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PGDM vs MBA in 2025 - Key Differences, Salary & Career Scope
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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?
This Story also Contains
- MBA Vs PGDM: Which is Better?
- What is MBA?
- What is PGDM?
- MBA Vs PGDM - Comparison
- MBA Vs PGDM: Which has more value?
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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Download List HereMBA 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.
Also read: Career as Manager
2. International Management
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.
Also read: Career as Accountant
3. Strategy
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.
Also read: Career as Certified Management Accountant
5. Finance Leadership
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.
Also read: Career as Financial Planner
7. Entrepreneurship
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.
Also read: Career as Entrepreneur
7. Marketing
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.
Also read:
- Career as Marketing Manager
- Career as Brand Manager
- Career as Sales Manager
- Career as Financial Advisor
- Career as Purchasing manager
8. Operations Management
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.
Also read: Career as Human Resource Manager
What is PGDM?
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.
Also read: Career as Supply Chain Manager
4. PGDM in hospitality and tourism
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.
Other PGDM diploma courses specializations are IT, HR, Operation Management, Retail Management, International business etc.
Also read: Career as Travel Agent
MBA Vs PGDM - Comparison
MBA | PGDM |
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)
Q: What is a PGDM course?
A:
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.
Q: What is an MBA course?
A:
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.
Q: Can I go abroad for higher education after doing PGDM?
A:
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.
Q: Which is better, MBA or PGDM?
A:
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.
Q: Is PGDM equivalent to MBA?
A:
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.
Q: What higher education course lies after MBA or PGDM?
A:
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.
Q: Which is more affordable, MBA or PGDM?
A:
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.
Q: What are some of the top colleges for MBA in India?
A:
One can go for Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), JBIMS, University of Delhi, University of Mumbai and others.
Q: Can I apply for distance learning in MBA or PGDM?
A:
Yes, you can apply for distance learning education in both MBA as well as PGDM courses.
Q: What are some of the top colleges for PGDM in India?
A:
For PGDM diploma courses in India, one can go for IIMs, XLRI Jamshedpur, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai and others.
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Have a question related to MBA ?
Hello,
If you join a self-finance MBA course , you will not get full fee reimbursement . For SC/ST students, the government gives full fee reimbursement only in regular (non-self-finance) courses .
In self-finance courses, you may get only a partial reimbursement (around Rs. 35,000) and the rest of the fee has to be paid by you.
Since you are SC and a girl with rank 966, you can get admission easily, but full fee reimbursement will apply only if you choose a regular seat, not self-finance .
Hope it helps !
No, Malla Reddy Engineering College for Women (MRECW), Secunderabad, does not list Business Analytics as a specialization for its MBA program.
the MBA program is offered by them is a general degree.
Good luck..
Hello
I suggest you to:
IGNOUBABA
Provides a comprehensive collection of MBA and MBAOL question papers from all semesters. Each subject's paper is available for free download.
University Paper India
Features semester-wise question papers, including subjects like Accounting, Strategic Management, and Consumer Behavior. Each paper is downloadable with a single click.
Some of the best options for an online MBA in India are Amity Online University, Amrita University, D.Y. Patil University (DPU-COL), Manipal University Jaipur, NMIMS Global Access, LPU Online, IGNOU, Shoolini University, and Symbiosis Online. These programs are UGC-approved, offer multiple specializations, flexible schedules, and cater to working professionals. Choose based on accreditation, specialization, faculty, and placement support.
Hello,
The PGCET counselling for MBA typically begins after results are announced. While there aren't any specific dates for this counselling, the Karnataka Examination Authority is responsible for this counselling process. So, you can check the official website for further updates about the counselling date and others.
I hope it will clear your query!!
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