What to choose next: PGDM or MBA? Every graduate who wants to work in management will find this to be a polarizing topic. One must comprehend the fundamental lingo used by both systems before engaging in the endless dispute. The term "MBA" stands for "Master in Business Administration," a degree programme lasting more than two years that is provided by institutions that are associated with a university. The Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM), on the other hand, is a 2-year diploma programme provided by a number of independent colleges in India that have been approved by the AICTE.
Before entering the business world, aspirants for an MBA are made fully aware of all the rules by emphasising the theoretical components of business management and administration. The PGDM course primarily focuses on building and honing the students' industry-focused talents and tests their personality and problem-solving abilities by exposing them to a variety of actual industry challenges.
Beginning with a comparison of MBA and PGDM's similarities and differences will help you determine which programme best suits your needs. We've compared the MBA and PGDM below on several criteria that can help you make decisions, so you can see how well they match up with your requirements.
Eligibility for an MBA vs. PGDM
Receiving Qualification
Course Structure and Methodology
Accreditation
Perception
Specializations
Career
Salary
For these programmes, applicants must have received a bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification with a minimum cumulative GPA of 50% in order to be considered for admission; however, they must also be able to offer a letter from the dean of their institution attesting to their current status. CAT, MAT, GMAT, IIFT, SNAP, IRMASAT, XAT, CMAT, NMAT, and other entrance exams
While PGDM leads to a Diploma, MBA leads to the completion of a degree programme.
The MBA programme will adhere to a university-approved curriculum, with different institutions implementing industry-specific capabilities. The curriculum is generally semester-based and will be the same for all institutions affiliated with a university. When presented as an industry-focused curriculum, PGDM places more of an emphasis on developing soft skills, lacks theoretical input, and is primarily a trimester-based structure.
A PGDM diploma is accredited by the All-India Council for Technical Education, while an MBA is accredited by the University Grants Commission (UGC) (AICTE)
Although during recruitment both an MBA and PGDM are seen as equal. The institute that offers PGDM is the primary deciding element. Additionally, although PGDM courses may be industry-focused, they encounter significant obstacles when seeking to pursue higher education or careers abroad. This is the primary justification for the established IIMs' switch from PGDM/PGPM to MBA, Despite the fact that the MBA and PGDM courses may have a few design changes, the objective is ultimately to make the student ready for Industry.
In India, there are 3 types of MBAs –
Full-time MBA courses Accelerated One-year MBA courses Part-time MBA courses Executive MBA courses
Regardless of the style of MBA you choose, simply adding a course will strengthen your resume and improve your professional prospects. The following functional core courses are offered to students enrolled in the Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) programme during their first year. In the second year, they choose their speciality in line with that. The most sought-after specialities are:
Marketing Finance Analytics and Human Resource.
Both the MBA and the PGDM programmes are valued equally when it comes to professional opportunities both in India and abroad. A PG diploma is surely not viewed as a disadvantage in place of a degree. The only things that really matter are your professional abilities and, more significantly, the reputation of your institution or institute. Now that you are aware of the distinctions between the two programmes, you may review the MBA and PGDM course descriptions, assess the offerings and make a decision based on your academic and professional interests.
After completing a PGDM programme or an MBA course, students frequently get employment with enormous MNCs and reputable banks, where they can earn substantial sums of money. According to the 2018 Salary Benchmark Report, the typical pay range for individuals with 3- 5 years of experience and a degree or diploma from a business school is between 14 and 24 lacs.
Both the MBA and the PGDM programmes are recognised as having equivalent worth in terms of professional possibilities in both India and abroad. It's not viewed as a disadvantage to hold a PG diploma rather than a degree. What matters most is your professional potential and, more crucially, the reputation of your institution or institute. You can review the MBA and PGDM course specifics, analyse the courses, and select based on your academic and professional interests now that you have a greater grasp of the differences between the two programmes.
There are a number of other factors that make Indira Institute of Management the finest PGDM college in Pune, but this isn't the only one. In contrast to most business schools, where the emphasis is primarily on academics and career advancements, the School Of Inspired Leadership places a strong emphasis on holistic development where growth and development are seen not only in terms of profession, but also in terms of increased self- awareness, confidence, having a fully developed EQ, and developing the ability to calmly and intelligently deal with challenging situations. The students at IIM PGDM learned yoga and meditation, which helped them get through the difficult and unusual times of the pandemic. IIM PGDM is extremely important for its students' professional development as well as their growth and development in terms of their mental and physical health.
