Updated on 4th June 2024 | 7:00 PM | #PGP
The Post Graduate Program (PGP) is a two-year management course which is similar to MBA, and is the most demanded program amongst youth. It is offered by leading B-schools such as IIMs, IITs, ISB, XLRI, MDI, and others, with an annual fee ranging from ₹15 to ₹25 lakhs. Admission to these programs demands candidates to appear for CAT, XAT, GMAT, and other entrance exams.
In this course duration, students learn about various management aspects including finance, marketing, HR, operations, etc and get the opportunity to specialize in specific areas. After completion, PGP graduates are well-positioned to secure valuable positions in many fields, such as consulting, finance, IT, FMCG, healthcare, and manufacturing. They are mainly hired by top MNCs, banks, consulting firms, e-commerce ventures, and startups.
A PGP is generally a diploma or certificate that confirms your completion of a specialized subject offered by top B-schools nowadays. This may or may not include a mandatory internship experience during the course duration.
Here's a table summarizing the highlights of a PGP course:
Aspect |
Details |
Course Name |
Post Graduate Program (PGP) |
Duration |
2 years (4 to 6 semesters) |
Eligibility |
Bachelor's degree; Entrance exam (CAT, XAT, GMAT); Work experience may be required |
Top Colleges |
IIMs, ISB, XLRI, MDI, SPJIMR, FMS, SIBM, etc. |
Admission Process |
Entrance exam score; Group Discussion (GD); Personal Interview (PI); Academic records |
Job Opportunities |
Consulting, Finance, IT/ITES, FMCG, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Startups |
Average Fees |
₹10 lakhs to ₹25 lakhs |
Curriculum |
Finance, Marketing, HR, Operations, Specializations in various areas |
Top Recruiters |
Amazon, TCS, Microsoft, HDFC Bank, Delloite |
PGP course equips graduates with the skills necessary for senior-level roles in both public and private sectors. It provides you with a comprehensive understanding of managerial opportunities and real-time industry challenges, allowing individuals to survive in a dynamic business world outside of college premises.
It is very essential to verify the eligibility for the specific program you want to apply for so as to have a fair idea of whether or not you are eligible to opt for the same.
The eligibility criteria for Post Graduate Program (PGP) courses in India require candidates to have the following:
PGP offer different specializations to cater to different career interests and industry demands. Some common specializations available in PGP courses include:
There are numerous IIMs that offer PGP along with a regular MBA, providing a more industry-specific experience for individuals. This option is ideal for someone who has decided to pursue a career in a particular industry.
Here's a table outlining some of the top programs offered by IIMs, along with their approximate fees for the entire course:
IIM |
Specialization |
PGP Course Fees (Approximate) |
IIM Ahmedabad |
Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP) |
INR 20lakhs |
IIM Bangalore |
Post- Graduate Program in Public Policy and Management (PGPPM) |
INR 23 lakhs |
IIM Calcutta |
Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP) |
INR 13.50 lakhs |
IIM Lucknow |
Post Graduate Program in Agri-business Management (PGP- ABM) |
INR 23 lakhs |
IIM Indore |
Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP) |
INR 20.23 lakhs |
IIM Kozhikode |
Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP) |
INR 20 lakhs |
IIM Tiruchirappalli |
Post Graduate Program in Business Management (PGPBM) |
INR 11.80 lakhs |
IIM Ranchi |
Executive PGPM |
INR 12.60 lakhs |
IIM Rohtak |
Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP) |
INR 19.77 Lakhs |
IIM Trichy |
Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu |
INR 20.5 lakhs (for the 2023-2025 batch) |
IIM Udaipur |
Udaipur, Rajasthan |
INR 17.6 lakhs (for the 2023-2025 batch) |
IIM Raipur |
Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP) |
INR 13 lakhs |
IIM Visakhapatnam |
PGPEx |
INR 10.80 lakhs |
College selection is the most important part of the entire b-school journey. A good college can prove to be beneficial in aligning with your career prospects and personal growth, leading the way to your future success.
