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Project Managers oversee and coordinate the planning, execution and successful completion of different projects. To become a Project Manager, candidates are required to clear class 12 from a recognised board and then pursue a graduate degree preferably in project or business management. They can start working on entry-level jobs after pursuing a bachelor’s degree but a master’s degree along with a certification can greatly increase employability chances. Candidates can pursue various courses to Become Project Managers after 12th such as BBA, BMS, BSc, BTech and MBA. Certifications are greatly valued in project management and candidates should pursue certifications like PMI for better career growth. Project management courses are offered by many colleges in India. IIM Indore, NMIMS, Woxsen University and IIM Rohtak are some of the top colleges for project management courses. CAT, MAT, SNAP and CMAT are some of the popular entrance exams for project management courses.
The Salary of a Project Manager varies greatly according to their knowledge and experience in India. The average annual salary of a Project Manager in India is INR 12 LPA while the highest salary is INR 22 LPA which can go up to INR 50 LPA with gradual experience and expertise.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Project Manager: Quick Facts
- Eligibility to Become a Project Manager
- Qualifications to Become a Project Manager
- Steps to Become a Project Manager
- Project Manager Courses
5.1 Entrance Exams
How to Become a Project Manager: Quick Facts
| Eligibility | Class 12 with PCM |
| Qualifications | Bachelor’s/Master’s in Project Management or related fields |
| Starting Salary (INR) | 3.5 LPA |
| Average Salary (INR) | 7.7 LPA |
| Highest Salary (INR) | 22.3 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | Accenture, TCS, Cognizant, HCL Tech, Capgemini, Tech Mahindra |
Eligibility to Become a Project Manager
Certain educational qualifications, certifications and experience are commonly required to become a Project Manager in India. The typical eligibility criteria are as follows
- Education: Most organisations look for Project Managers with at least a bachelor’s degree. Bachelor’s degrees in project or business management are most common, but candidates can also graduate in fields like engineering, IT and computer science.
- Certifications: Though not mandatory, a certificate in project management can increase career prospects and employability. PMP, CAPM, PMI-ACP and CSM are some of the most popular certifications.
- Experience: Specific work requirements can vary depending on the industry or organisation, having relevant work experience is mostly looked at by potential employers.
- Project Management Knowledge: Employers generally look for candidates with a good understanding of project management methodologies, tools and techniques. Candidates should be familiar with project management frameworks.
Qualifications to Become a Project Manager
To become a Project Manager, there are certain educational qualifications that are typically required by candidates. Some general qualifications that are required include
- Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like project or business management for entry-level jobs. In many cases, degrees from other disciplines are also accepted.
- Candidates can have a project management certificate showcasing their skills and expertise. Candidates with PMI certification tend to earn more than those without any certificate. Though certificates are not mandatory, they help in better employability.
- They can also choose to pursue an MBA in Project Management, after gaining substantial years of experience for better career prospects.
Steps to Become a Project Manager
There are different steps that a candidate has to follow to become a Project Manager in India, which are mentioned in the following points -
- Complete Graduation: A bachelor’s degree is the minimum education requirement for becoming a Project Manager. Candidates can graduate in any discipline but project and business management is usually preferred.
- Choose the Specialisation: Project Managers work in different settings and various types of industries. Choosing a specific field in which they want to work can help in the next steps.
- Pursue a Certification: A certification can make candidates stand out in the competition so that they can be noticed by potential employers. PMP, PMI and CAPM are some of the most commonly pursued certifications.
- Gain Experience: Experience can help candidates get their desired work positions as project management jobs highly rely on experience. Candidates can gain experience and learn skills by opting for internships or applying for entry-level jobs. Candidates can also develop management skills in this way.
Project Management Courses
There are many courses that can be pursued by candidates looking to become Project Managers. BBA, BMS and MBA in Project Management are some of the popular courses. The details for these courses are mentioned in the table below.
| Parameters | BBA | BMS | MBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Class 12 | Class 12 | Graduate in any stream |
| Entrance Exams | DU JAT, IPU CET, NPAT | MUCMET, AIMA UGAT, CUET | CAT, MAT, XAT, GMAT, MAH MBA CET |
| Top Colleges | DU, NMIMS Mumbai, SSCBS New Delhi, IIM Rohtak, ICFAI Hyderabad | Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, Jai Hind College, Madras Christian College | SJ Mehta School of Management, SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, NMIMS, Amity University Mumbai |
| Course Fees | INR 50,000 - 2,00,000 | 1,00,000 - 2,00,000 | 2,00,000 - 40,00,000 |
| Average Salary (INR) | 2.5 LPA - 10 LPA | 2 LPA - 5 LPA | 7 LPA - 9 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | Accenture, TCS, HDFC Bank, EY | Uber, Nestle, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Hindustan Unilever | TCS, Reliance Industries, Cognizant, Wipro |
Entrance Exams
There are many exams that aspiring Project Managers can appear in. The details for some of the most popular exams are mentioned in the table below.
