What is the Full Form of PGDM?

PGDM full form is a Postgraduate Diploma in Management offered by autonomous business schools in India, recognised by AICTE(All India Council of Technical Education). The program is designed to provide students with practical knowledge and skills related to business and management through a rigorous curriculum that includes case studies, seminars, projects, and other industry-oriented training programs.

Although PGDM is not technically the same as an MBA degree, it is widely considered as an equivalent in India, especially if the college offering the program is accredited by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and/or recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

The aim of this program is to provide students with a more practical approach to management and equip them with the tools and knowledge necessary to excel in their chosen careers.

PGDM: Overview

• PGDM is a popular course among students aspiring to pursue a career in the management field.
• The course is open to students who have completed a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognised university with the required percentage. 
• It is an interdisciplinary course that combines different fields such as management, accountancy, economics, and more to provide students with a well-rounded understanding of various business aspects.
• Pursuing a PGDM course can help students position themselves to meet the current requirements of industries and markets. 
• PGDM courses are available in both online and distance learning formats, making it more accessible to students and working professionals who have time and financial constraints.
• PGDM colleges generally do not discriminate on the basis of age, which means that professionals with significant work experience can also enrol in PGDM programs and pursue career advancement opportunities.
• Having work experience can be an advantage when pursuing this course. While a PGDM course after graduation can still provide valuable knowledge and skills, having a few years of work experience can help you better understand the practical aspects of the business world and provide context for the theoretical concepts learned in the course.

Types of PGDM

The increasing demand for PGDM courses has led to the availability of various options for students to choose from and which can be suitable for professionals looking to advance in their careers while managing other responsibilities. Given below are the three types of PGDM courses for anyone to choose: 

Full-Time PGDM

• Full-time PGDM is a two-year professional diploma course that provides students with industry-relevant knowledge and skills. 
• It is the most popular form of PGDM course, and the fee for it can range from INR 4-24 LPA depending on the college. 
• Admission to PGDM programs is based on entrance exams conducted at the national or university level, such as CAT, MAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT, and GMAT. 
• Specialisations for PGDM programs include Marketing, Finance, HR, and others. Many top colleges across the country offer PGDM programs, including the IIMs.

Online PGDM

• Online PGDM courses are short-term courses offered by various online platforms, providing knowledge on a particular topic or subject that can be beneficial for professional career growth. 
• These courses offer topics based on current market trends, and students can learn at their own pace without the need to travel. 
• Additionally, the course fees are generally less expensive than traditional offline classes. 
• These courses can also help students broaden their minds in the field of management, giving them a better understanding of the current industry trends and the changing business landscape.

Distance PGDM

• PGDM distance education is a cost-effective and flexible mode of education that allows students to work and study simultaneously while providing a range of college options. 
• It also enables individuals to keep themselves up-to-date with the subject matter without leaving their jobs.

Admission Process for PGDM

• Admission to PGDM programs typically involves qualifying in entrance exams conducted by national bodies or institutes, followed by further rounds such as written tests, group discussions, and personal interviews.
• Final admission is offered to candidates based on their overall performance in these rounds.
• The range of PGDM admission fees can vary depending on the institution and program, with some programs costing between 1 Lakh to 20 Lakhs or more.
• Academicians suggest that candidates should choose a B-School that can provide them with a competitive advantage, even if they have scored 99% in CAT. 
• This means considering factors beyond just academic reputation, such as industry connections, alumni network, faculty expertise, and placement opportunities.

Eligibility for PGDM course

• Candidates applying for admission to PGDM programs typically require a Bachelor's degree from a recognised college or institute, with a minimum of 50% percentage. 
• Elite institutions such as IIM may require a higher minimum percentage or CGPA. 
• There is usually no specific age limit for pursuing a PGDM program, although some institutions may have age restrictions or preferences for certain age groups.

