MDI Gurgaon Executive PGDM Public Policy: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Q: How do the new HR programs of IIM Ranchi, NMIMS, and XIMB measure up to the established ones of XLRI, TISS, MDI and SCMHRD?

The simple answer to your question is no, the new HR programs of IIM Ranchi, NMIMS, or XIMB are not at par with the established ones XLRI, TISS, MDI, and SCMHRD. The established programs especially that of XLRI are the epitome of HR programs. They cannot be compared to the new ones at any given level or parameter. Faculty: The professors of XLRI are renowned throughout the industry for their competency. They specialize in almost every domain one can think of be it Law, Competency Modeling, Compensation, or Performance Management. Peers: It’s the cream students who get the opportunity to get into a prestigious college like XLRI. You can see tough competition between the finest students at college. Every individual has a valuable opinion and stands to contradict others. Their thinking pattern is broad and given a case study, they look at all angles from accounting to finance to laws while proposing the solution. The situation at TISS is also quite similar. Now one can say that the curriculum can be replicated and learned faculty can be sought to match the quality of the HR program at these institutes. But the truth is faculty and curriculum are the main but not the only factors that determine an institute's worth. Its own culture, ethics, and background have a lot to do with the programs it offers. So one cannot match XLRIs programs no matter how much they try.

Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated 3+ months ago

The Post Graduate Diploma in Management - Public Policy and Management (PGDM-PPM) at Management Development Institute (MDI) Gurgaon is an 18-month full-time residential programme, AICTE-approved and supported by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India. Launched in 2006, the programme is designed for middle and senior-level government officers, public policy professionals, and working executives from NGOs, multilateral agencies, and consulting firms. The total programme fee for the 2026 batch is INR 16,70,000 (inclusive of tuition, boarding, lodging, learning material, library, and student activities), with a seat intake of 30 students. The programme is primarily sponsored by DoPT for government officers, with a limited number of self-sponsored seats available. It is widely regarded as one of India's premier programmes for public policy and governance education.

Admissions for the PGDM-PPM 2026-28 batch have been completed (classes commenced September 11, 2026). The 2027-29 batch admission dates are yet to be officially announced. Based on the previous year's schedule, applications for the 2027-29 batch are expected to open around April-May 2027, with a deadline around July 2027 and classes commencing around September 2027. Candidates are advised to monitor the official MDI Gurgaon website (mdi.ac.in) and the DoPT website (dopt.gov.in) for the latest updates.

Key Points

One of India's most prestigious public policy management programmes, supported by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India.
Primarily designed for Group 'A' government officers (IAS, IPS, IFS, Central Services) sponsored by DoPT; limited self-sponsored seats also available.
18-month residential programme: 15 months of coursework at MDI Gurgaon campus, followed by 3 months for a Policy Paper/Dissertation at the participant's workplace.
Curriculum covers public policy, governance, law, project management, public finance, infrastructure, sustainable development, economics, and leadership.
Unique features include a one-week Village Immersion programme and a Community of Practice interface with policy experts and alumni.
Alumni network of 250+ senior officers representing 22 Ministries/Organisations and State Governments from 12 services.
Awards: Director's Gold Medal (highest CGPA) and School of Public Policy and Governance Gold Medal (second highest CGPA).
Participants complete 36 courses carrying 106.5 credits over 7 terms.

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Fees
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FAQs

MDI Gurgaon PGDM-PPM Fees

The total programme fee for PGDM-PPM 2026 batch is INR 16,70,000, which is an all-inclusive fee covering tuition, boarding, lodging (double occupancy), NGO/Industrial visit, learning material, library, student activities, alumni fee, and a refundable security deposit. Single occupancy is available at an additional INR 2,99,600. The fee is payable in three instalments. Note: The 2027 batch fee is subject to revision; the figures below are based on the 2026 batch.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Tuition Fees	11,10,000
Boarding Charges	1,32,450
Lodging Charges (Double Occupancy)	1,65,500
NGO / Industrial Visit	70,000
Learning Material Fee	76,000
Student Activities	32,000
Library Fee	42,250
Alumni Fee	14,300
Security Deposit (Refundable)	27,500
Total Fee	16,70,000
Single Occupancy (Additional, Optional)	2,99,600

Security deposit of INR 27,500 is refundable at the end of the programme.
Single occupancy room is available at an additional cost of INR 2,99,600 over and above the total fee.
Fee is subject to revision for the 2027 batch; MDI Gurgaon reserves the right to revise fees with due notice.
DoPT-sponsored candidates: fees are typically borne by the sponsoring ministry/department as per government rules.

Payment Schedule (2026 Batch - General/Self-Sponsored Participants)

Instalment	Period	Amount (INR)
1st Instalment	At the time of admission (by September 2026)	4,00,000
2nd Instalment	November 15-25, 2026	6,55,775
3rd Instalment	February 15-25, 2027	6,14,225
Total		16,70,000

MDI Gurgaon PGDM-PPM Admission 2026

The PGDM-PPM programme admits candidates through two streams: DoPT-sponsored government officers and self-sponsored candidates. The 2026-28 batch admissions have been completed. The 2027-29 batch admission schedule is expected to be announced around April-May 2027. DoPT-sponsored candidates apply through the DoPT circular, while self-sponsored candidates apply directly through the MDI Gurgaon website. The selection process involves shortlisting based on entrance exam scores and work experience, followed by a Personal Interview.

