Pgdm Colleges In Kolkata
Top PGDM Colleges in Kolkata 2026 – Fees, Placements, Admission Process & ROI
Content Writer
Being home to well-reputed and renowned colleges like the International Management Institute, Calcutta Business School, Globsyn Business School and IISWBM in Kolkata is well aligned with the current industry trends. Kolkata hosts several other top-ranking management colleges as per national rankings, such as Praxis Business School and IISWBM, which are ranked highly in different indices. The average fees of top PGDM colleges range between INR 8 to 9 lakh.
The general eligibility criteria for candidates who are looking for admission are that they should have a graduate degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50 percent marks. The accepted national-level exams are CAT/MAT/XAT/GMAT/CMAT for almost all the top-tier colleges in Kolkata. The top PGDM colleges offer a range of business specializations and students have a variety of options that align with their career goals. Most of the top PGDM colleges in Kolkata offer moderate to good ROI.
Top PGDM Colleges in Kolkata Highlights
Top PGDM Colleges in Kolkata 2026
Kolkata offers some great choices for a PGDM in 2025 with institutes like IMI, Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management (IISWBM), and Praxis Business School being top contenders. They can also look at Globsyn Business School and Calcutta Business School. These colleges are known for their strong academics and good placement records. They have different specialisations and admission criteria, often including entrance exams like CAT or XAT. Different colleges have different business management courses and varying fee structures to offer, along with varying specialisations given below:
Top PGDM Colleges in Kolkata Eligibility Criteria
Educational Eligibility
Bachelor’s degree requirement: Applicants should have a recognized bachelor's degree in any subject from a university listed by the UGC.
Minimum marks: Most of the colleges require at least 50% of the aggregate marks (45% for the reserved categories) in the bachelor's degree.
Final year students: Students waiting for their final-year results can also apply, provided they submit the completion certificate before the admission deadline.
General Eligibility
Entrance test scores: Admission is primarily based on the scores of national-level exams such as MAT, CAT, XAT, CMAT, or GMAT. For example, IIM Calcutta accepts CAT scores only, while Globsyn and IMI Kolkata accept multiple exams.
Age limit: Usually, there is no upper age limit for admission to PGDM.
Additional Eligibility
Work experience: In some colleges and mostly in the case of top-tier institutes like IIM Calcutta, the management may prefer candidates who have some work experience, although it is not a requirement.
Group discussions and interviews: The shortlisted candidates will have to face the GD/PI rounds, which will be used to evaluate their communication, leadership, and analytical skills.
Extracurricular achievements: Sports, cultural, or social activities can add more value to the candidate’s profile.
International applicants: Non-resident students may be required to submit GMAT scores along with the English proficiency certificate (TOEFL/IELTS).
Top PGDM Colleges in Kolkata with Ranking
Kolkata has over 20 colleges offering the PGDM and these schools provide different specialised courses. Many of these PGDM colleges are highly rated nationally because of their strong teaching, great job placements, and good industry connections. For example, IMI Kolkata is highly ranked, hitting 42nd nationally in the NIRF 2025 Management category. Other good choices include IISWBM, Praxis Business School, and Globsyn Business School. Many colleges, like Calcutta Business School, are noted for their 100% placement rate. All their PGDM programs are approved by the AICTE and they really offer a much better management education than typical diploma courses.
NIRF Rankings 2025
Over the time, the International Management Institute (IMI) Kolkata has constantly enhanced its stature in the NIRF rankings, which is indicative of its expanding academic brilliance and increasing relevance to the industry. IMI Kolkata recorded the 42nd position in 2025 with a remarkably good overall score of 55.42, thus making a huge jump from 56th place in 2024 and 70th in 2023. Being the only institution in Kolkata providing a PGDM program, IMI’s continuous rise is a testament to its dedication to delivering top-notch management education.
List of Private PGDM Colleges in Kolkata
Kolkata has 3 top private PGDM colleges and among them, International Management Institute Kolkata is a very well-known name. Students can also check out Globsyn Business School, which is famous for its focus on industry connections and good placements. Praxis Business School is another excellent choice, especially if someone is interested in data science programs. These colleges have state-of-the-art infrastructure, a good student-faculty ratio, world-class business education, and incredible placements. Most of the private colleges present in Kolkata accept entrance exams like Common Admission Test (CAT), XAT, GMAT, CMAT after which the selected candidates will be called for the further selection rounds. Check out the list of top private PGDM colleges in Kolkata along with their tuition fees, accepted entrance exams, and the general cutoffs for candidates.
