10 Best Popular College/Universities for MBA/PGDM In India

Pursuing an MBA or PGDM degree is one of the most sought-after courses among students in India. It provides them with the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills in a particular field, as well as gain valuable experience in the corporate world. With so many colleges and universities offering MBA/PGDM programs, deciding which is best for you can be difficult. To help you out, we have compiled a list of the 10 Best popular colleges for MBA/PGDM in India, that offer quality education and great career prospects. From top business schools like IIM Ahmedabad to lesser-known institutions, this list has all the information you need to make an informed decision about your future studies. However, first of all, let us know the difference between MBA and PGDM programs.

MBA Vs PGDM

MBA stands for a master's degree in business administration, and PGDM stands for a postgraduate diploma in management. Even though both two-year programmes are designed to prepare students for lucrative management careers and are offered by prestigious B-schools, there are some significant similarities and differences between the two.

The primary difference between the two programmes is that the PGDM is a diploma programme, whereas the MBA is a degree programme. An MBA programme may be offered by a public, private, or college with a university affiliation. Only these institutions, supervised by the University Grants Commission, can award degrees (UGC).

Under the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), independent of the UGC, both AICTE-accredited b-schools and standalone/autonomous b-schools offer PGDM programmes. However, it is important to note that the corporate world does not differentiate between the two. Graduates from both programmes are equally qualified for the same types of management positions.

Read More: MBA Entrance Exam

Best Popular Colleges For MBA/PGDM

Several reputable organisations, including the IIRF, CSR, Business India, Business Word, and NIRF, are regarded as credible and reliable sources regarding college/university rankings. Based on extensive research and a deep understanding of readily available and properly analysed data, we have listed 10 MBA/PGDM Colleges in India, given below:

The best popular colleges for MBA/PGDM in India table above shows that IIMs continue to be India's top business schools. However, colleges like SPJIMR, XLRI and MDI are also giving them tough competition regarding quality education and placements.

Following the IIM Act 2017 in January 2017, many of the 20 IIMs began to award MBA degrees rather than PGDMs beginning with the 2017-18 academic year. While some IIMs have kept the name of their programme but begun awarding MBA degrees rather than postgraduate diplomas, others continue to award PGDM.

Let us know about the colleges mentioned above in more detail:

IIM Ahmedabad

IIM Ahmedabad, also called IIMA, is located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The Institute is recognised as the best management college in India by several international ranking organisations and national organisations. IIMA placed 62nd out of 100 B-Schools in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2022. The goal of every B-School applicant is to gain admission to IIMA. IIMA is the first MBA programme in the nation to receive accreditation from the European Quality Improvement System or EQUIS ranking. Every year, about 150 students have the opportunity to travel abroad, and about 90 students come to India to study at IIM A as part of its Student Exchange Programs (SEPs). IIM Ahmedabad is well-known for its excellent placement record, with 100% of its students placed in the last four years.

IIM Banglore

IIMB is located on a 100-acre campus in Bangalore's southern region. The school's campus life is vibrant and exciting. IIMB has a fantastic sports centre with facilities for soccer, cricket, tennis, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and badminton, as well as a gymnasium and a swimming pool. A student exchange programme is available between IIM Bangalore students and universities in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. Another distinguishing feature of the IIMB is its affiliation with the GNAM, which brings together 32 prestigious business schools worldwide. The most expensive CTC was INR 1.2 CPA (crore per annum).

IIM Calcutta

The IIM Calcutta campus is in Joka, Kolkata. With its 1961 founding, it is the IIM that is the oldest. One of the three business schools in the nation to hold triple accreditation is IIMC, the first IIM to be founded in India. The IIMC campus is impressive, featuring, among other things, a management centre, a finance lab, and cutting-edge computing facilities. The average CTC was 34.2 LPA at IIM Calcutta. CAT scores determine admission to IIM Calcutta's Flagship MBA Program.

IIM Lucknow

The Indian Institute of Management - Lucknow, or IIML, is located in Lucknow, UP. It was founded in 1984 and is currently ranked as the fourth Indian Institute of Management in the nation. Your experience on campus will be open and fascinating thanks to the peaceful atmosphere and positive campus culture. The programmes at IIM Lucknow have received accreditation from both AMBA and AACSB. The Institute has agreements with 24 prestigious B-schools and international colleges worldwide for student exchange from nations like Europe, the United States, Canada, Singapore, and China. In the Management Category, IIM Lucknow is ranked fourth by Outlook-ICARE 2022 and sixth by NIRF 2022. IIML has recorded the highest (CTC) of INR 58 LPA package.

IIM Jammu

Indian Institute of Management (IIM Jammu), the newest member of the IIM family, was founded in Jammu and Kashmir by the Indian government in 2016. Despite being new, it's no lesser than the other IIMs. The highest and average packages during the IIM Jammu placements in 2022 were INR 32 LPA and INR 13.78 LPA, respectively. However, the median package offered during the IIM Jammu placements in 2022 was INR 12.75 LPA. Similarly, the average salary offered to candidates with work experience and freshmen during placements in 2022 was INR 16.17 LPA and INR 12.51 LPA, respectively.

IIM Tiruchirappalli

In 2011, the Indian Institute of Management Trichy (IIM Trichy) was established as a second-generation IIM. IIM Trichy, located in Tiruchirappalli, is one of the IIMs with the fastest growth. NIRF ranked IIM Trichy as the 18th-best business school in India in 2022.