PGDM-PPM Admission Dates

Event	DoPT-Sponsored	Self-Sponsored
Application Opens	April 17, 2026	April 2026 (tentative)
Application Deadline	July 31, 2026	July 27, 2026
Personal Interview	July 30-31, 2026	July 30, 2026
Result Notification	July 31, 2026	July 31, 2026
Induction/Orientation (Online)	August 1, 2026	August 1, 2026
Commencement of Classes	September 11, 2026	September 11, 2026

Note: 2027-29 batch dates are yet to be announced. Based on the previous year's pattern, applications are expected to open around April-May 2027 with a deadline around July 2027.

Entrance Exam Dates (Accepted for PGDM-PPM - Self-Sponsored Candidates)

Exam	Registration Period	Exam Date	Result Date
CAT 2026	August 1 - September 20, 2026	November 30, 2026	December 24, 2026
XAT 2027	July 10 - December 5, 2026	January 4, 2027	January 16, 2027
CMAT 2027	October 17 - November 24, 2026	January 25, 2027	February 13, 2027
MAT (Feb Session)	December 25, 2026 onwards	PBT: March 1, 2027 / CBT: March 8, 2027	PBT: March 14, 2027 / CBT: March 18, 2027
GMAT	Rolling (year-round)	Year-round	Immediate (score valid 5 years)
ATMA	Multiple sessions	Multiple sessions	As per session

Note: DoPT-sponsored candidates do not require entrance exam scores. Self-sponsored candidates need a valid score in any one of: GMAT, CAT, XAT, MAT, ATMA, or CMAT.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

For DoPT-Sponsored Candidates:

Officers of All India Services, Central Services (organised and non-organised, technical and non-technical), faculty of State Administrative Training Institutes, and State Civil Services officers.
Must have completed 5 years of Group 'A' service as on commencement of the programme.
Must have at least 3 years of remaining service after completion of the programme.
Should not have undergone a training programme of 12 weeks or more duration in India during the preceding 5 years.

For Self-Sponsored Candidates:

Minimum 50% marks (or equivalent CGPA) in Class X, Class XII, and Bachelor's degree.
Minimum 3-year Bachelor's degree from a UGC-recognised institution.
Minimum 3 years of post-qualification executive work experience.
Valid score in any one of: GMAT, CAT, XAT, MAT, ATMA, or CMAT.
Must be working in Central/State Government organisations, NGOs, multilateral agencies, consulting firms, or public policy-related fields.

Admission Process

DoPT-sponsored candidates: Apply through the DoPT circular; completed applications to be sent to the Section Officer (LTDP), DoPT, New Delhi, with a copy to the PPM Office at MDI Gurgaon.
Self-sponsored candidates: Submit the online application form at mdi.ac.in with a non-refundable application fee of INR 3,000 (inclusive of 18% GST).
Shortlisting is done based on entrance exam scores (for self-sponsored), work experience, and application details.
Shortlisted candidates are called for a Personal Interview (in-person at MDI Gurgaon campus or online).
Selected candidates receive an admission offer and must pay the first instalment by the given deadline.

MDI Gurgaon PGDM-PPM Scholarships 2026

The PGDM-PPM programme does not have a traditional scholarship structure as most participants are DoPT-sponsored government officers whose fees are borne by the government. For self-sponsored candidates, the following awards and recognition are available.

Awards and Recognition

Award	Eligibility	Benefit	When Awarded
Director's Gold Medal	Highest CGPA in the programme	Gold Medal (Prestigious Award)	At programme completion
School of Public Policy and Governance Gold Medal	Second highest CGPA in the programme	Gold Medal (Prestigious Award)	At programme completion

DoPT-sponsored candidates typically have their fees covered by the sponsoring ministry/department as per Government of India rules.
Self-sponsored candidates may explore government scholarships, employer sponsorship, or education loans.
No specific merit-cum-means scholarship has been publicly announced for PGDM-PPM; candidates should confirm with the PPM Office at ppmoffice@mdi.ac.in.

MDI Gurgaon PGDM-PPM FAQs

Ques. Is the PGDM-PPM at MDI Gurgaon only for government officers? Can private sector professionals apply?

Ans. The programme primarily targets government officers sponsored by DoPT. However, self-sponsored seats are available for working professionals from Central/State Government organisations, NGOs, multilateral agencies, consulting firms, and public policy-related fields. Private sector professionals without any public policy or governance background may find it difficult to qualify for self-sponsored seats.

Ques. What is the difference between DoPT-sponsored and self-sponsored admission to PGDM-PPM?

