In any social issues that we face in society, the more trained you are in management and development, the better you are equipped to tackle the issues. ISDM is an institute which conducts training to teach young minds with the right skills.
ISDM’s Post Graduate Program in Development Management is a unique management program specifically designed for application in the social development sector. It blends concepts, ideas and practices of development with management theories, combining in-class sessions with collaborative assignments and an on-field component.
The PGP-DM aims to develop a cadre of Management Professionals, specifically for Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and Social Purpose Organisations (SPOs), who can grapple with the complex context of social change and design interventions, to build, lead and manage organisations for sustainable social impact at scale.
- 22 Development Management core & elective courses and 10 workshops
- The only institute to use ‘bricoleuring’ in its pedagogy
- A foundation-building orientation-cum-induction term
- Access to the world’s best journals and other digital resources
- Plenaries, Hot Conversations and CEO Talks
- Personal Mastery for Development Leadership
- 2-week immersive field component called Realising India
- Unique Context-Based Collaborative Learning (CBCL) pedagogy
- 12 Harvard ManageMentor Courses covering Management topics
- Live Interactions with Eminent Speakers
- Specially curated Workshops
- Development Management Writing Centre along with the course ‘Writing in the Discipline’
- Mix of Courses in Development Management
- Special Capstone Project on Scale and Sustainability
As a Development Manager, you will be able to understand complex social issues and design interventions, and lead, manage and build sustainable organisations, with cultures and values for socially relevant teams, to create sustained and scalable impact.
Graduates from any stream, whether working professionals or freshers (with minimum of 60% marks in 10th and 12th boards), who are interested in pursuing a career and creating an impact in the Social sector, can apply for our PGP-DM program.
The minimum eligibility criteria for applying is an undergraduate degree in any discipline. This includes recent graduates, working professionals, as well as students in their final year (completing their Bachelor’s programs within July 2025).
No, it is not mandatory to have previous professional experience to be eligible to apply. However, it is recommended that you have some professional or volunteering experience, as it gives you an edge for selection.
No. The PGP-DM is a full-time on-campus program, and cannot be pursued online, or while working. Given the rigorous and highly collaborative nature of the program, all students are required to attend classes in person, at all times.
ISDM'S fully online admissions process has 4 simple stages:
Step 1 - Application Submission
Step 2 - Online Assessment
Step 3 - Personal Interview
Step 4 - Offer Roll Out
Step 2 - Online Assessment
Step 3 - Personal Interview
Step 4 - Offer Roll Out
Applications for admission into the PGP-DM program for the batch of 2025-26 open in January 2025, and the session starts from late July. If you’re interested in applying for the upcoming batch, please register your interest here.
Due to the limited number of seats in the cohort, applying early gives you better chances of securing admission. Additionally, due to the further limited seats for specific scholarships, early applicants inherently have better chances of securing higher scholarships (based on eligibility).
Application for admission to ISDM’s PGP-DM program is free of cost. If you are interested in applying, please Register Your Interest here. Once you register, you will receive a link to the online Application Form.
Registration & Application
ISDM ensures that at every stage of the Admission Process, the applicant receives detailed communication about the next stage, on their registered email ID. Applicants are encouraged to regularly check their email inbox (including the Spam/Promotion folder) to make sure that they are not missing any important updates. In case applicants require further assistance, they can always reach out to us at 9999788216.
Yes, applicants will receive communication with the latest information regarding the status of their application via email, at all stages during the Admission Process.
ISDM's Online Assessment consists of two test components:
a. Basic Analytical Test
This dynamic, adaptive and MCQ-based test assesses a candidate’s fundamental analytical capabilities, encompassing basic numerical ability, attention to detail, data interpretation skills, verbal reasoning, and spatial reasoning proficiency. This test comprises 25 questions, with a time-limit of 10 minutes.
b. SVAR - Spoken English Test
This adaptive audio-based (listening/speaking) test evaluates a candidate's proficiency in spoken English across areas including pronunciation, fluency, active listening, comprehension of spoken English, vocabulary, grammar, and articulation. This test comprises 38 questions across 6 sections, with a time-limit of 15 minutes.
The total duration of the Assessment comes to approx. 25 minutes. Together, these two components comprehensively gauge the candidate's linguistic and analytical competencies, ensuring a thorough preliminary evaluation of their readiness for the PGP-DM program at ISDM.
Once your application is short-listed, you will receive preparatory material on your registered email address. You may also find the same on your Application Dashboard. To better understand the assessment and the preparation required, you may also refer to this article on How to Prepare for ISDM's Online Assessment..
Once your application is short-listed, you will receive detailed instructions and guidelines for logging in to the Online Assessment portal. You may also find the same on your Application Dashboard.
