PGDM Course, Fees, Duration, Syllabus, Subjects, Colleges, Placement and Salary 2023

PGDM Course: The Full form of the PGDM is Post Graduate Diploma in Management and it is a Postgraduate Diploma course that aims to provide practical and industry-oriented training to the candidate about various aspects of Management and Business Administration.

The Course curriculum of PGDM is quite similar to an MBA course, both of these courses have the same objective but different approaches. A PGDM Course can be termed as an advanced version of an "MBA Course", however, a PGDM diploma and an MBA degree are considered equivalent in the job market.

Details of PGDM Course

It is designed to build essential skills and capabilities in a scholar to hold managerial posts in sundry firms and companies. It addresses learner responsiveness and sensitivity to global issues.

The aspirants acquire managerial, executive, and leadership skills during the tenure of this course. The PGDM course emphasizes teamwork, leadership, and practical application-oriented methodology of studies.

A general PGDM course program has a basic curriculum like international business, human resources, business management, finance, communication management, etc.

It is offered in 3 modes of Education - Full-Time PGDM, Distance PGDM, and Online PGDM. In this article, You can also find the details about Distance PGDM and Online PGDM courses.

PGDM Course Duration

The Duration of the PGDM Course is 2 years and it is offered by the institutes that are recognized by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and which are autonomous, i.e not affiliated with any university. However, if a university is accredited by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), then the PGDM course becomes equivalent to an MBA degree.

PGDM Specializations

A PGDM Course is offered in various specializations, we have enlisted the names of the most popular PGDM Specializations offered by the PGDM Colleges in India:

• Marketing Management
• Human Resource Management
• Finance/Financial Management
• International Business
• Business Entrepreneurship
• Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Event Management
• Foreign Trade

➥ Marketing Management: Marketing is one of the most popular and commonly opted specializations. In this specialization course, the candidates are taught about marketing strategies, advertising, sales, and developing effective business development and marketing campaigns.

➥ Human Resource Management: Human resource (HR) department is an integral part of any organization. In this specialization, the candidates are trained to manage the organizational structure starting from recruiting resourceful employees to managing the basic amenities required for the smooth functioning of an organization.

➥ Finance/Financial Management: Financial Management is also one of the most popular and high-in-demand specializations of the PGDM Course. During this course, you will get to learn about the financial market, accounting systems, financial statement analysis, investment management, and many other things which are required by the organizations.

➥ International Business: In this course specialization, the candidates are taught about international business operations, international trade, and practices, the work ethics of international businesses, rules & regulations of global enterprises. This specialization is suitable for the candidates who want to work globally as an Entrepreneur or as a company professional.

➥ Business Entrepreneurship: PGDM in Business Entrepreneurship is a management specialization that administers knowledge about enterprises, and how to establish, manage, organize and grow enterprises. This specialization is designed for the candidates who aspire to become entrepreneurs and want to set their business in the competitive markets.

➥ Logistics and Supply Chain Management: This course specialization aims to develop theoretical and practical knowledge about Logistics, inventory management, Supply chain management, etc. In other words, this course is a combination of design, production, manufacturing, and export-import of goods and services.

➥ Event Management: As the name suggests, this specialization is all about event organizing and management. This course allows you to learn about the complexity involved in Organizing an Event, the Conceptualization of events, and operations involved in organizing a successful event (including food and technology, logistics venue selection and negotiation room layouts, seating plans, design and décor, resource- management budgeting, transportation, entertainment, set design and marketing, etc.)

➥ Foreign Trade: This course is specifically designed to provide knowledge about international trading policies, exchange of capital, goods, and services. This course curriculum also involves the research & analysis of the International market.

The objective of this course specialization is to create professionals who can lead effective operations in an organization. After completing a PGDM in operation management, an individual can become an operation manager in a company, especially in the manufacturing industry. An Operation Manager is responsible for the management and smooth running of the operations in an organization.

PGDM Course Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria and admission criteria for a PGDM course may vary from one Institute to another. For accurate information related to the PGDM eligibility criteria, the candidates are suggested to check it on the official website of the college.

We are here mentioning the basic PGDM Course eligibility criteria required to be fulfilled by the candidate to apply for admission into the PGDM Colleges in India:

• The candidate must have completed his/her graduation and must obtain a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a UGC-recognized university
• The candidate must have scored at least 45% to 50% in the Bachelor's degree exam. The minimum required percentage may vary from college to college

PGDM Admissions / PGDM Admission Criteria

Each University or Institute has its own sets of admission criteria to offer admissions in the PGDM. Below we are mentioning all the details related to PGDM Admission Criteria / PGDM Admissions.

