Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) is a premier national institution dedicated exclusively to entrepreneurship education, research, training, and ecosystem development.

Established in 1983 with the support of leading financial institutions—IDBI Bank, ICICI Bank, IFCI, and State Bank of India—and the Government of Gujarat, EDII has played a pioneering role in shaping India’s entrepreneurial landscape for over four decades. The institute focuses on venture creation, innovation, and enterprise growth, rather than conventional management education.

EDII’s academic credibility and global orientation are reinforced through the following recognitions:

• PGDM–Entrepreneurship (PGDM-E) is NBA* accredited
• EDII is a member of AACSB

Due to the NBA accreditation of the PGDM-E programme, EDII’s PGDM is recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) as equivalent to an MBA offered by Indian universities. (NBA approval is till June 2026, and will be applied for renewal as per due process)

These accreditations reflect strong academic governance, outcome-based education, and alignment with global best practices in management and entrepreneurship education.

An MBA degree is awarded by a university, whereas a PGDM is offered by an autonomous institution approved by AICTE. The difference lies in the awarding authority, not in academic quality.

EDII’s PGDM programmes are:

• Approved by AICTE
• Accredited by NBA*
• Recognised by AIU as equivalent to an MBA for higher education and employment purposes

From both academic and professional perspectives, EDII’s PGDM is fully equivalent to an MBA, with the added advantage of a strong entrepreneurship orientation, industry integration, and experiential learning. (*NBA approval is till June 2026 and the Institution will be applying for renewal.)

Yes. AIU recognition confirms that EDII’s PGDM is equivalent to an MBA awarded by Indian universities. This enables graduates to:

• Pursue higher education in India and abroad
• Meet eligibility criteria for academic, research, and professional opportunities where an MBA is required

International recognition depends on the policies of the respective country, institution, or employer. However, EDII’s AIU equivalence, NBA accreditation, and AACSB membership significantly enhance international academic acceptance and professional credibility.

EDII offers postgraduate management programmes with a clear and deliberate focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and venture development:

• PGDM – Entrepreneurship (PGDM-E): A flagship full-time 2 year programme for students aspiring to start their own ventures, scale family businesses, build social enterprises, or pursue innovation-driven career paths.
• PGDM – Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Venture Development (PGDM-IEV): A specialised programme for candidates with an existing startup idea or early-stage venture, focusing on innovation, product development, and venture scaling.
• PGDM – Online: A flexible online programme designed for working professionals, entrepreneurs, and business owners seeking to strengthen managerial and entrepreneurial capabilities without leaving their current roles.

PGDM-E is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs and family business successors. The programme focuses on:

• New Enterprise Creation
• Family Business Management
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Tech Startup

Students may enter the programme with or without a business idea. Through a structured and guided process, EDII nurtures students from ideation and opportunity identification to validation and venture structuring, ensuring a comprehensive entrepreneurial journey.

PGDM-IEV focuses on innovation-led and technology-oriented ventures. Students work closely with EDII’s incubation and innovation ecosystem to:

• Develop and refine prototypes
• Conduct market validation
• Build scalable and sustainable startups

This programme is best suited for candidates who already possess a validated idea or an early-stage venture and are seeking structured academic support to scale and professionalise their startup.

The programmes are designed for different entrepreneurial readiness levels:

• PGDM-E supports students who are exploring entrepreneurship and may not yet have a business idea. The emphasis is on building entrepreneurial capability from the ground up.
• PGDM-IEV is intended for students who already have a startup idea or venture and wish to deepen their focus on innovation, product development, and scaling.

In essence:
PGDM-E builds entrepreneurs.
PGDM-IEV accelerates entrepreneurs.

PGDM Online is a digitally delivered programme that enables learners to acquire entrepreneurial and managerial competencies while continuing their professional or business engagements. It is particularly suited for working professionals and business owners seeking flexibility without compromising academic depth.

• Aspiring entrepreneurs
• Family business successors
• Students interested in startups, innovation, and social enterprises
• Individuals seeking to create long-term impact through business ownership

Yes. A business background is not mandatory. What matters is the entrepreneurial mindset and intent to build or scale a venture. The programme is designed to accommodate students from diverse academic backgrounds.

Yes. Working professionals with entrepreneurial aspirations or future business plans are encouraged to apply.

No. Prior work experience is not compulsory, though it may add value to classroom discussions and learning outcomes.

PGDM-E is not intended for candidates seeking only conventional corporate placements without an interest in entrepreneurship, innovation, or business ownership.

If your primary objective is a traditional management programme, EDII may not be the right choice.

However, if you aspire to build, scale, or transform a venture, EDII’s PGDM programmes offer a purpose-driven and future-ready pathway.

PGDM – Entrepreneurship (PGDM-E)

For the PGDM– E & IEV programme, candidates must have completed graduation in any discipline under the 10+2+3 pattern or a four-year degree under the 10+2+4 pattern, recognised by UGC, AIU, or AICTE, with a minimum of 50% marks. Candidates belonging to reserved categories are eligible with a minimum of 45% marks.

