Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Application (PGDCA) Course

PGDCA course, or Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications is a 1-year diploma programme. This course is specially curated for students who are eager to learn about IT trends. It is an ideal choice for students who enjoy studying subjects like programming languages, and operating systems. To pursue this master's degree, the candidates must have graduated in any stream from a well-known university with a minimum 50% aggregate. It may be an added benefit if students have studied computer science subjects at their graduation level.

 PGDCA course admissions are done based on merit or entrance exams. Some of the entrance exams for PGDCA courses that universities conduct are JMI EEE ( Jamia Millia Islamia Engineering Entrance Exam), DUET (Delhi University Entrance Test), etc. The PGDCA course can be pursued both full-time and part-time. Some universities that offer full-time classes for PGDCA courses are Jamia Millia Islamia, Abhyuday University, Delhi University, Amity University, etc. However, part-time PGDCA courses can be pursued from IGNOU, Delhi. 

PGDCA course syllabus consists of subjects like programming, database management systems, software engineering, web technology and lab work. PGDCA course fees can range between INR 10K to INR 1.5 LPA. After completing the course, students can expect jobs in sectors like the IT Industry, networking, cyber security and governmental organisations. They can work as software engineers, website developers and programmers, system network administrators, ethical hackers, etc. The average salary after PGDCA course may range between INR 2 LPA to INR 8 LPA.

All the necessary PGDCA course details are listed below. Candidates who are considering pursuing a PGDCA course can go through the highlights to gain a better understanding of the programme.

The PGDCA course focuses on the advanced knowledge of computer applications which is the future of this generation. With the growing technology and AI, the need for candidates who are technologically driven and well-versed in the latest trends has risen tremendously. If you are wondering, what are the benefits of PGDCA course, then continue reading this information. The PGDCA graduates are offered several job opportunities such as IT Consultants, Web Designers, Java developers, IT Support Analysts, programmers, etc. After completing the PGDCA course, candidates can expect job opportunities in IT Services, App Development, Quality Assurance, and many more. Students who have completed the PGDCA course also have scope in higher education. They have a wide range of options in the same area such as MCA, MSc IT, MSc CS, etc. as well as in different fields such as management and teaching.

If you have completed the PGDCA course from reputed colleges, you are open to job offers from companies like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro, Tech Mahindra, Accenture, etc. To learn more about the PGDCA course, you can go through the pointers given below. 

Why Choose the PGDCA Course? 

Time-saving Course: PGDCA is a one-year diploma programme, which covers most of the important computer science subjects in two semesters. This makes it a feasible career option as compared to other similar courses like MTech, MCA, or MSc CS whose duration is up to two years.

Lucrative Salary Packages: Students who have completed their PGDCA course, are proposed with rewarding salary packages. The average PGDCA course salary for freshers in India ranges between INR 2 LPA to INR 7 LPA.

Developments in Computer Skills: Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications, PGDCA is a programme specially crafted for graduates who are inquisitive about computer applications. This helps candidates to develop advanced computer skills and have professional knowledge of computers.

Latest Curriculum: The curriculum of the PGDCA course is carefully curated keeping in mind the latest industry trends and demands. It includes emerging technologies and tools such as AI, to ensure that students stay up-to-date.

First-hand Experience: Along with the theoretical knowledge, the PGDCA course promotes practical learning and field experience. Students indulge in real-world projects, and industry-related internships to apply their technical knowledge on the ground.

Also, Check - MCA Admissions 2024

The main purpose of the online PGDCA course is to give candidates a combination of skilled expertise in computer science. The duration of these courses is approximately six months to one year (maximum). The average PGDCA course fee for distant programs ranges between INR 2,000 and INR 30,000. Some of the available PGDCA online courses have been listed in the table below.

PGDCA courses can be pursued in full-time, part-time and online mode. Even though there are different options to complete the PGDCA course, it is advantageous to pursue the programme in full-time mode as the course requires practical knowledge and understanding. All three types of modes are explained in detail below.

