff for 2023 is yet to be released. Below is the list of the best PGDM colleges in India along with their expected cut-off marks in CAT 2023 for admission:

PGDM Fees Structure

With the increased demand for PGDM courses, students now have a variety of options from which to pick. For example, a professional who wishes to study a PGDM course to advance in his or her career can choose between a PGDM Distance course and a PGDM Online course, whichever is more appropriate. The fee structure keeps on fluctuating based on the courses or types you pick.

Also Read: Executive MBA Vs Distance MBA

PGDM Specializations

PGDM course offers various specializations that students can opt for based on their career objectives and future goals. Students can choose the specializations based on their choice in various domains such as Finance, HR, Marketing, International Business, Operations, etc.

Given below is the information on various specializations in Post Graduate Diploma in Management courses.

Read More: List of PGDM Specializations

Top PGDM Colleges In India with Fees

Also Read: PGPM vs PGDM - Which is Better?

PGDM vs MBA

PGDM is a post-graduation course based on management. The courses of MBA and PGDM are not the same but a few core subjects are similar to each other.

Listed below are the differences between MBA and PGDM courses:

Also Read: PGDM vs MBA

PGDM Syllabus and Subjects

The PGDM course is a two-year program divided into four semesters. The first year of PGDM includes two semesters, while the 2nd year includes two semesters in total.

PGDM  Syllabus for Semesters 1 and 2:

PGDM  Syllabus for Semesters 3 and 4:

PGDM Course Subjects:

The PGDM program covers a wide range of areas, including both core and elective courses. Electives are provided for specialised education in various professions and areas that are suited to individuals' interests and needs.

Read More: PGDM Syllabus and Subjects

PGDM Salary in India

The starting salary of a PGDM course graduate would be around INR 4 - 24 LPA, depending on whether it's in the private or public sector. As skills and experience increase, so will the salary increment. Candidates can grab rewarding job roles in esteemed organizations such as Goldman Sachs, Apple, IBM, Amazon, etc. The following table comprises PGDM job roles and their respective salaries. 

Read More: Salary Offered to PGDM Graduates in India

Career Options After PGDM Course

After completing a Post Graduate Diploma In Management course, the aspirant can work in public and private sectors depending on the type of work or the skills they have. They even have further specialization by doing a postgraduate degree like a doctorate or even a further extension by doing an interior MBA or other full-time courses.

Some of the best job designations for graduates after the course of Post Graduate Diploma In Management are as follows:

Read More: PGDM Jobs in India

Top Recruiters for PGDM Course

PGDM course graduates are sought-after for their pragmatic skills and hands-on approach by top companies such as Goldman Sachs, Accenture, KPMG, IBM, etc. These organizations are known for providing promising career advancement opportunities and lucrative salary slabs to PGDM course graduates.

Some of the top recruiters that hire PGDM course graduates are given below:

PGDM Scholarships

PGDM course scholarships are extremely beneficial as they provide financial assistance to students who are unable to pay their tuition and other expenses. Some of these scholarships are subject to high performance in previous academics.

Listed below are a few MBA scholarship opportunities:

Skills to Excel as a PGDM Course Graduate

The PGDM course upgrades the skills and meets the industry's requirements by imparting practical approaches. It is an excellent choice for working professionals who want to broaden their knowledge of management and learn skills applicable to their field.

It is recommended that students possess hard and soft skills for better course outcomes. Some of the skills required for the Post Graduate Diploma In Management graduates are as follows:

• Versatility and flexibility - Graduates should be able to manage their time effectively and manage diverse responsibilities. It is important to be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines. 
• Critical thinking - Critical thinkers may prepare for the future by staying on top of trends and gaining the requisite foresight.
• Strong communication - Good communication skill is required for handling client and customer relationships along with additional career growth. 
• Project management- Students should develop skills for handling projects which includes planning, forecasting along with successful execution of tasks. 
• Leadership - PGDM course graduates can acquire job opportunities in a managerial position which requires entrepreneurial and leadership abilities.

Preparation Tips for PGDM Course

Aspirants have to ensure that they crack the required entrance exams to get admission into the PGDM course. Additionally, they will also have to update their knowledge of the business world and stay up-to-date with major events and developments. Below are some preparation tips made by experts for aspirants who want to pursue PGDM course:

• Time Management: The aspirant should be capable of answering 180-200 questions in about two hours, which means about a minute should be given to answer each question.
• Reading Newspapers: General knowledge and current affairs questions are often asked in entrance exams and sometimes in personal interviews and group discussion rounds.
• Skills: Try to focus more on analytical skills, data interpretation skills, verbal skills, general knowledge, etc., which are all included in the questions
• Planning: To prepare well in advance, aspirants should practice with sample question papers, mock tests, and quizzes. By analyzing their errors, aspirants can develop a more effective strategy to attempt entrance exams.

Top PGDM [Post Graduate Diploma in Management] Colleges

IIT Kharagpur

Kharagpur,West Bengal

AMU

Aligarh,Uttar Pradesh

Bharathiar University

Coimbatore,Tamil Nadu

Andhra University

Visakhapatnam,Andhra Pradesh

GNDU

Amritsar,Punjab

PSGCT

Coimbatore,Tamil Nadu

Pondicherry University

Pondicherry,Puducherry

Mumbai University

Mumbai,Maharashtra

VIEW ALL

Top Management Entrance Exams

CAT

• Eligibility Criteria
• Syllabus

MAT

Exam Date: May 19, 2024

• Eligibility Criteria
• Syllabus

NMAT

• Eligibility Criteria
• Syllabus

GMAT

• Eligibility Criteria
• Syllabus

JEMAT

• Eligibility Criteria
• Syllabus

CMAT

• Eligibility Criteria
• Syllabus

IBSAT

• Eligibility Criteria
• Syllabus

IMUCET

• Eligibility Criteria
• Syllabus

VIEW ALL

PGDM Fee Structure

See Various PGDM Colleges in India