Technically what is the difference between MBA and PGDM

There is no difference between MBA (Masters in Business Administration) & PGDM (Post Graduation Diploma in Management). These are more or less same management degree courses offered under the different tag by different institutions.

As per the law in India, only a university can offer courses like B.E. B.Tech and MBA. At the end of MBA students receives a degree whereas after a PGP/PGDM course students receives a diploma. If you are wondering that MBA is better than let me remind you the best colleges for management in India like IIMs, XLRi Jamshedpur, S.P. Jain offers a PGDM/PGP course. Most of these institutes are autonomous bodies (not affiliated to any University) and conducts their own management course.

MBA courses focus more on theoretical and technical aspects of management rather than adopting a practical approach. PGP or PGDM courses have an industrial orientation and focus on skills based on market requirements.

It has been observed that most MBA courses have lower tuition fees as compared to PGP or PGDM courses. This may be so because mostly government approved universities offer MBA degrees. These universities receive financial aid and grants from the government, making the degree cheaper for the student (FMS which falls under Delhi University is best in terms of ROI with INR 20K fees for 2 years and an average package of INR 20.5 lakhs per annum). In case of a PGP or PGDM degree, students have to bear the cost of the entire programme. However, this is not an ironclad rule. There are MBA degrees which charge high tuition fees (such as IIFT).

For your information, there is no separate exam conducted for MBA/PGDM/PGP course because all depends on college to give admission on which type of exam marks and offer a which type of degree

MBA degree offered by the colleges affiliated to the universities. (only universities can offer MBA programmes course)

PGDM is a diploma course offered by the institutes that are recognized by the AICTE and which are autonomous (means not affiliated to any university). However, accreditation by Association of Indian Universities (AIU) makes an institute's PGDM course equivalent to an MBA.

Although there are similarities but the major differences exist is - A student pursuing MBA will be studying more of the theoretical aspects of management. An MBA institute will be following a fixed curriculum as it will be based on the university guidelines. Whereas student pursuing a PGDM course will be gaining knowledge regarding building soft skills and the programme is more industry-oriented.

All the Best

Hi Surbhi,

A Masters in Business Administration is a degree course offered by the colleges affiliated to the universities.

Post Graduate Diploma in Management is a diploma course offered by the institutes that are recognised by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Thanks

Hello Surbhi





MBA : Stands for Master in Business Administration.

PGDM : Stands for Post Graduate Diploma in Management.

Why are they pursued?

MBA : A Master in Business Administration (MBA) is a degree course offered by the colleges affiliated to the universities. So, only universities can offer MBA programmes.

PGDM : A Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) is a diploma course offered by the institutes that are recognised by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and which are autonomous and not affiliated to any university. However, accreditation by Association of Indian Universities (AIU) makes an institute's PGDM course equivalent to an MBA.

High/low fees

Fees is high in case of PGDM as compared to MBA. MBA institutes charge less fees as it is almost similar to university standard.

Are MBA and PGDM equal ?

It is not mandatory that a PGDM is equal to MBA because then the college offering the PGDM course must have accreditation from AIU (The Association of Indian Universities).

Difference between the curriculum :

Although there are similarities between the curriculum of both, differences exist as well. A student pursuing MBA will be studying more of the theoretical aspects of management. An MBA institute will be following a fixed curriculum as it will be based on the university guidelines.

A student pursuing a PGDM course will be gaining knowledge regarding building soft skills and the programme is more industry-oriented. An autonomous institute does not have to follow university standards, so it is free to change its curriculum according to industry standards and change in the business environment. The course will prepare you for a senior level position in a company.



Best of luck