PGDM Syllabus & Subjects 2024

PGDM syllabus is divided into four semesters over two years that is focused on training students with the core aspects of entrepreneurship and management. Some major PGDM subjects include Business Communication, Managerial Economics, Finance & Accounting, Information Technology Management, Marketing Management, Business Ethics, Organisational Behavior, Research Methodology, and more. There is a wide range of PGDM subjects that provide a comprehensive understanding of management and training that is based on a practical approach.

A PGDM course curriculum is specifically designed for students who wish to undertake managerial roles in an organisation, immediately after the completion of their degree course. This is one of the reasons why a PGDM course focuses more on practical methods as opposed to theoretical knowledge. Specialisations are also allowed in a PGDM course, just like an MBA degree. Although the curriculum for PGDM is similar in most colleges and universities, there are variations depending on the specialisation and the institute where a student is pursuing their degree. 

A PGDM course is ideal for students who have completed their graduation and have also gained a substantial amount of skills and experience in the corporate world. Although an MBA course has certain course elements that allow students to learn the practical aspects of management, a PGDM course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of managerial principles and practices through a practical perspective. The syllabus for a PGDM course is quite similar to that of an MBA.

After the completion of the PGDM course, individuals can find various PGDM jobs with an average PGDM salary between 4 lakhs to 10 lakhs per year. Some business schools and management institutes make work experience a mandatory requirement for PGDM admission, whereas others consider it as an added advantage to a candidate’s profile. Find below the complete details about the PGDM syllabus and subjects.

Also Read: Top PGDM Colleges in India 2025

The Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) is a two-year program that equips students with core management knowledge, specialisations, practical training, and essential skills. Available full-time or distance, its industry-focused syllabus prepares future-ready managers for diverse leadership roles.

The Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) is carefully divided into four semesters over two years. Each semester builds knowledge progressively — from core fundamentals to advanced specialisations and practical exposure.

First Year PGDM Syllabus

The first year focuses on essential management concepts. Semesters 1 and 2 help students develop a strong foundation in managerial skills, business understanding, and analytical thinking.

Second Year PGDM Syllabus

The second year moves you into advanced concepts, specialisation electives, and practical exposure through projects, internships, and case studies.

Top PGDM colleges in India offer diverse specialisations to equip students with in-depth knowledge and industry-relevant skills. The first year builds a strong foundation through core subjects, while the second year focuses on the chosen specialisation, helping students gain expertise and a competitive edge in their preferred management domain. The following is a list of the most popular PGDM specialisations offered along with the topics covered:

PGDM in HR Syllabus

Thousands of aspirants choose to enrol each year in the PGDM HR specialisation, one of the most popular PGDM specialisations in India. The most common PGDM HR subjects include HRM in the Service Sector and HR principles. The following table outlines a detailed PGDM in HR syllabus along with a list of PGDM subjects offered:

PGDM in IT Syllabus

PGDM IT is one of the finest technical PGDM programmes offered in India. It addresses numerous facets of overseeing IT teams and staff members, as well as the advancement of skills that one needs to succeed in the industry. In the IT PGDM Syllabus, topics like Biodesign Data, IT entrepreneurship, New Energy Technology, Big Data and Data Mining, and other PGDM subjects are widely covered. The following table summarises detailed PGDM in IT syllabus along with a list of PGDM subjects offered:

PGDM in Finance Syllabus

For students who are interested in learning about a variety of financial aspects and how they relate to business and management, Finance is an ideal PGDM specialisation. The following table outlines a detailed PGDM in Finance syllabus along with a list of PGDM subjects offered: 

PGDM in Marketing Syllabus

Thousands of aspirants enrol each year in the PGDM HR specialisation, one of the most notable PGDM specialisations in India. The most common HR PGDM subjects include HRM in the Service Sector and HR principles. The following table highlights the detailed PGDM in Marketing syllabus along with a list of PGDM subjects offered:

For individuals who desire to get a degree in management without losing their jobs, distance PGDM courses are particularly beneficial. Numerous reputable universities in India offer distance PGDM programmes, enabling students to combine employment with their education. In comparison, educational expenses are lower, and online lectures save a lot of time while letting students learn at their own pace. Candidates pursuing a distance-based PGDM course, however, should also check out if the course's credits are authorised and up to par with industry requirements. The following is a brief discussion of the semester-wise syllabus for PGDM distance programmes.

First-Year Distance PGDM Syllabus

The following table highlights the first-year (semesters I & II) syllabus for PGDM distance programmes:

Second-Year Distance PGDM Syllabus

The following table outlines the second-year (semesters III & IV) syllabus for PGDM distance programmes:

NMIMS Distance PGDM Syllabus

Semesters I & II of the NMIMS distance PGDM syllabus are the same for all specialisations. However, semesters III & IV of the syllabus will vary as per a candidate's chosen specialisation. The following table shows the NMIMS distance PGDM syllabus for semesters I & II:

NMIMS Pre-Term PGDM Syllabus

The following table shows the NMIMS pre-term PGDM syllabus for semesters I & II:

IGNOU PGDM Syllabus

The IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Management is considered to be for working professionals and distance learners whose studies offer a strong skill set for managerial dimensions to allow working and study into balance. The course spans two years with four semesters and involves core management subjects interspersed with practical projects and strategic exposure.