Government/Semi-Govt. PGDM Colleges in Kolkata
Government colleges in Kolkata offering PGDM courses and specialisations remain the top choice of students from all over the country. IISWBM Kolkata offers management programs with fees ranging from INR 1.15 to 2.70 lakh. It accepts scores from CAT, XAT, GMAT, and CMAT, with the average placement rate of around 70%. Calcutta Business School charges INR 7.45 lakh for its program, and the placement rate is about 50%. Both colleges have different fee structures and placement records. Students can choose based on their budget and entrance exam scores.
Top PGDM Colleges in Kolkata Fee & Salary
For all business aspirants, it is very important to compare colleges based on the total investment and career outcomes upon graduation. It is also necessary to understand the balance between the tuition fee and the average placement statistics. IISWBM and Globsyn are affordable and give decent returns. Praxis Business School has higher fees offering good salary figures, while Calcutta Business School offers solid returns with reasonable fees.
Here’s a list comparing the top PGDM colleges in Kolkata along with their tuition fees and average package landed by students in the placement drive. Check out the ROI verdict and make informed decisions.
PGDM Admission Process in Kolkata Colleges
Step 1- Registration for Entrance Exams
The first step for candidates is to register to appear for various management entrance exams that are held at the national level, such as XAT, CAT, MAT, GMAT, or a state-level one like WBJEMAT.
Each test has its own timeline for registration, fee structure, and eligibility criteria, so checking details well in advance is a must for candidates.
Step 2- Cutoff Requirements
After taking the exams, the candidates should be very careful in checking the official websites of the colleges where they want to study.
Every college publishes its cutoffs in terms of scores for different entrance exams. For instance, a top-level institute might have higher CAT, XAT cutoffs than the rest.
Step 3- College-Specific Entrance Exams
Besides the nationally recognised scores, some educational institutions in Kolkata want the candidates to pass their own entrance test.
An applicant needs to find out if the college of their choice is one of those that require a separate test, and preparations should be made based on that.
Step 4- Online Application
Once the students meet the minimum eligibility requirements, they can submit their applications via the online site of the concerned colleges.
Applications generally require filling in one's personal and academic information, along with uploading photos and documents, besides reporting one's entrance exam scores and admission fee submission details.
Paying the application fee completes the process.
Step 5- Group Discussion & Personal Interview
The college invites those students who are shortlisted through written tests or application scrutiny to take part in a personal interview and group discussion.
A group discussion evaluates an individual's articulation power, cooperation, and logical thinking skills whereas a personal interview examines a candidate's assurance, subject knowledge, and future career plans.
The rounds are very important and they can make or break a candidate's dream to secure a management seat.
Step 6- Final Merit List
Based on the overall evaluation that includes the scores of the entrance tests, academic records, work experience, performance in Group Discussion and Personal Interview, the colleges make up the final merit list from which the selection is made.
Those candidates who qualify will receive admission offers from the colleges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Are PGDM colleges different from MBA colleges in Kolkata?
PGDM colleges are approved by AICTE, whereas the MBA programs are offered by colleges affiliated with universities. PGDM takes on a more industry-focused approach and updated business curricula.
Q2. What’s the placement status in Kolkata at PGDM colleges?
The average salary offered by PGDM colleges in Kolkata ranges from INR 4 LPA to 14 LPA, varying by the college.
Q3. How is Kolkata as a city to pursue a PGDM program?
Kolkata has a rich tradition and quite a cost-effective lifestyle to offer. Moreover, it opens a path for the growing corporate sector in Eastern India.
Q4. What is the average fee for PGDM in Kolkata?
PGDM fees in Kolkata typically range from INR 1.5 to INR 15 lakhs, depending on the institute and program duration.
Q5. Is PGDM better than MBA in Kolkata?
PGDM offers a more industry-focused curriculum and flexibility, while MBA is university-affiliated. Both are valuable so students should choose based on career goals.
International Management And Analytics School (IMAS), Kolkata
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