PGDM Admission 2025: Entrance Exams, Eligibility, Selection Procedure, Top Colleges

Swatantra Khandelwal's profile photo

Swatantra Khandelwal

Content Curator | Updated 3+ months ago

PGDM General Latest Updates

15 Sep, 2025 XAT registration 2026 is ongoing till December 5, 2025, at xatonline.in. Apply Now

01 Jul, 2025 IBSAT registration for MBA/PGDM 2026-28 session is open @ibsindia.org; exam will be held on December 27 and 28. Check Here

Latest News
  • Check News: AIMS has announced that the exam date for the ATMA will be February 23, 2025.
  • TSICET 2025 will be conducted on June 08 – 09, 2025 and the registrations for Telangana PGDM Admission 2025 based on TS ICET will be done from March 10 – May 3, 2025.

PGDM is one of the top management courses in India and is often considered a degree equivalent to MBA. You can appear for management entrance exams such as CAT, MAT, XAT, and others for PGDM admissions. If you seek admission for the 2025 session, you must know that the XAT will be conducted on January 05, 2025, and the CAT will be conducted on November 24 this year.

PGDM is offered by B-Schools that are recognized by AICTE and the institutes under the Ministry of Human Resource Development. Hence, if you are looking for a business degree that is equivalent to an MBA, PGDM is the most popular option.

How do I get Admission to PGDM?

The process of admission to PGDM is similar to MBA admission, where you need to clear a management entrance examination. It is important to note that the entrance exams for both courses are the same. So, you have to check the accepted entrance exams that are accepted in your preferred institution.

Exam Application Date Exam
XAT July 15, 2024 January 05, 2025
CAT August 01 - September 13, 2024 November 24, 2024
MAT PBT: August 18, 2024
CBT: August 11, 2024
IBT 1: August 9, 2024
IBT 2: August 18, 2024
PBT: August 25, 2024
CBT: August 18, 2024
IBT 1: August 14, 2024
IBT 2: August 23, 2024
ATMA July 24, 2024 (Closed) July 31, 2024 (Revised)
CMAT To be Announced To be Announced
GMAT Throughout the year Throughout the year
NMAT To be Announced To be Announced
SNAP To be Announced To be Announced

What is PGDM eligibility?

The entrance exam for admission to the PGDM program will differ with the institution. Regardless, the general aspects of the eligibility parameters remain the same, which are mentioned below -

  • You should score at least 50% aggregate from a recognized educational institute. There is also a 5% relaxation available for the reserved categories.
  • For specializations such as PGDM Executive, you may need a minimum of 2 to 3 years of working experience.

What is the Selection Process for PGDM?

You need to appear for the entrance exam for admission to the top colleges in PGDM. After that, candidates who are shortlisted based on their merit in the entrance exams are finally selected for PGDM admission 2025 via a procedure that includes WAT, PI, and a GD round.

  • You might have to go through the WAT, or Written Ability Test, along with the PI round.
  • In some institutes, candidates have to go through the GD or group discussion round, which replaces the personal interview round.
  • The WAT/PI GD rounds are then followed by a counseling session.

Is Direct Admission Possible in PGDM?

Yes, you can get direct admission to the PGDM course in a few private institutions. For example, you can be admitted to a few private institutions without entrance exams. However, you should ensure that these are approved institutions by AICTE and other relevant authorities.

Which PGDM Course is Best?

PGDM is one of the most sorted courses in management, and the choice of specialization depends on the candidate. So, if you are willing to take admission to PGDM, you should know about the specialization of the programs.