Ans. DoPT-sponsored candidates are government officers nominated by their ministries/departments through the DoPT circular. Their fees are typically borne by the government. Self-sponsored candidates apply directly through MDI Gurgaon, pay their own fees (INR 16,70,000), and must have a valid entrance exam score (CAT/GMAT/XAT/MAT/ATMA/CMAT). Both streams follow the same curriculum and residential requirements.

Ques. Is the PGDM-PPM a residential programme? Are government officers required to stay on campus?

Ans. Yes, the PGDM-PPM is a mandatory residential programme. All participants, including DoPT-sponsored government officers, are required to stay at the MDI Gurgaon campus during the 15-month coursework period. The final 3 months are for the Policy Paper/Dissertation, which can be done at the participant's workplace.

Ques. What is the Policy Paper component of PGDM-PPM? How is it evaluated?

Ans. The Policy Paper (also called Dissertation) is the final component of the 18-month programme, undertaken during the last 3 months at the participant's workplace. It involves converting knowledge gained during the programme into a usable form for national or local development, in the form of a White Paper. It is evaluated by a panel of experts and carries significant academic weight.

Ques. What career opportunities does PGDM-PPM open up for government officers?

Ans. For government officers, the PGDM-PPM enhances their understanding of public policy, governance, economics, and management, equipping them for senior leadership roles in government. Alumni include Joint Secretaries, Deputy Director Generals, Commandants, and other senior officials across various ministries and departments. The programme is particularly valuable for officers moving into policy-making, regulatory, or administrative leadership roles.

Ques. When are the 2027-29 batch admissions expected to open for PGDM-PPM?

Ans. The 2027-29 batch admission dates have not yet been officially announced. Based on the previous year's pattern (2026-28 batch: applications opened April 17, 2026, deadline July 31, 2026), the 2027-29 batch applications are expected to open around April-May 2027 with a deadline around July 2027. Candidates should monitor the MDI Gurgaon website (mdi.ac.in) and the DoPT website (dopt.gov.in) for official announcements.

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MDI Gurgaon: 3 Answered Questions

Is HR at MDI better than TISS/SCMHRD? Also, does XLRI offer the best course in HR?

Advait JoshiLives in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

It is hard to compare one specific major or stream but whatever is in the public domain the general ranking of these three colleges in HR domain quality-wise and RoI-wise is given below in a table.

Quality wise	RoI wise
XLRI	TISS
TISS	XLRI
SCMHRD	SCMHRD
MDI	MDI

Below is a table comparing these colleges on absolute numbers like fees, highest package, and average package.

Institution	Fees (approx.)	Highest Package	Average Salary	Median Package
XLRI	INR 26 lakhs	INR 1.1 CPA	INR 32.7 LPA	INR 30 LPA
TISS	INR 1.4 lakhs	INR 49 LPA	INR 27.22 LPA	INR 25.75 LPA
MDI	INR 23.5 lakhs	INR 60 LPA	INR 26.1 LPA	INR 26.13 LPA
SCMHRD	INR 22.1 lakhs	INR 67.60 LPA (International) INR 35.02 LPA (Domestic)	INR 23.71 LPA	INR 22 LPA

For HR domain XLRI is the best and RoI wise for HR domain TISS is the best.

What are the placement prospects for a NMP program from MDI Gurgaon?

Ashutosh AgarwalMBA from Management Development Institute, Gurgaon

The NMP program of MDI is a well-known program that was initiated in the year 1988. The program is best suitable for Young Managers. Coming to the placement part, most of the students choosing this program are sponsored by the company they were working at and hence have to join back their company once their program is completed.

The general placements are also decent with around 70% placement percentage. But placements depend mostly on the knowledge gained and implemented in your job. Your performance throughout the program determines your placement.

How do the new HR programs of IIM Ranchi, NMIMS, and XIMB measure up to the established ones of XLRI, TISS, MDI and SCMHRD?

Apoorv AshutoshFormer PhD Candidate at Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (2017–2020)

The simple answer to your question is no, the new HR programs of IIM Ranchi, NMIMS, or XIMB are not at par with the established ones XLRI, TISS, MDI, and SCMHRD. The established programs especially that of XLRI are the epitome of HR programs. They cannot be compared to the new ones at any given level or parameter.

Faculty: The professors of XLRI are renowned throughout the industry for their competency. They specialize in almost every domain one can think of be it Law, Competency Modeling, Compensation, or Performance Management.
Peers: It’s the cream students who get the opportunity to get into a prestigious college like XLRI. You can see tough competition between the finest students at college. Every individual has a valuable opinion and stands to contradict others. Their thinking pattern is broad and given a case study, they look at all angles from accounting to finance to laws while proposing the solution. The situation at TISS is also quite similar.

Now one can say that the curriculum can be replicated and learned faculty can be sought to match the quality of the HR program at these institutes. But the truth is faculty and curriculum are the main but not the only factors that determine an institute's worth. Its own culture, ethics, and background have a lot to do with the programs it offers.

So one cannot match XLRIs programs no matter how much they try.

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