Please read further to know more:

• PGDM Admissions are based on the national level or institute/university level entrance examinations. Some renowned autonomous institutes like IIMs and XLRI also conduct Group discussions and Personal Interviews to shortlist the deserving candidates for admissions. In India, there are various PGDM entrance examinations conducted on the national level, candidates have to obtain a valid score in the entrance exam to get shortlisted for GD and PI rounds. The key purpose of conducting the Group Discussion and Personal Interview round is to determine the communication skills and thinking abilities of the candidate which cannot be determined by a written test.
• If you also want to pursue a PGDM Course from a renowned institute then you better prepare yourself for a tough competition, every year millions of students appear in the PGDM entrance examinations and compete with each other to get an entry to the renowned B-Schools like IIMs, XLRI, FMS, IIT, etc. As per records, more than 2.27 Lakh students appeared in the CAT entrance examination and this no. is increasing every year.

Top PGDM Entrance Exams

PGDM Course - Highlights

Subjects in PGDM Course

The core subjects of all the PGDM Specializations are almost the same, only the subjects related to the particular specialization vary in each course specialization.

We are mentioning only the specialized subjects of each PGDM Specialization below:

Financial Management (FM)

• Security Analysis & Portfolio Management
• International Finance
• Corporate Finance
• Management of Financial Services

Human Resource Management (HR)

• Performance Management
• Training and Development
• HRD for Competitive Advantage
• International Human Resource Management
• Managing Change through Organisational Development

Operations Management (OM)

• Technology Management
• Project Management
• Business Process Re-engineering
• Supply Chain Management
• Knowledge Management

International Business (IB)

• Import Export Documentation
• Indian Foreign Trade
• International Human Resource Management
• International Marketing Management
• International Finance

Information Systems (IS)

• Computer Networks
• Fundamentals of E-Commerce
• Software Engineering
• Database Management
• Management of Information Technology

PGDM Course Syllabus

The Syllabus of the PGDM Course is divided into 4 semesters, each year consisting of 2 semesters. The specialized subjects might vary in each course specialization.

Below we are mentioning the core syllabus of it, Please see the table below:

1st Semester	2nd Semester
Management Functions & Behaviour Human Resource Management Economic and Social Environment Introduction to Information Technology Business Ethics And Communication	Operations Management Marketing Management Quantitative Techniques for Managers Managerial Economics Strategic Management
3rd Semester	4th Semester
Marketing Management (MM) Financial Management (FM) International Business (IB) Human Resource Management (HR) Operations Management (OM) Information Systems (IS) Insurance Management (IN)	Business Law & Corporate Governance International Business Management Information Systems Research Methodology IT Skills Lab Economics & Social Sciences Project Work

Top PGDM Colleges in India

Check the list of Top PGDM Colleges as per the previous year's NIRF Rankings:

Under-mentioned is the list of top and most prestigious Business Schools in India that offer various PGDM Courses:

• Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
• Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore
• Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta
• Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow
• Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
• Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode
• Indian Institute of Management, Indore
• Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
• Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur
• Management Development Institute, Gurgaon

List of Most Popular PGDM Colleges in India

Many universities, colleges, and autonomous institutes in India offer PGDM Programs, and admissions to most of the top PGDM colleges are based on the national level entrance exams.

The PGDM degree is considered of utmost value when obtained from a reputed university or institute but not all candidates are capable of making it into an IIM or an IIT college for their PGDM Course.

If you are also someone who wants to pursue this course from a reputed college but looking through the least chances of getting into an IIM or IIT, don’t stress it out, you can still try to get admission into these most popular PGDM Colleges in India:

1. Fortune Institute of International Business (FIB), New Delhi
2. G.L Bajaj Institute of Management & Research, Greater Noida
3. Institute of Management Studies (IMS), Ghaziabad
4. Birla Institute of Management & Technology, Greater Noida
5. Maharishi University of Information Technology, Noida
6. IILM Graduate School of Management, Greater Noida
7. Jagan Institute of Management Studies, New Delhi
8. Institute of Technology & Science, Ghaziabad
9. School of Management Sciences, Varanasi

PGDM Course Fee

PGDM Course Fee in Top PGDM Colleges in India

IIMs, XLRI, and MDI Gurgaon are ranked among the Top 10 B-Schools in India by MHRD’s National Institutional Ranking Framework. Undoubtedly, the PGDM programs offered by these Institutions are impeccable, this is the main reason behind their expensive Course fee.

It is agreeable that the PGDM program offered by these institutes is very costly, but the annual salary packages offered to a candidate after graduating from these Top B-schools are even higher than the entire course fee amount which makes these institutes’ programs totally worth the money.

In this article, you will also find information about the Salary Packages offered after graduating from top Business Schools in India. Please continue reading the article to know more.

Distance PGDM Course

A Distance PGDM course is developed for students who are unable to reach out to college regularly. In this course, the candidates receive all the study material, notes, and syllabus through online mediums.