IIM Trichy is well-known for its flagship PGPM programme and high-return placements. In addition, the Institute offers PGPM-HR, DPM, and EDPM programmes.

Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur

XLRI is ranked among the best private business school in the world. Jesuit Fathers founded India's first business school. The Institute provides a variety of Corporate Programs and Blended Programs, and it founded the two-year full-time Business Management programme for working professionals in 1968. All XLRI programmes provide students with a comprehensive approach to business and management skills to meet the needs of both the private and public sectors. XLRI has stood tall in the list with its highest package of 60+ LPA.

Management Development Institute, Gurgaon

Management Development Institute, or MDI Gurgaon, was established in 1973. It is one of the top institutions for management education in India. This Institute is ranked 10 for private MBAs by NIRF 2020 and 3 for private MBAs by Outlook 2020. MDI offers students PG, executive PG, doctoral, and management development programmes. The Association of MBAs (AMBA) London granted international accreditation to MDI Gurgaon in 2006, making it the first business school in India to do so. Additionally, in 2006, South Asian Quality Assurance Systems (SAQS) granted its accreditation. The AICTE and NBA have approved and accredited the Management programmes at the national level.

Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune

SIBM Pune was established in 1978. Being a constituent of Symbiosis International (deemed) University, it is well-known for its extensive alumni network, coursework, and student-centred culture. According to NIRF rankings 2022, SIBM Pune is in 17th position in the Management Category.

The MBA is the flagship programme at SIBM Pune. Admission to the programme is determined by SNAP test results, followed by a written ability test, an interview, and a group exercise (GE-PIWAT). SIBM Pune received the highest salary of INR 45.50 LPA for the 2022 batch, while the average salary was INR 23.06 LPA.

S. P. Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai

SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, abbreviated SPJIMR, is a private management school based in Mumbai. It was established in 1981. The SP Jain Institute of Management and Research is housed in BV Bhawan. Regarding management, the NIRF ranked the Institute 19 in 2021, and the QS World University Ranking placed it between 151 and 200 in 2022.

SPJIMR offers courses for working professionals and family businesses in addition to more than 15 postgraduate, diploma, degree, and doctoral programmes. A few of these courses have also been approved by the Association of MBAs in the United Kingdom (AMBA). SPJIMR placements 2022 for the PGDM programme concluded online, with an average annual salary (CTC) of INR 30.10 LPA.

Tips to Decide the right College For Yourself

The following factors will help you decide between the two:

Aim your Objectives: If you want to work in business, a PGDM or MBA will not help you. What is important is what you learn in business school. As a result, a business school's faculty, curriculum, and industry integration are critical. However, an MBA is a good option if you want to earn another academic degree at a reasonable cost.

Know about the faculty and curriculum: Examining the course faculty reveals a strong relationship between the quality of instruction and the programme's faculty. Most of India's top MBA colleges have teachers with years of experience, a successful track record, and a strong teaching background. Students benefit from learning from experts who pass on their knowledge to the next generation of leaders. Further, due to the emergence of novel industrial trends in a constantly shifting business environment, students must ensure that the course content complies with the most recent industry standards and expectations.

Analyse your Budget and ROI: Budget is an important consideration. To pursue an MBA or PGDM programme, you can receive financial aid in the form of a study loan from any bank or financial institution in India. However, you must weigh the benefits and drawbacks based on the program's cost and your financial situation. Before proceeding, consider the Return on Investment you will receive once your MBA is completed.

Check out the Admission Criteria: The six approved exams from which PGDM B-schools can choose are the CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, GMAT, and ATMA. You can get into reputable PGDM B schools if you do well on the CAT, XAT, and other entrance exams. So make the necessary preparations.

Conclusion

Many prestigious PGDM B-schools have received MBA Equivalence from the government agency AIU regarding higher education, such as M.Phil. or PhD programmes. You may want to pursue a degree to advance professionally, gain leadership skills, or simply improve your business and entrepreneurial abilities. You must, however, make the best decision and choose the programme that best meets your needs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Q1. What differentiates an MBA from a PGDM?

Ans: The primary distinction between a PGDM and an MBA is the institution that awards the degree; an MBA is awarded by a university, whereas a PGDM is awarded by an autonomous institute affiliated with AICTE. The course curriculum adheres to UGC (Universities Grant Commission) standards for Indian universities.

However, the Autonomous Institute can design its curriculum for the PGDM programme. This gives them an advantage in shaping and changing their curriculum to meet the changing needs of corporations.

Q2. Which one between MBA and PGDM will be better for low-budget candidates?

Ans: According to all reliable rankings, 75 of India's top 100 business schools are PGDM institutions, putting them on par with IIMs and MBA institutions. On the other hand, an MBA from a government university will be useful if you only want another academic credential at a reasonable price.

Q3. Can I get a good MBA at College if my CAT score is not high?

Ans: Of course, not everyone can score a 99 on the CAT and be among the applicants to enroll in the Best popular colleges. There are still excellent MBA/PGDM colleges with affordable tuition in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, and Ahmedabad, where you can pursue your MBA or PGDM. Research well, but before proceeding, consider the return on investment you will receive once your MBA is completed.