MDP Admission 2024: Eligibility, Application, Selection

Updated on Jun 20, 2024 04:04 IST

Admission to Management Development Programs (MDPs) is based on their graduation scores or any professional-level examination score with a similar level of difficulty. MDP programs are specifically curated for senior, or mid-career executives to equip them with the advanced knowledge and skills to deal with the complex and evolving realities of the business and management.

MDP courses provide greater flexibility to the candidates pursuing them. Considering the needs, professional pursuits, and challenges different professionals face, MDP courses are provided as short-term courses and long-term courses, varying from 3 days to 2 years depending on the course. The candidates get the opportunity to refurbish themselves with new concepts and the latest tools in different management domains including General Management, Finance, Human Resources, Information Systems, Operations Management, Strategic Management, and Sustainability.

To be eligible to pursue MDP courses, one must have completed graduation with an aggregate of 50% or more. Some colleges also require candidates to have mandatory work experience ranging from 3- 5 years. Some of the popular colleges providing MDP courses include IIM Shillong, XLRI School of Management, Goa Institute of Management, and IIM Raipur. The average course fees range from INR 20,000 - INR 30 lakh.

MDP programs are conducted at residential levels, wherein candidates need to stay on the premises during the course. After completing their MDP programs, one can work with various organizations, including consulting firms, construction companies, top financial institutions, hospitality, insurance, retail, and logistics sectors.  To know more about the detailed MDP Admission criteria, selection process, and highest placements read the article below.

Latest Update:

  • The CAT 2024 result has been declared for MBA/PGDM courses. Candidates can log in and download their scorecards on the official website. 

  • The IBSAT 2024 exam dates are Dec 28 and Dec 29, 2024.

  • The XAT 2025 exam will be conducted on Jan 5, 2025.

  • The CMAT 2025 exam will be held on Jan 25, 2025.
  • The MAT 2025 registration process for the Feb session is open for PBT and CBT; the last date to apply is Mar 2 and Mar 9, 2025, respectively. Further, MAT 2025 PBT and CBT will be scheduled on Mar 9 and Mar 23, 2025, respectively.
  • The MAH MBA CET 2025 registrations are open for admission to MBA/PGDM and MMS courses, and the last date to apply is Jan 25, 2025. The MAH MBA CET 2025 exam will be held on Mar 17, 18, and 19, 2025.

MDP Details 

MDP is an upskilling course performed after graduation or even postgraduation at times. These courses can be pursued by early-age professionals as well as experienced professionals to get a comprehensive understanding of the evolving market trends and tools. Before deciding to apply for the Management Development Program, let’s understand the basics of the MDP Admission process through a table.

Particulars 

Details 

Course Level

Postgraduate 

Duration 

3 days - 2 years depending on the course 

Eligibility 

Candidates must have completed graduation in any stream with an aggregate of 50% or more from a recognized college/university. 

Admission Process

Merit-based

Average Course Fees

INR 25,000 - INR 50,000

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MDP Eligibility Criteria

MDP is a course designed to imbibe managerial and leadership skills in early-age as well as experienced professionals. The below table mentions some of the eligibility criteria one needs to meet before applying to MDP programs.  

Particulars 

Details 

Academic Qualification

Candidates must have completed their graduation in any stream 

Qualifying % 

Candidates must have scored an aggregate of 50% or more, depending on the college/university they are applying to. 

Work experience 

Not mandatory, but 2-3 years of work experience makes your learning experience better

MDP Course Types

MDPs are professional courses designed to train junior, middle-level, and senior managers on various real-life managerial concepts including Corporate Governance, Data Analytics, Digitalization, Marketing, and Organizational Behaviour Leadership. These courses help to gain insights and take up greater responsibilities and leadership roles with increased efficiency and knowledge. Various MDP course types are mentioned in the table below:

Domains 

Program Name

Strategic Management

Leading Growth Using Design Thinking

Communications

Corporate Communication

HRM & OB

Negotiation Skills

Finance & Accounts

Corporate Valuation & M&A

Marketing 

Effective Marketing

Information System

Artificial Intelligence for Decision Makers

General Management 

Healthcare Management

Note: These are some of the programs taken from IIM Ranchi’s official website and the data may vary.