Full-Time PGDCA Course: The PGDCA regular course is the most popular among all three modes. Students are expected to attend regular classes as well as lab sessions for both theoretical and practical knowledge. The duration of the regular PGDCA course is one year, and the fees of the course range from INR 7K to INR 1 LPA.

Part-Time PGDCA Course: The part-time PGDCA course is available for students who cannot attend regular classes and seek to complete their programme through the distance mode of learning. The duration of the course may vary in part-time mode but ideally, it is of one year. Institutes such as IGNOU, Lovely Professional University, etc. offer the course in distance mode.

PGDCA Online Course: The PGDCA course can also be done in online mode. The duration of the course depends on different platforms offering the programme virtually. Some of them can be completed in 6 months, while others can last a year. 

The PGDCA course is available in various specialisations that allow students to focus and enhance their expertise in specific areas of computer science. Let us learn more about the popular PGDCA course specialisations in India and their significance in today's evolving industry.

Also Read: Top Programming Languages Colleges in India

The PGDCA course full form is Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications and the DCA course stands for Diploma in Computer Applications. Both the courses are diploma level and offer advanced knowledge of computer applications. Candidates can often confuse the two courses as they both cover the same objectives. The major difference between the two can be figured from the table given below. The following is a discussion about the PGDCA course and DCA course based on subjects, course fees, duration, colleges, and salaries.

The PGDCA course eligibility criteria depend on the marks scored at the graduation level. The students are expected to score a minimum of 50% marks in their graduation with any stream. However, if you have studied computer science subjects in graduation, you might get some preference. To get detailed information about the eligibility process, refer to the given points. 

Qualifying exam: The candidate applying for PGDCA must be a graduate in any discipline such as BA, BCom, BSc, BBA, BCA, BTech, etc.

Minimum marks: Candidates are required to have a minimum of 50% aggregate in UG courses. Also, graduation from recognised universities would be considered relevant.

Age limit: Age is not a limiting factor for PGDCA courses. However, some universities do abide by certain age criteria. For instance, Vallabh Government College does not allow applicants older than 26 years of age (28 for females) to be considered eligible for admission into the PGDCA courses.

Skills Required for the PGDCA Course

There are certain skills that students must possess to be able to successfully complete their PGDCA course. Since the course demands enhanced computing skills, candidates must be thorough with their conceptual as well as pragmatic knowledge of computer applications. To stand out from the crowd, capable students should acquire these interpersonal skills to excel in their PGDCA course. 

• Communication skills - Verbal and Written
• Knowledge of Industry trends
• Familiarity with programming languages
• Leadership Skills
• Analytical & Creative thinking
• Teamwork
• Creativity
• Acquaintance with Computers & IT
• Knowledge of the core subject
• Multi-disciplinary exposure

Admissions to the PGDCA course are done through merit or entrance exams. Some of the top entrance tests conducted by different universities are listed below. To get complete information about these entrance tests, you can visit the links. 

JMIEEE: JMI Engineering Entrance Exam or JMIEEE is an entrance exam conducted by Jamia Milia Islamia for candidates who are interested in admission to PGDCA programmes.

DUET: Delhi University Entrance Test or DUET is an exam conducted by Delhi University for candidates who are interested in admission into PG and PhD programmes.

CUET PG: Common University Entrance Test for Post Graduate Courses or CUET PG is considered by some colleges to enroll students in the PGDCA course. 

Admission to the PGDCA course is done based on merit scored in graduation or entrance exams. The PGDCA course admission process also varies based on the type of Institute you are applying to. A detailed step-by-step guide is provided to explain the admission process for the PGDCA course.

Step 1: Application form. Start by filling out the application form for the college you want to apply to. This can be assessed through the official website of the university or college.

Step 2: Application form fees. Moving on, after filling in the particulars submit the application form fee. It is important to note that the application fee is non-refundable.

Step 3: Entrance exam. Appear for the entrance exam conducted by the university and wait for the results to be released.

