Post Graduate Diploma in Management [PGDM]

SDM Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD), Mysore, offers a prestigious 2-year full-time residential Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) program approved by AICTE and accredited by NBA. The program is equivalent to MBA and has been internationally accredited by ACBSP and EFMD. The PGDM curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical industry exposure through case studies, live projects, and a mandatory 2-month summer internship. With a total fee of Rs. 14,82,000 (including hostel) for the 2-year duration, the program maintains a 100 percent placement record with an average package of Rs. 10 LPA and highest packages reaching Rs. 15.25 LPA. SDMIMD is ranked 15th among top private B-Schools in India by Outlook 2026.

Admissions for the 2026-28 batch are currently open. The application deadline is February 27, 2026. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate marks and a valid score in CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, ATMA, or GMAT. The admission process includes online application, entrance exam score evaluation, shortlisting, personal interview, and final selection. The program offers 400 seats with a residential campus experience in Mysore. For the most current admission information, candidates should contact the admissions office at +91-821-2429161 or email admissions@sdmimd.ac.in.

KEY POINTS

• AICTE-approved and NBA-accredited 2-year full-time residential PGDM program with MBA equivalence
• International accreditation from ACBSP (USA) and EFMD, making it the first institute in India with dual accreditation
• Comprehensive curriculum covering core management disciplines with dual specialization options in Marketing, Finance, Systems, HR, and Operations
• Mandatory 2-month summer internship after first year providing hands-on industry experience
• 100 percent placement record with average package of Rs. 10 LPA and highest packages up to Rs. 15.25 LPA
• Ranked 15th among top private B-Schools in India by Outlook 2026
• Full-time residential campus located in picturesque foothills of Chamundi Hills in Mysore
• 16 international student exchange programs with renowned universities worldwide

SDMIMD PGDM Fees

The PGDM program at SDMIMD has a total fee of Rs. 14,82,000 for the 2-year duration, which includes tuition fees, hostel accommodation, and other charges. The first-year fee is approximately Rs. 6,56,000 and the second-year fee is Rs. 8,26,000. The fee structure includes all essential components for comprehensive management education. A seat confirmation fee of Rs. 1,00,000 is required within one week of receiving the offer letter. Fees are payable in installments (3 installments per year) to ease financial burden.

Fee Breakdown

• Hostel fees are mandatory and included in total fees.
• Monthly mess charges are approximately Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 3,000 (variable).
• Application fee of Rs. 1,250 is applicable and not included in course fees.
• Education loans up to Rs. 20 lakhs available through SBI, Bank of Baroda, and HDFC Bank with moratorium up to 1 year after graduation.
• Scholarships available based on 10th, 12th, and graduation marks.
• Students from SDM institutions are eligible for fee concession up to Rs. 1,00,000.
• Merit-based cash prizes up to Rs. 30,000-40,000 per term for top performers.

SDMIMD PGDM Admission 2026

The PGDM program follows a merit-based selection process based on entrance exam scores (CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, ATMA, or GMAT). Admissions are conducted annually with application deadlines typically in February. The admission process includes online application submission, entrance exam score evaluation, shortlisting of candidates, personal interview (including group discussion and written test), and final selection. The program maintains a diverse student body with students from 20 states across India.

Admission Timeline for 2026-28

Eligibility Criteria

• Bachelor's degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate marks
• Valid entrance exam score (CAT/XAT/CMAT/MAT/ATMA/GMAT)
• No age limit for admission
• No work experience requirement (fresher and experienced candidates both eligible)

Admission Process

• Submit online application with bachelor's degree mark sheet and entrance exam score
• Application fee of Rs. 1,250 to be paid online
• Shortlisting based on entrance exam score and academic performance
• Appear for personal interview conducted by SDMIMD admission panel
• Interview includes group discussion, written test, and personal interview
• Interview assessment focuses on communication skills, analytical ability, and management potential
• Successful candidates receive offer letter with seat confirmation details
• Final admission confirmation after fee payment and registration

SDMIMD PGDM Scholarships 2026

SDMIMD offers merit-based scholarships for PGDM students based on their academic performance in 10th, 12th, and graduation. Scholarships are awarded to students with excellent academic records, ranging from partial fee waivers to full scholarships. Additionally, the college provides cash prizes for top performers each term and fee concessions for students from SDM institutions.