Here's a table listing some of the leading B-schools in India offering Post Graduate Programs (PGP) apart from IIMs, along with their approximate fees:
College |
Location |
PGP Course Fees (Approximate) |
Indian School of Business (ISB) |
PGPM Family Business |
INR 38-40 lakhs |
Welingkar Mumbai - Prin LN Welingkar Institute of Mangament |
PGP Entrepreneurship Management |
INR 7 lakhs |
SOIL Gurgaon - SOIL Institute of Management, Gurgaon |
PGPM |
INR 15.33 lakhs |
SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) |
PGPM |
INR 23..5 lakhs |
IBS Gurgaon - IBS Business School, Gurgaon |
PGPM |
INR 9.09 lakhs |
Management Development Institute (MDI) |
PGPM |
INR 23.36 lakhs |
IBS Kolkata - IBS Business School, Kolkata |
PGPM |
INR 9.09 lakhs |
IIEBM Pune - Indus Business School, Pune |
PGP Enterprise Resource Planning |
INR 3.75 lakhs |
Great Lakes Institute of Management |
PGPM |
INR 16.90 akhs |
Institute of International Trade, Kolkata |
PGPM |
INR 2 lakhs |
Graduates from PGP programs can pursue diverse job roles across industries. Some of the common employment opportunities include:
Job Role |
Description |
Management Consultant |
Gives advice to businesses on how to improve in areas like operations, money, advertising, and running the organization. |
Financial Analyst/Manager |
Works in banks, investment firms, or companies, studying numbers and managing finances. |
Marketing Manager |
Creates and carries out plans to sell products or services, using skills in advertising. |
Human Resources Manager |
Takes care of hiring, training, managing people, and making companies better places to work. |
Business Development Manager |
Finds new business chances and builds connections with clients, helping companies grow. |
Operations Manager |
Oversees production processes, supply chain management, and quality control and makes sure everything runs well every day. |
Entrepreneur/Startup Founder |
Starts new businesses or helps improve them, using skills and knowing about a certain area. |
Data Analyst/Manager |
Studies data and makes smart choices using it, helping companies understand what’s happening. |
Product Manager |
Manages product development and launch, making them better or inventing new ones based on what people need |
The private sector is a key recruiting ground for PGPM graduates. Some prominent areas include:
The most frequent question that arises in any freshers mind is that what is the difference between PGP, PGDM and General MBA. Here's a comparison of PGP (Post Graduate Program), PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management), and MBA (Master of Business Administration) :
Aspect |
PGP |
PGDM |
MBA |
Meaning |
Post Graduate Program |
Post Graduate Diploma in Management |
Master of Business Administration |
Degree/Diploma |
Postgraduate Degree |
Postgraduate Diploma |
Postgraduate Degree |
Accreditation |
Offered by IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) and other top business schools |
Offered by autonomous institutions, universities, and private colleges |
Offered by universities and colleges |
Duration |
Typically 1 to 2 years |
1 to 2 years |
2 years (full-time) |
Focus |
Academic rigor and research-oriented |
Industry-focused and practical approach |
Holistic business education |
Curriculum |
Often tailored to industry trends and research-driven |
Designed to be dynamic and relevant to current business practices |
Comprehensive business education |
Admission Criteria |
Highly competitive, based on academic record, entrance exams, and interview |
Entrance exams, academic record, GD/PI (Group Discussion/Personal Interview) |
Entrance exams, academic record, GD/PI |
Specializations |
Offers specialized streams based on business areas such as finance, marketing, operations, etc. |
Specializations available in various business domains |
Specializations in traditional business areas and emerging sectors |
Career Opportunities |
Excellent opportunities in top companies globally, especially in consulting, finance, and leadership roles |
Strong industry connections leading to job placements in diverse sectors |
Opportunities in various sectors depending on the specialization and college reputation |
Average Fees |
Higher fees compared to PGDM and MBA |
Varies depending on the institution |
Varies widely based on the institute |
Recognition |
Highly reputed, especially programs offered by IIMs |
Well-recognized in the industry |
Well-known and widely accepted globally |
PGP courses last for 1 to 2 years, depending on whether it's full-time or part-time.
Yes, you can study PGP courses online as many colleges offer online PGP courses.
Both PGP and MBA teach about differnt aspects of business, but PGP is more focused and specialized than MBA.
PGP is a degree program, you get a Master's degree after the completion of the program.
IIMs offer PGP courses similar to MBA programs.