Both the PGDM and the MBA are postgraduate degrees in business, however there is one significant distinction: A PGDM is an industry-focused diploma from independent institutes, whereas an MBA is a university degree that is frequently worldwide and heavily theoretical. Employers value both, but PGDM may provide a greater practical advantage and appeal to individuals looking for business knowledge unique to India. When selecting, take your desired learning style and career objectives into account.
Table of Contents
MBA Vs. PGDM
Highlight
Overview
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Selecting the Best Management Degree: MBA vs. PGDM
The two-year postgraduate MBA and PGDM programs are developed to give you the information and abilities needed for prosperous careers in business. But, when you’re choosing, there are a few important distinctions to take into account.
Here’s a little explanation:
Feature | MBA | PGDM |
---|---|---|
Type | Degree | Diploma |
Affiliation | Universities (UGC) | Autonomous Institutes (AICTE) |
Curriculum | More theoretical foundation | More industry-oriented |
Flexibility | Curriculum revisions may be slower | Curriculum can be updated more frequently |
MBA Highlights:
- Internationally recognized degree
- Strong foundation in business theory
- Diverse program options, including specializations
PGDM Highlights:
- Focus on practical application of skills
- Curriculum adapts quickly to industry trends
- Often lower tuition fees compared to some MBAs
Choosing the Right Program:
- Consider your career goals: If you aim for international opportunities, an MBA might be preferable. If you want a program that closely aligns with current industry needs, a PGDM could be ideal.
- Think about your learning style: Do you prefer a strong theoretical foundation or a more hands-on approach?
- Research specific programs: Look beyond the degree type and compare the curriculum, faculty expertise, and placement records of the institutions you’re considering.
MBA vs. PGDM: Qualifications
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Qualification | MBA | PGDM |
---|---|---|
Focus![]() |
Often international, theory-based | India-specific, practical |
Curriculum![]() |
General business management principles | Industry-oriented with a focus on developing practical skills |
Duration![]() |
Typically 2 years (full-time) or 1 year (executive) | Varies, typically 1-2 years (full-time) |
Eligibility![]() |
Bachelor’s degree with minimum marks | Bachelor’s degree with minimum marks |
Entrance Exams![]() |
GMAT/GRE (for international programs), CAT/MAT/XAT (for Indian programs) | CAT/MAT/XAT (for Indian programs) |
Recognition![]() |
Globally recognized qualification | Primarily recognized in India |
MBA Vs. PGDM
Admission
Entrance Exam
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- Academic Background: A Bachelor’s degree in any area is normally required for both, with a minimum percentage (usually between 50 and 60 percent). There may be subject-specific prerequisites at some B-schools for particular specializations.
- Tests for admission: Results from a variety of national and even worldwide admission tests are accepted for both programs. Popular choices include of:
- The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the exam most highly favored by India’s best B-schools.
- Several prestigious B-schools recognize the results of the XLRI Jamshedpur-conducted Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT).
- The Management Aptitude Test, or MAT, is offered several times a year and is widely recognized by B-schools.
- The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a national exam used to get into MBA programs.
- Alternatives Institutions may accept results from their own institute-specific entrance exams, state-level MBA entrance exams (e.g., KMAT, TANCET), or the GMAT (for international students).
Selection Process:
Beyond entrance exams, B-schools might consider other factors during the selection process, such as:
- Work Experience: Some programs might have minimum work experience requirements.
- Group Discussions & Interviews: Many B-schools assess communication, teamwork, and leadership skills through these stages.
- Past Academic Performance: Your undergraduate GPA might be considered.
- Extracurricular Activities & Achievements: Well-rounded profiles are often preferred.
Here’s a table summarizing the key points:
Factor | MBA Admission | PGDM Admission |
---|---|---|
Academic Background | Bachelor’s degree (any discipline) | Bachelor’s degree (any discipline) |
Entrance Exams | CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, GMAT (for international students), state-level exams | Similar to MBA |
Additional Selection Criteria | Work experience, GD/PI, Past Academics, Achievements | Similar to MBA |
Selecting the Appropriate Course:
When choosing, take into account your desired entry examinations, theory-based vs. practical learning style, and professional ambitions. Look into the particular prerequisites of the B-schools you want to attend.
