For your quick reference, we have compiled the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions. Please select a category to view the relevant FAQs which you may find helpful.
If you have a question that isn't answered here or if you need further clarification, we encourage you to send an email to pgpxquery@iima.ac.in and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
While all the programmes at IIMA are full-time and residential programmes, the PGPX is a one-year programme while PGP is for two years. The PGPX orientation is to give general management perspective for a management executive, whereas the PGP is focussed on functional and operational management. PGPX achieves this through a set of courses under a theme called ‘Preparing for Top Management' where the focus is on leadership and change agentry at the global level. This culminates in ‘Capstone' exercise which is a business game aimed at integration of all that has been learned over the year.
The fundamental objective of the PGPX programme is to develop bright, enthusiastic and aspirational executives into management leaders and change agents in the global arena.
On successful completion, students are given a Master of Business Administration degree.
No, IIP is compulsory component wherein the students go to various international universities to have an exposure of international business scenario. Currently IIMA has tie ups with the following international universities for the two week international programme:
The PGPX is a general management programme preparing the students for top management. However, you can tailor the programme to meet your own needs and post-PGPX employment aims through wide range of electives. In this way you are able to gain all the basic general management skills and specialise in areas of management important for your current and future goals. Details of elective courses can be found on our website.
Yes! They are eligible to apply for higher studies. Some have also gone on to do PhD at places such as the Harvard Business School.
There are many avenues for Industry-Academia interactions for PGPX students during the year as follows:
There is no minimum requirement of bachelor's level scores as eligibility to apply. However, selected candidates are likely to have had a consistently good academic record.
Applicants to the PGPX must complete the following steps.
| Round-1 | Round-2 | Round-3 | |
| STAGE 1: Application & Shortlist | |||
| Application Open | June 22, 2020 | Sept 11, 2020 | Nov 9, 2020 |
| Application Close | Aug 31, 2020 | Oct 19, 2020 | Jan 4, 2021 |
| Shortlist | Sept 7, 2020 | Oct 27, 2020 | Jan 11, 2021 |
| Essay submission | Sept 7-10,2020 | Oct 27-31, 2020 | Jan 11-17, 2021 |
| STAGE 2: Personal Interviews | |||
| Ahmedabad | Sept 19-20, 2020 | Nov 7-8, 2020 | Jan 23-24, 2021 |
| Delhi | Sept 19-20, 2020 | Nov 7-8, 2020 | NA |
| Mumbai | Sept 26-27, 2020 | Nov 21-22, 2020 | NA |
| Hyderabad | Sept 26-27, 2020 | NA | NA |
| Kolkata | NA | Nov 21-22, 2020 | NA |
| Bangalore | Oct 3-4, 2020 | Nov 28-29, 2020 | Jan 23-24, 2021 |
| London/New York* | To be announced | To be announced | NA |
| Final Selection | |||
| Offers and waitlist | Oct 18, 2020 | Dec 7, 2020 | Feb 7, 2021 |
5. Is there an advantage to applying in Round 1 vs. Round 2 vs. Round 3?
There is no strategic advantage in applying in Round 1 vs. Round 2 vs Round 3. Round 1 is designed for those candidates who are eager to apply and would like to receive an admission decision earlier in the season. This is specifically directed for those who are applying to multiple schools and would like to gather their admission decisions at one time to make the most informed decision.
The candidate must be well-versed with the English language. We gauge this from the Analytical Writing Analysis (AWA) scores from the GMAT/GRE. TOEFL/IELTS/PTE test scores are not applicable here.
Essays and Letters of Recommendation only comes after the candidates are shortlisted and not during application submission. Only shortlisted candidates would be asked to submit two essays – the topics of which will be announced along with the shortlisting for personal interviews. However, successful candidates are required to give details of three references.
*Please note that for certificates which are not printed in English, Hindi or Gujarati languages, the candidates are requested to submit certified translations of these certificates in English language.
We will need the following documents at the time of your joining the institute:
Please ensure that all data such as your Date of Birth, academic qualifications (degree titles, names of the institution/university, grades/marks, GMAT id, GMAT scores etc.) and work experience are correctly entered. Please remember that all the details mentioned in the online application form will have to be supported by relevant documents later. The admission (if offered) will automatically stand cancelled if the data you enter and the data on the documents are found to be different.
