Duration 
Programme Starts 
Download Brochure
A candidate applying for the PGPDM:
Yes, the applicant should have at least two years of work experience in the social sector. Those who do not work in the social sector while applying but intend to transition to the social sector should have a minimum of two years of experience in any sector and, most importantly, a passion for working in the social sector and skills which can be transferred to the social sector.
No, a background in social work or traditional development studies is not a prerequisite to join the PGPDM course. The programme is intentionally designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of development management, making it highly accessible to professionals from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. In fact, a core objective of the PGPDM is to address the shortcomings often found in conventional social work and development studies programmes by integrating robust management principles into the development context. This unique approach ensures that graduates are equipped not just with theoretical knowledge but also with the practical skills needed to lead social interventions effectively, efficiently, and to drive meaningful, sustainable social change, regardless of their prior background.
Yes, the PGPDM programme is highly suitable for working professionals, as it integrates rigorous management principles with a deep understanding of development challenges, enabling them to lead and manage impactful initiatives without leaving their jobs.
The programme is modular and enables participants to continue working at their current organisations. Delivered over six contact periods of two weeks each, only the first, third and last contacts held on SPJIMR’s Mumbai campus are residential. The remaining three contacts are delivered online. For online contacts, sessions are held after lunch on weekdays and the entire day on Sundays.
Selected candidates are required to reside together in the SPJIMR hostel on the Mumbai campus or in the programme-arranged accommodation during on-campus sessions. This facilitates peer learning and community building and ensures complete dedication to the programme. It is compulsory for students to reside in the hostel for on-campus sessions. Accommodation and food costs are subsidised but must be covered by the students.
In January for the summer batch and in July for the winter batch.
Please keep visiting our admissions tab on our programme website for the details.
Application fees need to be paid online.
Please contact the PGPDM office for assistance via email: admissions.pgpdm@spjimr.org or phone number: +91 88795 88924.
Those candidates who get shortlisted for the interview and get selected after the interview will receive email, message and if required, telephonic communication from SPJIMR. There will be no further communication with regard to status of the application and reasons for non-shortlisting or non-selection with those who do not get shortlisted for the interview or are not selected after the interview.
You are required to show/submit the documents on the day of reporting at the SPJIMR Mumbai campus.
Yes, scholarships are available for low-income deserving candidates as part of the institute’s social commitment to make the programme accessible. The programme itself is highly subsidised to make it affordable for social sector professionals.
For the PGPDM programme, partial or full tuition scholarships are typically awarded to deserving low-income candidates.
Candidates can apply for scholarships after they receive and accept admission offers. After accepting an admission offer, they can request via email to the PGPDM Office for a scholarship form. Scholarship applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis by a scholarship committee, and awards are announced. However, this decision may take a few days, and in case the deadline for acceptance is nearing, candidates are advised to confirm their admission by paying the first instalment of tuition fees and hostel fees.
For any queries regarding your eligibility for a scholarship, please reach out to the PGPDM Office.
A development management course is ideal for experienced professionals with over two years of work experience who are committed to driving impactful change. This includes individuals currently working in NGOs, foundations, social enterprises, and corporate CSR departments who wish to enhance their skills, gain new knowledge about the social sector, design new programmes and build new organisations. It’s also highly beneficial for social impact fund managers and consultants focused on maximising the utilisation of funds and social impact. Additionally, public sector and government officials involved in social policies, welfare, and development will find this programme useful to equip them with crucial management and development principles and practices. Crucially, the course is perfectly suited for mid-career professionals from the corporate, business, or other sectors who are looking to transition into senior or leadership roles within the development sector, or those who recognise the need for advanced skills to take the agenda of SDGs and ESG forward.
The PGPDM programme is uniquely structured to facilitate a smooth and impactful transition for mid-career professionals from the corporate sector into the social sector. It begins with an intensive foundation, introducing participants to the essential subjects of social sciences and the fundamental principles of development. This ensures that participants gain comprehensive knowledge typically imparted by social work or development studies programmes.
Building upon this robust understanding, the course then pivots to equipping professionals with management, technical, and technological lens. This strategic integration of corporate-honed management principles with a deep understanding of development challenges is what truly enables the shift. By learning how to effectively lead and manage initiatives with strategic acumen, efficiency, and scalability, mid-career professionals are empowered to leverage their existing experience in dynamic new ways. This prepares them not just to enter but to effectively lead and manage initiatives within NGOs, social enterprises, corporate social responsibility (CSR) departments, and international development organisations, driving significant and sustainable social change.
Absolutely. The PGPDM is specifically designed for professionals working in, or intending to work in, the CSR functions of corporations or for those organisations working closely with CSR. Besides, the curriculum also includes a core course, ‘Management of CSR’, which directly addresses the competencies needed for leadership roles within Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
Yes, the overall design of the programme prepares participants for careers involving ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), especially for the Social and Environmental aspects of ESG. There is also a focused elective course, ‘Introduction to ESG’, in the PGPDM curriculum in the last term.
Yes. The programme is very relevant for the public sector and officials working in the arena of social policies, welfare and development. The programme also prepares non-government officials who have to or intend to work with government or public policies on the design or implementation of social policies/programmes. The curriculum features two exclusive courses, ‘Understanding Society and Government,’ and an elective, ‘Public Policy: Formulation, Implementation and Analysis,’ preparing professionals for such roles.
For experienced professionals already in NGOs, foundations, social enterprises, or corporate CSR, this programme equips you to step into higher-level management, strategic planning, and directorial positions. After completing PGPDM, many participants have taken up CXO level positions, founded their own organisations or brought paradigm shifts in their organisations by scaling their programmes, designing new programmes or mobilising higher levels of funding.
Those who come from social impact funds and consultancies find themselves better positioned for senior advisory and leadership roles where they can drive large-scale funding initiatives and optimise social returns. Public sector and government officials gain the expertise to take on key policymaking and programme oversight roles within social welfare and development departments.
However, career advancement is not the only goal of PGPDM; what makes a real difference in the career trajectories of the graduates is their newly built capacity to correctly define social problems, design solutions, find funding and implement the solutions well, and if required or desired, build innovative models and organisations.
