Direct Admission in Great Lakes Chennai | Management Quota
Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai, popularly known as GLIM Chennai, is a premier private business school established in 2004, securing the 37th position in NIRF Management 2025 rankings. AACSB-accredited and approved by AICTE and NBA, Great Lakes Institute Chennai holds strong global associations. The Great Lakes Chennai campus in Kanchipuram features modern classrooms, residential facilities, and Wi-Fi-enabled infrastructure for experiential learning.
GLIM Chennai offers admission to the Postgraduate Programme in Management (PGPM), Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM), Executive PGPM (PGXPM), PGPM FLEX, Corporate learning Programmes and Certification in Digital Marketing. Admission to these courses is based on CAT/XAT/CMAT scores. The executive-level courses also require work experience.
Great Lakes Chennai Highlights
Great Lakes Chennai was founded in 2004 by the late Prof Bala Balachandran. The institute aims to impart a global mindset with Indian roots. The key details about GLIM Chennai are mentioned below:
| Year of Establishment | 2004 |
| Type of University | Private |
| Accreditations | SAQS, NBA, AMBA |
| Approvals | AICTE |
| Campus Area | 27 acres |
| Admission Criteria | Entrance & Merit Based |
| Infrastructure Facilities | Cafeteria, Sports Complex, Hostel, Hospital / Medical Facilities, etc |
| Location | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
Great Lakes Chennai Courses and Fees
GLIM Chennai’s programme portfolio covers six management and certificate offerings from full-time residential to part-time executive and short-duration certificates. The flagship PGPM at INR 23.50 Lakhs includes accommodation, making it a all-in cost for the one-year programme. The PGDM at INR 22.50 Lakhs is spread over two years at roughly INR 11.25 Lakhs per year.
| Course | Duration | Eligibility | Total Fees (Indian) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGPM | 1 year | Graduation + 2 years work experience + CAT/XAT/GMAT/NMAT | INR 23.50 Lakhs (incl. accommodation) |
| PGPM (Family Business and Entrepreneurship) | 1 year | Graduation + 2 years work experience | INR 23.50 Lakhs |
| PGDM | 2 years | Graduation with 50% + CAT/XAT/GMAT/NMAT/CMAT | INR 22.50 Lakhs |
| Executive PGPM | 15 months (hybrid) | Graduation + substantial work experience + GMAT/GRE | INR 12.97 Lakhs |
| PGPM Flex | Modular | Working professionals | INR 9.85 Lakhs |
| Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing | Short-duration | Open | INR 2 Lakhs per year |
NRI and international students pay INR 36.47 Lakhs for the PGPM. The PGPM accommodation (single AC room with all vegetarian meals) is bundled inside the total and carries no separate invoice. Non-vegetarian meal options are available at an additional charge at the mess counter.
PGPM (One Year MBA) vs PGDM (Two Year MBA): Which one should an experienced professional pursue?
Many of us are attracted towards the prospect of earning an MBA within one year by pursuing a PGPM (Post Graduate Program in Management), instead of investing two years in a conventional MBA program, also known across B-Schools in India as the PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management). There are now many institutes and universities in the US and Europe that offer one-year full time MBA programs for professionals, taking in the best of these experienced professionals and training them to take up managerial and leadership roles.
Core Differences at a Glance:
| Feature | PGPM (Post Graduate Program in Management) | PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management) |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year (accelerated, 7 terms) | 2 years (traditional format) |
| Target Audience | Experienced professionals seeking fast-track career growth | Fresh graduates and early-career professionals |
| Work Experience | Mandatory (Minimum 2+ years of full-time experience) | Not mandatory (Freshers can apply, though up to 3 years is accepted) |
| Internships | Focuses on a Live Industry Project instead of a summer internship | Includes a mandatory Summer Internship |
| Pace & Rigor | Highly intense and fast-paced, skipping basic concepts since peers already have industry exposure | A more traditional, comprehensive timeline with foundational coursework |
PGDM Fee Structure 2027-29
| Program & Academic Fees | INR |
| Tuition Fee | 10,25,000 |
| Program Fee | 5,78,000 |
| Total Fees | 16,03,000 |
| Others | |
| Accommodation Charges (Twin AC) | 6,32,000 |
| Caution Deposit (Refundable) | 10,000 |
| Alumni Subscription | 5,000 |
| Total Fees | 22,50,000 |
Note:
- Tuition fee is inclusive of reading material, including case studies, textbooks and online resources
- The program is duly approved by AICTE
- Students are compulsorily required to have their own laptop as per institute specifications
- Given that the program is residential in nature, hostel facility is mandatory
- Students will typically be provided with twin-sharing air-conditioned accommodation. However, based on availability, Triple Sharing AC accommodation may be allocated at the discretion of the Institute in the first year and in such cases the charges would be lower and the difference will be refunded prorated for the number of terms for which such allocation is done.