Moreover, the exam is also conducted through online mode. A Distance PGDM course is the most suitable for working professionals and candidates having mobility issues or any other personal reasons.

Distance PGDM Course Duration

The Duration of a Distance PGDM course is 2 years. The admission process of a Distance PGDM course is the same as that of a Regular PGDM Course.

Eligibility Criteria of Distance PGDM Course

The basic eligibility criteria required to get enrolled in a PGDM course are as follows:

• Aggregate 50% marks in 10+2 board exams
• A Bachelor's degree in any discipline obtained from a recognized university
• A valid score in the required PGDM Entrance exam

Admission Criteria for PGDM Course: Candidates have to appear in the entrance examinations (CAT/MAT/XAT) to get admission to a Distance PGDM College.

Colleges such as Symbiosis Centre For Distance Learning (SCDL ), and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) conduct their own PGDM and MBA entrance exams named SCDL-PGDBA and OPENMAT respectively.

Top Distance PGDM Colleges

Below is the list of the Distance PGDM Colleges that are popular for their Distance PGDM Program:

• IIM Bangalore
• IIM Ahmedabad
• IIM Calcutta
• IIM Lucknow
• IMT Centre of Distance Learning (IMT CDL), Ghaziabad
• NMIMS Global Access School for Continuing Education (NGA-SCE)
• Symbiosis Center For Distance Learning (SCDL), Pune

Online PGDM Course

An Online PGDM course is one of the most sought higher degree options for candidates who want to thrive in their careers. Candidates with a heavy workload and busy schedules can go for an Online PGDM diploma.

This course makes learning flexible and convenient for the individual. Want to know the best thing about this course? Well, the course fee of this program is much more reasonable than a regular or distance PGDM course.

Eligibility Criteria for Online PGDM Course

• The candidate must have graduated and acquired a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized University
• Candidates having valid work experience will be given priority in admissions
• Candidates may need to qualify for the entrance exam

Top Online PGDM Colleges in India

• Amity University Online
• Karnataka State Open University, Mysore
• NMIMS Global Access School for Continuing Education, Mumbai
• National Institute of Business Management, Pune
• Venkateshwara Open University, Naharlagun
• Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati

Why should I do a PGDM Course?

There are various higher degree options available for a graduate but a PGDM degree is considered the prime choice for the candidates who intend to join the corporate world.

There are countless reasons to pursue a PGDM Diploma, some of the most logical reasons are mentioned below:

➥ Fly High in the Corporate World: Globalization has lured the majority of graduates to choose the corporate sector as their career destination. A PGDM is a prestigious qualification that can provide a rocket boost to your corporate career.

If you acquire a PGDM Diploma from a prestigious institution, then there's a high chance that you will get a job in a managerial or supervisory position.

➥ Get Paid Well: Holding a PGDM Diploma will increase your market value as a management professional. You can get a high salary package especially if you have completed your course from a renowned B-School.

As per records, the entry-level salary of a PGDM graduate can go as high as ₹ 20 L.P.A to ₹ 25 L.P.A. PGDM is the only course that can offer you such bright career opportunities and a salary package.

➥ Personal and Professional Growth: A PGDM Diploma allows you to launch your management career, once you enter the corporate world, you will get endless opportunities to grow your knowledge.

You will get lifetime opportunities to work with the industry's top-notch professionals and leaders. "Working with the best and learning from the best and inspiring the rest" will help you to become a better version of yourself and will uplift your career to the top positions in an organization.

➥ Open for Everyone: A PGDM Course is open for everyone irrespective of their stream: There are no subject criteria that are required to be fulfilled by the candidate to pursue a PGDM course.

Anyone who has completed his/her graduation and holds a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline can pursue this course. It doesn't matter if you have a BA degree, B.Com degree, B.Tech Degree, or B.Sc degree, this course is open to everyone.

Who should Do a PGDM?

Students who want to pursue a career in Management can find no better option than a PGDM course. It is a completely industry-oriented course and gives you insights into the latest industry trends and trains you to work efficiently in the management department of corporate houses.

The PGDM course has lured the interest of many graduates because it promises greater job prospects and satisfactory salary packages for graduates.

The candidates holding a work experience of 2 or more years are more suitable for this course as the PGDM courses have case studies and fieldwork in their curriculum, having a legitimate work experience of 2 or more years will help the candidate to learn the best of the course.

Also having prior work experience will help you to get entry into the best Business Schools in India. Many prestigious B-Schools ask for a minimum of 2 years of work experience as an eligibility requirement.

Candidates who are already working in the industry and looking for a career shift can also find the PGDM diploma resourceful. A PGDM degree can help an individual to shift their career. 

A candidate who is looking to pursue a Part-time degree and has any personal and professional priorities can also pursue PGDM online or PGDM Distance course.

