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Elina
01 July, 2024
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Getting that one degree which will lead you to better career opportunities, higher salaries and the push to managerial positions is a challenging task. Especially when you have so many options, it is hard to find the best course. Many of you get stuck in the PGDBM course. Will it be worth the investment? Should I go for it? If you are planning to pursue a PGDBM course from a top-ranking institute, but are in dilemma, read this blog before you start your research. In this, we have explained every aspect of the PGDBM programme and why it is beneficial for you.
PGDBM stands for Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management. It is a two-year professional diploma programme which covers the core business areas such as organisational behaviour, marketing management, business economics, international business and other related topics. The course curriculum is similar to the MBA or PGDM. In fact, a few years back an article stated that PGDM and PGDBM are the same. It prepares you for the functional business management areas and enhances a candidate’s employability. Apart from the MBA, it is the most popular professional course offered by many top institutes in the country.
The course focuses on grooming students with the right attitude for leadership, team management and handling crises. The inclination of the course will be different in every college as per the electives you choose during the programme.
Also Read: PGDM Course Explained
| Course Name | Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management |
| PGDBM Course Duration | 14 to 24 months |
| PGDBM Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree |
| PGDBM Admission Process | Entrance exam score, PI & GD (may differ in different colleges) |
| PGDBM Course Fee | INR 1.6 to 24.72 Lakh |
| PGDBM Average Salary | INR 7 to 10 LPA |
To apply to the PGDBM programme, you must fulfil the following criteria:
A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university with 50% minimum marks.
If you are a reserved category candidate, you get a 5% relaxation in the minimum marks criteria.
There is no upper age limit for this programme
Valid entrance exam scores
Some institutions may require a few years of work experience for the PGDBM programme
Please note that the eligibility criteria will be different for every college, these are the general parameters for admission.
Typically, the admission for PGDBM course is based on the result of entrance exams such as MAT/CAT/CMAT/GMAT/XAT, etc. The entrance exam is followed by a group discussion and a personal interview round. Some institutions do direct admissions on a merit basis or via management quota. Summing up the admission process of the PGDBM course, here are the steps you must follow:
Step 1: Register online
Step 2: Upload the scanned copies of your documents
Step 3: Appear in the entrance exam
Step 4: The result and cutoff list will be released
Step 5: Get shortlisted for further screening
Step 6: Appear in the group discussion and personal interview round
Step 7: Allotment of seat
Some of the core subjects covered in the PGDBM curriculum are tabulated below. Please note that the syllabus and choice of electives will be different in every college, so this is a general outline of the same.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Management Theory and Practice | HR Management |
| People and Performance | Operational Management |
| Business Communication | Business Policy and Strategy |
| Corporate Finance | Legal Aspects of Business |
| Marketing Management | International Business |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| Cost and Management Accounting | Design Thinking |
| Consumer Behaviour | Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Management |
| Digital Marketing | Sales Management |
| Macroeconomics and Business Environment | Elective Course I |
| Elective Course I | Elective Course II |
| Elective Course II | Internship/Project Work |
Confused about how this diploma programme will benefit you or is it worth spending your time and money on? Here are your reasons:
Skill Development and Enhancement: As the PGDBM curriculum is more industry-oriented, it focuses more on practical aspects and niche topics. This helps in honing and diversifying your skills which is crucial for success in any industry.
Ample Networking Opportunities: Networking is a huge aspect of the PGDBM course. Workshops with industry experts and interactive sessions with professionals across the globe are important to the coursework. This gives you a chance to connect with professionals and build your contacts. Moreover, institutions specifically organise networking events for the learners.
Wider Job Opportunities: A PGDBM course is favoured by employers as it reflects the proficiency of the candidate. Recruiters prefer candidates with high expertise and ability to manage different teams. So, a PGDBM candidate is trained for such roles.
Salary Hike: Salary increments take time and are not always enough. After completing the PGDBM course, you get a significant increase in your salary. You become a desirable candidate for senior/managerial posts which automatically pays you a hefty amount.
Gain Global Perspective: The PGDBM programmes are designed keeping in mind the global market by exposing students to international business practices and case studies.