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MDP Admission Process

To enroll in the MDP programs, one needs to follow these steps:
Step 1: Check Eligibility 

Completed graduation in any stream with at least 50% marks in aggregate from a recognized college or university. 

Step 2: Check the official website

Go to the official website of the college/university to check the admission process. Admissions are conducted through merit and entrance.

Step 3: Apply for course/exam

In the case of merit-based admissions, check the documentation requirement fulfill the criteria, and upload the documents needed for registration. 

In case of entrance-based exams, fill out the registration form for the exam and start preparing. 

Step 4: Pay the fees

Pay the MDP program fees and your admission is done. Now, candidates can go to the selected campus on the designated dates and pursue the course. 

Step 5: Giving Entrance Exams

In the case of entrance-based admissions, appear for the entrance exams and pay the fees after the result to get admission.

MDP Syllabus

There is no specific syllabus for Management Development Programs,  as there are various courses, and the syllabus for each course is different. Below mentioned are various core subjects pursued under the marketing specialization of MDP:
1. Understanding of Marketing Fundamentals 

  1. Target Markets and Consumer Behavior 
  2. Brand Management Skills
  3. Effective Marketing Communication Programs 
  4. Digital Marketing Techniques
  5. Strategic Marketing Plans 

MDP Top Institutes

Several top institutes are offering best-in-class MDP courses for short as well as long durations. Some of the best institutes along with the course fees and relevant brochures are given in the table below.

Top MDP Institutes

Average Fees (in INR)

Brochures

IIM Calcutta

44,000 - 1,50,000

IIM Calcutta MDP Brochure

MDI Gurgaon

40,000

MDI Gurgaon MDP Brochure

Goa Institute of Management (GIM)

18,000 per participant

GIM MDP Brochure

IIM Kozhikode

-

IIM Kozhikode MDP Brochure

IIM Shillong

9000 per day/ per participant

IIM Shillong MDP Brochure

IIM Mumbai

67,500 per participant 

IIM Mumbai MDP Brochure

IIM Indore

45,000 - 60,000 

IIM Indore MDP Brochure

IMT Ghaziabad 

25,000 - 35,000

IMT Ghaziabad MDP Brochure

FORE School of Management

13,000 - 40,000

FORE School of Management MDP Brochure 

XLRI

24,000 - 60,000

XLRI MDP Brochure

Note: The average fees mentioned in the table are exclusive of GST and other taxes levied thereupon and only include the admission as well as the residential charges if applicable. 

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Management Development Programme (MDP) FAQs

Q. What is Management Development Programme (MDP)?

A. The Management Development Programme (MDP) is organised and structured to represent the most important industry needs. The programme focuses on current research and emerging trends in managerial techniques in a certain field. The projects are intended to develop the executives' managerial knowledge, talents, skills, attitudes, and aptitude, with a notable emphasis on hierarchical improvement.

These programmes would aid the company in improving productivity and process efficiency, boosting communications and teamwork, enhancing human performance and spirit, holding on to resources and holding onto assets, lowering costs and squandering, and anticipating changes in the workforce and in technology so that the company may remain competitive.

Q. How can I get admission in MDP course?

A. The standard admission procedure for almost every college is the same and students can check the below points to get a general idea.

The basic admission procedure for practically every college is the same, and students can gain a rough understanding by reviewing the items below.

  • Candidates need to first shortlist which college or institute they want to apply to. Candidates must then review the requirements for the entrance exam. Most institutes adhere to the minimum graduation score criteria of 50% average or equivalent from an accredited university.
  • The minimum aggregate score for reserved category students is 45 percent. Candidates must next assess whether they are qualified to apply to that particular institution or not.
  • Applicants must fill out an application form and pay the necessary fees. Then, they need to prepare for the entrance exams. Only a good score will help them in getting admission to good colleges.
  • Candidates can later check their exam results and if they’re through they can complete the remaining steps. 

