MDI Gurgaon vs. IIMs (BLACKI): Which MBA College Should You Choose?
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MDI Gurgaon vs. IIMs (BLACKI): Which MBA College Should You Choose?

Suvam MaitiUpdated on 19 Feb 2025, 04:00 PM IST

MDI Gurgaon vs. IIMs (BLACKI): When considering MBA programs in India, Management Development Institute (MDI) Gurgaon and the prestigious IIMs (often referred to collectively as BLACKI) which include IIM Bangalore, IIM Lucknow, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta, and IIM Kozhikode stand out. So choosing any particular between both of these can be overwhelming, confusing as well as daunting. Read this article about the MDI Gurgaon vs IIMs to get an overview and comprehensive idea about the course structure, accreditation, recognition, fees, admission process, and placement statistics.

This Story also Contains

  1. MDI Gurgaon vs IIMs: Course Structure and Duration
  2. Accreditation and Recognition
  3. Fees Structure
  4. Placement Statistics
  5. Admission Process
MDI Gurgaon vs. IIMs (BLACKI): Which MBA College Should You Choose?
MDI Gurgaon vs IIMs

MDI Gurgaon vs IIMs: Course Structure and Duration

  • MDI Gurgaon: Offers a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM), which is a two-year full-time program. The curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of management principles and practices. The curriculum is designed to blend theoretical knowledge with practical application. Core subjects include Marketing Management, Financial Management, Operations Management, Human Resource Management, and Business Analytics. Students can choose from various specializations in their second year, including marketing, Finance, Operations Human Resource Management, and Business Analytics.

  • IIMs(BLACKI): Also provide a two-year Post Graduate Programme (PGP), equivalent to an MBA. The IIMs have a robust curriculum that emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical application through case studies and projects. The curriculum includes core courses in areas like Strategy, Marketing, Finance, Operations, and Organisational Behaviour. Students can specialize in various fields during their second year, with options varying by campus. Common MBA specializations in IIMs include Finance, Marketing, Operations, Data Analytics, Entrepreneurship

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Accreditation and Recognition

  • MDI Gurgaon: MDI Gurgaon received accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in 2021. This prestigious recognition places MDI among less than 6% of business schools globally that hold this accreditation, indicating a commitment to excellence in business education and continuous improvement. The National Board of Accreditation (NBA) recognizes several of MDI's programs, affirming their quality and relevance in the Indian context. This accreditation is crucial for ensuring that the programs meet national educational standards. MDI is also accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA), which is a hallmark of quality for postgraduate business education. This accreditation signifies that MDI’s programs meet rigorous international standards.

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  • IIMs: Several IIMs, including IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta, hold AACSB accreditation, which underscores their commitment to high standards in business education. This accreditation is a mark of quality recognized worldwide. Many IIMs also have AMBA accreditation, ensuring that their postgraduate programs meet international benchmarks for quality. The BLACKY IIMs are consistently ranked at the top of various national rankings. For instance, IIM Ahmedabad often holds the title of the best B-school in India according to NIRF and other ranking agencies. The IIMs are recognized globally for their academic rigor and quality of education. Graduates from these institutions are highly sought after by employers not just in India but around the world.

Fees Structure

  • MDI Gurgaon: The total fee for the PGDM program is approximately Rs. 24.99 lakh, which includes tuition fees, hostel charges, and other miscellaneous expenses. Financial aid options are available for deserving candidates through scholarships based on merit and need-based criteria.

  • IIMs: Fees vary significantly across different IIMs but generally range from approximately Rs. 24 lakh to Rs. 35 lakh for the entire program. Some IIMs may have additional costs related to accommodation and other facilities. Financial aid options are also available at IIMs, including scholarships and education loans facilitated through partnerships with banks. Most of the IIMs have the need-based financial aid and these merit-based scholarships cover most of the tuition fees.

Placement Statistics

In summary, MDI Gurgaon has demonstrated impressive placement statistics with a consistent average package of approximately Rs. 25.5 lakh and a highest package reaching Rs. 63.3 lakh for the batch of 2022-2024. The institute achieved a perfect placement record with participation from 155 recruiters. In comparison, the BLACKY IIMs maintain higher average packages, often exceeding Rs. 30 lakh with some institutions reporting the highest packages over Rs. 1 crore.

  • MDI Gurgaon: The 2022-2024 batch at MDI Gurgaon consisted of 556 students, including those from the PGDM, PGDM-HRM, and PGDM-IB programs. For the 2022-2024 batch, the average package was approximately INR 25.5 lakh per annum. The highest package offered during this period was Rs. 63.3 lakh per annum.

  • IIMs: The BLACKI IIMs have different placement statistics for the past years.

  1. IIM Ahmedabad had a batch size of 400 students who attained an average salary of Rs. 30 LPA while the highest package went up to Rs. 100 LPA.