First Year IGNOU PGDM Syllabus

First Year of the IGNOU PGDM program prepares a strong base in Semester I and II in crucial areas of management principles, accounting, communication, operations, and analytical skills which a candidate would require in advanced business roles.

Second Year IGNOU PGDM Syllabus

The IGNOU PGDM second-year program further offers strategic, legal, and global business knowledge in Semester III and IV combined with project work and application in real-world management issues.

SCDL Distance PGDM Syllabus

The following table shows the SCDL distance syllabus for semester I to IV.

First-Year Distance PGDM Syllabus

The following table highlights the first-year (semesters I & II) syllabus for SCDL PGDM distance programs:

Second Year SCDL Distances PGDM Syllabus

The second year of the SCDL PGDM focuses on specialisation subjects, strategic knowledge, electives, and practical project work to prepare students for specific industry roles.

Also Read: Top Distance Learning MBA Colleges in India 2025

A PGDM curriculum consists of numerous subjects across all semesters of the course. A detailed description of some of the important subjects in a PGDM curriculum, along with their contents is given below.

A core subject in the PGDM curriculum is the very basis of management education. They include all important areas of economics, marketing, finance, operations, and organisational behavior, which give students foundational and advanced skills necessary to meet real-world managerial challenges.

Also Read: MBA Syllabus & Subjects

Electives in a PGDM program would give you an option to focus on their course according to their interests and according to industry trends. Such electives develop deeper expertise in their chosen specialisation, whether Marketing, Finance, HR, IT, Operations, Analytics, or other niche areas.

Preparing for PGDM entrance exams is crucial for every management aspirant aiming to secure admission to India’s top B-Schools. These tests assess candidates’ analytical, reasoning, communication, and managerial aptitude through sections like quantitative ability, data interpretation, logical reasoning, and verbal ability. A strong command of vocabulary, general awareness, and decision-making is equally important. Below is the complete syllabus for the most common PGDM entrance exams.

CAT: The CAT Entrance Exam Syllabus includes Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation, and Logical Reasoning.

XAT: XAT Syllabus includes Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability, and General Knowledge.

MAT: MAT Exam Syllabus includes Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills Data Analysis, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, and General Awareness.

CMAT: The CMAT syllabus  includes Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, Quantitative Techniques, and General Awareness.

ATMA: ATMA is a national-level entrance exam conducted by AIMS for admission into management programs including PGDM. The syllabus includes Analytical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and Verbal Skills.

GMAT: The GMAT syllabus includes Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning.

TISS-NET: TISS-NET is conducted by Tata Institute of Social Sciences for MBA and PGDM programs. The syllabus includes English Proficiency, Logical Reasoning, Mathematics, and General Awareness.

IIHMR University Aptitude Test: IIHMR University conducts its own aptitude test for admission into PGDM in Health and Hospital Management programs. The syllabus includes English Language, Quantitative Skills, Logical Reasoning, and General Knowledge.

SNAP: SNAP is conducted by Symbiosis International University for admission into PGDM courses in various specialisations. The syllabus includes General English, Quantitative Aptitude, Logical and Analytical Reasoning.

Also Read: Top MBA Colleges in India 2025

A student must also read reference books in addition to the required course readings. These books help students comprehend the course material better and maximise their understanding of the curriculum. Some essential books for PGDM students are given below.

Also Read: MBA in Business Management

The course structure of a PGDM program is nearly identical to most MBA courses. The curriculum is a combination of academic subjects and co-curricular activities and projects. A PGDM course aims to teach managerial disciplines along with training students in these disciplines so that they can utilise theoretical knowledge in practical situations. Organisations always look for managers who show practical effectiveness as opposed to theoretical prowess. Thus, management students must focus on developing skills that are necessary in the real world.

The curriculum for a PGDM course allows students to learn the basics of management through the core subjects and explore their fields of interest through optional/elective subjects. Besides academic subjects, students are also allowed to apply their knowledge in real-life situations through internships. A detailed list of subjects in the PGDM curriculum is given below.

The PGDM syllabus PDF for various top colleges in India is available to download through the given links in the table.

PGDM students have to complete projects during their course of study, which serves as a valuable opportunity to gain industry insights, develop relevant skills, and tackle real-world challenges. These project topics offer students a chance to delve deeper into their chosen fields of study, identify industry-related problems, and devise effective solutions to address them. By undertaking these projects, students can build a portfolio of work that will showcase their abilities to potential employers, thereby increasing their chances of landing their dream jobs in their respective sectors. Check out some of the popular PGDM project topics below.

• Rural Marketing Strategy of Pepsi Co.
• Sustainable Business models across consumer internet startups in India
• International Marketing of Khadi 
• Foreign Direct Investments in Developing Countries
• An Analysis of the Grievance Handling Mechanism
• Risk management and portfolio management of investors in the equity segment
• Role of Women in Top Management Positions - Impact on Company Leadership
• Investment Management at Uber
• Impact of GST on the fast-moving consumer goods sector in India
• The Importance of a Strong Brand Image - Nykaa
• Employee welfare schemes at Hindustan Unilever
• Financial statements of ICICI Bank for the last 5 Years
• YouTube ads in digital marketing to reach mass audiences and its comparative effectiveness compared to TV adverting in FMCG industry