The specializations of the program are -

Specialization Top Colleges Approximate Salary (INR)
Finance
  • XLRI Jamshedpur
  • SPJIMR
  • IMI New Delhi
  • IMT Ghaziabad
  • TAPMI
2 - 15 LPA
Marketing
  • XLRI Jamshedpur
  • SPJIMR
  • Great Lakes Institute of Management Gurgaon
  • Welingkar Mumbai
  • TAPMI
4 - 6 LPA
Human Resources
  • TISS
  • NMIMS
  • SIBM Pune
  • XLRI Jamshedpur
  • XISS Ranchi
4 - 5 LPA
Operations Management
  • SIBM Pune
  • Welingkar Mumbai
  • SIOM Nashik
  • IMT Hyderabad
5 - 8 LPA

Which is the Best College for PGDM?

Most colleges with high NIRF rankings provide quality education, good placements, and high ROI. If you are looking to enroll in a PGDM, here are the top institutions -

Institutions Accepted Entrance Exam(s) Approximate Cut-Off Average Package (INR)
Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI) XAT, GRE, GMAT 95+ percentile (XAT) 29.89 LPA
NMIMS NMAT 95+ percentile (NMAT) 26.63 (Core)
19.56 LPA (HR)
10.55 LPA (Tech)
SIBM Pune SNAP 97+ percentile (SNAP) 28.16 LPA
IMT Ghaziabad CAT/XAT/GMAT

90+ percentile (CAT)

85+ percentile (XAT)

17.07 LPA
MDI Gurgaon XAT/CAT/MAT/GMAT/GRE 94+ percentile (CAT) 25.5 LPA
IMI New Delhi CAT/XAT/MAT/CMAT/ATMA/GMAT

85+ percentile (CAT)

85+ percentile (XAT)

17.01 LPA
SPJIMR Mumbai CAT/ GMAT 85+ percentile (CAT) 33 LPA
Welingkar Mumbai CAT/XAT/ATMA/CMAT/GMAT 80+ percentile (CAT) 12.88 LPA
JBIMS MAHCET/CMAT/CAT

95+ percentile (CAT)

99.99 percentile (MHTCET)

99.99 percentile (CMAT)

26 LPA
K J Somaiya Institute of Management CAT/XAT/CMAT/GMAT/NMAT/CUET-PG

85+ percentile (CAT)

71+ percentile (XAT)

12.32 LPA

What is the difference between an MBA and a PGDM?

The primary difference is that an MBA is a degree program, whereas PGDM is a diploma program; however, both courses are considered equivalent. For ease of understanding, the table is provided below to differentiate between PGDM and MBA.

Parameters PGDM MBA
Degree Diploma Degree
Offering Institutions Institutions under AICTE and the Ministry of Human Resource Development UGC-approved institutions
Duration 2 years 2 years
Focus Theoretical and technical aspects of management Skills and industrial requirements

Hence, PGDM, or Postgraduate Diploma in Management, is a course similar to MBA in terms of curriculum and employment opportunities. The coursework of both courses is also approximately the same. For admissions to the program, CAT is the most widely accepted exam, although some institutions conduct their own entrance exams, such as Symbiosis and NMIMS.

PGDM Admission 2025: FAQs

Ques. Can I do an MBA after PGDM?

Ans. MBA and PGDM are similar courses with similar curriculum and course structure. Hence, enrolling for an MBA after PGDM might not add any extra value. However, there is no problem in doing so, and after doing MBA and PGDM you will be more qualified than others and will add another degree to your CV.

Ques. Is PGDM tough?

Ans. PGDM is not usually considered a tough degree. It is a diploma course in business, and the curriculum is set based on the industry requirements. Hence, if you are interested in business, you can learn this course and also get placement opportunities.

Ques. What are the benefits of doing PGDM?

Ans. A few of the benefits of doing PGDM are -

  • You can gain practical skills.
  • You can expand your professional network with peers and faculty.
  • Improve your leadership and management abilities.
  • Access better job opportunities in top companies.
  • You can earn a higher salary.
  • You can also enjoy greater flexibility and options in your career path.
  • Finally, it can also open doors to entrepreneurial ventures and start-ups.

Ques. Is PGDM equivalent to MBA?