Top Colleges Offering PGDBM Course
Before heading towards the list, please note that some institutions offer PGDM courses which are equivalent to PGDBM. Here are some top institutions offering PGDBM programmes in India:
| Institution Name | Fee Structure | Ranking & Accreditations |
| SP Jain Institute of Management and Research | INR 24.00 Lakh (full course) | AACSB AMBA NBA |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | INR 23.15 Lakh (15 month) | 9th NIRF Rank 2023 (Management Category) |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | INR 14.77 Lakh (full course) | 31st NIRF Rank 2023 (Management Category) |
| Indian School of Business | INR 24.72 Lakh (full course) | AACSB EQUIS AMBA |
| Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad | INR 21.53 Lakh (full course) | AIU AICTE NBA AACSB 38th NIRF Rank 2023 (Management Category) |
*Please note that the fee structure of these colleges is subject to change at the discretion of the institution’s governing body.
The above-tabulated institutions provide PGDM/PGDBM in online/distance mode as well for students unable to attend regular full-time classes. The eligibility criteria for such students differ slightly from that of the regular programme wherein entrance exam scores are not required. We have furnished below a table that shows the institutions’ online programmes and their corresponding fee structures:
| Institution Name | Fee Structure | Ranking & Accreditations |
| SP Jain Institute of Management and Research | INR 10.00 Lakh (full course) | AACSB AMBA NBA AICTE approved |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | INR 13.9 Lakh (full course) | 9th NIRF Rank 2023 (Management Category) AICTE approved |
| Great Lakes Institute of Management | INR 3.70 Lakh (full course) | 31st NIRF Rank 2023 (Management Category) AICTE approved |
| Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad | INR 1.60 Lakh | AIU AICTE approved NBA AACSB 38th NIRF Rank 2023 (Management Category) |
Wondering how PGDBM is different from the MBA programme? Let’s find out
| Category | PGDBM | MBA |
| Duration | 14 to 24 months | 2 years |
| Curriculum | Industry-oriented and practical-based which covers very specific topics | Theory-based which covers core business areas as well as |
| Course Type | PG Diploma | PG Degree |
| Fee Structure | It is a huge investment as institutes incur the entire cost themselves | It is an affordable option compared to PGDBM |
| Recognition | Institute should have AICTE recognition | College/university must be UGC-recognised |
Also Read: Complete Guide to MBA Programmes
There are several career opportunities for you to pursue after the PGDBM course. According to the electives/specialisations you choose, your career prospects will unfold. Some of the common job profiles chosen by the PGDBM graduates are:
| Job Role | Average Salary |
| Business Development Manager | INR 7.4 LPA |
| Marketing Manager | INR 12.4 LPA |
| Portfolio Advisory Manager | INR 8.2 LPA |
| Product Manager | INR 21.3 LPA |
| Corporate Finance Manager | INR 19.7 LPA |
| Operations Manager | INR 10.8 LPA |
| Training & Development Manager | INR 7.8 LPA |
| Relationship Manager | INR 17.3 LPA |
Source: Ambition Box
*Please note that the average salaries listed above are as per the current market rates which are subject to change.
The choice of a course depends on your individual needs and expectations from the programme. It may be an ideal choice for someone, however, it may not be suitable for you. Pursuing the PGDBM course undoubtedly has ample benefits, but you must ensure that these are the things you are aiming for. Therefore, it is suggested to consider every factor before reaching any conclusion.
Q1. Who is Eligible for PGDBM?
The primary eligibility for PGDBM is the undergraduate degree of a minimum of 3 years in any stream from a recognised university. Apart from this, there is a minimum mark criterion of 50% (may vary as per the university).
Q2. Which is better MBA or PGDBM?
Both serve different purposes, MBA is more theoretical whereas, PGDBM is industry-oriented. However, both hold the same value.
Q3. Who earns more – an MBA or PGDBM?
The salary depends more on your skillset and experience. Compared to an MBA and a PGDBM, an MBA graduate is likely to earn more.
Q4. What roles can I apply for after completing my PGDBM?
After completing PGDBM you can work in diverse roles such as marketing manager, business development manager, product manager, etc. depending upon your area of interest.
Q5. Which top college in India provides a PGDBM programme?
XLRI, ISB, SPJIMR and IMT are some of the top collges offering PGDBM programme in India.