Application deadline for PGDM 2023

Exam Name	Exam Description	Registration Date	Exam Date
CAT	It stands for Common Admission Test, which is a computer-based exam used for admission to various management programs in Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top business schools in India.	August 3 – September 21, 2022	November 27, 2022
ATMA	The ATMA examination refers to the AIMS Test for Management Admissions. It is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS) for admission to various postgraduate management programs, including MBA, PGDM, and MCA courses.	December 24, 2022 – February 17, 2023 (February session)	February 25, 2023 (February session) May 28, 2023 (May session) July 23, 2023 (July session)
XAT	It refers to the Xavier Aptitude Test, which is a national-level management entrance exam conducted by Xavier School of Management (XLRI) Jamshedpur. The XAT exam is accepted by more than 150 B-schools in India for admission to various management programs, including MBA, PGDM, and Executive programs.	August 10, 2022 – December 12, 2022	January 8, 2023
MAT	It refers to the Management Aptitude Test, which is a national-level management entrance exam conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA). The MAT exam is accepted by over 600 B-schools in India for admission to various management programs, including MBA, PGDM, and allied programs.	PBT: February 14, 2023 (Last Date) CBT 1: February 21, 2023 (Last Date) CBT 2: February 27, 2023 (Last Date)	PBT: February 19, 2023 CBT 1: February 26, 2023 CBT 2: March 4, 2023
CMAT	It refers to the Common Management Admission Test, which is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to various management programs.	December 26, 2022 – February 25, 2023	March 26, 2023
NMAT	It refers to the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies Management Aptitude Test, which is a national-level management entrance exam conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).	August 1, 2022 – October 10, 2022	October 10, 2022 – December 19, 2022
KMAT	It refers to the Karnataka Management Aptitude Test, which is a state-level management entrance exam conducted by the Karnataka Private Post Graduate Colleges Association (KPPGCA)	June 6, 2022 – November 26, 2022	December 4, 2022 (02:00 PM to 04:00 PM)
TISSNET	It stands for Tata Institute of Social Sciences National Entrance Test. It is a national level entrance examination conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) for admission to various postgraduate programs offered by the institute. TISS is one of the top-ranked institutions in India that provides courses in the field of social work, social sciences, and human resources management.	December 14, 2022 – January 15, 2023	January 28, 2023 to February 28, 2023
MAH CET	It refers to Maharashtra Common Entrance Test, which is a state-level entrance examination conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra for admission to various management programs, including MBA, MMS, PGDM, and other allied programs offered by colleges in Maharashtra.	To be Announced	To be Announced
SNAP	It  is a national-level management entrance exam conducted by Symbiosis International (Deemed University) for admission to various management programs, including MBA, M.Sc, and other allied programs offered by the institutes under Symbiosis International University.	August 4, 2022 – November 24, 2022	December 10, 2022 December 18, 2022 December 23, 2022
IBSAT	It stands for ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test, which is a national-level management entrance exam conducted by the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE), Hyderabad for admission to various MBA and PGPM programs offered by the ICFAI Business School.	To be Announced	To be Announced

List of subjects in PGDM

PGDM course structure typically consists of two parts:

1. Compulsory core courses: These courses cover foundational areas in management such as accounting, finance, marketing, operations, human resources, and strategy.
2. Elective courses: These courses are designed to provide students with specialised skills and knowledge in specific areas such as business analytics, entrepreneurship, international business, or other industry-specific domains. 

Following is the tabulated form of course structure divided as per the semester:

 

SEMESTER I	SEMESTER II
Management Functions & Behaviour	Operations Management
Economic and Social Environment	Quantitative Techniques for Managers
Human Resource Management	Strategic Management
Introduction to Information Technology	Marketing Management
	Managerial Economics
SEMESTER III	SEMESTER IV
Marketing Management (MM)	Business Law & Corporate Governance
International Business (IB)	Management Information Systems
Operations Management (OM)	International Business
Insurance Management (IN)	Research Methodology
Financial Management (FM)	Project Work
Human Resource Management (HR)
Information Systems (IS)

The first two semesters mainly focused on theory and core subjects in management. The curriculum is typically designed to align with industry standards and norms, with a focus on building job-ready skills and knowledge.

Many PGDM programs also include a compulsory internship as part of the curriculum. The internship provides students with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and get accustomed to the challenges and requirements of the workplace. 

Top colleges for PGDM:

The top PGDM colleges are shown in the table below according to rankings:

College Name	NIRF Ranking	Type of PGDM offered	Average Fees (INR)	Exam Accepted	Average Salary Package (INR)
IIM Ahmedabad	1	Full time PGDM	22,00,000/-	CAT, GMAT	18.26 LPA
IIM Bangalore	2	Full time PGDM	23,00,000/-	CAT, GMAT	19.5 LPA
IIM Calcutta	3	Full time PGDM	19,00,000/-	CAT, GMAT	18.4 LPA
IIM Lucknow	6	Full time PGDM	14,16,000/-	CAT	24 LPA
Xavier School of Management (XLRI), Jamshedpur	8	Full time PGDM	15,00,000/-	XAT, GMAT	19.21 LPA
National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai	12	Full time PGDM	9,40,000/-	CAT, GMAT	24 LPA
Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon	13	Full time PGDM	21,34,000/-	CAT	14.74 LPA
SP Jain Institute of Management (SPJIMR), Mumbai	21	Full time PGDM	16,00,000/-	CAT, GMAT	17.2 LPA
T.A. Pai Management Institute, Manipal	27	Full time PGDM	14,00,000/-	CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT	12.5 LPA
International Management Institute (IMI), New Delhi	30	Full time PGDM	16,49,000/-	CAT, GMAT	9 LPA
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai	31	Full time PGDM	11,91,000/-	GMAT, CAT, XAT, CMAT	11 LPA
P.S.G. College of Technology,  Coimbatore	46	Full time PGDM	82,000/-	CAT, MAT	7 LPA
Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA), Chennai	50	Full time PGDM	15,26,000/-	CAT, XAT	11 LPA
NMIMS, Mumbai	51	Full time PGDM, Distance PGDM,	11,20,000/- (Full Time PGDM) 25,000/- (Distance PGDM)	NMAT	17.58 LPA
IGNOU	71	Distance PGDM	19,800/-	IGNOU OPENMAT	3-4 LPA
Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL)	—	Distance PGDM	50,000/-	MMS-CET/ GMAT/ NMAT/ CMAT/ CAT/ MAT	7 LPA