| Entrance Exams | Application Deadlines | Exam Dates | Result Declaration |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT | 03-Aug-2024 to 15-Sep-2024 | 24-Nov-2024 | Last week of December 2024 |
| SNAP | August 23 - November 23, 2024 | Test 1: December 10, 2023 Test 2: December 17, 2023 Test 3: December 22, 2023, |
January 10, 2025, |
| CMAT | 2nd week of February - 2nd week of March 2024 | 1st week of May 2024 | Last week of May 2024 |
| MAT | PBT: 4th week of March - 1st week of May 2024 CBT: 4th week of March - 1st week of May 2024 |
PBT: 4th week of May 2024 CBT: 3rd week of May 2024 |
PBT: June 2024 CBT: June 2024 |
Top Project Management Colleges
There are many colleges in India in which candidates can take admission to pursue project management as a career. Some of the top colleges are mentioned in the table below.
| Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Indore | Indore | 17.05 L |
| NMIMS | Mumbai | 3.25 L |
| Woxsen University | Hyderabad | 4 L |
| IIM Rohtak | Rohtak | 5.54 L |
| Parul University | Vadodara | 1.16 L |
| ICFAI Foundation for Higher Studies | Hyderabad | 2.80 L |
| JK Lakshmipat University (JKLU) | Jaipur | 1.40 L |
| IIM Ranchi | Ranchi | 15.93 L |
| RV University | Bangalore | 2 L |
| KIIT School of Management | Bhubaneswar | 9.15 L |
Skills Required to Become a Project Manager
Candidates are required to have a combination of technical, leadership and interpersonal skills to be a successful Project Manager. Some of the top skills are tabulated below.
| Project Planning and Organisation | Leadership and Team Management | Communication and Stakeholder Management |
| Risk Management | Problem-Solving and Decision Making | Budgeting and Financial Management |
| Adaptability and Flexibility | Technical Knowledge | Influencing Skills |
Benefits of Becoming a Project Manager
There are numerous benefits to pursuing a career as a Project Manager. Some of the key benefits include.
- High demand and career opportunities - Project management skills are in high demand across various industries which will continue to grow providing many opportunities and job stability.
- Competitive salary - Project Managers often receive competitive salaries, bonuses and other incentives reflecting the value they bring to organisations.
- Diverse and exciting work - Project Managers work on different projects across various industries and sectors. Diversity keeps the work interesting and allows continuous growth.
- Leadership opportunities - Project Managers are responsible for leading and managing teams, making decisions and driving projects to success.
- Impact and achievement - Project Managers make a significant impact on organisations by successfully executing projects. The profession allows to seek tangible results of efforts.
Salary of a Project Manager
The average annual salary of a Project Manager in India is INR 12 LPA. The starting salary for Project Managers is INR 4 LPA with the highest salary being INR 12 LPA. The salaries for different Project Manager designations are mentioned in the following table.
| Designations | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Product Manager | 16.7 L |
| Senior Project Manager | 19.5 L |
| Technical Project Manager | 19.4 L |
| Associate Project Manager | 10.6 L |
| Program Manager | 18.1 L |
| Project Coordinator | 3.9 L |
How to Become a Project Manager: FAQs
Ques. What are the educational requirements to become a Project Manager in India?
Ans. A specific degree in project management is not mandatory, a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like business administration is commonly preferred. A Master’s degree can provide additional knowledge and improve job prospects.
Ques. Do I need any certification to become a Project Manager?
Ans. Project Manager certifications are highly valued but they are not mandatory. They enhance the candidate’s credentials and are offered by institutes like the PMI.
Ques. What skills are essential to become a Project Manager?
Ans. Project planning and organisation, leadership, communication, risk management, problem-solving and budgeting are some of the top skills that every Project Manager should have.
Ques. How I can gain practical experience in project management?
Ans. Internships and entry-level jobs are the best options to gain practical experience in project management. Candidates should look for opportunities to work on projects and develop skills.
Ques. Are there any industry-specific requirements for Project Managers?
Ans. Industry-specific requirements for Project Managers can vary. It is beneficial to have domain-specific knowledge related to the industry candidates wish to work in.
Ques. What are the job prospects for Project Managers in India?
Ans. Project Managers are in high demand across various industries in India. With experience, Project Managers can advance to senior management positions, become program managers or specialise in specific domains.
Ques. Name cities which are paying the most to Project Managers in India.
Ans. Bangalore, Pune, Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi are cities that are paying the most to Project Managers in India.
Ques. What are the top-paying industries for Project Managers in India?
Ans. Software Products, IT Services, Engineering and Construction, Financial Services and Real Estate are the industries that are paying the most to Project Managers in India.
Ques. Name the top recruiters of Project Managers in India.
Ans. Accenture, TCS, Cognizant, HCL Tech, Capgemini and Tech Mahindra are some of the top Project Manager recruiters in India.
Ques. What is the monthly earning of a Project Manager in India?
Ans. Project Managers in India earn between INR 83,335 to INR 87,568 per month.


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