What is PGDM ?

Today, most of the students are getting confused to go for a PG. Still, they are in the dilemma that whether MBA or PGDM is better to grow in a career. There is a difference between PGDM and MBA. But, there are lots of benefits with PGDM.

PGDM expands to Post Graduate Diploma in Management, the confusion starts when you see the term Diploma. Many students are of the view that it is a Diploma course and not a Degree; you are right to an extent that it is a Diploma. The main reason why postgraduate courses are named as PGDM is that when an institute is an autonomous body (meaning it is not affiliated to any University) and conducts management courses then such Institutes cannot offer MBA degree. Even IIMs, XLRI’s doesn’t offer MBA degrees they only give PGP Diploma or PGDM since they are autonomous and independent bodies. On similar lines, AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) is allowing approved colleges to run a PGDM course. Some Business Schools offering this AICTE PGDM course need not be autonomous, the PGDM course will be autonomous given by the Institute & directly approved by AICTE, Ministry of HRD, and Govt of India.

Just like how UGC – University Grants Commission controls the Universities in India, AICTE – All India Council for Technical Education has control on both technical and management courses and especially colleges not under Universities. Even colleges offering UGC recognized MBA Programmes in most cases should have AICTE approval.

The course revolves around creating business class leaders and future executives who can lead the way with professionalism and sustainability. The course nurtures and develops skills and qualities that are quintessential to lead fluctuating businesses of today.

The course emphasizes on teamwork, leadership and practical application-oriented methodology of studies. This diploma course requires thorough knowledge, hard work and perseverance as is required in any regular degree course.

The course helps to build conceptual knowledge and skills in students who can go on to work in industries, government or private organizations. The course is beneficial as students can become Management Analysts, Consultants and Executives and help an organization grow. After completing the course, one can even go for higher degree courses and improve their skills.

Benefits of Doing PGDM Course

Usually, autonomous colleges maintain the latest syllabus, as per the market demand, but in universities, it is not possible to change the syllabus every year. It will take 3 or 5, sometimes it will take 7 years. Because many colleges will be affiliated with the university, syllabus books and textbooks need to change and faculty needs to upgrade themselves. Based on this reason it will take time to change the syllabus. But in autonomous colleges, they will change continually, according to the current market trend. So that students will get the latest knowledge.

• View All Reasons and Benefits to Choose PGDM
• PGDM Admission procedure
• Top PGDM Colleges in India

Eligibility

To be eligible for admission to the PGDM Program, the participants must possess a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks or equivalent in any discipline, recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) for admission to post-graduate programs. The bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification obtained by the candidate must entail a minimum of three years education after completing higher secondary schooling under the 10+2 system or equivalent. The applicants to the programme are selected on the basis of the past academic performance in 10th, 12th, and graduation; CAT/XAT/GMAT/CMAT score; written test; essay writing; group discussion; extempore, and personal interview. Appropriate weightage is given to work experience of the applicants.

Participants Profile

Participants for the PGDM Programme may be from any discipline such as Engineering, Humanities, Commerce, Economics, Hotel Management, Medicine or any other branch of education. Fresh graduates as well as candidates with relevant work experience are welcome to apply.

Some Main Specializations in PGDM

Marketing	Finance	International Business
Human Resource	Operation Mangament	Information technology
Retail Management	Hospitality & tourism	Aviation

There are some more specializations emerging:

• Public policy & management
• International Marketing
• Entrepreneurship management
• Rural Management
• Apparel Management

Top Reasons to choose PGDM

1. Industry Oriented Course Structure

The course structure of PGDM is such that it is more industry-oriented as compared to MBA. Since autonomous institutes offer this course, therefore the curriculum is kept in accordance to the latest developments. Also, PGDM has a more practical approach, whereas, MBA just gives you bookish knowledge.

2. Specialization in Any Field

PGDM lets you specialize in your areas of interest. For example, if you choose to go for a specialization in Human Resource Management, then you can choose minor subjects like Marketing/ Finance/IT/Project management which gives you an edge over other candidates.

3. Preference for Higher Studies

Many reputed Business schools in India, as well as Abroad, give preference to PGDM students over MBA students. This is due to the practical insight which PGDM offers and MBA which is more theoretical lacks. Hence it gives you an advantage over other students provided it is done from a reputed institute.

4. Real-time Business World Experience

In PGDM, students are given immense exposure to the real-time business world through rigorous classroom studies, meetings with top business leaders, management internships and various other similar ways. These techniques help the students to get comfortable with the business environment and makes them job ready.

5. Better Placement Offers

Institutes with PGDM courses provide attractive placement offers since they are autonomous in nature. Whereas MBA doesn’t guarantee you a job and you have to struggle on your own for placement.

6. Experienced Faculty

In institutes offering PGDM, the teachers are more qualified as they are offered lucrative salary packages whereas in MBA colleges due to the outdated rules of universities, college makes extra efforts to bring the latest corporate learnings.

7. Job Oriented Programme

PGDM is more job oriented than MBA which helps one in getting a suitable job right after completing the course. The job opportunities are widened with a PGDM due to the added skills you learn during the course.

8. Learning Opportunities

PGDM gives more learning opportunities, Seminars and workshops are arranged. Top industry managers are called as guests for giving speeches and to motivate students. Industries also prefer autonomous institutions for campus recruitments.

9. Better Financial Aid

It is easier to get education loans if you study in an AICTE approved business school Like Best B-School in UP they are widely recognised. In private or national banks, students can easily avail loans and complete their studies without any burden.

10. Job-Related Skills

Just getting a degree won’t get you a job. What you require are the right skills. PGDM teaches you those skills. It makes your job ready for the leadership and managerial skills you learn. These skills help you in surviving the competitive corporate world with ease

Top 10 Key Difference Between PGDM and MBA:

Before selecting the course one has to know the difference between and choose the right one for the career which is suitable & convenient to you; as the decision is in your hands

S.No.	Basis of Difference	PGDM	MBA
1	Recognized/affiliated by	PGDM colleges are autonomous bodies which means they are not affiliated to any university, they are independent and take own decisions.	MBA colleges are recognized by the universities and strictly follow their rules, they are not independent.
2	Curriculum	Changes depend upon the real world business environment	Follow one single core curriculum, provided by the university and will change once every 3-5 years.
3	Difference in course	Helps you to develop market systematic industry oriented training and awareness into real life business circumstances, soft skills as well.	Helps you to develop theoretical aspects of management, technical skills, and more exam oriented.
4	Course fee	Fee for many quality PGDM colleges is between 5-10 lakhs.	The fee for MBA at government universities and colleges are low. FMS Delhi college is charging RS 25,000 for two years MBA.
5	Award	Diploma	Degree
6	Course Duration	Two Years	One/ Two Years
7	Exams Organized by	By individual institute/college	By Universities
8	Entrance Exams	PGDM colleges can select from one or many of 6 approved exams: MAT, GMAT, CAT, XAT, CMAT, ATMA.	MBA colleges follow university rules which are governed by the state government and they have state-level exams like TAN-CET, MAH-CET, MET-MP. And also self-examinations like SNAP, TISS, NMAT, IRMA, IBSAT.
9	Number of Programmes offering by institutes	For PGDM 500 programmes.	For MBA 2000+ programmes.
10	Top Most Institutes/colleges	IMI, IMT, TAPMI, XLRI, SPJIMR, MDI, IIMB, ISB, GSIB,…	Government Affiliated universities like Anna University, Banglore university etc. JBIMS Mumbai University, IIFT Delhi Deemed University, FMS Delhi University.