{"id":767,"date":"2021-10-17T17:27:11","date_gmt":"2021-10-17T11:57:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/?p=767"},"modified":"2025-10-22T14:54:26","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T09:24:26","slug":"phd-fpm-efpm-pgdm-mba-msc-mtech-the-crystal-maze-demystified-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/2021\/10\/phd-fpm-efpm-pgdm-mba-msc-mtech-the-crystal-maze-demystified-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"PhD\/FPM\/EFPM, PGDM, MBA, MSc, MTech – “The Crystal Maze”\u200b demystified – Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Here is my attempt to demystify – “The Crystal Maze” of Indian Master’s degree \/ PGDM \/ EPGDM \/ MBA \/ Executive MBA & PhD \/ FPM \/ EFPM. “The Crystal Maze” was a TV series as described here: https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Crystal_Maze – the programme focused on teams of contestants, a mixed group of men and women, attempting a range of challenges to earn time required to help them complete one final challenge, which if completed successfully earns them a prize. – From Wikipedia page of the topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many students have questions around PGDM \/ EPGDM \/ MBA \/ MTech \/ PhD \/ FPM \/ EFPM and similar depending on their aims. Here are some notes for the questions that will drive you towards the answers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Where do you go for checking validity of PGDM \/ EPGDM in Full Time \/ Part Time \/ Online \/ Distance Learning mode – AICTE, UGC Distance Education Bureau websites<\/li>
  2. Where do you go to check if your PGDM is equivalent to a standard MBA – AIU website<\/li>
  3. Where do you go to check if your FPM \/ EFPM is equivalent to a PhD – AIU website<\/li>
  4. Where do you go to check validity of degrees from central universities \/ autonomous universities & institutions of eminence – UGC, AICTE, AIU & MHRD websites<\/li>
  5. Where do you check rankings of universities & institutes in India – NIRF<\/li>
  6. How do you do a PhD if your PGDM is not equivalent to MBA – Either go to IIMs, IITs, Government institutions & universities which are autonomous \/ institutions of eminence or universities in the advanced economies<\/li>
  7. What are the accreditations you should be checking – NAAC & NBA<\/li>
  8. What are the foreign accreditations that Indian institutes & universities participate in – QS world rankings, Times Higher Education rankings, there are more as well<\/li>
  9. What is triple crown – AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS – These are three accreditations which if a college \/ university \/ institute has they are called triple crown accredited<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    List of websites referred above:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. UGC – https:\/\/www.ugc.ac.in\/<\/li>
    2. MHRD – https:\/\/www.education.gov.in\/en<\/li>
    3. AICTE – https:\/\/www.aicte-india.org\/<\/li>
    4. AIU – https:\/\/www.aiu.ac.in\/<\/li>
    5. Triple crown – https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Triple_accreditation<\/li>
    6. NIRF – https:\/\/www.nirfindia.org\/Home<\/li>
    7. NAAC – http:\/\/www.naac.gov.in\/<\/li>
    8. NBA – https:\/\/www.nbaind.org\/<\/li>
    9. QS world rankings – https:\/\/www.topuniversities.com\/<\/li>
    10. UGC DEB – https:\/\/deb.ugc.ac.in\/<\/li>
    11. Times Higher Education Rankings – https:\/\/www.timeshighereducation.com\/world-university-rankings<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Email me: Neil@HarwaniSystems.in<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Here is my attempt to demystify – “The Crystal Maze” of Indian Master’s degree \/ PGDM \/ EPGDM \/ MBA […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":768,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[60],"tags":[180,181],"class_list":["post-767","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","tag-regulations","tag-ugc-aicte"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Education.jpg?fit=1920%2C1280&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7do02-cn","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":336,"url":"https:\/\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/universities-colleges-offering-courses-degrees-in-analytics-data-science-in-india-part-1\/","url_meta":{"origin":767,"position":0},"title":"Universities & Colleges offering courses & degrees in Analytics \/ Data Science in India – Part 1","author":"Neil Harwani","date":"August 14, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"BITS Pilani - Offering MSc in Analytics, MTech in Computer Science with specialization in Analytics IIM Calcutta, ISI Kolkata & IIT Kharagpur - PG Diploma in Business Analytics Great Lakes, Chennai - PGP in Analytics IIIT Bangalore - PGP in Analytics via UpGrad XLRI - Executive Program in Data Science\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Analytics"","block_context":{"text":"Analytics","link":"https:\/\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/category\/analytics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Analytics-3.png?fit=1200%2C1047&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Analytics-3.png?fit=1200%2C1047&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Analytics-3.png?fit=1200%2C1047&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Analytics-3.png?fit=1200%2C1047&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Analytics-3.png?fit=1200%2C1047&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":417,"url":"https:\/\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/2019\/02\/what-should-be-the-subjects-course-structure-for-teaching-data-analytics-data-science-in-mba\/","url_meta":{"origin":767,"position":1},"title":"What