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MBA vs PGDM: Learn the Difference Between MBA and PGDM Programs
MBA stands for Master of Business Administration, whereas PGDM for Post Graduate Diploma in Management. Both programs have a duration of two years and offered by prominent B-school across India for a lucrative management career. There are many similarities between these programs, but still there are some differences.
Every management aspirant asks about the difference between an MBA and a PGDM before choosing the course. Both are management courses at the Master?s level and the course curriculum is the same. Every year, approximately more than 3.5 lakh candidates apply for MBA and 2.3 lakh candidates apply for PGDM courses in India.
A degree program is always preferred over a diploma program, because a degree by the institute is approved by UGC. Also, every private university cannot provide the degree program, until they have the relevant recognition or accreditation.
Both, MBA and PGDM are business-oriented programs. The purpose of these two programs is to train and equip an individual with the latest techniques and skills in business administration and management. However, you must check the pros and cons of both programs before choosing the plan.
Both courses provide the same outcomes in terms of employment perspective. However, there are some subtle differences between these two courses, such as recognition, fees, syllabus, etc. To choose any of these two courses, you must know the difference between MBA and PGDM to make a better choice of course and institute. Check out the key differences between PGDM and MBA:
Some students believe that a Diploma course does not provide the same value as a degree course, but that is not completely true. Many IIMs and other top B-schools such as XLRI Jamshedpur and SP Jain Institute of Management and Research provide the PGDM programs.
Both MBA and PGDM are highly valued in the job market as they same in terms of course accreditation, curriculum, and pedagogy. Know more about future opportunities for both exams in the table below:
MBA curriculum is designed by the university. The MBA syllabus will pretty much as the same in two MBA colleges under the same university. Although the PGDM syllabus is like the MBA course, since PGDM or PGPM courses are determined by the individual institute, it provides them with certain flexibility in designing the course curriculum.
The MBA syllabus goes through various changes as per the industrial requirements periodically. Know the detailed syllabus here:
| MBA | PGDM |
| MBA Syllabus | PGDM Syllabus |
Since the PGDM courses are provided by autonomous bodies, you need to be careful while taking the admission. Many institutes or colleges claim but do not provide proper accreditation status. Make sure to look for the genuine accreditations. Apart from UGC recognition, management institutes are also accredited by AACSB, NAAC, AMBA, and Equis.
Both the courses have common core subjects. Some experts claim that most of the MBA courses are mainly focused on theoretical and technical aspects of the management field. Whereas PGDM on the other hand, has an industrial orientation and focuses on marketing skills.
Most of the MBA courses have lower tuition fees as compared to the PGDM. Because an MBA degree is provided mostly by government institutes. These institutes receive financial aid from the government, which makes the degree cheaper for the students. In the case of PGDM, students have to pay the entire cost of the program as private institutes provide these degrees with no government backing.
The table below shows the various factors which MBA and PGDM different entities:
| Parameters | PGDM | MBA |
| Approving Authority | AICTE, Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India | AICTE, Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India, UGC approval is required at the university level. |
| Validity | Equivalent to Post Graduate Degree | Post Graduate Degree |
| Eligibility | Graduation in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks (45% marks for reserved category candidates). | Graduation in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks (45% marks for reserved category candidates) |
| Placements | It depends upon the institution. Most of the PGDM institutions have better placement records compared to the MBA institutes. | Based on the institution. Some of the MBA institutes, such as FMS, and JBIMS have better placement records. |
| Syllabus | Dynamic, Gets updated as per the requirements of the industry. PGDM syllabus is approved by AICTE. | The MBA syllabus is prepared by universities and gets updated less frequently. |
| Equivalence | Equal to an MBA from any Indian University. | An MBA is a post-graduate degree. |
| Entrance Exams | Through CAT/MAT/XAT/ATMA and some state-level examinations such as TSICET, MAH-CET, etc. | Through the national and state level entrance exams, such as MAT, CMAT, MAH-CET, etc. |
| Examinations | PGDM institutions are approved by AICTE, to conduct the exam. | Examinations are conducted by the University. |
