MDP Admission 2025: Registration, Qualification, Selection Process

Updated on May 16, 2025 06:17 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.

MDP Admission 2025: Eligibility Criteria for Management Development Programmes

Management Development Programs, also known as MDPs are designed for working professionals, entrepreneurs, and managers who seek to enhance their leadership and management skills. To enroll in an MDP, candidates typically need a graduate degree and relevant professional experience, though specific requirements can vary by program. Understanding these criteria is essential for professionals seeking career advancement through structured learning.

MDP Admission 2025: Eligibility Criteria for Top Colleges

Top colleges offering Management Development Programs set specific eligibility criteria to ensure participants are well-suited for the advanced learning experience these programs provide. Understanding the eligibility requirements of top Colleges is essential for professionals who aspire to pursue this course. Interested candidates can check the eligibility criteria for MDP course in top colleges in the table below:

Top MDP Colleges in India MDP Course

Top MDP Colleges Eligibility Criteria

IIM
  • Management Development Programmes
  • Candidates should hold a bachelor's degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (or equivalent CGPA).
Xavier School of Management (XLRI)
  • Management Development Programmes
  • Candidates must have passed a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent with aggregate marks of 50% from a recognized university. (45% for reserved categories)
St. Xavier's College
  • Certificate in Management Development Programme
  • Candidates must have passed a Bachelor’s Degree in any stream or be pursuing a postgraduate course such as an MBA or M.Com, etc.
  • Candidates who are working in any corporation are also eligible to apply for the programme.
Symbiosis Centre for Corporate Education
  • Online Management Development Programme in Competency-Based People Management
  • Online Management Development Programme in Leadership for Excellence
  • Online Management Development Programme in Business Intelligence and Big Data Analytics
  • Online Management Development Programme in Finance for Non-Finance
  • Online Management Development Programme in Design Thinking for Business Problem Solving
  • Online Management Development Programme in Business Model Innovation
  • Candidates need to hold a Bachelor's degree from a recognized university.
  • This course is specially designed for the corporate fraternity, thus, the candidate should be working.
Rayat Bahra University
  • Management Development Program
  • Candidates need to hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in any discipline with aggregate marks of 50% from a recognized university.

Note: This information is sourced from the official website of the institute and may vary.

MDP Admission 2025: General Eligibility Criteria for MDP Course

MDP is a course designed to imbibe managerial and leadership skills at an early age, as well as for experienced professionals. The table below 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

Note: The information is sourced from external sites and may vary.

MDP Admission Process 2025

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 the course/exam

In the case of merit-based admissions, check the documentation requirements 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.

Quick links relevant to MDP:
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IIM Cut Off 2024: Know Expected and Previous Years' CAT Cutoff Percentile

MDP Best Colleges 2025: Admission Details 

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.

Management Development Program Colleges  Admission Details

MDP Fees

AILABS Academy MDP Admission INR 1.2 Lakh
AURO University MDP Admission INR 1,500
IIM Calcutta MDP Admission NA
Rayat Bahra University MDP Admission INR 40,000
St. Xavier's College MDP Admission INR 10,000
Symbiosis Centre for Corporate Education MDP Admission INR 8,000
The Second Wind MDP Admission INR 60,000 - 85,000
XLRI Xavier School of Management MDP Admission INR 27,000

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.

MDP Admission 2025: Placements in Top Colleges

The table below contains the names of some popular colleges that provide Management Development Programs, along with their Average salary.

MDP Colleges

Average Package Offered

IIM Calcutta Placements INR 35.07 LPA
XLRI Xavier School of Management Placements INR 29.89 LPA
Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance Placements INR 11 LPA
Global Risk Management Institute Placements INR 9 LPA
Rayat Bahra University Placements INR 5 LPA
AURO University Placements INR 4 LPA

Note: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

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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.

Q. What documents are needed for admission to MDP course?

A. The Documents that are needed for MDP Course Admission are:

  • Academic Documents which includes Marksheets and Certificates
  • Professional Documents such as Updated Resume or CVs, Letter of Recommendations, Experience Certificates.
  • Personal Identification Documents such as Aadhar Card, Pan Card, Photographs, etc.

Q. For whom is it beneficial to take admission in MDP course?

A. Taking Admission into MDP Course is beneficial for:

  • MDP course is best suited for executives, managers, or marketing analysts.
  • People whose primary responsibilities include creating demand for, generating revenues from, and making profits from new and existing goods and services can also opt for the MDP course.
  • MDP course would apply to managers from other functional areas or from backgrounds other than marketing who assist the organization's marketing efforts.
Table of content
  • Popular MDP (Management Development Programme) Colleges in India
  • Popular Private MDP (Management Development Programme) Colleges in India
  • Popular MDP (Management Development Programme) 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.
12 Courses
1.32 L - 33 L
20 - 34.41 LPA
75 K - 6.35 L
4.0
Ranked #3 Private University in India. Placement with Fortune 500 Companies
12.05 L
4.1
5.15 L - 10.75 L
4.5

Business & Management Studies Applications open till Aug 31, 2026. Apply Now

3 Courses
6.93 L - 24.2 L
26.04 LPA

Business & Management Studies Applications open. Apply Now

22 Courses
2.4 L - 26.5 L
32.61 - 33.1 LPA

Popular Private MDP (Management Development Programme) Colleges in India

4.75 L - 6.75 L
4 Courses
1.88 L
2.55 L - 10 L
3.8
6 Courses
3.9
3.9
2 Courses
75 K - 1.33 L
3.2
5 K - 8.75 L
3.9

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

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