MBA or PGDM?
This question is very common for students planning to pursue their careers in business management. This article written by Pagalguy experts will give candidates a clear differentiation between both the courses along with their pros and cons.
MBA refers to Masters in Business Development and is a Master’s Degree offered by Government and private universities. Opposite to it PGDM which is Post Graduate Diploma in Management is a diploma course provided by B-schools and collages recognized by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
Most of the B schools in India including the IIMs and ISB offers PGDM courses and not MBA degree.
Government has passed a IIM Bill 2017 and in coming years IIMs may provide MBA degrees.
Below is the detailed differentiation between MBA and PGDM.
| Parameter / Aspect | MBA | PGDM |
| Validity | A valid PG level degree. Candidates receive a Degree. | Equivalent to a PG level degree.
Candidates are offered a Diploma. |
| Approving Authority | Ministry of HRD, Government of India, AICTE and UGC approval required at the university level. | Ministry of HRD, Government of India, AICTE |
| Curriculum | Primarily constructed by the University.
Most parts of the syllabus, as well as the elective subjects, are the same in two colleges under the same University. They lag behind in this parameter because the syllabus is less frequently updated. |
Every institute has its own curriculum.
It gives a great deal of flexibility to make the syllabus changes every year to meet the industry standards. |
| Prospects | They have low prospects of being hired than PGDM because they are reluctant to making frequent changes in the syllabus and practicing innovative methods of teaching. | Drills you with efficient training and give you the insights into real-life business situations.
It is more practical in nature and has relatively more prospects of being hired by the corporates. |
| Suitability | People who are interested in research. | People who are interested in the corporate world and want to become an entrepreneur. |
| Placements | The quality of placements completely depends upon the institution.
Comparatively schools like JBIMS, FMS etc. have magnificent placement record. |
It varies from institute to institute.
However, they have comparatively better placement record than MBA institutions. |
| Conducting Entrance Exam |
Exam is conducted by the University. |
Exam is conducted by respective institutes who have the authority from AICTE. |
| Entrance Criteria |
The entry is through state level exams like MAH-CET, TISSNET etc. |
The entry is through state level exams like MAH-CET, TISSNET etc. as well as National level exams like ATMA, CAT, XAT, MAT etc. |
| Ranking | 10 out of 100 institutes offer MBA degree | 90 out of 100 institutes offer a PGDM course. |
| Innovative Practices and Methodologies | They are provided with theoretical knowledge of management concepts and practices.
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Multi aspects and Innovative teaching methodologies are practiced.
For example : simulations, case studies, short-term trainings, presentations and many more methods are adopted. |
| Cost Factor | MBA programmes are economical when compared to PGDM programmes.
Since they are the Government approved universities and so get plenty of funds from the government which makes the tuition fee very low.
FMS Delhi MBA full course fee is just Rs 25,000 Bangalore University 2 year fee of less than 200,000 lakhs.
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Fee is quite high.
IIMs have a very higher fee structure. IIM Ahmedabad fee is Rs.21 lakhs, IIM Bangalore fee is Rs.19.5 lakhs, and IIM Calcutta fee is Rs.19 lakhs.
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| Focus | Focus extensively on technical and theoretical aspects of management. | Focus on the changing industry and innovative market trends. |
| Chances of Fraud | The courses are offered by universities, the chances of getting cheated are quite low. | The courses are normally offered by autonomous bodies.
Some make false placement claims but lack proper accreditation. Students have to be very cautious in searching for the best option. |
| Availability of Government Job | There is not set benefit of doing MBA for getting a government job. As equal importance is given to candidate having Post graduate diploma in Management. | Equal importance is given to candidate who has completed PGDM from a recognized university. |
| Top Institutes | -Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi
– Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune – Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai – Indian Institute of Foreign Trade -Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai – Institute of Management, Nirma University |
-Indian Institute of Management
-Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur -SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai -Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (Banglore/Hyderabad -IBS, Hyderabad |
According to pagalguy experts’ candidates need to decide on their goals before choosing between MBA or PGDM. If getting a high paid corporate job is the ambition behind pursuing management than degree or diploma doesn’t matters. What matters is the curriculum, faculty, ranking of the institution and placements they provide.