The curriculum of an MBA program is formulated by the university, which offers affiliation to specific colleges. The MBA syllabus follows the theoretical approach and typically remains unchanged for a span of three to five years. Whereas the PGDM curriculum mainly focuses on practical and more contemporary concepts as compared to the MBA. Check the table below for the difference between MBA and PGDM course content:
| MBA Course Content | PGDM Course Content |
| Marketing Management | Financial Reporting & Analysis |
| Finance Management | Marketing & Consumer Behaviour |
| HR Management | Finance Accounting |
| Organizational Behaviour | Strategic Management |
| Business Statistics | Introduction to Information Technology |
| Principles of Accounting | Operations Management |
| Business Communication & Skills | Management Information Systems |
| Project Management | Business Law & Corporate Governance |
The table below shows the brief overview of some popular entrance exam for the admission to MBA and PGDM degree program:
| Entrance Exam | Conducted By | Mode of Exam | Sections | Frequency |
| CAT | IIMs | Online | VARC, DILR, QA | Annually |
| IIFT | NTA | Online | Logical Reasoning, English Grammer, General Knowledge, Data Interpretation | Annually |
| MAT | AIMA | Online & Offline | Language Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Data Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills | Four times a year |
| GMAT | GMAC | Online | Verbal, Quant, Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning | Throughout the year |
| SNAP | Symbiosis International University | Online | English, Quant, Analytical & Logical Reasoning | Annually |
| NMAT | GMAC | Online | Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, Logical Reasoning | Annually |
| CMAT | AICTE | Online | Verbal, Quant, General Awareness, Logical Reasoning | Annually |
| XAT | Xavier School of Management | Online | Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability, General Knowledge | Annually |
Check out the list below for the top IIMs and other management institutes that provide MBA and PGDM courses:
| Name of the Institute | Location | Accepted Exams | Average Salary Package | Tuition Fees (LPA) |
| IIM Ahmedabad (MBA) | Ahmedabad | CAT/GMAT | INR 34.45 LPA | INR 24.61 LPA |
| IIM Bangalore (MBA) | Bangalore | CAT/GMAT | INR 32.5 LPA | INR 24.70 LPA |
| IIM Calcutta (MBA) | Kolkata | CAT/GMAT | INR 35.07 LPA | INR 31.00 LPA |
| FMS Delhi (MBA) | New Delhi | CAT/GMAT | INR 34.10 LPA | INR 4.92 LPA |
| XLRI Xavier School of Management (PGDM) | Jamshedpur | XAT/GMAT/CAT | INR 32.70 LPA | INR 28.60 LPA |
| SPJIMR Mumbai (PGDM) | Mumbai | GMAT/CAT/XAT | INR 33.02 LPA | INR 22.50 LPA |
Both MBA and PGDM programs provides a wide range of career opportunities. Check out the table below for the common industries and roles where these candidates can thrive:
| Industry | PGDM Candidates | MBA Candidates |
| Consulting | Operations Consulting, Strategy Consulting | Business Analyst, Strategy Consultant |
| Finance | Financial Analyst, Investment Banking | Financial Planner, Corporate Finance |
| Marketing | ||
| Operations | Operations Manager, Supply Chain Management | Qualify Control Analyst, Project Manager |
| Human Resources | Talent Acquisition Specialist, HR Business Partner | Training & Development Specialist, HR Manager |
Choosing between an MBA and a PGDM could be tough for aspiring management professionals. A PGDM could be perfect for those seeking practical, industry-aligned skills with a focus on real-world application. Whereas, an MBA provides a solid academic foundation, beneficial for a career in finance, strategy, and roles requiring recognized degrees. By understanding these details, you can make informed decisions and choose the right path for your professional growth.
Ans: The MBA program is a two-year PG degree program, that provides knowledge in the field of business management.
Ans: The PGDM program is a two-year postgraduate program that is mainly targeted to provide the practice and industry special knowledge important for effective business management.
Ans: An MBA degree program is more affordable as compared to a PGDM program. Because the colleges provide an MBA and get funding from governments. Whereas, the cost incurred in offering PGDM is completely handled by the institute.
Ans: Selecting between a PGDM and MBA program completely depends on the career goals. Both of these courses have value, but a PGDM program is usually compared to be better if you prioritize practical and industry-oriented learning. Whereas, the MBA program is preferable for those who want a recognized degree with more theoretical foundations of global career opportunities.
Ans: As per the current trends, choosing the best MBA specialization completely depends on your career goals, but some of the most in-demand and high-paying options include Marketing, Finance, Healthcare Management, Supply Chain Management, etc.
Ans: After completing the MBA program, you can go for the PhD in Management and also you can opt for the Fellow Program in Management (FPM). However, if you are a diploma holder, then you cannot go for the PhD program. Only the MBA degree holders are eligible for the PhD program.
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