should be the subjects & course structure for teaching Data Analytics \/ Data Science in MBA?","author":"Neil Harwani","date":"February 12, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Data Science & Analytics including Operations \/ Decision Science are evolving fields which are in demand currently for various reasons. Most companies are experimenting and creating projects \/ products around analytics \/ data science. I am listing the subjects & courses that an MBA student should take to cover Data\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Analytics"","block_context":{"text":"Analytics","link":"https:\/\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/category\/analytics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Analytics2.jpg?fit=960%2C635&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Analytics2.jpg?fit=960%2C635&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Analytics2.jpg?fit=960%2C635&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Analytics2.jpg?fit=960%2C635&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":554,"url":"https:\/\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/2020\/02\/changes-in-indias-education-system-in-last-few-years\/","url_meta":{"origin":767,"position":2},"title":"Changes in India’s education system in last few years","author":"Neil Harwani","date":"February 15, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Institutions of Eminence declared - Complete autonomy\u00a0given to themUniversity status for IIMs, NITs, IIITs, AIIMS, etc. via Institutions of National Importance routeGraded autonomy for UGC affiliated institutions - Based on their accreditation score, they can offer online, distance courses and will have autonomy in academics, faculty recruitment, etc.\u00a0\u00a0Graded autonomy for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Education"","block_context":{"text":"Education","link":"https:\/\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/category\/education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Education.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Education.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Education.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Education.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1023,"url":"https:\/\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/2023\/01\/business-process-reengineering-with-a-fictional-information-technology-company\/","url_meta":{"origin":767,"position":3},"title":"Business Process Reengineering with a fictional Information Technology company","author":"Neil Harwani","date":"January 29, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Here is a fictional case study for a business process reengineering class exercise in MBA \/ PGDM \/ PGPM classroom. We look at the three phases of an IT founder driven successful startup. Typically, many startups go through these phases. Such examples can be found in many news articles related\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Business Process Re-engineering"","block_context":{"text":"Business Process Re-engineering","link":"https:\/\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/category\/business-process-re-engineering\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Credit: www.Pixabay.com","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/coffee-g24646cac8_1920.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/coffee-g24646cac8_1920.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/coffee-g24646cac8_1920.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/coffee-g24646cac8_1920.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/coffee-g24646cac8_1920.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1227,"url":"https:\/\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/2024\/02\/keywords-from-my-fpm-journey-part-1\/","url_meta":{"origin":767,"position":4},"title":"Keywords from my FPM journey – Part 1","author":"Neil Harwani","date":"February 18, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Some keywords from my FPM journey till now - Part 1 below (in no particular order): Regression Structural equation modelling Research design & methodology Questionnaire design Statistics Factor analysis Exploratory vs. confirmatory Formative vs. reflective constructs Latent variables Measurement scales Types of data Entrepreneurship theories Literature review HR & OB\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "FPM"","block_context":{"text":"FPM","link":"https:\/\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/category\/fpm\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/FPM_Journey.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/FPM_Journey.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/FPM_Journey.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/FPM_Journey.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/FPM_Journey.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1061,"url":"https:\/\/www.techandtrain.com\/blog\/2023\/05\/some-unique-courses-for-working-professionals-in-india-post-liberalization-reforms-in-education-part-1\/","url_meta":{"origin":767,"position":5},"title":"Some unique courses for working professionals in India post liberalization \/ reforms in education – Part 1","author":"Neil Harwani","date":"May 7, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Here with I am providing a list of unique courses that I have observed in India post liberalization \/ reforms in education. 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