Ans. Yes. This is because both programs develop managerial and leadership skills. In general, the only difference is that universities usually offer MBAs, while autonomous institutions offer PGDMs. The curriculum of both courses is similar, but PGDMs might focus more on practical knowledge and industry needs.

Ques. Is PGDM worth it?

Ans. Yes, definitely worth it. It helps you develop practical skills and knowledge needed for management roles. In PGDM, you can network with industry professionals and peers, which boosts career opportunities. This is because, usually employers value the industry-focused curriculum and practical experience that PGDM programs offer.

PGDM Admission Exams Dates List 2025 - 2026

Exam NameDatesApplication Fees StateNotification
NMAT by GMAC
5 Nov 19 Dec 2025
exam
Ongoing
2800/- FeesAll India
Xavier Aptitude Test
10 Jul 5 Dec 2025
registration
Ongoing
2200/- FeesAll India
Symbiosis National Aptitude Test
28 Nov 15 Dec 2025
Ongoing
2250/- FeesAll India
MICA Admission Test
6 Dec 2025
exam
Upcoming
2500/- FeesAll India
ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test
1 Jul 23 Dec 2025
registration
Ongoing
1800/- FeesAll India
UPES Management Entrance Test
23 Jan 2025 25 Jan 2026
exam
Ongoing
1350/- FeesAll India
Admission DatesPGDM CollegesTitleCutoff & ExamsState
13 Oct 2025 20 Jan 2026
Ongoing
IIM Bangalore - Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore
Date of Application for Admission 2026 [PGPBA]
CATKarnataka
8 Oct 2025 25 Jan 2026
Ongoing
ISB Hyderabad Indian School of Business, Hyderabad
Admission Timeline [PGPM]
Telangana
8 Oct 2025 25 Jan 2026
Ongoing
Indian School of Business - [ISB], Mohali
Admission Timeline [PGPM]
Punjab
20 21 Dec 2025
IIMK - Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode
Personal Interaction Dates for Phase 3 Admission [PGP BL]
CATKerala
8 Feb 2026
SPJIMR, Mumbai
Last Date to Apply Interview Process for Round 1 Admisson 2026 [PGPGM]
Maharashtra
8 Dec 2025
Upcoming
IIM Mumbai - Indian Institute of Management, Mumbai
Last Date to Pay 1st Instalment of Fees of Merit List for Round-1 Admission 2025-26 [BPGP]
Maharashtra
7 Dec 2025
Upcoming
IIMI - Indian Institute of Management, Indore
Date for Aptitude Test & Interviews for Admission [PGPMX]
CATMadhya Pradesh
31 Dec 2025
IIFT Delhi Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi
Last Date of Application for Admission 2026 [MBA] (International Business)
Delhi NCR
5 Dec 2025
Upcoming
Symbiosis Institute of Business Management - [SIBM], Pune
Online Submission of Registration Date for Admission [MBA]
Maharashtra
17 Oct 5 Dec 2025
Ongoing
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade - [IIFT], Kolkata
Date of Online Application for Admission [MBA] (IB) / [MBA] (Business Analytics)
West Bengal
30 Nov 2025 24 Jan 2026
Ongoing
DMS - Department of Management Studies IIT, New Delhi
