PGDM (Development Management): programme and admissions 2026–28
A two-year, full-time, fully residential programme approved by AICTE, preparing graduates of any discipline for careers as development management professionals.
About the programme
DMI offers a two-year full-time Post-Graduate Programme in Development Management (PDM), leading to the award of the Post Graduate Diploma in Management. It aims at:
- Personal growth by widening perspectives through foundational, functional and integrative courses, enriched by experiential learning and reflective dialogue.
- Transformation into development management professionals through Development Immersion, Enterprise Learning and Management Internship, living and working at development sites in situ.
The PDM focuses on competencies to manage resources, enterprises, institutions and interventions in an environment of participatory governance and stakeholder accountability. Learning is facilitated by career academics, practising professionals and practitioner-turned-academics.
- Duration
- 2 years, 5 terms
- Approved intake
- 60
- Mode
- Full-time, fully residential
- Medium
- English
- Approval
- AICTE, since 2014
- Total fee
- ₹6,00,000
Holistic learning
- Integral learning — conceptual, experiential, factual and procedural knowledge through the Discovery–Dream–Design–Doing cycle.
- Trans-disciplinary research — problems that cross disciplinary boundaries, approached as a whole.
- Professionalisation — expertise, practical skills, ethics and the habit of working independently.
- Conscientisation — critical awareness and cycles of reflection and action that transform reality.
Learning journey
About 30% of the programme is experiential learning. Credits from the PGDM (DM) course structure.
- Term 1Interactive LearningAccounting, People in Organisations, Statistics, Economics, Society & Livelihoods, Doing Research · 18 credits
- 5 weeksDevelopment ImmersionLiving with marginalised communities; community work at the grassroots · 9 credits
- Term 2Interactive LearningDesign of Organisations, IT for Managers, Finance, Marketing & Society, Collective Action · 18 credits
- Term 3Interactive LearningMarketing, HRM, Development Theories, Operations, MIS · 18 credits
- 6 weeksEnterprise LearningGovernance of collective, community and social enterprises · 12 credits
- Term 4Core and electivesStrategy, Project Management, Cooperatives & Producer Organisations, M&E, Gender and Development
- 10 weeksManagement InternshipProject work in livelihoods, cooperatives, government, NGOs or CSR units · 15 credits
- Term 5ElectivesDisaster Risk Reduction, ESG & Social Audit, Inclusive Finance, Public Health, WASH Services
Eligibility
- A minimum 3-year bachelor's degree in any discipline with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/Differently Abled candidates) from a university or institute recognised by UGC or AICTE.
- A valid score in CAT 2025, XAT 2026, GMAT, CMAT 2026, MAT (Sep 2025, Dec 2025 or Feb 2026) or CUET (PG) COQP12.
- Final-year students may apply if all final-year examinations are completed by 21 June 2026; results must be submitted by 31 October 2026.
- Reservation as per the rules applicable to educational institutions in Bihar.
Application fee
| Category | Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| General | 300 |
| BC, EBC, EWS and female candidates | 200 |
| SC, ST and Differently Abled | 100 |
Online payment only. One application per candidate; the fee is non-refundable. Application process
Selection criteria
Shortlisted candidates take a writing skills assessment, group exercise and personal interview, preferably at Udyog Bhawan, Patna.
In case of unforeseen events, weightage for online selection may change. Admission process
Fee structure
₹6,00,000 in total, paid in five term-wise instalments over two years.
| Particulars | Term I | Term II | Term III | Term IV | Term V | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Tuition — classroom segment | 1,00,000 | 1,00,000 | 1,00,000 | 1,00,000 | 1,00,000 | 5,00,000 |
| Development Immersion | — | 20,000 | — | — | — | 20,000 |
| Enterprise Learning | — | — | 20,000 | — | — | 20,000 |
| Management Internship | — | — | — | 20,000 | — | 20,000 |
| B. Service fees (computer, library, books) | 7,000 | 7,000 | 7,000 | 7,000 | 7,000 | 35,000 |
| C. Student activities and medical | 2,000 | — | — | 3,000 | — | 5,000 |
| Grand total (A + B + C) | 1,09,000 | 1,27,000 | 1,27,000 | 1,30,000 | 1,07,000 | 6,00,000 |
- Refundable caution money of ₹10,000 on admission.
- Hostel maintenance fee of ₹1,500 a month (accommodation is subsidised); mess charges are paid to the service provider.
- Convocation charges of ₹5,000 with the Term V fee.
Scholarships and financial assistance
Every participant can earn up to a 100% tuition waiver.
Estimate your entrance-score scholarship
Based on CAT / XAT / MAT / CMAT / CUET (PG) COQP12 percentile. University toppers in any discipline receive a 50% tuition waiver.
| Percentile | General | BC / EBC / Women | SC / ST / DA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Above 60 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Above 70 | 0 | 25 | 50 |
| Above 75 | 25 | 50 | 75 |
| Above 80 | 50 | 75 | 100 |
| Above 85 | 75 | 100 | 100 |
| Above 90 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| GPA | Waiver (%) |
|---|---|
| 2.67 – 2.99 | 25 |
| 3.00 – 3.32 | 50 |
| 3.33 – 3.66 | 75 |
| 3.67 and above | 100 |
Education loans are available from banks, and low-interest loans of up to ₹4 lakh under the Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme.
Admissions FAQs
Selected from the 31 FAQs published by the admissions office.
Is DMI a government institution?
DMI was conceived and established by the Government of Bihar as an autonomous institution. The Hon'ble Chief Minister of Bihar is the President of the DMI Society that governs the Institute.
Is DMI affiliated with a university?
DMI is an autonomous management institute. Its two-year PGDM (DM) programme has been approved by AICTE since its inception in 2014.
Can I apply before I receive my entrance exam score?
Yes. Provide your exam registration details, choose “result awaited” and complete the application, including the fee. When results are announced, update your score and upload the scorecard from your dashboard.
Which scorecard is considered if I have more than one?
Either you confirm on the selection day, or the Institute considers the valid scorecard with the higher percentile.
Can I study as a day scholar?
No. The programme is fully residential and participants must stay in the hostel, which has recreational facilities, round-the-clock security and electronic surveillance.
Is the group exercise and interview held online?
The selection process is expected to be offline for 2026–28 admissions, preferably at Udyog Bhawan, Patna. DMI may hold an online process on request in unanticipated circumstances, and does not reimburse travel.
What about placements?
Since its inception DMI has had a record of full placements, with some students receiving more than one offer. The average package offered last year was ₹5 lakh.
Does DMI offer part-time or correspondence courses?
No. DMI currently offers only the two-year, fully residential PGDM in Development Management.
Questions about admissions?
Admissions office: +91 95230 96030 · 0612-2675180 · admissions@dmi.ac.in · Monday to Friday, 9:30 am – 6:00 pm