Throughout their careers, many leaders and professionals reach a point where they feel the need for increased leadership development, the ability to provide more strategic insights, and, of course, greater recognition for their achievements and hard work. A major decision that helps such individuals bridge this gap is choosing an Executive MBA. SPJIMR’s AICTE-approved, Post Graduate Programme in General Management (PGPGM-Executive) is well-suited for working professionals who aspire for leadership roles. This blog outlines how PGPGM is highly effective in bridging this gap and accelerating the career path.
Understanding the options
This is an important decision for any professional and one that merits careful thought and clarity. To begin, it is useful to understand what is meant by an executive MBA.
An Executive MBA/EMBA is typically designed for mid-career professionals, often with 4 to 15 years of experience, and focuses on strengthening leadership capability, strategic thinking, and general management skills. These programmes are usually modular and delivered in a weekend format, allowing participants to continue working while studying, and may include short, full-time immersion modules.
SPJIMR’s Post Graduate Programme in General Management (PGPGM-Executive) builds on this foundation with a structured, two-year weekend on-campus format that integrates academic rigour with practice-based learning. Designed for mid to senior managers, the programme enables participants to engage deeply with leadership and management challenges without stepping away from their professional roles. On successful completion, participants are awarded the AICTE-approved diploma, PGDM Executive Management Programme.
SPJIMR PGPGM: What it offers
The PGPGM programme at SPJIMR is an executive MBA that offers an ideal blend of a robust curriculum and format to enable professionals in their career journeys.
- Duration and format: 24 months, with on-campus sessions on alternate weekends.
- Eligibility: Minimum of 4 years of full-time work experience after graduation. (PGPGM participants have between 4 and 15+ years of experience.)
- Curriculum: What you’ll learn: Divided into four phases under the TLAP model (Teaching, Learning, Application, Project). Some highlights include:
- Foundations of Business
- Cross-Functional Integration
- Leadership and Strategy Development
- Decision-Making and Customisation
- Location and delivery: Offered at SPJIMR’s Mumbai and Delhi campuses. The weekend format allows professionals in or around those regions to participate without long relocations.
- Accreditation and recognition: SPJIMR has multiple accreditations. PGPGM is AMBA-accredited, while the institute is also accredited by AACSB and EQUIS.
- Peer group and diversity: The batch profile is quite diverse. For example, ~40% of participants have 12+ years of experience; there is representation from both manufacturing (~53%) and services (~47%) sectors and industries like BFSI, consulting, IT/ITES, consumer goods, etc.
Here is what participants had to say about the programme.
“Accelerated career growth” – Ms. Gargi Nadkarni, Consultant, Portfolio at Elpen Pharmaceuticals.
Ms. Nadkarni (batch 6 of PGPGM) shares how the programme has enhanced her strategic thinking and leadership skills, equipping her to navigate complex business challenges. “SPJIMR PGPGM has sharpened my critical thinking and business acumen skills, helping accelerate my career.”
Key advantages of PGPGM when exploring an executive MBA
Here are several differentiators where PGPGM has clear strengths:
| Advantage | What PGPGM offers | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| No career break | Alternate-weekend sessions enable you to continue working while studying. | Keeps income flowing, prevents loss of seniority, and means you can apply learning in real time. |
| Applied learning | The TLAP model emphasises the application of learning to one’s current work, capstone projects, etc. | Rather than just theory, you get to test and refine ideas in your working context. Improves relevance and retention. |
| Flexible customisation | Electives in modern topics (AI/ML, digital marketing, etc.), international business, and strategic electives. | Lets you tailor parts of the curriculum to your own interests and the changing business landscape. |
| Strong accreditation and institutional reputation | AMBA, AACSB, and EQUIS; SPJIMR is ranked #1 in India and among the FT Masters in Management top schools globally. | Accreditation ensures quality; rankings enhance both recognition by industry and peer perception. |
| Diverse peer learning | A significant percentage of the batch comprises senior executives with more than 8 years of work experience across diverse industries and sectors. | Learning from peers often exposes you to different perspectives, useful when dealing with real cross-functional or cross-industry challenges. |
| On-campus sessions | These enhance the learning experience with direct interaction with faculty both inside and outside the classroom. | It allows for more effective hands-on exercises and group work. |
Who is PGPGM best suited for
Given all this, PGPGM makes strong sense for professionals who:
Have 4-15+ years of experience and are looking to level up to leadership or general management roles.
Do not wish to quit their jobs and attend a full-time programme.
Want a mix of academic rigour, deep leadership development offerings and real workplace application.
Wish to stay connected with their employer, industry, and current responsibilities while learning.
Want to broaden their skillset (digital, analytics, sustainability, leadership), but also desire flexibility and a cost-effective investment.
If your goal is to move to higher roles or switch from technical to business roles, then you can look into the programme carefully. PGPGM is worth it mainly for professionals who want to grow, pivot or accelerate their professional journeys without taking a career break.
“Groundbreaking leadership learning” – Mr. Amardeep Singh, Vice President of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.
Mr. Singh (batch 6 of PGPGM) shares how the programme has deepened his leadership capabilities and provided strategic insights relevant to his role.
Is PGPGM the smarter route?
If you are a mid-career professional seeking serious growth without losing momentum, the SPJIMR PGPGM offers an excellent balance of academic rigour, relevance, flexibility, and cost. Designed for professionals who believe leadership is shaped through practice, not pauses, this Executive MBA enables learning alongside work. The PGPGM programme supports experienced managers in stepping into thoughtful leadership roles, without stepping away from their careers. Learn more here.
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