PGDM Scope:

PGDM graduates have various options to choose from for their career paths, depending on the individual's interests, aspirations, and skills. The following listed are some options to continue after PGDM: 

1. Entrepreneurship: One of the options for PGDM graduates is to start their own business or venture. The skills and knowledge gained during the PGDM program, including business planning, marketing, finance, and operations management, can be beneficial in starting and running a successful business.

2. Government Jobs: PGDM graduates can also apply for government jobs in various fields, including banking, public administration, finance, and more. The government sector provides a stable work environment and offers various benefits and opportunities for career growth.

3. Non-Profit Sector: Graduates with a PGDM degree can also pursue a career in the non-profit sector. Non-profit organisations require management skills to operate efficiently, and PGDM graduates can contribute to the sector by taking up roles such as project managers, program managers, and more.

4. Consulting: Many consulting firms hire PGDM graduates as consultants. In this role, graduates can work with clients from various industries to solve business problems, improve processes, and achieve business goals. 

PGDM Specialisation: 

Following is the list of the different specialisation offered in PGDM course :

Specialization	Description	Average Fees (INR)	Average Salary (INR)
PGDM in International Business	It is a 2-year program that provides students with specialised knowledge and training in the field of international business. The curriculum typically includes subjects such as international trade, finance, marketing, economics, logistics, and supply chain management.	4-12 Lakhs	4-10 LPA
PGDM in Operations Management	It is a program that focuses on developing the skills and competencies necessary to manage and optimise the operations department of an organisation. This includes areas such as production planning and control, supply chain management, quality management, and process improvement.	3-10 Lakhs	4-8 LPA
PGDM in Business Analytics	It is a program that provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to analyse and interpret data to make informed business decisions. The program covers a range of topics, including data mining, statistical analysis, predictive modelling, data visualisation, and machine learning.	3-12 Lakhs	5-10 LPA
PGDM in Finance	is a program that focuses on developing the skills and knowledge necessary to manage financial resources and analyse financial data in order to make informed decisions for organisations. The program covers a range of topics, including financial management, financial planning, investment analysis, risk management, and international finance.	1-5 Lakhs	4-12 LPA
PGDM in HR	It is a program that focuses on developing the skills and knowledge necessary to manage human resources effectively in organisations. The program covers a range of topics, including human resource information systems, performance management, human resource planning, training and development, and compensation administration.	4-10 Lakhs	5-15 LPA
PGDM in Supply Chain Management	It is a program that focuses on developing the skills and knowledge necessary to manage the flow of goods and services from suppliers to customers effectively in organisations. The program covers a range of topics, including design, production, inventory management, transportation, and logistics.	4-15 Lakhs	5-20 LPA
PGDM in Marketing	It is a program that focuses on developing the skills and knowledge necessary to create, manage, and execute effective marketing strategies for organisations. The program covers a range of topics, including marketing research, brand management, consumer behaviour, digital marketing, and sales management.	2-5 Lakhs	4-10 LPA

Top recruiters PGDM?:

Given is the list of top recruiters hiring students post-graduate diploma holders:

1. McKinsey & Company
2. Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
3. Bain & Company
4. Accenture
5. Deloitte
6. KPMG
7. EY (Ernst & Young)
8. PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
9. Capgemini
10. IBM

Conclusion

By offering a diverse range of subjects and skills, PGDM enables students to gain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in different roles and industries. This interdisciplinary approach can help students develop a holistic understanding of business and management and prepare them for a successful career. Sunstone provides training courses to assist people in learning occupational skills.  Additionally, it offers its students 100% placement support, interview assurances, and other benefits that may help them land employment offers.

FAQ - What is the Full Form of PGDM?

Do I need to have any work experience to pursue PGDM?

Work experience is not always required for Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) programs. However, many PGDM programs prefer or require applicants to have some work experience before applying. This is because PGDM programs are typically designed for individuals who have some professional experience and are looking to enhance their skills and knowledge to advance their careers.

Is PGDM better than MBA?

In conclusion, whether a PGDM is better than an MBA depends on the individual's needs and career aspirations. Both degrees can offer similar career opportunities, but PGDM may be a better fit for someone who wants a more practical and industry-focused education, while an MBA may be more suitable for those interested in broader management education with a focus on business strategy.