Every candidate compares MBA and PGDM programs before enrolling in a management course. What distinguishes a PGDM vs. MBA, then? Which is better? To learn about the differences and parallels between MBA and PGDM, read this article.

"What distinguishes the PGDM from the MBA?" is a crucial question that each candidate for management should consider before selecting a course. Both the MBA and PGDM are master's-level management programs with identical curricula. There is a significant distinction between the two, though. MBA is a 2-year master’s level postgraduate course, whereas PGDM is a diploma program that also spans 2 years. A degree is always favoured above a diploma even though there isn't much of a difference between the two on the job market because a college’s degree needs to be UGC recognized. Furthermore, private universities are unable to grant degrees without the necessary accreditation or recognition.

Both MBA and PGDM programs focus on business management. The main objective of both programs is to impart modern skills and knowledge to students in company management and administration. To make a decision, one must weigh the advantages and disadvantages of both options.

Five primary distinctions between MBA and PGDM

There are some minor variations, such as in recognition, fees, etc., even if the employment prospects for both courses are the same. As applications for the MBA 2024 are now open, candidates should understand the distinctions between the two programs to select their courses and universities more wisely. Five distinctions between PGDM and MBA are provided below:

PGDM vs. MBA: (Degree or Diploma)

A diploma is awarded to the candidate upon completion of a PGP or PGDM course, while a degree is awarded upon completion of an MBA program.

Contrary to what many students believe, a diploma course has the same merit as a degree course. PGP or PGDM courses are offered by numerous Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other prestigious management colleges, including XLRI, Jamshedpur, Integral University and KCC Institute of Technology and Management, Greater Noida. The majority of these institutes operate independently and are not connected to any management colleges. The distinction between an MBA and PGDM is purely nominal and has no bearing on one's career.

Because they are equivalent in terms of content, pedagogy, and course accreditation, both the MBA and PGDM are highly valued in the job market. Management colleges is another important component. A degree course from the state management colleges will not have the same professional value as a PGDM course from XLRI Jamshedpur.

PGDM vs. MBA: Syllabus

The MBA syllabus is often created by management colleges. In different MBA colleges affiliated with the same university, the core curriculum (and occasionally even elective courses) will be nearly identical. Since all PGDM Colleges determine their own PGPM or PGDM syllabus, there is some flexibility in how the courses are designed, even if the PGDM syllabus is the same as the MBA syllabus. The MBA syllabus is periodically modified to reflect changes in industry demands. After a few years, universities usually fall behind and alter their curricula.

PGDM vs. MBA: Vulnerable to Fraud

Students should exercise caution when applying to PGP or PGDM colleges because they are offered by independent management colleges. Numerous smaller MBA colleges and PGMD colleges make statements but lack the necessary accreditation. If you receive degrees from accredited MBA colleges, the likelihood of false claims is reduced. Prospective managers should seek legitimate accreditations. Management colleges are recognized by UGC in addition to being accredited by AACSB, NAAC, Equis, and AMBA.

PGDM vs. MBA: Main Subjects

The MBA and PGDM programs cover many important similar topics. Some experts argue that the MBA syllabus emphasizes more of the theoretical and technical aspects of management than they do the practical aspects. On the other hand, PGP or PGDM syllabus places more of an emphasis on industrial orientation and market-driven skills.     

PGDM vs. MBA: Cost Comparison

It's been observed that most MBA colleges cost less to enroll in than PGP or PGDM colleges. This is mostly accurate because MBA degrees are awarded by government MBA colleges. The government decreases the cost of a degree for students by offering scholarships and financial aid to specific universities. Because private PGDM colleges that provide PGP and PGDM degrees are not funded by the government, students pursuing these degrees are responsible for paying for the whole program. However, this is not an inflexible rule. Tuition fees at some PGDM colleges, such as the IIMs, are quite expensive. The IIMs have expensive MBA tuition fees even though they're not private MBA colleges. This is because it's an independent, private organization. However, the MHRD is involved in the administration of the IIMs.

