MBA Vs PGDM is the comparison done by the students who wish to do a postgraduate course in Management. Usually, a dilemma arises, MBA vs PGDM which is better in India? or which has more value? However, there are not many differences between MBA and PGDM. Whether candidates qualify for an MBA or PGDM, both of them get equal opportunities and salary packages. Around 10,000+ MBA and PGDM students from IIMs get excellent placements annually along with other top MBA colleges in India like SPJIMR, FMS, IIFT, MDI, etc. Read this article to know an in-depth comparison between MBA and PGDM courses, and it will help the candidates get an answer to the question. What is the difference between an MBA and a PGDM?
PGDM vs MBA in 2025 - Key Differences, Salary & Career Scope
MBA Vs PGDM: Which is Better?
The MBA Vs PGDM comparison can be made by stating that both the courses are similar as both are management courses. MBA is an old version of the management programme and PGDM is the new 2-year management programme. PGDM full form is post graduate diploma in management. MBA course curriculum mostly focuses on theory-based knowledge but PGDM courses are more practical and industry relevant. While considering the MBA vs PGDM salary, MBA and PGDM graduates earn average salary package of around Rs. 7 lakhs to Rs. 13 lakhs.
What is MBA?
MBA full form is master of business administration. It is a postgraduate degree course and it is the most sought-after degree. MBA degrees can only be offered by universities affiliated with universities like the Faculty of Management Studies affiliated to Delhi University or the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) affiliated to the University of Bombay etc. The duration of MBA degree course is 2 years and it gives an edge in lucrative roles in the career.
Eligibility is 10+2+3 or 10+2+4 under any discipline with at least 50% aggregate marks. The entrance examinations a student can give to get admission in an MBA course include the likes of CAT, CMAT, XAT, MAT, ATMA, and GMAT. It is aimed to develop business tactics, theoretical concepts that run the business world and technical knowledge essential for the aspirants.
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MBA enhances business and entrepreneurship skills with global employment opportunities right around the corner. The course norms and curriculum remains the same and does not vary from one institute to another without the consent of the university. A student can get some relaxation in the fees by applying for scholarships up to 100% during admission based on entrance exam score, past academic performance or even good scores during the term of the program.
However, types of MBA course list and details provide a long list of specializations so that aspirants can go by their requirements. With the freedom of choice, the list of specializations also gives rise to a lot of confusion among aspirants. However, one should analyze the options with respect to their interest and skills to have a bright career after MBA.
1. General Management
One of the most popular specialized MBA courses include MBA in General Management. From Human Resources and marketing to UX and marketing to systems, this specialization can be an umbrella course to hone the required skills. Basically, it teaches an aspirant about a variety of perspectives and management skills to be implemented in any organization.
An MBA in international business is extremely important to prepare the young minds to do business all over the world. A specialized MBA course can be done in International Management to work abroad post-graduation. It is the perfect choice for students who aspire to work at multinational companies. This course teaches the critical skills like strategy, finance, operations, etc., in the international context.
Strategy plays an important role when it comes to business. Therefore, there is a specialized program that focuses on that essential element of the corporate world. It is an MBA in Strategy. This popular specialized MBA program offers insights to the aspirants for making successful business decisions and understand the strategies behind them. This course talks about risk management, business development, consulting and planning skills that can be applied across different industries in the future.
4. Consulting
In the business world, yet another popularly sought-after skill is what is taught under a specialized MBA in consulting program. It is yet another sought-after skill in the world of business. This course aims to teach students how to manage their companies more successfully and empower the students to enter a lucrative industry.
Pursuing MBA finance is also a popular choice among the aspirants. The business students who focus on the banking and finance part of the business world should go for an MBA in Finance Leadership specialized course. This course specializes in finance and gives rise to successful financial controllers, high-level bankers, chief financial officers and the finance managers in the business world. It aims to teach analytics, statistics, accounting and other elements of business to hone the skills of future business finance leaders.
Entrepreneurship is the most-wanted career option among the youngsters. However, it is not a piece-of-cake to get your startup off the ground. This is where specialized MBA courses in entrepreneurship swoop in to provide the required skills. This course teaches future entrepreneurs how to secure funding, pitch ideas, develop business and learn critical business management.
