Looking to pursue management course? Here's all you need to know about MBA and PGDM program offered by KSM

In an exclusive interaction with Shiksha.com, the experts at Krupanidhi School of Management talks I detail about their management programmes – PGDM and MBA. Experts share every minute detail possibly related to the courses such as eligibility criteria, admission process, selection parameters, specialisations offered, fee and placements. They also elaborate on initiatives that KSM has taken to help students become industry-ready such as value-added courses that are offered to students in addition to their regular curriculum, an Entrepreneurship program to encourage entrepreneurial skills in them and a research & incubation centre to give shape to new ideas.

Read the complete interview below:

Q: What is the eligibility criteria for admission to MBA and PGDM program offered by Krupanidhi School of Management?

A: To be eligible for admission to two-year PGDM program at KSM, the applicant must have a minimum aggregate of 50 per cent in graduation in any stream from any recognised institute or university. Besides academic eligibility, it also mandatory to have a valid score of any one of the nationally accepted management qualifying exams such as CAT, XAT, MAT and GMAT.

MBA at KSM is a two-year full-time postgraduate degree programme affiliated to Bangalore University. Applicants with a minimum aggregate of 50 per cent in graduation in any stream from a recognised institute or university are eligible to apply for the MBA program at KSM. Besides this, similar to PGDM eligibility, applicants must have a valid score of any of the management qualifying exams such as CAT, GMAT, IIFT, XAT, MAT, ATMA and CMAT.

Q: What is the admission process? On the basis of what selection parameters, final selections are made?

A: As a part of the admission process for both PGDM and MBA, all eligible applicants need to first fill-up the online application form by visiting the official website and paying a nominal fee amount of Rs 1,000. Basis detailed profile screening students will be called for Group discussion and Personal interview round.

The final selections will be made on the basis of students' merit performances, scores of the qualifying exams and the overall performance in the GD and PI.

Q: How is the curriculum architectured for both the programmes? And what are the various specialisation options available to students?

A: The curriculum for both the programmes is architectured keeping in mind the industry requirements. It is regularly updated basis the suggestions from the industry professionals and corporate leaders who share the information on the latest trends and practices followed in the corporate world so the same can be incorporated in the curriculum.

The only difference between the two is that PGDM runs on the trimester system whereas MBA is a semester-based programme.

Q: What is the total cost of both programmes? Do you offer any sort of scholarships or financial assistance to students?

A: The total cost for both programmes varies basis the students' choices of the international immersion programme.

For PGDM, the total cost of the two-year programme is Rs 9.75 lakh which includes an international immersion to the USA for 15 days with 10 years of Visa. However, for students not willing to go for international immersion, the cost if Rs 7.25 lakh.

For MBA, the total fee of the two-year programme is Rs 5.84 lakh which includes the international immersion, however, without international immersion, the cost is Rs 5.4 lakh.

In both the scenarios, the fee includes the cost of course material, uniform, tuition fee and the examination fee.

Krupanidhi School of Management understands the students' zeal to learn and grow and hence do not let the financial inability to be an obstacle for the students. Hence, we offer merit scholarships to students basis their merit performances.

Also, we have a tie-up with HDFC bank who also grants education loans to students. The admissions department helps students in the complete documentation process for the same.

Q: How do yo make sure that your students get a chance to stand out of the crowd of other management professionals? How do you help them become industry-ready?

A: Every year a lot of management students graduate across the country and more or less everyone is taught the same curriculum. But what matters the most is how they have been taught. The delivery of the curriculum matters. And, this is the reason why our curriculum also includes a lot of value-added courses. The idea is to give students an edge over other management students and stay competitive and ahead of the corporate world. These value added courses include:

Stock Marketing	Investment Management	Data Analysis
Social Media Marketing	SAP	Talent Acquisition
ERP	SPSS	Sales & Logistics
Digital Marketing	TALLY	Advance Excel
Case Study Analysis	Business Analytics	Six Sigma

Q: Do yo encourage entrepreneurial skills among students? If yes, how?

A: Though we work hard to achieve better placement results every year. In parallel, we also encourage entrepreneurial skills among our students. We have an entrepreneurial program that helps our students nurture the entrepreneurial ideas within them such that they take shape of a tangible business plan. We not only guide them in the process with the help of esteemed Industry experts but also help in getting funds and furthering the growth.

Besides that, we also have a Research Incubation Centre that works with students in clusters along with a mentor who guides them into designing and carrying out successful researches on ideas that sprouted from the minds of the students. All the research papers are published in a minimum of scopes Indexed Journals which add to the credibility of the student as a researcher and creative thinker which is the need of the hour for any industry

Q: Can you share some of the recent placement statistics?

A: Placements is the final and the most crucial step in a student's life and for the institute too, as the quality placements define quality education. AT KSM we have a dedicated placements cell that is responsible for strengthening the corporate network. Despite the global pandemic situation this year we have witnessed the highest package of Rs 17 lakh offered to students while the average package stood at Rs 6 lakh.

Companies who participated in the placements session this year include Reliance Communications, KPMG, IBM, Biocon, Tata Teleservices Limited, Infoedge India limited, HDFC, SBI, Randstad, Airbus, ICICI Bank, HP, Axis Bank, Flipkart, EY, Jio, Aditya Birla, DHL, Big Basket, Airtel and Future Group.