MBA vs PGDM

At the post graduate level in management education there are mainly two types of programs available in India- Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM). The prospective students sometimes are confused to understand the difference between these two courses. The similarities in eligibility criteria for both programs is a 50% minimum in any graduation or equivalent degree, and through a pan India-based entrance exam like CAT, MAT, XAT, GMAT, SNAP, CMAT, NMAT etc depending upon the institution accepting the particular test score.
 
Some institutes also conduct their own entrance exam followed by Group discussions and/or personal Interviews.
 
The difference mostly is in the curriculum. Also, MBA is given by Universities and a PGDM by autonomous institutions both in private and public sector. The PGDM offered by most of the private self-financed institutions are approved by AICTE, Ministry of Education.
 
Generally, aspirant students have three doubts regarding PGDM program choice. Whether after doing PGDM will get a job or not, whether the program structure is better or not, and for higher education, it is accepted or not. In all the above cases it passes with flying colours. Even one can take up the UGC-NET exam after passing PGDM program.
 
In terms of acceptance, during recruitment and higher studies like PhD, both the MBA and PGDM are viewed as equivalent (by AIU). However, PGDM courses are more industry-oriented and institutes have the flexibility to upgrade their curriculum every year to match the industry expectation which MBA does not have. That’s why PGDM is preferred by corporates rather than MBAs.