Scholarship Options

• Merit scholarships are awarded based on academic performance during admission process.
• Need-based scholarships require application during admission.
• Education loans are available through SBI, Bank of Baroda, and HDFC Bank with moratorium up to 1 year after graduation.
• Scholarship application deadlines typically align with admission deadlines (February 2026).
• SDMIMD admissions counselors provide end-to-end support for loan documentation and processing.

SDMIMD PGDM Placement 2026

SDMIMD's PGDM program boasts a 100 percent placement record with graduates securing positions within 6-7 months of joining. The college's dedicated placement cell works actively with leading companies across various sectors to ensure diverse career opportunities for students. Graduates are placed in roles ranging from Business Analyst, Marketing Manager, Financial Consultant, HR Manager, to Operations Manager across leading organizations. The average package for PGDM graduates is Rs. 10 LPA with highest packages reaching Rs. 15.25 LPA and median package of Rs. 9.60 LPA.

Placement Statistics

SDMIMD's placement success is attributed to comprehensive placement training including resume building, interview preparation, group discussion training, and soft skills development. The college maintains strong relationships with leading companies and conducts regular placement drives. Students receive active career guidance from the placement cell throughout their program.

As mentioned, SDMIMD offers admission to PGDM program based on CAT percentile. SDMIMD CAT Cutoff 2024 percentile is 60 for the General category. Further, CAT cutoff percentile is 60 for OBC , 60 for SC , 60 for ST and 60 for EWS category. Check SDMIMD Cutoff

SDMIMD PGDM Cutoff Year-wise Trends

The section below shows year-wise trends in SDMIMD PGDM Cutoff. According to year-wise trends, admission to the SDMIMD PGDM program in 2024 was closed at the 60 percentile , whereas in 2023, the closing percentile was 75 across all categories.

According to an external review site Ranking 2025, SDMIMD ranks 91 out of 370 colleges in India and 20th in state Karnataka for its PGDM program.

• 15 out of 200 under Outlook Management Ranking 2026.
• 76 out of 122 under IIRF Management Ranking 2025.
• 93 out of 100 under The Times Of India Management Ranking 2025.
• 50 out of 275 under India Today Management Ranking 2024.
• 55 out of 235 under The Week Management Ranking 2024.

Read more on SDMIMD Rankings here

SDMIMD PGDM FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between PGDM and MBA?

Ans. PGDM is an AICTE-approved diploma offered by autonomous institutions like SDMIMD, while MBA is a university degree. Both are 2-year programs, but PGDM is often considered more industry-aligned and flexible in curriculum design. SDMIMD's PGDM has international accreditation from ACBSP and EFMD, making it equivalent to MBA with global recognition.

Ques. Is SDMIMD PGDM recognized by employers?

Ans. Yes, SDMIMD PGDM is highly recognized by employers. The program has AICTE approval, NBA accreditation, and international accreditation from ACBSP and EFMD. SDMIMD graduates are placed in top companies including Wipro, Infosys, TCS, Deloitte, and Accenture. The 100 percent placement record and strong average package of Rs. 10 LPA reflect employer confidence in the program.

Ques. What is the admission process and timeline?

Ans. Admissions are conducted annually with application deadlines typically in February. The process includes online application, entrance exam score evaluation (CAT/XAT/CMAT/MAT/ATMA/GMAT), shortlisting, personal interview (including group discussion and written test), and final selection. Batch commencement is typically in June.

Ques. What are the specialization options available in the PGDM program?

Ans. SDMIMD's PGDM offers dual specialization options including Marketing, Finance, Systems, HR, and Operations. Students can choose two specializations based on their career interests and market demand. The curriculum is designed to provide comprehensive knowledge in chosen specialization areas.

Ques. What is the residential campus experience like at SDMIMD?

Ans. SDMIMD offers a full-time residential campus experience located in the picturesque foothills of Chamundi Hills in Mysore. The campus provides single-room hostel accommodation, modern infrastructure, sports facilities, and a vibrant student life. Students benefit from a diverse batch with students from 20 states across India, fostering cultural exchange and networking.

Ques. What international opportunities are available for PGDM students?

Ans. SDMIMD offers 16 international student exchange programs with renowned universities worldwide. Students can participate in semester-long exchange programs with universities in countries like USA, China, and other nations. These programs provide global exposure and international networking opportunities, though additional charges apply for participation.