What is the difference between PGDM and MBA?

Very often students get confused while choosing their MBA (Masters of Business Administration) programme because some colleges offer MBA Degree while others offers Post Graduate Diploma in Management. Students are unaware of the pros and cons of these and are unable to decide which programme to choose between MBA (Degree) and PGDM (Diploma). So, to give you all a clear idea and a clear demarcation between MBA and PGDM, we have have come up with this blog that will help you know the real difference between the two and which one to choose PGDM or MBA programme.

Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) are both Management courses at the Master’s level. Both are commercial business oriented courses that let’s one climb the ladder in the Universe of Management. First of all let us understand what these two courses actually are.

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Masters of Business Adminitration (MBA) – A Degree Programme

Masters in Business Administration or MBA is a Degree course offered by both Government and Private Universities and Colleges affiliated to these universities.

Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) – A Diploma Programme

Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) is a Diploma programme offered by various B-schools and Colleges that are recognised by Government of India’s nodal body for technical education i.e. “All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)“

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PGDM or MBA – Key Distinction Between PGDM and MBA

Parameter	MBA from Government University	MBA from Private University	Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)	Private PGDM Colleges
Programme Offered	MBA	MBA	Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP)	PGDM
Award	Degree	Degree	Diploma	Diploma
College Approved by	University Grants Commission (UGC)	University Grants Commission (UGC)	Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD)	All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
Curriculum	Inflexible, because approvals are required from the University Curriculum at most Government Universities and Colleges is theoretical, and is not frequently updated.	Curriculum at good Private Universities is at Par with IIMs and top PGDM B-schools.	Flexible and Regularly Updated. It focuses on Industry needs and job requirements as placement is the key student expectation.	Flexible and Regularly Updated. The focus is on Industry needs and job requirements as placement is key student expectation.
Programme Suitable for	MBA offered by Government Universities is more suitable for candidates interested in earning a Degree for higher studies, academic career or Phd.	MBA offered by top Private Universities is good for both corporate career and academics.	Students focussing on enhancing their employability skills for a better corporate career, job or starting their own enterprise.	Students focussing on enhancing their employability skills for a better corporate career, job or starting their own enterprise.
Programme Duration	2 Years	2 Years	2 Years	2 Years
Exam Conducted by	University	University	By the respective IIM	By respective college
Entrance Test	Most Government colleges governed by State Governments, admit thru state level examination; Some Government Colleges accept CAT/GMAT scores as well	Top Private Universities conduct their own exams	Common Admission Test (CAT) conducted by IIMs.	These B-schools can choose from one or many of 6 approved exams: CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, GMAT, ATMA

This was all in this blog PGDM or MBA and the key differences between them. We hope you like it and will be able to decide which programme to choose PGDM or MBA. Stay tuned to Oliveboard for more such informative and useful blogs.

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