Thousands of students pick the MBA and PGDM paths each year for their postsecondary education because of the wide range of job options these provide. An MBA is essentially a management degree that universities provide. Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) programs are often provided by private institutions and colleges. After graduation, students who wish to pursue a career in business and management are frequently faced with the decision of which course to take in order to help them land the finest job possible.
What does MBA entail?
A master’s in Business Administration, or MBA, is a program that is available at universities that have received UGC approval. When looking for employment and internships, the degree becomes quite important and beneficial. The best chance of finding a lucrative professional path is with an MBA, thus students from all backgrounds apply to MBA programs, not only those who studied BBA as their undergraduate major. Business administration topics covered in the course include those relating to accounting, human resources, management, entrepreneurship, operations management, business ethics, business law, business communication, and, in general, any skill required to operate at the corporate level. How quickly the number of business schools is growing in India is evidence of the success of an MBA degree.
Also Read: Which MBA specialization is best in 2022? The reality of Marketing, HR & Finance
What does PGDM entail?
The program known as Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) is often given by independent business institutions and serves to train students. Every year, many businesses hire managers, and PGDM equips students with the skills they need to land one of these positions.
Let’s see how the MBA and PGDM are similar:
When it comes to admission to the workplace or for graduate study, the MBA and PGDM are equivalent.
Both programs teach management skills, but what really matters to recruiters is the quality of the education provided by the b-school, its distinctive value propositions, the success rates of its alumni, and the value that the graduates bring to the table. In reality, recruiters do not even distinguish between these students and the PGDM students in b-schools that provide a one-year “certificate” degree in management, commonly known as PGPM or PGP or other titles depending on the b-school. The recruiter’s background, skill, and job experience requirements are the only factors considered for hiring, and whether or not a student meets those standards.
The same is true for enrolling in higher education programs like a Fellowship or a Ph.D. An MBA degree is required to pursue a Ph.D., however, a PGDM diploma also qualifies. At the undergraduate level, a degree was consistently thought to be more valuable than a diploma. However, the quality and value provided by the business school and the program, as in the case of management programs, decide the value and not the nomenclature in postgraduate courses.
what is the difference between MBA and PGDM?
Finding the course that best meets your needs requires comparing and contrasting MBA and PGDM. We’ve compared MBA and PGDM programs on six key criteria in the chart below, which should help you choose which is best for your needs.
| MBA vs. PGDM Differences | MBA | PGDM |
| Eligibility | the graduate degree, which must be pursued full-time and last at least three years. Different colleges have established different cutoffs for the graduation percentage attained. However, the generally recognized percentage level is 50%. Candidates who are in their final year of a bachelor’s degree program or have an equivalent qualification are eligible for admission as long as they can submit a letter from the dean of their college attesting to their current status. | |
| Entrance Exams | CAT, MAT, GMAT, IIFT, SNAP, IRMASAT, XAT, CMAT, NMAT, etc. | |
| Qualification | Degree course | Diploma course |
| Course Structure and Approach | University-approved curriculum, hence, mostly theoretical based and uniform across institutes affiliated with a university.
Mostly semester-based system. |
The industry-oriented program focused more on building soft skills. Mostly trimester-based system. |
| Accreditation | Accredited by University Grants Commission (UGC) | Accredited by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) |
| Perception | When it comes to hiring, both an MBA and a PGDM are considered comparable. The institution that is providing it is mostly the determining factor. Additionally, despite the fact that PGDM programs may be business-focused and well-liked by corporations, students may encounter difficulties when trying to apply for employment or further education opportunities abroad. |
Types of Entrance Exams
Every year, a large number of entrance tests are offered in India to get admission to management institutes for both MBA and PGDM programs. Exams like the CAT, MAT, and GMAT are required for some schools to grant applicants eligibility. Additionally, several tests, including the IIFT, SNAP, NMAT, and others, are required for admission to specific institutions.
In the table below, we’ve included information on a few of the prominent entrance tests for admission to MBA and PGDM programs:
| MBA vs. PGDM – Types of Entrance Exams | ||||
| Entrance Exams | Conducting Body | Mode of exam | Sections | Frequency |
| CAT (Common Admission Test) Learn the difference between CAT and GMAT. | IIMs (on a rotational basis) | Online | Quantitative Ability (QA), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Annually |
| IIFT (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade) | NTA (National Testing Agency) | Online | Logical Reasoning, English Grammar, Vocabulary and Comprehension, General Knowledge & Current Affairs, Data Interpretation, and Quantitative Analysis | Annually |
| MAT (Management Aptitude Test) | AIMA (All India Management Association) | Online and Offline | Language Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Data Sufficiency, Mathematical Skills, and Indian and Global Environment. | Four times a year – February, May, September, and December. |
| GMAT (Graduate Management Aptitude Test) | GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) | Online | Verbal, Quant, Analytical Writing Assessment, and Integrated Reasoning | Throughout the year |
| SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test) | Symbiosis International (Deemed) University | Online | English, Quant (Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency), and Analytical and Logical Reasoning | Annually |
| NMAT (NMIMS Management Aptitude Test) | GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) | Online | Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning. | Annually (with the flexibility of a 75-day testing window ) |
| CMAT (Common Management Admission Test) | AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) | Online | Verbal, Quant, and Logical reasoning, the exam has a General Awareness section. | Annually |
| XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) | Xavier School of Management (XLRI) Jamshedpur | Online | Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision making, Quantitative Ability, and Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. | Annually |
| IRMASAT (Institute of Rural Management Anand Social Awareness Test) | IRMA (Requires CAT/XAT scores too) | Online | Quantitative Ability, Analytical reasoning, Issue of Social concern, and English Comprehension | Annually |
Which should one go for— MBA or PGDM?
Given the present employment environment, it will be more favorable for the students to choose PGDM programs since they are more industry-relevant and emphasize practical training. There is a chance that the student will study and gain expertise with a larger array of business principles than an MBA because the material is tailored every year. Additionally, unlike MBA, the PGDM’s out-of-the-book teaching approach prepares you for dealing with real-world field difficulties. However, one should consider an MBA if they have reservations about the often high program costs.