Every student imagines a successful business, entrepreneurship, or management career. Well, it is the 1st step to reach that sky of dreams by pursuing a degree/diploma in management. PGDM is turning out to be the most fascinating option for those who want to go into business and management. Even so, the issue that pops up is before us- the way of admission to top PGDM programs in colleges like Welingkar Bangalore, SPJIMR Mumbai, or MDI Gurgaon?
Every year thousands of aspirants approach the PGDM admission process. Well, it is not out of this world to get a PGDM admission in your choice college; it is just about knowing the right process, taking the right steps, being smart in your preparation, and showcasing the best version of yourself.
Many students while comparing PGDM with MBA are ignorant of the fact that they have major differences in terms of approach and focus. PGDM stands for Post-Graduate Diploma in Management and is usually a program that is offered by independent institutions. If you are a PGDM student, looking for admission in a top college, or targeting a famous city for the program, then you are really in a wonderful place. A perfect guide on how to get admission in PGDM is available here that fully acquaints you with the PGDM admissions process.
General PGDM Admission Process
The PGDM admission criteria followed by the top management colleges in India are generally the same. They have a structured approach for admissions to PGDM course admission. Let’s break down the general PGDM admission process step-by-step.
Step 1: PGDM Admission Eligibility Criteria
Well, even though a lot of students aspire to get admission in the top PGDM colleges, not all students can be admitted. Hence, there is a certain PGDM admission criterion that the candidates must meet, and they are:
The applicant needs to have a bachelor’s degree. It can be in any discipline, provided the program is pursued from a recognized university.
Students applying for the PGDM admission need to score a minimum of 50% aggregate in their bachelor’s program. There is a 5% relaxation for students belonging to the reserved category.
If the student has work experience, there are higher chances for the candidature to be selected, especially for PGDM executive programs.
There are no strict upper age limits, but age criteria may vary.
Step 2: Entrance Examinations
Eyeing the top colleges for PGDM admission in Pune, Bangalore, Delhi NCR, or Gurgaon? You have to apply for certain widely accepted management entrance exams, and they are:
Common Admission Test
Xavier Aptitude Test
Graduate Management Admission Test
Management Aptitude Test
Common Management Admission Test
Scoring well in the top management exam will increase your chances of admission to the PGDM colleges.
Step 3: Application Process
The application process begins with the students filing out the application form on the official website of the target college.
As per the requirement, upload your academic transcripts, fill out your entrance exam scores, and upload other documents.
Pay the registration fee and submit your application. The application fee varies from college to college.
You might need to pay more than once, as some colleges allow students to apply for multiple programs.
Step 4: Shortlisting and Selection
Once the application process is completed, colleges shortlist students based on various parameters. The selection procedure for the PGDM admission process includes entrance scores, academic performance evaluation, and several other criteria. As for other criteria, the selection process includes:
A Written Ability Test (WAT) is conducted to evaluate the clarity of thought of the candidate. It is basically a short essay.
Group Discussion is done to assess the communication, analytical and leadership skills of the students. To assess the personality of the candidate, his fitness for the course, and professional ambitions, a personal interview is held.
Step 5: Final Admission
The candidate's ultimate enrollment will consider a combined score that encompasses the scores of the entrance exam, the appraisal of a group discussion, an individual interview round, and the record of past academics. All the candidates shortlisted following the entire selection process have to confirm their selection by paying the application fee. If you are looking for PGDM direct admission, some colleges may offer that privilege if the candidate has an exceptional profile or work experience.
Check out the admission process in the table below.
College-Specific PGDM Course Admission Process
We’ve covered the general admission process followed by a majority of colleges in India. Moving on to the guide to the PGDM admission criteria, let’s explore the admission process ot the PGDM program at the top colleges.
1. SP Jain PGDM Admission Process
The S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai, is among the top-ranked PGDM colleges, standing at #35 in the list of business schools globally. Backed with a 44-year legacy, the SPJIMR PGDM college boasts a triple crown accreditation (EQUIS, AMBA, and AACSB), NBA accreditation, and AICTE approval. The SP Jain PGDM admission process includes all the eligible candidates to go through:
A selection process carried out by the admission cell based on the profile
A profile-cum-score-based shortlisting
A total of two rounds of interviews
2. Great Lakes PGDM Admission
The PGDM program in Great Lakes is a 2-year diploma designed for students with less than 3 years of work experience. Moreover, candidates who have 2-3 years of work experience can also enroll in the 1-year flagship PGPM program. The Great Lakes PGDM admission process includes:
Online application & payment (INR 2,200)
Evaluation based on GMAT/CAT/XAT scores, academic performance, and work experience
AI-proctored Video Interview & Personal Interview
Assessment Criteria:
Academic Abilities
Standardized Test Scores
Video & Personal Interview (communication, goals, awareness, attitude, people skills)
College/University Rank Holders' advantage
Integrity & Ethical Values
Diversity of Background
3. Welingkar Institute of Management
Welingkar Institute of Management facilitates specialized initiatives such as MarkQuest, HR Lab, Finance GYMa, and Roundtable Conferences for students' benefits. The Welingkar PGDM admission process includes a profile-based selection procedure with a blend of:
Academics
Work Experience
Written Test
Group Activity
Personal Interview
4. Management Development Institute
The Management Development Institute, Gurgaon, offers a 2-year PGDM program, which is AICTE-approved. MDI Gurgaon’s PGDM program finds its place in the top 10 most ranked programs in India. The MDI Gurgaon PGDM admission process is as follows:
Shortlisting based on CAT 2025 scores & application details
WAT-GD-PI process conducted at centers (Bengaluru, Gurugram, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai)
Final selection based on CAT score, WAT-GD-PI, Behavioral Assessment, Academics, Work Experience, & Diversity
PGDM Admission Process in Top Cities
The admission process for a PGDM program in the top cities in India is formulated in a way that it assesses a candidate based on aptitude, academics, and overall profile. The process commences with checking the eligibility of the candidates, their performance in entrance exams such as XAT, CAT, GMAT, or CMAT. It is followed by the shortlisting procedure, and then the candidates are called upon for WAT, GD, and PI rounds. Check out the admission process in the top Indian cities for the PGDM program.
PGDM Admission in Pune
Students considering PGDM admission in Pune must have their graduation from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% score. Students can find diverse PGDM admission opportunities provided they clear the required management entrance exams.
PGDM Admission in Bangalore
With top PGDM colleges like the Great Lakes, PGDM admission in Bangalore is considered by a lot of students. The city is home to some other top universities like XIME and ISB offer industry-focused programs. If you have a graduate degree with at least a 50% score, register for the top entrance exams accepted by the majority of colleges in Bangalore.
PGDM Admission in Delhi
CAT, XAT, GMAT, and CMAT are some of the leading management entrance exams accepted in top colleges for PGDM admission in Delhi NCR. The selection process at the PGDM colleges in Delhi includes a written ability test, a group discussion round, and a personal interview round.
Final Thoughts
The PGDM admission process may seem like a huge maze, but with the help of this guide, you can simplify the process into a series of easy steps. The first thing to do is determine your eligibility and make sure that it is met. Second, you register for the exams, check the cutoff, and obtain your scores. Third, you have to apply to the target colleges on the official website of the colleges. Lastly, you need to sit for the interview round. The key to the PGDM admission process is to understand what your target college values the most and tailor your preparation accordingly.
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