Date for Submission of Application for Admission [MBA]
CATDelhi NCR
24 Dec 2025 5 Feb 2026
Tentative
VGSOM - Vinod Gupta School of Management IIT, Kharagpur
Extended Last Date of Application for Admission 2025 [MBA]
West Bengal
5 Dec 2025
Upcoming
Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development - [SCMHRD], Pune
Last Date for Submission of Application for Admission 2026-28 [MBA]
Maharashtra
30 Nov 2025 5 Jan 2026
Ongoing
XLRI - Xavier School Of Management Delhi-NCR Campus, Jhajjar
Last Date for Online Registration [XLRI]
Haryana
20 Dec 2025
Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow (Noida Campus), Noida
Date for Entrance Exam for Admission [PGPWE]
Uttar Pradesh
25 Aug 2025 25 Jan 2026
Ongoing
BITS School of Management - [BITSoM], Mumbai
Admission Timeline [MBA]
Maharashtra
10 Sept 2025 31 Jan 2026
Ongoing
Indian Institute of Management - [IIMU], Udaipur
Date for Online Application for Admission 2026 [MBA]
CATRajasthan
3 Feb 2026
Tentative
Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras - [DoMS IIT Madras], Chennai
Last Date of Admission 2025 [MBA]
Tamil Nadu
10 Dec 2025
Upcoming
XIMB, Bhubaneswar
Date for Submission of Applocation for Admission 2025 [MBA] (RM/SM/UMD/PPM)
Odisha
1 Sept 2025 29 Jan 2026
Ongoing
MICA Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad
Admission Timeline [PGDM]
Gujarat
12 Oct 2025 17 Jan 2026
Ongoing
Masters' Union, Gurgaon
MU BAAT 2026 Timeline [PGP] (TBM)
Haryana
1 Oct 2025 31 Jan 2026
Ongoing
Indian Institute of Management - [IIMT], Tiruchirappalli
Online Application for Session 2026 [PGPBM]
CATTamil Nadu
27 Dec 2025 28 Feb 2026
Tentative
Department of Management, BITS, Pilani
Dates for Online Submission of Application for Admission via BAAT 2025 [MBA] (Business Analytic)
Rajasthan
12 Dec 2025
Upcoming
IMI - International Management Institute, New Delhi
Last Date of Application for Session 2026 [PGDM]
Delhi NCR
2 Jan 10 Feb 2026
Tentative
Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology - [DOMS], Roorkee
Date of Submission of Application for Admission 2025-27 [MBA]
CATUttarakhand
8 14 Jan 2026
FORE School of Management - [FSM], New Delhi
Shortlisting Based on Exam Scores for Admission 2026-28 [PGDM]
Delhi NCR
4 Dec 2025
Ongoing
Goa Institute of Management - [GIM], North Goa
Last Date of Achiever Round Application for Session 2026 [PGDM]
CAT  +3 More ExamsGoa
30 Dec 2025 5 Feb 2026
Tentative
Department of Management Sciences, IIT Kanpur- [DOMS IITKP], Kanpur
Date to Submit Online Application Form for Admission 2025-27 [MBA]
Uttar Pradesh
31 Jan 2026
IIM Amritsar - Indian Institute of Management, Amritsar
Last Date of Application for Admission 2026 [MBA]
CATPunjab
18 Oct 29 Dec 2025
Ongoing
TAPMI Manipal, Manipal
Submission Date for Application for Admission 2026-28 [MBA]
CAT  +3 More ExamsKarnataka