- Certain non-academic aspects like housing services, & catering services, etc., may be outsourced at the discretion of the Institution and the related charges are paid to the respective service providers on behalf of students with the Institute facilitating and coordinating these services
- All meals (vegetarian) are included in the above fees; non-vegetarian food is optional and will be charged extra
- Refund Policy: As per AICTE norms
- Disputes whatsoever arising, if any, with the Institution / Service provider as the case may be will be subject to the jurisdiction of courts in Chennai only
PGPM Fee Structure 2027-29
| Program & Academic Fees | Indian Students (INR) | International Students (USD) |
| Tuition Fee | 12,43,000 | 21,050 |
| Program Fee | 6,96,000 | 12,300 |
| Total Fees | 19,39,000 | 33,350 |
| Others | ||
| Accommodation Charges (Single AC) | 3,96,000 | 7,700 |
| Caution Deposit (Refundable) | 10,000 | 300 |
| Alumni Subscription | 5,000 | 100 |
| Total Fees | 23,50,000 | 41,450 |
Note:
- Tuition fee is inclusive of reading material, including case studies, text books and online resources
- The program is duly approved by AICTE
- Students are compulsorily required to have their own laptops as per institute specifications
- Given that the program is residential in nature, hostel facility is mandatory
- Students will be provided with single room accommodation based on their order of acceptance; twin sharing accommodation will be provided for whom single room allocation is not available and a part of the fee would be refunded in such cases
- Certain non-academic aspects like housing services, & catering services, etc., may be outsourced at the discretion of the Institution and the related charges are paid to the respective service providers on behalf of students with the institute facilitating and coordinating these services
- All meals (vegeterian) are included in the above fees; non-vegetarian food is optional and will be charged extra
- Refund Policy: As per AICTE norms
- Disputes whatsoever arising, if any, with the Institution/Service provider as the case may be will be subject to jurisdiction of courts in Chennai only
Fees Related Questions: Quick Answers
➣ What is the total fee for the PGDM Course?
The total fee for the PGDM Class of 2027–29 is Rs 22.50 lakhs.
| Fee Component | Amount (INR) |
| Tuition & Academic Fee | 10,25,000 |
| Program Fee | 5,78,000 |
| Accommodation Charges (Twin Sharing AC) | 6,32,000 |
| Refundable Caution Deposit | 10,000 |
| Alumni Subscription Fee | 5,000 |
| Total Program Fee | 22,50,000 |
➣ What does the PGDM program fee include and exclude?
The PGDM fee covers:
- Tuition and academic expenses
- Case studies, textbooks, and online learning resources
- Twin-sharing AC accommodation
- Vegetarian meals
- Access to campus facilities and student services
- Alumni membership
The fee does not include:
- Personal laptop expenses
- Optional non-vegetarian meals
- Personal travel and miscellaneous expenses
➣ What is the refund policy if I withdraw from the PGDM program?
The PGDM refund policy is governed by AICTE norms and guidelines. Any refund request will be processed as per the applicable AICTE regulations at the time of withdrawal.
➣ What is the fee structure for the PGDM program?
The total fee for the Great Lakes PGDM program is Rs 22,50,000.
The academic fee (tuition fee + program fee) is Rs 16,03,000. Other charges (twin-sharing AC accommodation, refundable caution deposit, and alumni subscription) amount to Rs 6,47,000.
➣ What is the total fee structure for the MBA in Entrepreneurship and Family Business course?
The total fee for the PGPM – Family Business & Entrepreneurship is Rs 23,50,000.
The academic fee (tuition fee + program fee + international immersion program fee) is Rs 20,11,000. Other charges (twin-sharing AC accommodation, refundable caution deposit, and alumni subscription fee) amount to Rs 3,39,000.
PGPM Applications Are Open 2027-28
( PGDM 2027-29 applications are expected to open in December 2026 once CAT 2026 scores are announced )
GLIM Chennai’s PGPM 2027-28 applications are open. Candidates using CAT 2026 (exam November 29, 2026) and XAT 2027 (exam January 3, 2027) scores may apply for PGPM. PGDM 2027-29 applications are expected to open in December 2026 once CAT 2026 scores are announced.