Read More: MBA Admissions

Q. How to prepare for top Management Development Programme (MDP) entrance exams?

A. Admission to management courses requires significant subject-by-subject research as well as simulated question practice. All applicants should study for the management exam in general, but their approach should be focused on the pattern of the admission exam. The usual preparation method for all management entrance exams is as follows:

  • Students must be completely informed of the prerequisites and authorised test scores for each college before applying for MDP admission.
  • Aspirants should research which universities accept various admission examinations before planning their entire education around their college preferences.
  • Candidates should be aware of the colleges that have been approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)/University Grants Commission.

Q. What are the benefits of studying Management Development Programme (MDP)?

A. The Management Development Programme (MDP) is carefully structured and arranged to represent the most important industry needs. Manager can enhance their abilities and learn how to recognise behaviours and successes at work through a management development programme. Once you are familiar with the fundamentals of management development, you may put into practice a tailored strategy that meets the requirements of a particular business.

Q. Are the MDP programme carried out at IIMs worth pursuing?

A. Yes, the MDP programme carried out at IIMs is worth pursuing.

The Post Graduate Programme in Management for Executives (PGP-MDP) offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) is designed specifically for working professionals seeking to enhance their managerial skills and knowledge while continuing their careers. Whether it's worth pursuing depends on candidate's individual circumstances, career goals, and what you aim to achieve through the program.

Here are some factors to consider:

  • Reputation: IIMs are highly reputed institutions known for their quality education and faculty.
  • Networking: You'll have the opportunity to connect with experienced professionals from diverse industries, which can broaden your network.
  • Career Advancement: Acquiring a management degree from an esteemed institution like an IIM can boost career prospects and open doors to higher-level positions.
  • Skill Enhancement: The program can provide up-to-date knowledge, tools, and strategies relevant to modern business practices.

Q. What is a MDP qualification?

A. Candidates can check the MDP eligibility criteria in the table below:

  • Must possess a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised board or university.
  • Must have secured at least 50 per cent aggregate (45 per cent for SC, ST and PWD/DA category) or equivalent Cumulative Grade Points Average (CGPA).

Q. What is the difference between MBA and MDP?

A. An MBA is a postgraduate degree focused on business administration, covering a wide range of business-related subjects such as finance, marketing, operations, human resources, and strategy.

On the other hand, an MDP (Management Development Program) is generally a shorter, non-degree executive education program aimed at professionals who are already working in managerial roles. 

Candidates can check the table below to see the comparison between the two courses.

Particulars Details MBBS
Course Level Postgraduation Postgraduate
Duration 2 Years 2 years
Eligibility Graduation Graduation
Entrance Exams Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management Entrance Exam, ICFAI Business School Entrance Exam, Indian Institute of Management Entrance Exam CAT, CMAT, XAT, MAH MBA CET, etc.
Fees (in INR) INR 20,000 to INR 30 Lakh INR 2 Lakh - INR 27 Lakh and above
Average Salary INR 5 LPA to INR 25 LPA INR 5 LPA - INR 25 LPA
Job Profiles Tourism Manager, Public Relations Officer, Accountant, Logistics Manager, etc. Finance Manager, Marketing Manager, Sales Manager, Human Resources Manager, etc.
Top Recruiters Infosys, Accenture, GAIL, Taj Group, etc. Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey, Bain & Co, Morgan Stanley, Citibank, JP Morgan Chase, Amazon, Facebook, Google, Adobe, etc.

Popular MDP (Management Development Programme) Specializations

Following are the most popular MDP (Management Development Programme) Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

Popular MDP (Management Development Programme) Colleges in India

Following are the most popular MDP (Management Development Programme) Colleges in India. Learn more about these MDP (Management Development Programme) colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
65 Courses
64 K - 33 L
20 - 35 LPA
98 Courses
11.3 K - 24.5 L
32.5 - 33 LPA
8 Courses
4.2 K - 24.2 L
25 LPA
41 Courses
27 K - 58.84 L
24 - 28 LPA
78 Courses
59 K - 31 L
20 - 33.67 LPA
1.84 L - 22.5 L
25 - 27 LPA

Popular Private MDP (Management Development Programme) Colleges in India

1 Course
4.69 L
2.8
2.61 L
1.5
1 Course
2.26 L
4.17 LPA
13 Courses
50 K - 5.8 L
5 LPA
2 Courses
13.3 L
1.17 L - 9.99 L
4.1

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