The link for the Online Assessment will be active for 5 days from the receipt of the Online Assessment Link. Further details will be shared on your registered email, prior to the scheduled assessment date. Please note that once the Online Assessment is initiated, it must be completed in one attempt.
In case an applicant faces a technical glitch during the test, they are advised to reach out to the Test Technical Team through this link: Candidate Support immediately, or reach out to your assigned counsellor during working hours (9am to 6pm, from Monday to Saturday).
The Personal Interview will be conducted online. All the necessary information will be sent to shortlisted applicants on their registered email ID, prior to their scheduled Personal Interview date.
We will send a set of preparatory guidelines to help shortlisted candidates prepare for the Personal Interview round, prior to their scheduled interview date. If you do not receive the same after being shortlisted, please reach out to your assigned counsellor.
The fee structure at ISDM is as follows:
- An Enrolment-cum-Caution Deposit of INR 25,000 (twenty-five thousand) needs to be deposited to confirm your seat in the program. Caution Deposit is refundable after completion of the program.
- The Tuition Fee for the entire program is INR 7,50,000 (seven lakh and fifty thousand), payable in two equal instalments. This fee does not include any living/accommodation costs.
- The first instalment of the Tution Fee is to be paid in July, before the commencement of the program.
- The second instalment of the Tuition Fee is to be paid in January, roughly 6 months after the first instalment.
ISDM offers a diverse range of Scholarships (with limited seats) based on Merit, Need and Merit-cum-Need ranging from INR 2,50,000 to INR 7,50,000 (full waiver), as well as an option of Deferred Payment of up to INR 3,00,000. The eligibility for Scholarships is dependent on multiple factors, including the candidate’s academic records, financial conditions, and performance in ISDM’s Admission Process. The final decision regarding Scholarships and Deferred Payments rests solely with the Financial Assistance Committee.
Click here to know more about Financial Assistance options available.
The Enrolment-cum-Caution Deposit will be refunded on successful program completion and clearance of all dues, after deduction of applicable processing charges.
If a candidate withdraws their enrolment before the commencement of the program, the Enrolment-cum-Caution Deposit refund may (or may not) be refunded based on the nature of Scholarship availed:
Full Scholarship: No refund
Partial/No Scholarship: Partial refund after deduction of processing charges
Currently, ISDM does not have an on-campus accommodation facility. However, ISDM provides students with recommendations for verified, affordable accommodation options within a 5 km radius of the campus.ss
ISDM has 350+ placement partners in the sector, and the program’s latest cohorts (2022-23 and 2023-24) have a 100% placement record. While ISDM does not guarantee assured placements, our PGP-DM program prepares our graduates to excel in diverse roles within the sector. Our alumni have secured positions in reputed organisations, reflecting the program's success in equipping students for successful careers in social development.
The placement process at ISDM is essentially student-centric. The information that the students share in conversations with the Placement team all round the year helps the team understand their preferences and the type of roles and organisations that they are most inclined towards. Additionally, during the placement process, students are supported, guided and enabled till the end to apply for roles that resonate the most with them. This 'reverse' process is what makes the placements at ISDM unique.
Although an MSW (Master of Social Work) course and the PGP-DM are both designed to prepare students to work in the Social Sector, an MSW program is geared more towards familiarising students with field-work and working at the grass-root level, while the PGP-DM program teaches students management and leadership skills that are required to mentor teams working at the grass-root level.
An MSW program prepares you to work better on the ground, understand communities and issues, develop solutions, and implement them. On the other hand, ISDM’s PGP-DM teaches you to create world-class social organisations with appropriate strategy, structure, systems and processes. It also teaches you to put in place relevant networks, evaluation systems and a structure for monitoring progress. Students of PGP-DM master the ability to manage and lead a variety of Social Sector organisations, and successfully take up multiple roles that are indispensable for a thriving organisation in the sector.
Public Policy is a theoretical discipline that focuses on how government policies can impact the lives of the public at large, how policies can be implemented effectively, and the factors that impact the making of said policies. The PGP-DM, on the other hand, is more hands-on and designed to prepare students to work for the needs of the Social Sector. Students of PGP-DM gain practical exposure through Rural Immersion, Professional Learning Communities and various workshops, and go on to work in Think Tanks, Consultancies, Government organisations or International NGOs.
Development Studies is a theoretical discipline that examines social, economic, and political factors influencing development, focusing on understanding inequalities and promoting sustainable solutions. On the other hand, ISDM’s PGP-DM goes beyond theory, and imparts strategic management skills to design interventions, create sustainable SPOs, and lead impactful social change, bridging the gap between theory and practical implementation for tangible impact.