The Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM) is a highly sought-after degree in India, designed to equip students with essential management and leadership skills for today’s dynamic business environment. These programs, typically lasting 1-2 years, feature industry-relevant curricula. Admission usually requires a bachelor’s degree with minimum marks, and many institutions also consider work experience, often requiring 2+ years.
PGPM graduates find diverse career opportunities in sectors like finance, marketing, and human resources. This article provides an in-depth look at PGPM programs in India, covering colleges, fees, salary expectations, and entrance exams to help prospective students make informed decisions.
PGPM Program Overview
The Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM) provides a comprehensive education in management and leadership skills, preparing students for the corporate world. This 1-2 year program features an industry-relevant curriculum with practical applications and real-world scenarios. Students can specialize in areas like finance, marketing, human resources, and operations management. More details in the table below:
Feature
Description
Program Duration
Typically 1-2 years
Average Fees (INR)
INR 10-12 lakhs per year for government colleges, INR 8-10 lakhs per year for private colleges
Eligibility
Bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% marks, valid CAT/GMAT/XAT score
Common Specializations
Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, Operations Management
INR 10-20 lakhs per annum for freshers, INR 20-50 lakhs per annum for experienced professionals
Job Market
High demand for PGPM graduates in various industries, including finance, marketing, human resources, and operations management
Industry Partnerships
Many top colleges have partnerships with leading companies, providing opportunities for internships, projects, and placements
PGPM Eligibility Criteria
The Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM) is typically a 1-year full-time accelerated management program in India, aimed at professionals with work experience. It emphasizes leadership, strategy, and career acceleration, differing from 2-year PGP/PGDM programs (often for freshers).
Eligibility generally includes:
Bachelor’s degree (any discipline) from a recognized university with 50%+ aggregate marks (relaxations for reserved categories in some cases).
Minimum 2+ years of full-time post-graduation work experience (mandatory for most true PGPM programs).
Valid scores from exams like CAT, XAT, GMAT, NMAT, or institute-specific tests.
Additional factors: Strong academic record (e.g., 60%+ in 10th/12th at some institutes), English proficiency, and selection via essays, interviews, group discussions, etc.
College Name / Program
Required Degree
Minimum Marks
Work Experience (Minimum)
Entrance Exam Accepted
SOIL Institute of Management (Gurgaon) PGPM
Bachelor’s degree (any discipline)
50% in graduation; >60% in 10th & 12th
2 years full-time
CAT (2024/25), XAT (2025/26), NMAT (2025/26), GMAT, or SOIL SAT
Great Lakes Institute of Management (Gurgaon) PGPM
Bachelor’s degree (any discipline)
50% across 10th, 12th & UG
2+ years full-time (encouraged 2-3 years by April 2026)
CAT, XAT, GMAT, NMAT
Great Lakes Institute of Management (Chennai) PGPM
Bachelor’s degree (any discipline)
Consistent academic record (typically 50%+)
2+ years full-time
CAT, XAT, GMAT, NMAT
ICFAI Business School (IBS) Various Campuses PGPM
Bachelor’s degree (any discipline) with English medium
50%+ aggregate
Not mandatory (preferred; freshers can apply at some campuses)
IBSAT, CAT, XAT, GMAT, NMAT
SPJIMR (S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research) PGPM
Bachelor’s degree (any discipline)
50% or equivalent CGPA
3+ years full-time
GMAT or CAT
ISB (Indian School of Business) PGP (equivalent 1-year program)
Bachelor’s degree
Not specified (holistic profile)
24+ months (as of March 31)
GMAT or GRE
PGPM Admission Process: Step-by-Step Guide for Indian Students
The admission process for the Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM) in India involves registration, entrance exams, and personal interviews. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria set by the college, typically including a bachelor’s degree with minimum marks and relevant work experience. Entrance exams like CAT, XAT, and GMAT are crucial. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Check the eligibility criteria for the desired college, such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, or XLRI Jamshedpur, which require a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks and 2+ years of work experience.
Register and appear for relevant entrance exams, including CAT, XAT, and GMAT, which test quantitative aptitude, verbal ability, and logical reasoning.
Apply to the PGPM programs of chosen colleges, which involves submitting application forms and required documents, such as academic transcripts and work experience certificates.
If shortlisted, attend a Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) to assess communication skills, leadership potential, and career goals.
Final selection is based on entrance exam score, WAT, PI, and academic record. Some colleges also consider work experience and extracurricular activities.
Accept the admission offer and pay the required fees, which can range from INR 9,00,000 to INR 12,00,000 per year, depending on the college and program.
Executive PGPM programs have a separate admission process, with some colleges requiring additional documents, such as a no-objection certificate from the current employer.
Certain colleges, like ISB Hyderabad, have a rolling admission process, where applications are accepted and evaluated continuously.
Some colleges offer scholarships and financial aid to deserving students, which can help reduce the financial burden of pursuing a PGPM program.
The admission process for PGPM programs in India is highly competitive. Consider program duration, curriculum, and career opportunities when choosing a PGPM program.
