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MBAUniverse.com Bureau

Management programs are known by different names in India. While only Indian universities institutes can grant the MBA degree, private management schools offer a diploma in management. This diploma is offered under many names like Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM) or Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) or even Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (PGDBM).

Till some years back, MBA was chiefly seen as a 2-year full-time course, but in the last few years there has been growing acceptance of many other types of MBA programs. There is one-year full-time accelerated MBA from ISB, a 3-year part-time MBA course, online MBAs and correspondence MBAs.

The two-year full-time is the most popular program and found in most of the best B-schools like IIMs, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Management Development Institute, Gurgaon, Xavier Labour Relation Institute (XLRI)-Jamshedpur , S.P.Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai etc. Says a management expert, "In the Indian context, the two-year MBA program, which has been adopted from the western model of management expression, is working well. Industry prefers students passing out of the two-year MBA program. But after the success of the 1-year management program pioneered by ISB some years back, there is some churning. Many B-schools including the IIMs have started offering one-year programs."

The one-year program is generally known as the Post Graduate Program (PGP) in Management. It is a very intense and fast paced study course, so you should ensure that you have the commitment and the staying power to commit yourself fully for the time period. Most courses have a minimum experience requirement for eligibility. You may find that places are limited and that you need to meet certain criteria in terms of current qualifications or experience in order to be eligible for this course. ISB Hyderabad, and several IIMs are offering this program under PGPEX. Candidate should check the eligibility requirements as well as the course structure and content before they apply for any particular program, as this will ensure that they make an informed choice.

The third option is the executive program. The program is designed specially for working executives, entrepreneurs and professionals who want to enhance their skills in a formal setting while continuing their job. There are many models for this need. Advancements in technology have been put to good use in some cases by classes being offered online. NIIT in October 2006 announced several courses in alliance with IIMs. Reliance Info Way and Hughes Systems are also offering such course.