Our application processing is based on a computerized system which rates applications based on various parameters such as GMAT score, age, work experience, international work experience, educational qualifications, industry, gender, etc. Hence it is essential that every data is correct.
Kindly arrange to obtain the necessary documents/information from the place where it is kept to the place where you are now residing. It is essential to provide the correct information in the application form.
It is essential that you provide the relevant documentary support; in case you do not have a certificate of experience then you can provide other useful documents like Letter of Appointment etc. Therefore in any case, the information needs to be supported by some kind of relevant documents.
We consider your work experience documents issued from your company where dates of international work experience are mentioned. Please note that visits to international locations for participation in any conference/meetings/workshops or business trips are not considered as international work experience. Only full-time work in a foreign location (other than your home country) on legitimate documents which include offer letter/appointment letter and based on salary/consideration is considered international work experience.
In most cases no; for example, if you are applying for 2021-22 batch you must expect to have at least four years of full-time, post-graduation work experience by March 2021. However please tell us if there are extenuating circumstances which mean that you have only been able to work part-time or on temporary contracts.
No; all work experience must be post-graduation.
Management experience or related qualifications and goals will be important for candidates who are successful in gaining entry into the programme. We would expect candidates to have experience in managing both projects and people.
No.
PGPX Admissions Committee looks for participants who will contribute proactively and share the insights they have gained throughout their professional and personal experience. A competitive applicant manages to demonstrate a clear desire for intellectual growth, both in the classroom and through working on group projects.
The Committee takes into consideration the applicant's professional background, including progression in their career, academic preparedness, accomplishments and strong interpersonal skills.
The PGPX Admission Process involves the following:
Sorry, for logistical reasons it is not possible for IIMA to provide individual feedback to the candidates.
No. All candidates, whether sponsored or not, will go through the same PGPX admission process.
Yes, the PGPX programme has instituted five (5) interest waiver scholarships on merit basis which will work as interest waived on bank loan taken by student (for the programme fee) for a year. Maximum amount for scholarship can go up to 3 lakh.
We do have a stated deferment policy. However, deferment may be given on a case to case basis. The procedure followed in the past for a few deferment cases has been as follows:
We have completed 14 batches so far successfully. Profiles vary from batch to batch. The average profile information of the current batch is available here.
While we do not have a minimum score required for admission, we advise candidates to aim for a score at or above the 70th-75th percentile for both the quantitative and verbal sections of the GMAT/GRE. Please keep in mind, however, that standardised tests are just one of several admission criteria. A high score does not guarantee admission, and a below average score does not eliminate a candidate.
Yes it is mandatory for all applicants to take a GMAT/GRE test as it provides us with a standardised way of evaluating candidates.
Yes, you can. The application can be submitted along with the test centre/unofficial score report. The official score report from Pearson VUE (GMAT)/ETS (GRE) should reach the PGPX Admissions Team within three weeks of application submission.
GMAT/GRE scores are valid for 5 years.
The highest score amongst the tests taken during the valid period will be considered.
No.
We have a Placement Office to assist the Student Placement Committee in providing administrative and logistical support in arranging for campus placements. We also have full- time staffs that help to coordinate this activity. Please note that placements are not guaranteed and it is not an entitlement of the student. However IIMA's approach is to build up a career service network with the help of a robust Alumni network over time rather than to provide only a placement at the end of the course.
The placement data can be checked on our website. The entire placement data is audited as per the Indian Placement Reporting Standards (IPRS). It includes data on mean/median starting salary, batch percentage, job details and all other necessary details. For detailed information please check the placement data.
Information mentioned is ‘average profile.' Most candidates have been placed so far. However this is an activity that is significantly driven by students themselves and lateral placements depend on vacancies in the senior positions in the target companies during the PGPX placement season from Oct/Nov. Our strong alumni network also helps the student to find a better job.
The Programme Fee for PGPX 2020-21 will be INR 28,00,000 (INR Twenty Eight Lacs) and cost of International Immersion Programme (IIP).
PGPX fee is usually a packaged/bundled fee which includes, for every student—tuition fees, books and course materials, accommodation, food charges (for those who are staying in SSH) and other service facilities such as library, computing, network changes etc. However this does not include the cost of International Immersion Programme (IIP). Utilities such as electricity, telephone, laundry, sports/gym subscription are additional and to be paid as per usage charges.