A PGDM Distance or PGDM Online course is convenient for candidates with professional, financial, or personal priorities.

Career Scope After PGDM Course

After completing the PGDM Course, one can find many fruitful employment opportunities in both the government/public and private sectors. Aspirants can go into research and educational institutes and become professors/teachers and use their expertise to teach young management students.

Professionals can also opt to choose their career as Human Resource Development Managers where they will have to comply with the standards set by organizations in which they slog under and manage the human resource. Human Resource is a key component of any firm which effectively manages the organization.

Some other career options after the PGDM Course are:

Job Profiles After PGDM Course

• Brand Manager
• Finance Manager
• Human Resource Manager
• Sales Manager
• Investment Bankers
• Financial Advisors
• Chief Technology Officers
• IT Directors
• Senior Business Analyst
• Project Manager
• Planning and Development Expert

Top Employment Areas for PGDM Graduates

• Banks
• Hotel Management & Hospitality
• Health Care
• Retail Management
• Financial Services
• Tourism Industry
• Educational Institutes
• Multinational Companies
• Export Companies

Top Recruiting Companies for PGDM Graduates

The list of the companies that are interested in hiring PGDM graduates is too long to mention here. But still, we are here with the names of top recruiting companies for PGDM graduates who offer the highest salary packages to the PGDM Diploma holders:

Salary After a PGDM Course

Placement Salary Packages offered by the Top PGDM Colleges in India

With each subsequent year, IIM colleges witness a whopping jump in the salary packages offered during the campus placement season. However only 8% to 10% of total batch students manage to get a salary package of more than 25 lacs but still, the average salary package is more than enough, considering the economical crisis in the employment industry of India.

Below we are mentioning the list of Top PGDM Colleges along with the average salary package recorded during the last placement season.

Which is better PGDM or MBA Course?

“Which is better, PGDM or MBA ?” “What should I do, PGDM or MBA?” - Management Aspirants have googled these two questions countless times. To make a concrete course decision, it is imperative to know the difference and similarities between these two courses. So to make it easier for you, we are differentiating these two courses based on some relevant parameters:

PGDM vs MBA

Have you just Completed your Graduation and now looking for a suitable Post Graduation course? You will find a plethora of course options for your higher education but making an accurate decision will be a complex and overwhelming task.

Before making any final decision, ask yourself "Why do I want to pursue a higher degree?" If the idea behind pursuing a higher degree is getting a good salary package or getting placed in a Higher job position or getting an entry pass in a leading organization, then a PGDM Course would be the best option for your higher education.

A PGDM degree from an AICTE-approved college will allow you to apply for managerial-level job positions and will help you to climb the ladder of hierarchy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. What is the Full Form of PGDM?

The full form of PGDM is Post Graduate Diploma in Management.

2. What is the duration of the PGDM Course?

The duration of a PGDM Course is 2 years.

3. What is the Eligibility of a PGDM Course?

The eligibility criteria required to be fulfilled to pursue a PGDM course are as follows:

• A Bachelor's degree in any discipline is obtained from a recognized university.
• At least 50% marks at Graduation level.
• Some renowned Colleges and B-Schools also ask for a 2-year working experience as an eligibility requirement.

4. Which are the Top 5 PGDM Colleges Name in India?

These are the top 5 PGDM colleges in India:

• Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
• Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore
• Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta
• Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow
• Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur

5. Which stream is best for a PGDM Course?

Commerce Course is the best stream for PGDM courses but candidates belonging to any stream can pursue a PGDM course.

6. Which is better, MBA or PGDM?

MBA and PGDM both are equivalent degrees and hold equal significance in the job market. However, a PGDM Course is a more industry-oriented course and caters to the advanced needs of the industry.

7. What is the average salary of a PGDM graduate?

The average salary of a PGDM graduate varies from ₹ 7 L.P.A to ₹ 15 L.P.A

8. Which entrance exam is best for a PGDM Course?

CAT. XAT and MAT are the best and most popular PGDM entrance exams accepted by almost all the B-Schools and colleges in India.

9. Is it mandatory to clear CAT for MBA?

No, it is not necessary to pass the CAT entrance exam to pursue a PGDM degree. Yes, a valid score in the CAT entrance exam is demanded by most of the reputed management colleges but there are also such colleges that offer admissions based on their own university-level entrance test.

10. Can I do a PGDM course After 12th Science?

Yes, you can pursue a PGDM course if you have completed your 12th from the Science stream. After completing the 12th, you must complete at least a 3-year Bachelor’s course in any discipline.

11. Can I Do a PGDM Course after a Diploma course?

No, you cannot pursue a PGDM Course after a Diploma course. To get admission in a PGDM Course, you must have a 3-year Bachelor’s degree in any discipline obtained from a recognized university.