The distinction between MBA and PGDM

There exist other additional characteristics that differentiate MBA and PGDM programs. The fundamental distinctions between MBA and PGDM are shown in the table below:

Parameters	What is PGDM?	What is MBA?
Approving Authority	AICTE, Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India.	AICTE, Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India, and UGC Approval is needed at the university level.
Validity	Acceptable and comparable to a postgraduate degree.	A legitimate postgraduate degree.
Eligibility	Graduation from an accredited university in any field or an equivalent degree. At least 50% in graduation (45% for students in the reserved category) or a comparable grade.	Graduation from an accredited university in any field or an equivalent degree. At least 50% in graduation (45% for students in the reserved category) or a comparable grade.
Placements	Depending on the organization. Compared to MBA universities, the majority of PGDM schools have higher placement rates.	Depending on the organization. In contrast, a few MBA schools, such as FMS and JBIMS, have excellent placement results.
Course Syllabus	Dynamic updates in accordance with industry requirements. The AICTE has approved the syllabus.	Universities create the syllabus, which is modified less regularly.
Innovative Practices	Training and teaching have multiple facets. Pedagogy includes cases, simulations, presentations, and brief instruction.	Restricted room for experimentation since university-prepared syllabuses define practices.
Ranking in general (by business magazines and student-centric websites)	Owing to superior instruction, preparation, exposure, and placements, PGDM colleges make up 90% of the top 100. For example: XLRI, MDI, IMT, GIM, IIMs, and numerous others.	Some of the top MBA colleges including FMS, NMIMS, KJSIMS, SCMHRD, etc., are among the top 100.
Equivalence	Equivalent to an MBA from any university in India. For the PhD, Education (UGC NET), and any more uses.	MBA a post-graduate degree.
Entrance Process	Comprehensive CAT/MAT/XAT/ATMA and certain state-level tests such as MAH-CET, TSICET, etc.	Comprehensive entrance exams at the federal, state, and local levels, such as the MAT, CMAT, TSICET, MAH-CET, and CAT.
Examinations	The approving agency, AICTE, has permitted PGDM institutions to conduct the exams.	The university administers exams.

 

Colleges with MBA and PGDM Programs

The list of IIMs and other prestigious management colleges that provide PGDM/PGP and MBA programs is as follows:

College Name	MBA/PGDM (PGP)
IIM Ahmedabad	MBA
IIM Bangalore	MBA
IIM Calcutta	MBA and PGDM
IIM Lucknow	PGP
IIM Kozhikode	PGP
IIM Indore	PGP
IIM Shillong	PGP
IIM Ranchi	MBA
IIM Rohtak	PGP
IIM Bodh Gaya	PGP
IIM Visakhapatnam	PGP
IIM Trichy	PGPM
IIM Jammu	MBA
IIM Kashipur	MBA
IIM Sambalpur	MBA
IIM Udaipur	MBA
IIM Amritsar	MBA
IIM Nagpur	MBA
IIM Raipur	PGP
IIM Sirmaur	MBA
XLRI Jamshedpur	PGDM
MDI Gurgaon	PGDM
SPJIMR	PGDM
NMIMS	MBA and PGDM
IMT Ghaziabad	PGDM
IIFT Delhi	MBA
FMS Delhi University	MBA
JBIMS Mumbai	MBA (MMM)
Symbiosis International Deemed to be University	MBA and PGDM
IIT Delhi-DOMS	MBA
IIT Bombay - SJMSOM	MBA
IIT Kharagpur - VGSOM	MBA
IIT Roorkee- DOMS	MBA
IIT Madras-DOMS	MBA
IIT Kanpur-DOMS	MBA
IIT-ISM Dhanbad	MBA
IIT Jodhpur	MBA

 

Conclusion

We discussed the parallels and discrepancies between MBA and PGDM courses in this post. For these two courses, a variety of data points were shown and contrasted. We also discussed the prerequisites for MBA and PGDM programs, as well as the care that should be given while choosing one of them.

Even if the MBA and PGDM programs differ in a few ways, the institution offering them has the most influence.

Recruiters mostly use a student's talents and the institution's reputation to calculate the degree or certificate they have earned.

However, MBA degree programs tend to place more of an emphasis on management theory, whereas PGDM courses are believed to have more of an emphasis on skill development.