Business students who have a knack for advertising and marketing should go for specialized MBA Marketing course. Promoting services and products is taught to business students as it is a critical skill to successfully sell your idea to a customer in business. The skills that play a crucial role in marketing and sales like promotion of products, designing marketing campaigns and communicating with customers are taught in this course.
Students who are inclined towards logistics or supply chain management should go for this specialized course. Specialized MBA in Operations Management focuses on managing, planning and organizing production to improve efficiency.
9. IT or Technology Management
Those who wish to learn the cutting edge of UX, designing and flow of IT should go for this specialization. A specialized MBA course in Technology Management or IT teaches students about the technological aspect of business. It draws the aspirants interested in learning how data travels between companies around the world.
10. HR or Human Resources
An MBA in HR focuses on management, recruitment and providing guidance and direction to the members of the organization. This course is aimed to offer knowledge and training of managing the organisation's workforce.
A full-time course is preferred and advised but students can also enroll themselves in distance learning MBA courses.
If you see your future in the corporate world or want to become an entrepreneur, going for a PGDM course is the best option. But what is PGDM?Postgraduate Diploma in Management or PGDM course is of duration of 1 or 2 years. The eligibility criteria include 10+2+3 in any discipline from the recognized university with a 50% minimum aggregate. One can even go for PGDM distance education learning instead of full-time as per convenience. A lot of people feel that this course is not valuable but it is not true. It leads to many employment roles like Sales Managers. Chief Executives, Marketing Manager, Operations Manager and many more.
The PGDM course is recognized by AICTE or All India Council for Technical Education. The institutes providing this course are autonomous and not affiliated by any university. Thus, the top PGDM institutes in India offer admission on the basis of entrance exam score while others conduct their own entrance exams. The curriculum is primarily focused on teaching practicality of the business world to aspirants. The syllabus focuses on conceptual knowledge designed to hone soft skills in the students and make them industry-oriented. The top colleges providing PGDM courses are IIM Bangalore, Faculty of Management Studies Delhi and others.
Just like MBA, PGDM also provides following specializations with abundant scope in each one of them:
1. PGDM in Marketing
This course is aimed to teach the business students about various marketing activities of an enterprise. It includes teaching about product development, sales and distribution, brand development and market research.
2. PGDM in banking and finance
This course is aimed to teach about the dynamics of the business world i.e. finance, because everything revolves around it. This diploma course helps in dealing with the understanding of the financial needs of an organization like market structure, banking, economics and accounting, etc. It is the right choice for those who are inclined towards the finance part of a business.
3. PGDM in supply chain management
This diploma course strives to master the students in SCM and distinguish them as industry experts with specialized knowledge about demand forecasting, company logistics, warehousing, inventory management and others. It leads to the jobs of inventory analyst, logistics technician, raw material specialists etc.
It is a fast growing sector that demands for professionals. PGDM in hotel management course develops the skills related to beverage and food preparation, management of personnel and resources and handling hotel operations. Students who have a knack for the hospitality industry should go for it. On the other hand, PGDM in tourism management helps students hone the skills to secure a position in the booming tourism industry. The luxury hotels and tourism development keeps the job opportunities open in both these sectors.
MBA or Master’s in Business Administration is a PG degree course.
PGDM or Post Graduate Diploma in Management is a diploma course.
It is a management course focusing on theoretical concepts of management- bookish knowledge.
It lays more impetus on brushing up the skill set required in management- practical approach.
The average fees for an MBA college is around INR 16.5 Lacs.
The average fees for a PGDM course is around INR 15.38 Lacs.
Average salary of an MBA graduate is around INR 21.3 Lacs.
Average salary after PGDM diploma is around INR 12.96 Lacs.
Can feed the qualification needs for doing Ph.D. in the future.
Cannot feed the qualification needs for doing Ph.D. in the future.
MBA Vs PGDM: Which has more value?
After knowing about the curriculum, eligibility, specialisations and other details of both the courses, It narrows down to one question. Is PGDM better than MBA? And the answer lies with your interest and career goals. Both the courses have their respective scopes and are in insatiable demand in the field. Despite the PGDM & MBA differences, both courses have a common major influencing factor and that is the institute you choose.