MBA Vs. PGDM
Syllabus
Feature | MBA Syllabus | PGDM Syllabus |
---|---|---|
Focus | Theoretical foundation of business | Industry-oriented and skill-based |
Designed By | University Affiliation | Individual Institutions |
Updates | Less frequent (every 3-7 years) | More frequent (based on industry needs) |
Core Subjects (Examples) | * Management Principles * Accounting * Economics * Marketing Management * Human Resource Management | (Similar to MBA) * May include additional industry-specific courses |
Specializations | Offered by many programs | Offered by many programs |
MBA Vs. PGDM
Fee Placement And Jobs
Feature | MBA | PGDM |
---|---|---|
Type | Degree | Diploma |
Affiliation | Universities (UGC) | Autonomous Institutes (AICTE) |
Curriculum | More theoretical foundation | More industry-oriented |
Flexibility | Curriculum revisions may be slower | Curriculum can be updated more frequently |
Fee | Generally lower | Generally higher |
Placement | Depends on the university’s reputation | Depends on the institute’s reputation |
Jobs | Good job opportunities, especially in academia and research | Good job opportunities, especially in the corporate sector |
Top PGDM Colleges with Average Annual Fees
- Institute of Management Technology Ghaziabad: INR 19,53,000
- XLRI Xavier School of Management: INR 12,90,000
- SP Jain Institute of Management and Research: INR 20,42,000
- Birla Institute of Management Technology: INR 13,00,000
- GLIM Chennai: INR 18,75,000
- Jaipuria Institute of Management: INR 5,70,000
- Ramaiah Institute of Management, Bangalore: INR 8,00,000
PGDM Colleges with Average Annual Salary
- Institute of Management Technology Ghaziabad: INR 17,35,000
- XLRI Xavier School of Management: INR 32,70,000
- Birla Institute of Management Technology: INR 11,25,000
- SP Jain Institute of Management and Research: INR 33,02,000
- GLIM Chennai: INR 14,50,000
- Jaipuria Institute of Management, Jaipur: INR 11,49,000
MBA Vs. PGDM
Top Colleges Offerings
College | Location | Program |
---|---|---|
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) | Ahmedabad, India | PGDM |
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) | Bangalore, India | PGDM |
Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC) | Kolkata, India | PGDM |
Indian School of Business (ISB) | Hyderabad, India | MBA |
XLRI – Xavier School of Management | Jamshedpur, India | PGDM |
Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of Delhi | Delhi, India | MBA |
S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) | Mumbai, India | PGDM |
Management Development Institute (MDI) | Gurgaon, India | PGDM |
Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) | Mumbai, India | MBA |
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) | Delhi, India | MBA |
MBA Vs. PGDM
Top MBA Colleges
Top MBA Colleges
- Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad
- Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of Delhi
- Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai
- Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Delhi
- Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management (SJMSOM), IIT Bombay
- Department of Management Studies (DMS), IIT Delhi
- National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai
- Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Pune
- Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad
- Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai
MBA Vs. PGDM
Top PGDM Colleges
Top PGDM Colleges
- Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA)
- Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB)
- Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC)
- XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur
- S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai
- Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon
- Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIML)
- Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIMI)
- Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK)
- Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad
FAQ On MBA Vs. PGDM
Top PGDM Colleges
- Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA)
- Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB)
- Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC)
- XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur
- S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai
- Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon
- Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIML)
- Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIMI)
- Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK)
- Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad
PGDM and MBA are equally valued but differ in focus; PGDM emphasizes practical skills, MBA can be broader.
PGDM isn’t actually “in” MBA, but rather a separate diploma program focused on management.
The average PGDM salary in India ranges from ₹5 LPA to ₹20 LPA depending on specialization and experience.