Top PGDM HR Colleges in India 2025: Courses, Fees & Career Scope

Human resource management is one of the most demanded PGDM specializations among recruiters. Students who are confused about which specialization to choose for their PGDM can definitely consider human resources, as it provides great opportunities to work as a general HR manager, learning & development manager and Talent Acquisition Specialist. 

XLRI, TISS, MDI and IMS are the top PGDM HR colleges in India. Most of these colleges are completely autonomous and are approved by AICTE. 

The total fees of these colleges start from INR 64 thousand to INR 18.67 lakh, giving students a wide range to choose from. After completing the PGDM HR program from these esteemed colleges, candidates can apply to the HR positions in the top companies of India and secure a placement package of INR 8 to 20 LPA. Now that the companies are focusing more on the employees’ skill development, mental health and work-life balance, the demand for PGDM HR will also increase. So, anyone who is planning to pursue PGDM should consider specializing in human resource management.  

Best PGDM HR Colleges in India 2025

Below is the list of top PGDM Colleges in India offering HR specialization for students

1. XLRI Jamshedpur

Xavier School of Management, which was previously known as the Xavier Labour Relation Institute and was established in 1949. It is approved by ACITE and has also received recognition through AIU. Currently, it’s offering PGDM courses in a range of specializations, including human resources management. The fees for this course cost INR 14.4 lakh. This institute was ranked at the 10th position in the management category of the NIRF 2025 rankings, making it one of the best private colleges to study human resource management during their MBA. 

2. TISS Mumbai

 The Tata Institute of Social Sciences was established in 1936 and is considered one of the most popular institutions for higher education in social sciences and management studies. It is a deemed university recognized by the UGC. The institute offers an executive PGDM in Human Resource Management. The total fee for this programme is approximately INR 64 thousand, making it one of the most affordable options among top institutes. 

3. MDI Gurgaon

Management Development Institute Gurgaon is one of India’s leading private business schools. It was established in 1973. This institute was approved by AICTE and got accreditation from organizations such as AMBA, AACSB, and NBA. Among its flagship offerings, the institute provides a full-time PGDM in Human Resource Management. The fee for the programme is around INR 18.67 lakh. Ranked 13th in the NIRF 2025 management category, MDI Gurgaon is consistently rated as one of the top institutes in India for aspirants seeking a specialized career in human resource management.

4. IMT Ghaziabad 

The Institute of Management Technology Ghaziabad is a top private management institute known for its industry-driven curriculum. The institute offers a PGDM in Human Resource Management, which focuses on people management, organizational development, and HR analytics. The fee for the PGDM HR course is approximately INR 10.03 lakh. 

5. IMS Ghaziabad

The Institute of Management Studies was established in 1990 and is approved by AICTE. It offers a PGDM in Human Resource Management, structured to prepare students for positions such as talent acquisition, employee relations, organizational development, and HR analytics. The total fee for the programme is around INR 9.5 lakh, making it one of the more affordable options for management aspirants.

PGDM Human Resource Management Courses & Curriculum

Let’s understand the curriculum of the PGDM HR course by the example of IMI Delhi. The curriculum is divided between compulsory and elective courses and a summer internship program. In the first year of the program, students will study the basic management topics such as marketing, finance, HR and operations. Apart from these streams, students will also study subjects such as economics, IT and quantitative methods to provide them with the analytical abilities that are required for managing human resources in a corporate. This well-balanced curriculum not only equips students for human resource management roles but also provides them with knowledge of other departments for a better understanding of the entire business administration. 