Evaluating the pros and cons is the key to choose the right option that suits your needs. However, the best course that gives you a leg up in career is the one that arouses interest in you. The ultimate aim of both the courses is to make you student ready for the management industry. Analyze your strengths and interests. Choose the course where you see yourself honing your skills and proceeding in the right direction to your dream career.
MBA Vs PGDM - Differentiation
Particulars
PGDM
MBA
Approving Authority
Approved by AICTE, MInistry or HRD, Government of India
Approved by AICTE, Government of India, Ministry of HRD, and UGC Approval is also needed at the university level.
Validity
Valid and equivalent to Post Graduate Degree
Post Graduate Degree
Eligibility for Ph.D. and Lecturership
PGDM with a minimum of 55% marks in total aggregate are eligible to enroll for Ph.D from Indian Universities. Also PGDMs eligible to teach PG students.
MBA with a minimum of 55% marks in total aggregate is eligible to enroll for Ph.D program from Indian University. Also, MBAs are eligible to teach PG students.
Placements
It totally depends upon the institution. Most of the PGDM institutions have better placements records other than MBA institutions.
Depends upon the institution. Comparatively, some of the B-schools such as JBIMS, FMS, etc have better placement records.
Innovative Practices
Teaching and training are multidimensional in the PGDM course. Simulations, cases, short-term training, and presentations are part of pedagogy.
MBA have limited scope for innovation as practices are defined by the syllabus prepared by central body.
Course Syllabus
PGDM syllabus is Dynamic, Gets updated as per the needs of the industry. PGDM exam syllabus is approved by AICTE.
MBA syllabus is specified by the universities and gets updated less frequently.
Ranking by magazines and students centric websites
900% of the top 100 are PGDM institutions owing to better training, teaching, placements, and exposure for example XLRI, IIMs, IMT, MDI, GIM Goa, and many more.
Approx, 10 out of the top 100 are MBA institutions such as NMIMS, FMS, SCMHRD, KJSIMS, etc.
Entrance Process
Candidates will be shortlisted for the PGDM program on the basis of CAT/ XAT/ MAT/ ATMA and some state-level examinations such as MAH CET, TS ICET, AP ICET etc.
Through national and state-level entrance tests such as CAT, CMAT, MAT, MAH CET, TS ICET, etc.
Equivalence
It is equivalent to MBA from any Indian University. For Ph.D., Teaching (UGC NET), and all other purposes.
MBA is a post-graduate degree.
Examinations
PGDM institutions are authorized by the approving body, AICTE, to conduct the examinations.
Examinations are conducted by University.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1.What is a PGDM course?
PGDM stands for Post Graduate Diploma in Management. It is a diploma course in the field of management that is provided by autonomous institutes. It requires 10+2+3 with a minimum 50% aggregate for admission.
2.What is an MBA course?
MBA stands for Master’s in Business Administration. It is a PG degree and is provided by institutions affiliated by universities. A degree is awarded to students at the end of this course. The course dwells into management and leadership roles and required skills.
3.Can I go abroad for higher education after doing PGDM?
Yes, after pursuing PGDM you can pursue higher education abroad. Career prospects for students are equal in India as well as abroad for MBA as well as PGDM. However, for a Ph.D., one requires a MBA degree and diploma would not suffice for that education requirement.
4.Which is better, MBA or PGDM?
There is no hard and fast rule to determine which one is better. It depends on the ranking of institute, course curriculum, pedagogy, repute and the skills and interest of the candidate.
5.Is PGDM equivalent to MBA?
PGDM is a diploma course whereas MBA is a degree course so it is not right to say they are equivalent courses. However, both of them are, to a great extent, similar in terms of curriculum, specializations, and core subjects.
6.What higher education course lies after MBA or PGDM?
On completion of MBA course, students can go for Ph.D in Management and also one can opt for Fellow Program in Management (FPM). However, diploma holders cannot go for Ph.D, only MBA degree holders are eligible for it.
7.Which is more affordable, MBA or PGDM?