| Event | Date (PGPM 2027-28 Cycle) |
|---|---|
| PGPM Applications Open | Open now (August 2026) |
| CAT 2026 Registration Closes | September 15, 2026 |
| XAT 2027 Registration Closes | December 6, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam | November 29, 2026 |
| XAT 2027 Exam | January 3, 2027 |
| PGPM Personal Interview | January to March 2027 (Tentative) |
| PGPM Offers | February to April 2027 (Tentative) |
| PGPM Commencement | July 2027 (Tentative) |
PGDM Placement Report
The PGDM class of 2026 at Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai, concluded a successful placement season with participation from marquee recruiters such as Accenture Strategy, Bain, BNY Mellon, Deloitte, Cisco, EY, Dell, Standard Chartered, ITC, JPMorgan Chase, Mahindra & Mahindra, MakeMyTrip, Mastercard, Swiggy, Wells Fargo and Infosys Consulting, along with 30+ new recruiters including PwC, Citi, Lenskart, Capgemini, ICICI Securities, Kotak Bank, Michelin, Moody’s and Wipro, demonstrating sustained industry confidence in Great Lakes.
The batch secured an average CTC of 15 lakhs, while the highest CTC stood at 40 lakhs. With 55+ regular recruiters continuing to hire from the campus alongside the new recruiting organisations, the placement season provided students with opportunities across a wide spectrum of industries, functions, and career pathways.
Students secured opportunities across a diverse range of high-impact roles, including Business Consultant, Executive Strategist, Senior Project Associate, Senior Financial Data Analyst, AVP – Business Strategy & Operations, Global Finance & Business Manager, Associate Product Owner, Senior Consultant – Internal Audit & Financial Advisory and Analytics Consultant. BFSI emerged as the largest recruiting industry with 37% of offers, followed by Business Consulting at 17% and Technology & Product at 12%. Tech Consulting, IT/ITES, Manufacturing, Automobile, Fintech, Healthcare, Real Estate, Travel & Tourism, Quick Commerce, Energy, Retail, and Strategy Consulting further contributed to the diversity of career opportunities.
Key Highlights
■ Deloitte, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., ICICI Bank and PwC made the highest number of offers
■ Participation from 30+ new recruiters, including PwC, Citi, Capgemini, ICICI Securities, Kotak Bank, Lenskart, Michelin, Moody’s and Wipro
■ Students secured diverse roles across Finance, Sales & Marketing, General Management, Business Consulting, Analytics, Technology, Product Management, Strategy and Operations
■ Average CTC offered to the class of 2026 was 15 lakhs per annum
■ Highest CTC offered was 40 lakhs per annum by a multinational BFSI firm
PGDM 2024-26 PARTICIPATING COMPANIES*
| Accenture Strategy | Axis Bank | Bain |
| Bluestone | BNY Mellon | Capgemini |
| Cisco | Citi | Cognizant |
| Dell | Deloitte India | Deloitte USI |
| EY | Federal Bank | Ford |
| Gartner | Godrej Properties | HCL Technologies |
| HDFC Ergo | Himalaya Wellness | ICICI Securities |
| Infosys Consulting | ITC | JPMorgan Chase |
| Kotak Bank | Lenovo | Lenskart |
| LTM Limited | Mahindra & Mahindra | MakeMyTrip |
| Mastercard | Michelin Tyres | Moody’s Analytics |
| PWC | Standard Chartered Bank | Swiggy |
| Tiger Analytics | Wells Fargo | Wipro |
Great Lakes Chennai Alumni
Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai has an Alumni Association with more than 10,500 alumni members. Great Lakes Chennai alumni are present in over 30 countries. Out of the 10,500 alumni members, more than 300 alumni hold CXO or senior management positions at various businesses and organisations.
The following list includes some of Great Lakes Chennai’s notable alumni.
| Notable Alumni | Profession |
| Nivedita Krishnan | Digital Platform Manager at Deem Finance |
| Aparna Sharma | Director at Bain & Co. |
| Ajay Anand | Lead Product Manager at Walmart Global |
| Siddharth Asokan | Director-Global Marketing and Communications at Futurice |
| Allen Titto | Head-Business Consulting Group at ZS India |
Great Lakes Chennai Collaborations
Great Lakes Chennai has partnered with top international management schools to help students gain crucial business insights from a global perspective. Some of the Great Lake Chennai International collaborations are:
| Country | Partnering University |
| USA | University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC), University of Houston, IIT Stuart School of Business |
| France | Université De Bordeaux |
| China | HKUST Business School |
Great Lakes Chennai Direct Admission Helpline
If you have any doubts regarding the application process, eligibility criteria, etc., you can reach out to the Great Lakes Chennai admission office. The Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai admission helpline contact details are as follows.
| Great Lakes Chennai Admission Contact Details | |
| Address | Great Lakes Institute of Management, Dr. Bala V. Balachandar Campus, East Coast Road, Manamai Village, Thirukazhukundram Taluk, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu – 603102 |
| Phone | +9742479101 |
| Email ID | theace1guru@gmail.com |