Entrance Exams for PGPM Programs in India: CAT, XAT, MAT, etc
Entrance exams play a key role in admissions to Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM) programs in India, which are often 1-year accelerated programs requiring work experience. These exams evaluate quantitative ability, verbal skills, logical reasoning, data interpretation, and sometimes decision-making, general knowledge, or integrated reasoning. PGPM programs (e.g., at SOIL Gurgaon, Great Lakes Gurgaon/Chennai, SPJIMR, ISB PGP equivalent) typically accept a subset of these exams, often prioritizing CAT, XAT, GMAT, or NMAT, alongside profile assessment and interviews.
The table below provides an overview of major exams commonly accepted for PGPM admissions (as of 2026 cycles; dates approximate/ongoing—verify official sites). It includes conducting body, exam type (national/institute), eligibility basics, and syllabus highlights.
Exam Name
Conducting Body
Exam Type
Eligibility (Basic)
Syllabus Highlights
CAT (Common Admission Test)
IIMs (rotational)
National
Bachelor’s degree with 50% (45% reserved); no age limit
Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, Logical Reasoning
SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test)
Symbiosis International University
National
Bachelor’s degree with 50% (45% reserved)
General English, Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency, Analytical & Logical Reasoning
Top Government Colleges for PGPM in India: NIRF Ranking and Fees
Government colleges in India offering Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM) or equivalent flagship programs (typically 2-year full-time PGP/MBA, as strict 1-year PGPM is more common in private/executive formats) are primarily the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and select IITs/others. These are premier public institutions with excellent faculty, research, placements, and industry ties.
The NIRF 2025 Management Rankings (released September 2025) place IIMs at the top.The table below lists top government colleges offering flagship management programs (PGP/MBA), with NIRF 2025 ranks, city, program name, approximate fees, and admission mode.
College Name
City
NIRF Ranking 2025 (Management)
Program Offered
Approximate Fees (Total/Program, INR)
Admission Mode
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA)
Ahmedabad
1
PGP (MBA)
25,00,000 (2 years)
CAT + WAT + PI
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB)
Bengaluru
2
PGP (MBA)
24,50,000 – 26,00,000 (2 years)
CAT + WAT + PI
Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK)
Kozhikode
3
PGP (MBA)
20,00,000 – 22,00,000 (2 years)
CAT + WAT + PI
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi – DMS)
New Delhi
4
MBA
12,00,000 (2 years tuition)
CAT + PI
Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIML)
Lucknow
5
PGP (MBA)
20,00,000 – 21,00,000 (2 years)
CAT + WAT + PI
Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIMI)
Indore
~6-7 (top 10 consistent)
PGP (MBA)
21,00,000 (2 years)
CAT + WAT + PI
Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC)
Kolkata
~7
PGP (MBA)
27,00,000 (2 years)
CAT + WAT + PI
Indian Institute of Management Raipur (IIM Raipur)
Raipur
~33 (top 50)
PGP (MBA)
16,00,000 – 18,00,000 (2 years)
CAT + WAT + PI
Indian Institute of Management Rohtak (IIM Rohtak)
Rohtak
~12-15 (top 20)
PGP (MBA)
18,00,000 – 20,00,000 (2 years)
CAT + WAT + PI
Indian Institute of Management Ranchi (IIM Ranchi)
Ranchi
~20-30
PGP (MBA)
17,00,000 – 19,00,000 (2 years)
CAT + WAT + PI
Top Private Colleges for PGPM in India: Fees and Admission Details
Private colleges in India offering the Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM)—typically a 1-year full-time accelerated program for experienced professionals—focus on leadership, strategic thinking, and career advancement. These programs emphasize experiential learning, global exposure, industry projects, and strong placements (average packages often 15–25 LPA+).
Top options include SOIL, Great Lakes (Gurgaon & Chennai), SPJIMR, and others. Fees range from INR 13–23 lakhs (total program; 2026 batches), often including tuition, materials, and sometimes accommodation (hostel/mess extra). Admission requires 2+ years work experience (mandatory for most), bachelor’s degree (50%+), valid entrance scores (CAT/XAT/GMAT/NMAT common), and selection via essays, group exercises, and personal interviews (PI).
The table below lists prominent private PGPM programs with approximate total fees (2026 intake; subject to revision—check official sites), location, admission mode, and unique features (based on current data).
College Name / Program
City
Total Program Fees (INR, Approx.)
Admission Mode
Unique Features
SOIL Institute of Management PGPM
Gurgaon
15,33,000 – 17,20,000
CAT/XAT/NMAT/GMAT/SOIL SAT + GE/PI/Profile eval.