Post Graduate Diploma in Management [PGDM] : 550 answered questions

VIEW ALL

Ques. Is it worthwhile doing an MBA in UPES Dehradun?

● Top Answer By Akriti Banerjee on 03 Aug 23

Ans. Every B-school has its unique strengths and so does UPES Dehradun which is famous for its domain-specific MBA. If you are willing to pursue an MBA in oil and gas, power management, or energy trading, choosing UPES Dehradun will be the right decision. It offers a plethora of opportunities in these domains and the ROI is also great. There are some industry-specific courses too but their placements are just average. The best part about UPES is the diversity of the crowd. You will get the chance to interact with people from various backgrounds such as law, management, engineering, and design thus enhancing the learning experience manifolds.  Ultimately, I will suggest you go for UPES Dehradun only if you are planning to pursue a domain-specific MBA, else you can go for better B Schools.Read more
3
0
2 Answer
●●●

Ques. Should I go to IBS Hyderabad (ICFAI) for an MBA? Why or why not?

● Top Answer By Harshita Sinha on 30 Apr 22

Ans. IBS Hyderabad isn’t a good option for MBA. The placement record of the institute isn’t good. You won’t get a good ROI. The course fee for an MBA at IBS Hyderabad is INR 16.02 lakhs. While the average CTC offered to the students according to IBS Hyderabad placement highlights for 2022 is INR 7.97 LPA.  The student intake is huge. Batch strength for MBA is 1300. So, students don’t get equal opportunities in terms of academics and placements. Read more
0
0
2 Answer
●●●

Ques. I joined SBI as a PO in 2015 and currently a scale 2 officer. Is it wise to leave SBI for an MBA from NMIMS Mumbai, SIBM Pune or MDI Gurgaon? Also, I do not want to continue in SBI.

● Top Answer By Rahul Pandey on 17 Aug 20

Ans. Since you do not want to continue with SBI due to whatever reasons, so it would be a better option to follow what you want to and don’t continue in your job. Now, you have three options to choose what you want to do:- You can resign your current job and search for a job in a private bank. This option might not be a feasible one as the entry-level pay at SBI is much more lucrative than other banks. Your experience might not be valued in case you do not have much of it. You can go for an MBA from NMIMS Mumbai, SIBM Pune, or MDI Gurgaon. In this case, your experience will be valued during the placement process and you will be an eligible contender for middle management jobs in private banks and you may also explore new fields like corporate finance or trade finance. The other option is to wait for two more years of experience and pursue a one-year MBA provided you are ready to continue in SBI for two more years. Furthermore, there are other factors as well like GMAT score you get after two years.Read more
0
0
1 Answer
●●●

Ques. What is MBA salary in India?

● Top Answer By Disha Sinha on 27 May 22

Ans. MBA salary of a B-Schol graduate in India is proportional to their qualification and experience. It also depends on other factors like Almameter of the candidate, MBA specialization, industry, designation, etc. The MBA average salary for the topmost B-School in the country is as follows. Name of the institute  MBA salary(in INR) IIM Ahmedabad  26.13 LPA IIM Bangalore  33.8 LPA IIM Calcutta 26.24 LPA IIM Lucknow 26 LPA FMS Delhi  32.4 LPA XLRI Jamshedpur 30.73 LPA MDI Gurgaon 26.07 LPA SPJIMR Mumbai 23.6 LPA  IIFT Delhi  25.16 LPA.  MBA salary depends a lot on specialization as well. Among the specialization, Marketing and Finance offers better placements. Read more
0
0
2 Answer
●●●

Ques. How good is KJ Somaiya (SIMSR) for doing an MBA in India?

● Top Answer By Aditya Shah on 25 Apr 22

Ans. As a B-School, KJ Somaiya has certain factors which are advantageous, such as location, ROI, alumni base. Since Mumbai is the corporate hub of India, the college easily attracts many companies. SIMSR has a huge alumni base with people working at imminent positions in the corporate world.  However, it doesn’t come under the top B-Schools in India. SIMSR brand doesn’t have much recognition. Although it attracts many companies, the placement average isn’t at the same level as top B-Schools. KJ Somaiya placements 2022 had an average CTC of INR 10.95 LPA. Read more
0
0
2 Answer
●●●

Ques. Is NMIMS a good college for an MBA?