Availing for scholarship is an option in MBA so it would be more affordable. However, if there is no scope of scholarship whatsoever, go for diploma course as their overall non-sponsored fees is less than MBA.
8.What are some of the top colleges for MBA in India?
A two-year
MBA program
in India typically costs between 10 lakh and 34 lakh, but this can vary significantly based on the institution, program type, and location. Government and state colleges generally have lower fees, ranging from 2 lakh to 6 lakh, while private and international institutions can charge considerably more.
Factors influencing MBA fees:
Institution Type: Government and state-funded institutions generally have lower fees compared to private and international universities.
Program Type: Full-time, part-time, and online MBA programs can have different fees.
Location: Costs can vary depending on the city and state.
Infrastructure and Facilities: Institutions with better facilities and programs like international immersion programs may charge higher fees.
Fee ranges for different categories:
IIMs: 20 lakh to 28 lakh.
Tier-1 Private Colleges: 15 lakh to 25 lakh.
Tier-2 Private Colleges: 8 lakh to 12 lakh.
Tier-3 / State Colleges: 2 lakh to 6 lakh.
Private Universities: Up to 34.60 lakh.
Government/State Colleges: 2,600 to 8.6 lakh.
Online/Distance MBA: 15,500 to 55,000 per semester.
The
IBS Executive MBA Program
is designed specifically for working professionals and stands out due to the following key features:
Flexible Learning Format
: The program offers flexible delivery methods, including weekend classes and online learning options, which allow professionals to balance work and studies effectively.
Industry-Relevant Curriculum
: The curriculum is tailored to meet the needs of experienced professionals, focusing on advanced management topics, leadership skills, and strategic thinking that are directly applicable to real-world business challenges.
Experienced Faculty
: The faculty members are industry experts and experienced academics, bringing practical knowledge and cutting-edge research to the classroom. They provide valuable insights into contemporary business practices.
Networking Opportunities
: Students benefit from an extensive network of alumni and industry connections, which can lead to enhanced career opportunities and collaborations. The program also offers opportunities for peer learning from diverse industries.
Personalized Career Development
: IBS offers career services that help working professionals refine their leadership skills, manage their careers more effectively, and access exclusive job opportunities and industry events.
Global Perspective
: The program includes exposure to global business environments, often through international study tours or collaborations, which is especially valuable for professionals looking to broaden their horizons.
Accreditation and Recognition
: IBS is a well-recognized institution with strong accreditations and ties to the global business community, ensuring that the degree holds value across industries and geographies.
Overall, the
IBS Executive MBA
program is designed to enhance the professional skills of mid-to-senior level executives, equipping them with the tools and knowledge required to excel in leadership roles while continuing to work.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries, then feel free to share your questions with us, we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you, and I wish you all the best in your bright future.
Based on the available information, if your merit number is
940
for the
B.Tech + MBA Tech
program at
NMIMS Mumbai
, it is unlikely that you will secure admission. The competition for this program is intense, and the closing ranks are typically much lower.
Key Points:
Limited Seats:
The B.Tech + MBA Tech program at NMIMS Mumbai has a limited number of seats, making the admission process highly competitive.
Merit-Based Selection:
Admission is primarily based on merit, and candidates with higher merit numbers have a lower chance of securing a seat.
Alternative Options:
If you are interested in pursuing this program, consider exploring other campuses of NMIMS or similar programs at different institutions.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official NMIMS website or contact their admissions office directly.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries, feel free to share your questions with us, and we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you, and I wish you all the best in your bright future.
A
5-year integrated MBA
is a program that combines both undergraduate and postgraduate studies in business management. After completing your 12th grade, you can join this program, which typically includes 3 years of undergraduate courses (like BBA or similar) followed by 2 years of MBA-level coursework.
This program is designed to save time by combining both degrees into one. It usually requires you to clear an entrance exam for admission. It’s a good option if you’re certain about pursuing an MBA and want a streamlined path.
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In a business analyst job role a lot of analysis is done, things are learned from past mistakes and the successful strategies are enhanced further. A business analyst goes through real-world data in order to provide the most feasible solutions to an organisation. Students can pursue Business Analytics to become Business Analysts.
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