Students have to pay caution money of Indian Rs. 35000/- for single accommodation and Rs. 70000/- for MSH to be paid before you arrive at the campus. This non-interest bearing caution money will be returned within 3 months after the completion of the programme, adjusting for pending recoveries on account of utilities and other services or infrastructure (if any).
No. However spouses of PGPX participants are encouraged to apply and work in the campus on any temporary assignments if available.
Yes, PGPX students can now apply for scholarships. The program has instituted 5 Interest Waiver Scholarship on merit basis which will work as interest waiver on bank loan taken by students (for the program fee) for a year. Maximum amount for the scholarship can go up to 3 Lakhs.
Normally many nationalised and private banks are interested in offering students loans. Upto Rs. 30 lakh loan is available without collateral for IIMA's PGPX candidates.
State Bank of India gives collateral free loan of up to Rs. 30 lakh and Central Bank gives up to Rs. 25 lakh. For exact details, please contact the bank/s directly since the interest rates change from time to time.
Yes, this is a fully residential programme. Accommodation will be available for both single and married students. Much course work and group assignments are involved in the programme due to which it is imperative that the students live on the campus and study and work together. The programme is quite rigorous and has more 700 contact hours and requires preparation time of more than 1500 hours.
A. Single Housing Accommodation (One room + bath):-
Each room has furniture including single bed with mattress, pillow, bed sheet, blanket (to be subsequently maintained by student), teapoy, computer chair, soft board, wooden cabinet, TV table, single sofa and wardrobe, air conditioner with remote, a mini refrigerator, telephone point with one instrument, Internet connection point, Drinking water through RO unit in floor pantry, common washing machine facility is also available, wall clock and dressing mirror.
Please do not bring any of your own stuff such as refrigerators, TV, cooking stoves, cabinets, etc. to the campus.
B. Married Student Housing (Two rooms + kitchen + bath + balcony):-
Both the rooms are fully furnished with one double bed, one single bed, dining table with four chairs, side tables, wardrobe, two kitchen storage cabinets in the modular kitchen, two single sofa, book shelf, shoe rack, dressing mirror, computer unit drawer, table & chair, soft board, chick blinds, bed sheet sets for double and single bed, three pillows, six pillow covers and one blanket each for double and single bed (to be subsequently maintained & laundry charges to be borne by the students), internet connection point, window air conditioner in bed room with remote, refrigerator 180 Ltr, two-burner gas stove and a piped gas connection.
Please do not bring any of your own stuff such as refrigerators, TV, cooking stoves, cabinets, etc. to the campus.
Yes. You are allowed only one change during the year, if there is vacancy. Also various other conditions apply.
There are many other facilities for the IIMA community, especially students on campus such as:
IIMA has one of the best computer and internet networks of the country. High-speed servers, running on a variety of platforms to suit all kinds of requirements, support the entire network. Students are expected to bring their own lap-tops. Wi-Fi has also been introduced at various places in the campus.
The Institute will not be able to arrange for one with an IIMA email id. However, you can arrange to have your own private set-up for which various conditions apply.
With more than 170,000 books, over 41,500 bound volumes of periodicals, over 1,000 subscribed journals, more than 1,800 educational CDs and over 2,000 working papers and dissertations; and more than 70 electronic databases, the Vikram Sarabhai Library is an invaluable resource. For more information please visit library.iima.ac.in
Please note the following suggestions carefully before you embark for IIMA:
IIMA has a very strong and large alumni network consisting of who's who from Industry, Government as well as Academia spread all over the world which is one of the most powerful assets built over the years. The alumni family is an important component for realising the Institute's goals – Creation, Application and Dissemination of Management Knowledge. Our alumni are the crucial change agents who transform leadership across the globe. A vast number of IIMA alumni have distinguished themselves in almost every aspect of management across the world. As per international consultancy company EMA Partners' 2009 March report, more than 66% of the Professional CEOs in India are IIMA alumni.
Yes, you can join our social network through which you can connect with our alumni or current students and discuss the programme with them.
If you have a question that isn't answered here or if you need further clarification, please feel free to drop us an email at pgpxquery@iima.ac.in or call us on the below mentioned phone number.
Manager, PGPX
PGPX Office, New Campus,
Indian Institute of Management
Vastrapur, Ahmedabad,
Gujarat 380 015
INDIA.
Telephone: +91-79-7152 4449/50
Fax: +91-79-6632 4447