Leadership & social responsibility focus; design thinking, international immersion, strong ethics emphasis
Great Lakes Institute of Management PGPM
Gurgaon
18,23,000 – 22,50,000
CAT/XAT/GMAT/NMAT + PI
Experiential learning, analytics focus, high ROI placements; global collaborations
Great Lakes Institute of Management PGPM
Chennai
19,39,000 – 23,50,000
CAT/XAT/GMAT/NMAT + PI
AACSB/AMBA accredited; strong industry ties, analytics & entrepreneurship emphasis
S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) PGPM
Mumbai
20,50,000 – 22,66,000
CAT/XAT/GMAT + Profile + PI
Value-based education, social sensitivity; #1 in FT MiM rankings; high salary hikes
ISB (Indian School of Business) PGP (equivalent 1-year)
PGPM Subjects and Syllabus: Year-wise Breakdown for Indian Programs
The Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM) in India is typically a 1-year (or 12–18 months) intensive, full-time program designed for professionals with 2+ years of work experience. It accelerates career growth through a condensed curriculum blending core management foundations with electives, leadership development, experiential projects, industry immersions, and capstone work. Unlike traditional 2-year PGP/MBA (often for freshers), PGPM emphasizes applied learning, strategy, analytics, and specialization in a fast-paced format.
The structure varies by institute:
Many use terms (e.g., 7 terms at Great Lakes Gurgaon) rather than strict semesters.
Core courses dominate early terms; electives and projects follow later.
Electives/specializations: Analytics, Marketing, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Supply Chain, Digital Transformation (varies; e.g., SOIL offers Analytics/Marketing/Finance tracks from Term 2).
Additional elements: Live projects, international immersion, leadership labs, design thinking, and capstone/industry projects.
Credit hours typically total 40–60 over the program (not always semester-based). The table below provides a representative breakdown based on prominent programs (SOIL Gurgaon, Great Lakes Gurgaon/Chennai, SPJIMR Mumbai, ISB PGP equivalent), as of 2026 cycles. (Note: Exact subjects/credits evolve; refer to official sites.)
Institute / Program
Term/Semester Structure
Core Subjects (Early Terms)
Elective/Specialization Options (Later Terms)
SOIL Institute of Management PGPM (Gurgaon)
3 Terms (12 months)
Term 1: Managerial Economics, Financial Accounting & Planning, Marketing Management, Organizational Behaviour, Business Communication, Statistical Modelling, Excel for Data Analysis, Operations Management, Introduction to Python, HR Management
Term 2–3: Advanced Analytics, Digital Transformation, Product Management, Design Thinking, Leadership Labs; Specializations in Analytics, Marketing, or Finance (chosen from Term 2)
Great Lakes Institute of Management PGPM (Gurgaon)
Terms 4+: 18–21 electives across Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing, Operations, IT/Strategy, Leadership; Industry concentrations (Healthcare, Infrastructure, etc.)
PGPM Fee Structure: Comparison of Government vs Private Colleges in India
The fee structure for the Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM) in India varies significantly between government and private institutions. Government colleges (primarily IIMs and select IITs offering flagship PGP/MBA programs, often equivalent to PGPM in branding) provide subsidized, high-value education with total fees typically ranging from INR 12–26 lakhs for the full program (usually 2 years for flagship, though some executive/1-year variants exist).
Private colleges, especially those offering dedicated 1-year PGPM (e.g., SOIL, Great Lakes, SPJIMR, ISB PGP), charge higher fees—often INR 15–40 lakhs total—due to premium infrastructure, global immersions, industry projects, and strong placement support.
Government/Top Public (IIMs flagship PGP/MBA): 2 years, fees INR 20–26 lakhs total (tuition dominant; hostel/mess extra ~INR 2–5 lakhs total).
Private PGPM (1-year accelerated): Fees INR 15–39 lakhs total (includes tuition, materials, often accommodation; higher for top ones like ISB).
Additional costs (hostel, mess, books, caution deposit): INR 2–7 lakhs across programs (higher in privates with premium facilities).
Total estimated cost (including extras): INR 15–30 lakhs (government) vs INR 18–45 lakhs (private) for the program duration.
Fee Type
Government Colleges (e.g., Top IIMs PGP/MBA, 2 years)
Government offers better ROI due to lower fees + strong placements; privates justify via faster completion + specialized focus
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the typical duration of a PGPM program in India?
The typical duration of a PGPM program in India is 1-2 years. This allows students to gain comprehensive knowledge and skills in management and leadership, enabling them to enter the workforce quickly.
Q2. What are the eligibility criteria for PGPM programs in top Indian colleges like IIM Ahmedabad and XLRI Jamshedpur?
The eligibility criteria for PGPM programs in top Indian colleges like IIM Ahmedabad and XLRI Jamshedpur include a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks and 2+ years of work experience.
Q3. What is the annual fee for the PGPM program at IIM Ahmedabad, a top government college in India?
The annual fee for the PGPM program at IIM Ahmedabad is INR 12,00,000, reflecting the high quality of education and resources provided.
Q4. What are the core subjects covered in the first semester of a PGPM program in India?
The core subjects covered in the first semester of a PGPM program in India include Financial Accounting, Marketing Management, and Organizational Behavior. Elective subjects like Business Communication and Quantitative Methods are also offered.
Q5. What are the entrance exams accepted by PGPM programs in India, and what are their syllabus highlights?
The entrance exams accepted by PGPM programs in India include CAT, XAT, and GMAT. The syllabus highlights include Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation, and Logical Reasoning for CAT; Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, Decision Making, and General Knowledge for XAT; and Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing for GMAT.
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