Step 4: Counselling round. After the entrance exam results, the selected candidates will be called for the next round of counselling or personal interviews.

Step 5: Document submission. Finally, submit all the necessary documents and pay the course fee to enrol in the programme.

A complete guide for the admission processes according to the universities is tabulated below.

The students can pursue the PGDCA Course in distance or part-time mode from various universities and institutes. This is highly preferable for those who find it difficult to attend regular classes and want to continue learning from a distance. Students can complete their diploma course without any time constraints or regulations. 

The eligibility criteria for  PGDCA courses through distance education depends on the marks secured by the students at the graduation level. They must have completed their undergraduate course from a recognized university with a minimum of 40 - 50% marks. 

Top Colleges Providing PGDCA Distance Education

Some of the top colleges that offer PGDCA courses through distance mode have been listed below.

PGDCA Course at IGNOU 

IGNOU is a popular choice among students who want to study through distance education. One of the most popular courses offered by IGNOU is PGDCA. To be eligible for this course, students need to have completed their graduation from a recognized university

The PGDCA course syllabus consists of two semesters that cover all the important subjects required for the study of computer applications. Some important subjects included in colleges under Delhi University are listed below.

Semester 1

• Computer Fundamentals
• Programming with C
• Applied Operating systems
• Website Design and Maintenance
• Foundations of e-Business
• Lab work

Semester 2

• Programming with Python
• Network and Internet Technologies
• Database Management Systems
• Project work
• Lab work

The PDGCA course fees in India vary according to different colleges and universities. The variation in fees also depends on the type of course you are going to choose. For instance, the full-time course fees may range between INR 7000 to INR 1LPA. Whereas, online courses are a lot cheaper and may cost you somewhere between INR 1000 to INR 5000.

PGDCA Course Colleges in Delhi

Some of the PGDCA Course colleges available in Delhi are listed below.

PGDCA Colleges in Bangalore

The table below highlights the top PGDCA course colleges in Bangalore.

PGDCA Colleges in Maharashtra

Candidates can find the top PGDCA course colleges in Maharashtra in the following table.

Many private institutes offer PGDCA courses all over India. Some top private colleges that provide this diploma programme and their annual fees are listed below.

Note: The fee PGDCA course fee mentioned above is subject to change at the authority’s discretion.

Some of the top PGDCA course government colleges in India have been listed below.

The PGDCA college comparisons between Madras Christian College and DAV College, Punjab have been listed below.

After completing the PGDCA course, candidates can apply to numerous job profiles. If they have finished the course from recognised universities, they can also expect lucrative job offers. The candidates can apply in both government as well as private sectors. Some of the job roles include Information Technology Manager, Senior Analyst and Business Development Manager. 

Stated below are some career options after PGDCA course in India along with a brief description and salary package that can be expected in that position. Interested candidates can go through the chart and look for various career options.

PGDCA Course Salary

The average PGDCA course salary ranges between INR 2 LPA to INR 12 LPA. However, the pay scale may increase according to the person's years of experience in this field. Some of the job profiles with the average salary package are tabulated below.

Also Read: Career in Information Technology (IT)

Top PGDCA Recruiters

The PGDCA job recruitment is based on the institution from where you completed your course. Some of the top companies hold placement drives to recruit professionals from recognised universities and colleges. Students can find jobs in both government and private sectors after completing the PGDCA course. Some top PGDCA recruiters have been listed below. 

• Tech Mahindra
• Amazon
• Wipro
• Oracle
• Infosys
• Accenture
• Deloitte
• National HCL
• Lenovo
• Dell
• TCS

Also Read: Free Online IT Courses After 12th

The Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications (PGDCA) equips a candidate with the necessary skills to support oneself in the evolving and ever-changing world. The course trains candidates with advanced knowledge of computer applications, allowing them to expand their horizons in the technical field. This course provides abundant scope and job opportunities to individuals who want to build a career in the IT industry.