There are a number of reasons why professionals in the making, or seasoned professionals
for that matter, choose the online learning pathway. They may be working full-time with no room for an on-campus presence. They might not be able to afford on-campus learning.
The tuition fee for a two-year PG diploma at the Symbiosis Center for Distance Learning is
approximately INR 65,000 on an average in 2025 where as a regular on-campus PG
qualification can run into lacs at many top Indian universities. Ivy League India is seriously
dedicated to conducting an in-depth assessment of your profile with a view to
recommending the online learning option that best meets your needs.
Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL), located in Pune in the western Indian state of
Maharashtra, is one of India’s most reputed and acclaimed online learning institutes. It is a member
of the Symbiosis Group which also manages Symbiosis International University. The Center is
especially known for its AICTE approved PG Diploma in Business Administration (PGDBA). The
diploma is treated as an MBA equivalent for working professionals across India and abroad. It
welcomes students from all over the world as long as the student meets the clearly defined eligibility
requirements for admission to the various programs the Center offers.
Established in 2001 under the Symbiosis umbrella, it serves over two lakh learners through flexible,
technology-enabled programs across business, IT, banking, healthcare and other disciplines of
learning.
The Center offers over 70 UG, PG and certificate qualifications in more than 29 specializations,
including Business Management, International Business, IT, Banking and Finance, Supply Chain, CRM
and Insurance. The PGDBA offers a deep dive into six core areas: Marketing, Finance, HR,
Operations, Management Accounting, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM).
SCDL permits students to opt for a dual specialization. This is particularly popular for those looking to
pivot roles-- for example, an engineer taking on a finance + operations mix to move into supply chain
leadership.
Beyond the PGDBA, SCDL offers specialized diplomas in Data Science, Cyber Security, Supply Chain
Management, and even Educational Administration, addressing the specific upskilling needs of the
modern workforce.
While the postgraduate diplomas in business are of two years duration, other diplomas can be of either one year or two years duration. Please ask Ivy League India to check for you and we will revert promptly.
The Center’s postgraduate programs, including PGDBA, are approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE,) an important recognition for distance education in India. In the Outlook ICARE 2025 rankings, the Center was ranked No. 1 among b-schools offering distance education. The Center is also an ISO-certified institution, reflecting its commitment to quality management systems in education.
The Center uses a blended learning methodology that combines printed self-learning material, interactive e-learning content, recorded lectures, live online classroom sessions, chat-based faculty interaction and one-on-one mentoring. The curriculum in PGDBA covers core areas such as Management Principles, HR, Marketing, Finance, Operations and Business Strategy, followed by electives in chosen specializations, reinforced with computer-based assignments and case-oriented content.
One of SCDL’s key features is its dynamic, on-demand examination system, which enables students to choose exam dates and times within a given window at authorized centers. This suits working professionals immensely. Assignments are computer-based and can be submitted online at any time, with immediate results and feedback provided to students. This provides additional flexibility.
Ivy League India provides coaching services, and will also guide you about online test-taking strategies prior to the commencement of your examinations. Our highly experienced online coaches will mentor you one-on-one on Zoom or Google Meet and will fill in any knowledge gaps you might experience during your academic journey.
For the PGDBA and other PG diplomas, applicants generally need a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university, including universities located outside India, with final-year students also often permitted to apply subject to completing their degree prior to the commencement of the qualification at the Center. Certain sector-specific certificates or executive certificates may require relevant work experience , but the core business programs are aimed at a wide pool of graduates and working professionals.
The typical fee for the 2-year PGDBA and other programs is approximately INR 65,000 excluding exam center or ancillary charges, with similar pricing for many other PG diplomas, positioning SCDL as a cost-effective learning option.
Unlike many regional distance education colleges in India, SCDL has a strong international presence, with students from over 47 nationalities across the U.S., the UK, Middle East, and Russia. It has empowered over 10 lakh (1 million) learners since its inception in 2001.
A common misconception about online learning is that it lacks placement support. SCDL challenges this notion by maintaining active partnerships with global giants. Companies like IBM, Cognizant, Infosys, Wipro, Wal-Mart, and Vodafone have collaborated extensively with SCDL to offer corporate programs for their employees. This high level of industry acceptance means that an SCDL certificate is often viewed as a legitimate credential for internal promotions and salary growth.
The Center has a dedicated placement assistance cell. While it does not offer the "day zero" placement guarantees of a Rs. 20-lakh on-campus MBA, it provides a robust portal for job openings, resume-building workshops, and interview preparation for its graduates.
With over 10 lakh alumni, the networking potential is vast. SCDL encourages alumni interaction through dedicated portals and local city chapters.
Counsellors at Ivy League India recognize the importance of postgraduation in the broader context of online education. Choosing to study online while working full-time is a win-win value proposition and we will help you with the entire process starting from application submission to admissions interview preparation to post-admission formalities. End-to-end support for the entire process is a mere phone call away!