PGDM Human Resource Management Core Courses

Courses – OB/HR Area	Courses – Other Areas
Organizational Behaviour – I	Managerial Economics
Organizational Behaviour – II	Macro-Economic Theory & Policy
HR Systems & Processes	CSR and Sustainable Development
Human Resource Planning (Recruitment & Selection)	Principles and Practices of Corporate Governance
Learning & Development	Management of Accounting
Performance Management Skills	Corporate Finance
Compensation and Reward Management	Marketing Management
Competency Management & Assessment Centre	Quantitative Techniques for HR
Employee Relations and Management of Unions	Operations Management
Employee Relations: Legal Framework – I	Research Methodology for HR
Employee Relations: Legal Framework – II	Information Technology for Decision Making
HR Analytics (Metrics & Measurement of HR)	Human Resource Information Systems
Strategic HRM	Strategy Formulation and Implementation
Management of Change	Managerial Communication – I & II
International HRM & Cross-Cultural Management

Top PGDM HR Colleges in India Fees

PGDM is one of the most expensive degrees in India, usually even costing more than an MBA. In accordance with Collegehai, the fees of top PGDM HR colleges such as XLRI Jamshedpur, MDI Gurgaon and IMT Ghaziabad’s postgraduate diploma course in human resource management specialization range from INR 9 lakh to INR 18 lakh. There are some colleges such as the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, that offer the same course for a fee that costs as little as INR 64 Thousand. Providing a very affordable option to students who want to study management. 

College	Duration	Fees
XLRI Jamshedpur	2 years	INR 14.4 Lakh
TISS Mumbai	2 years	INR 64 Thousand
MDI Gurgaon	2 years	INR 18.67 Lakh
IMT Ghaziabad	2 years	INR 10.03 Lakh
IMS Ghaziabad	2 years	INR 9.5 Lakh

Career Scope After PGDM HR

Human Resource Management provides an excellent career path in many sectors including IT, Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance. Graduates can pursue Managerial or Strategic roles such as HR Manager, Talent Acquisition, HR Business Partners, Learning & Development Manager and play a key role in shaping organizational culture and improving employee performance. Skilled HR professionals are expected to be more in demand and salaries will be in the range of INR 8 to INR 20 LPA. Also, some of the most prestigious or reputable organizations will pay beyond this salary range with top colleges offering the highest salaries. As well, in the future, we should see more demand for skilled HR professionals with the increasing hybrid working culture and focus on the mental health of employees. PGDM HR is a rewarding career choice, and will complement being future-ready.

MBA HR vs PGDM HR

MBA HR and PGDM HR have similar curricula and are usually considered of the same value among recruiters, but they do have some major differences. One of the major differences is that MBA HR focuses more on theoretical knowledge, whereas PGDM HR puts more emphasis on industry trends and practical skills that are required for working in the corporate world. That’s why candidates pursuing PGDM HR need to focus more on case studies, live projects and internships. Candidates interested in knowing the difference between MBA HR and PGDM HR can read the table below for more information.   

Feature	MBA HR	PGDM HR
Affiliation	University-affiliated degree	AICTE-approved diploma (autonomous institutes)
Orientation	More theoretical, academic, and research-driven	More practical, industry-focused, and skill-driven
Curriculum Updates	Relatively slower (depends on university regulations)	Frequent updates aligned with industry trends
Focus Area	Conceptual understanding, HR theories, and research	Real-world applications, case studies, and internships
Recognition	Globally recognized as a master’s degree	Highly valued in the corporate sector; considered equivalent to MBA in India
Career Path	Suitable for research, academics, Ph.D., and corporate HR roles	Preferred for corporate HR roles, consulting, and leadership positions
Industry Adaptability	Moderate adaptability due to traditional approach	High adaptability, designed to meet current market demands
Examples of Institutes	Delhi University, TISS, BHU	XLRI Jamshedpur, MDI Gurgaon, IMT Ghaziabad

Conclusion:

Taking admission to the PGDM program in Human Resource Management is an excellent choice for students who want to build careers in people management, organizational development and HR strategy.  Its curriculum that combines theory with practical exposure, this program prepares graduates to take up impactful roles across. Top institutes such as XLRI Jamshedpur, TISS Mumbai, and MDI Gurgaon offer this course in a fee range starting from INR 64 thousand to INR 18 lakhs. Compared to an MBA, the PGDM in HR focuses more on getting industry experience and evolving with changing market trends. As big companies such as TATA, Google and Accenture continue to focus on talent acquisition, employee engagement and workplace well-being of the employees, the demand for skilled HR professionals is set to rise further. 

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