  2. IIM Calcutta who has a batch size of 450 students witnessed the average salary to Rs. 24 LPA while the highest salary accrued by the student is Rs. 50 LPA.

  3. IIM Bangalore with a batch size of 400 students had the highest salary of Rs. 100 LPA and the average salary was Rs. 29 LPA.

  4. Average salary of IIM Lucknow stood at Rs. 22 LPA while the highest was Rs. 48 LPA among the approximately 400 students.

  5. Apart from these IIMs, IIM Kozhikode also gained a substantial average salary package of Rs. 22 LPA, the highest salary gained by any student was

Admission Process

Both MDI Gurgaon and IIMs have their respective rigorous admission process which any of the candidates have to go through to get admitted to these prestigious institutions.

MDI Gurgaon: Admissions are primarily based on CAT scores; candidates typically need a minimum percentile of around 90+ to be considered for shortlisting. The selection process includes: Group Discussion (GD), Personal Interview (PI), Evaluation of academic performance. At the same time, work experience may also be considered favourably.

IIMs: Admission to IIMs is highly competitive; candidates must excel in the CAT exam. The selection process includes Shortlisting based on CAT scores, Group Discussion (GD) or Written Ability Test (WAT), Personal Interview (PI), Consideration of academic records and work experience. At the same time each IIM has its own weightage system for these components, which can influence admission chances significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Which institute is better for specific MBA specializations?
A:

IIMs (BLACKI) have a more diverse range of specializations with strong faculty expertise, while MDI Gurgaon is particularly strong in HR and marketing. Research your preferred specialization and alumni network for better insights.

Q: Is the admission process the same for MDI Gurgaon and IIM BLACKI?
A:

No, there are differences. IIM BLACKI use CAT scores for admission and have a centralized selection process via CAP (Common Admission Process) or individual criteria. MDI Gurgaon also accepts CAT scores but conducts its own selection rounds.

Q: What is the fee difference between MDI Gurgaon and IIMs BLACKI?
A:

The fee structure varies among these institutes. MDI Gurgaon generally has slightly lower fees compared to IIM BLACKI. However, the ROI should be evaluated based on placements and long-term career growth.

Q: How do placements at MDI Gurgaon compare to IIM BLACKI?
A:

IIMs (BLACKI) typically offer slightly higher average placement packages due to their global recognition. However, MDI Gurgaon also boasts competitive placement records, with many reputed companies visiting its campus.

Q: Which specialisation is MDI Gurgaon Famous For?
A:

MDI Gurgaon is Famous For specialisations like PGDM, PGDM HRM etc. 

Q: Can I get MDI Gurgaon at 95 percentile?
A:

For the general candidates 95 percentile can be a good score to get into MDI Gurgaon. 

Q: Is MDI Gurgaon better than IIM?
A:

Whether MDI Gurgaon is better than IIMs is very much subjective. MDI Gurgaon has a salary package of 26 LPA and highest went up to 63 last sessions. However in the Financial Times's Ranking in 2024 the IIMs were ranked higher than MDI Gurgaon. 

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Questions related to MDI Gurgaon

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to MDI Gurgaon ?

Correct Answer: FDI (Foreign Direct Investment)


Solution : The correct answer is FDI (Foreign Direct Investment).

The term "Foreign Direct Investment" (FDI) describes an investment made into another country by a person, business, or government. FDI fosters international trade by giving countries access to other markets, builds strong and durable ties between economies, and can play a significant role in the transfer of knowledge between nations.

Hello,

Here are a few best colleges for you to do MBA in finance as distance learning or online( specialied in Portfolio management, Financial management, Financial modelling, International Finance, Markets of fixed income, Mergers and acquisitions) Manipal University Jaipur,Lovely Profesional University,DR.DY Patil University,AMITY University and the last one is Cchandigarh University


Hope this helps you,

Thank you

https://www.careers360.com/courses/mba-in-finance


Hey Nikhil,

Hope you are doing well !

To answer your question, NO. All the students of premier B-schools in India do not have the above criteria. Though they are preferred, but what all the students have is a good profile, with good academics, and good co-curricular and extra-curricular.

Also, having work-ex is not mandatory, though it would help you is B-schools.

Hope my answer helped you. Please let me know in case of any further queries.

Hey Shivang,

Hope you are doing well !

To be honest, it seems that you have a decent profile, and obviously your active participation in sports is a boon in your Resume.

But your CAT score and GD-PI play a major part in the interview process.

Considering you score a 94+ percentile, and have a decent GD-PI round, I hope that you have good chances of converting MDI.

Hope my answer was helpful.

Wish you Best of Luck!

Hello Ram,

Hope you are doing well !

In answer to your question, I think that you have a pretty good chance to get in the top IIM's, and the premier B-schools in India. Though, your CAT score and your performance in GD-PI play a pretty important role in the process.

Other than that, I think that you have a pretty decent profile.

Hope my answer was helpful.

Wish you Best of Luck !