● Top Answer By Akriti Gupta on 12 Sept 23

Ans. Yes, NMIMS is considered to be the MBA college in Mumbai city and its MBA program is highly regarded among aspirants. Here are a few pros and cons of the institute that might help you  Pros The college is well-known for its state-of-the-art infrastructure. The classrooms have all modern facilities and the library too is well-stocked. Its location gives it leverage in establishing healthy industrial relations. The parity of the faculty cannot be doubted as they deliver excellent lectures. The academics are much more than just bookish language as students are made to solve Case-based studies. The food served in the canteen is quite good. Students get the chance to participate in lots of competitions and earn well, or get PPI. Cons : NMIMS fees are exorbitantly high. The first-year fee is INR 11.95 Lakhs. You also need to consider the expenses of living in Mumbai. Hostel faculties for only limited students  A few faculties have no interest in teaching.  The placement stats are inflated and thus misleading.  The MBA batch of NMIMS has a huge batch of around 600 students affecting the quality of education. There is a huge gap between the administration and the students.  Easy entrance exam affects the quality of the crowd. So, NMIMS was once a great B School but the increasing batch size has affected its reputation largely. You can go for colleges with a smaller batch size and similar fees to get better job opportunities.Read more
0
0
4 Answer
●●●

Ques. I completed my BBA two years back and now I have 2 years of work experience. I did a distant PGDM from NMIMS. If I clear the CAT this year, should I go for a regular MBA?

● Top Answer By Varsha Roy on 27 Jun 21

Ans. Since you already have a work experience of 2 years you should go for an executive program from a reputed institute rather than doing any regular program. You should never hold your career because of continuing with a regular MBA program rather than you should choose an executive program. For the executive program, you can choose a 1-year global MBA degree in collaboration with 3 B schools. They are Cardiff School of Management, UK, IIM-Indore, and Universal Business School, Mumbai. In this program, you will be able to learn from these big institutions, especially IIM’s. You will also be getting good global exposure. The curriculum of the college will be the British curriculum and all these programs will develop your skills and will help you in your career development. The executive program of IBS Hyderabad is also very good. There are several other institutes offering executive MBA programs where you can research and choose the best option.Read more
0
0
1 Answer
●●●

Ques. How is the NMIMS distance learning program in MBA??

● Top Answer By Namrata Das on 22 Jul 22

Ans. NMIMS Global MBA program is better than other distance MBA programs available. The course is designed as per the requirements of working professionals. Students get the required support from the university and the centers.  They have student portals and Whatsapp groups to keep students updated regarding course-related information. The year-wise examination is taken in an online mode at students’ convenience.Read more
0
0
1 Answer
●●●

Ques. Which is best course in MBA?

● Top Answer By Advait Joshi on 15 May 23

Ans. There are numerous top MBA programs around the world, and the program best suited for you depends on your personal and professional goals, as well as your budget and other factors. Some of the most highly ranked MBA programs include: Harvard Business School MBA program Stanford Graduate School of Business MBA program Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania MBA program Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University MBA program University of Chicago Booth School of Business MBA program MIT Sloan School of Management MBA program Columbia Business School MBA program INSEAD MBA program (based in France, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi) London Business School MBA program Yale School of Management MBA program All the above MBA programs are consistently ranked among the top MBA programs in the world by various rankings organizations, such as the Financial Times, Forbes, and Businessweek.Read more
0
0
2 Answer
●●●

Ques. How is NMIMS Mumbai for an MBA??

● Top Answer By Ankita Sinha on 31 May 22

Ans. NMIMS Mumbai offers a good MBA program. It has a brilliant faculty base. Most of the faculty members are well-experienced and cooperative. If you are interested, you can research under any professor of your choice. It follows the Harvard case studies. You can learn and participate in the case study competitions.  NMIMS Mumbai placements 2022 had an average CTC of INR 19.40 LPA. While the highest CTC offered by the institute was INR 24.84 LPA. Located in the finance capital of the country, it also offers good exposure to students. Read more
0
0
2 Answer
●●●

Comments


No Comments To Show

Post Graduate Diploma in Management [PGDM] Colleges IN INDIA

View All
SPJIMR
Mumbai, Maharashtra
AICTE
26.5 L Total fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES
MDI Gurgaon
Gurgaon, Haryana
AICTE
13.49 L first year fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES
MICA Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
AICTE
28 L Total fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES
13 L first year fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES
29.78 L Total fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES
23.5 L Total fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES
23.47 L Total fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES
21.7 L Total fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES