The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a highly-regarded postgraduate program that trains aspirants in advanced management and leadership skills. It follows a highly structured curriculum with a deep focus on the theoretical aspects of business functions. 

A Post Graduate Diploma in Management is also a well-regarded program that focuses more on the practical and industry-oriented skills, and management competence. 

Notable differences between the courses

1.Nature of the course

MBA is a UGC (University Grants Commission) approved, university-affiliated 2-year degree course. PGDM is an autonomous or AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) approved 2-year diploma course.

2. Curriculum

The curriculum for an MBA is designed by respective universities. It is more traditional, academic-focused, and takes a deep dive into the theoretical aspects of management studies. The academic structure takes a slow-changing approach as the curriculum is mostly standardised by the universities.

With a PGDM, the course curriculum is continuously updated by respective institutions offering the program to meet the changing demands of the industries. As the focus is on practical and skill-based knowledge, the course material offers a highly adaptive and flexible structure.

3.Eligibility, Admission, and Fees

From an eligibility standpoint, both courses necessitate a minimum of 50% marks (slightly higher for top business schools) in the bachelor’s degree.

An MBA can be pursued by both freshers and experienced professionals. The general entrance exams for MBA include – CAT (Common Admission Test), CMAT (Common Management Admission Test), or MAT (Management Aptitude Test). State-level entrance exams include MAH-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test), TANCET (Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test), or MET-MP (Madhya Pradesh Management Entrance Test). The admissions are based on a centralised counselling process depending on the entrance exam scores. Fees range between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 3 lakhs (for the complete course) in public universities; between Rs. 4 lakhs and Rs. 25 lakhs (course fees) in private universities, and can go up to Rs. 40 lakhs (course fees) in top-tier universities. Online/distance MBA can cost between Rs. 15,500 and Rs. 55,000 (course fees).

For PGDM, institutions prefer a minimum work experience of 1-5 years, especially for specialised and executive PGDM programs, as it is mostly industry-oriented, and some experience as working professionals can help students grasp the concepts better. Institutions accept national-level entrance exams such as CAT, MAT, XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test), CMAT, ATMA (AIMS Test for Management Admissions), and sometimes GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) as well. The selection process for PGDM involves a more intense and multi-stage evaluation structure by the institutions. Along with the entrance exams, institutions can conduct written ability tests, group discussions, and personal interviews. Fees in government colleges can range between Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 5 lakhs (for the complete course). Private institutions offer it between Rs. 6 lakhs and Rs. 12 lakhs (course fees), which can go up to Rs. 24 lakhs (course fees) in top-tier institutions.

4. Career scope and Salary

1. MBA graduates can work in sectors such as finance, IT, FMCG, and consulting. Roles can include investment banker, brand manager, product and sales manager, HR manager, risk analyst, supply chain/logistics manager, etc.

a.Average entry salary can be between Rs. 7 lakhs and Rs. 10 lakhs annually

b.Salary can go up to Rs. 35 lakhs when graduates pass out of top-tier B-schools

c.There can be a hike of 40-100% for mid to senior-level employees, after the course

2.PGDM graduates can work in banking and finance sectors, e-commerce, FMCG, consulting, and retail sectors with similar roles as after an MBA course.

a.Entry-level salary can be between Rs. 6 lakhs and Rs. 10 lakhs per annum

b.Mid to senior level employees can expect Rs. 25 LPA or more.

Conclusion

Both courses offer a high employability rate and offer strong career growth and competitive salaries. Please choose the course that aligns your aspirations and long-term goals with your professional vision.

Read more -

About emerging MBA career tracks - https://www.igauge.in/blogs/emerging-mba-career-tracks-in-india-in-2025

For details on executive MBA - https://www.igauge.in/blogs/executive-mba-course-details-admission-fees-and-career-scope

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Disclaimer

The blog is curated by referring to various credible sources and does not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of QS I-GAUGE. The information provided is for general informational purposes only, readers are advised to conduct their own research and seek professional advice before making any decisions.