Applicants must have appeared in at least one recognised national-level management entrance examination such as CAT, MAT, XAT, ATMA, CMAT, GMAT, or CUET. Final-year students are also eligible to apply, subject to successful completion of their degree before the commencement of the programme.

The approved intake for PGDM-E is 120 students.

PIO, NRI, and foreign candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree recognised by AIU with a minimum of 50% marks along with a valid GMAT score.

The application fee is ₹1,500, with a concessional fee of ₹1,000 applicable for female candidates and candidates from reserved categories.

Selection is based on performance in the Entrepreneurial Aptitude Test (EAT) followed by a Personal Interview (PI).

Accepted exams include CAT, MAT, XAT, ATMA, CMAT, GMAT, and CUET.

Yes. Final-year students are eligible, provided they complete all degree requirements before the programme begins.

The selection process includes entrance exam performance, followed by the Entrepreneurial Aptitude Test (EAT) and a Personal Interview (PI). Final selection is based on a holistic assessment of exam score, PI performance, and entrepreneurial aptitude and intent.

No. CAT is not mandatory. Any one recognised national-level management entrance exam is acceptable.

EDII follows an experiential, learner-centric pedagogy that integrates classroom learning with real-world entrepreneurial exposure. The academic approach combines case studies, live projects, interactive sessions, and hands-on application of entrepreneurial concepts, enabling students to convert theory into practice.

Milestone-based learning structures the journey around entrepreneurial stages like ideation, validation, business modelling, and venture readiness.

Students are evaluated through assignments, presentations, project deliverables, venture progress reviews, internship performance, and viva-voce components.

The programme is strongly practice-oriented. Theory is supported by venture projects, internships, fieldwork, real-world problem solving, and interaction with entrepreneurs and practitioners.

Interactive lectures, case discussions, experiential labs, peer learning, entrepreneur-led masterclasses, and collaborative workshops.

A typical week blends academic sessions with venture development activities, mentoring, group work, field engagements, and independent project work.

Failure is treated as learning. Students analyse outcomes and refine or pivot ideas with support from faculty and mentors.

Support includes mentoring, incubation, ecosystem networking, workshops, prototype development support, funding guidance, and investor connects.

CrAdLE (Centre for Advancing and Launching Enterprises) is EDII’s Technology Business Incubator, supported by DST (Government of India). It provides advisory, technical, and administrative support to early-stage ventures.

Funding is not guaranteed, but EDII facilitates access to seed funding opportunities, investor pitching platforms, government schemes, and VC networks through ecosystem partners.

Yes. Students receive continuous mentorship from faculty, alumni, industry practitioners, and incubation experts.

Graduates pursue pathways such as launching startups, scaling family businesses, joining innovation-led enterprises, building social ventures, or taking strategic roles in growth-oriented organisations.

Yes. EDII provides internship facilitation, alumni networking, corporate linkages, venture support, and career guidance aligned with entrepreneurial outcomes.

No. Traditional placement guarantee is not offered. Placement assistance is available for students who opt for employment.

Yes. Students may choose employment opportunities in organisations that value entrepreneurial thinking, innovation capability, and strategic problem-solving skills.

Detailed programme fee information is available on the official EDII website. Applicants should refer to the admissions page for the latest fee structure.

Yes. EDII offers merit-based and merit-cum-means scholarships, including tuition fee waivers and additional financial support for eligible female candidates.

Yes. EDII provides documentation support to help students secure education loans from recognised banks and financial institutions.

Hostel and mess charges are separate from programme fees. Hostel fees vary by room type. Mess charges are approximately ₹8,500 per month (may vary based on meals opted).

EDII provides on-campus residential facilities for male and female students, international students, guests, and faculty residents. Rooms include AC, bed, cupboard, and study table. Hostels also have indoor sports areas, common utility spaces, and shared washing areas with washing machines.

EDII provides basic medical and first-aid facilities on campus, including a medical room and an on-board doctor who visits daily. EDII also has an MoU with nearby hospitals for emergency care.

Yes. EDII encourages student-driven clubs across Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Finance, Social, and Cultural activities.

Student life is vibrant, combining academic rigour with venture immersion, collaboration, and real-world problem solving, supported by active peer networks and frequent campus activities.

Yes. EDII offers international exposure through guest lectures, international faculty, and optional immersion programmes in countries such as China, Spain, and Malaysia.

Countries involved: China, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Bahrain, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Rwanda & India, along with partner countries across Asia, Africa, Arab regions, ASEAN, EU, Commonwealth and ITEC (130+ overall).

Institutions involved:

• INSEAD – The Business School for the World
• INSA – Business, Marketing & Communication School
• Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Malaysia

No. International immersion is optional.

The duration and cost vary depending on the partner institution and programme design. Details are shared during the programme.

Candidates can apply online through the official admissions portal available on the EDII website during the announced admission cycle.

Key dates related to applications, selection rounds, and programme commencement are published on the official EDII website and admissions notifications.

Admissions contact details (email, chatbot, WhatsApp and phone) are available on the official EDII website.

The refund and withdrawal policy is governed by AICTE norms.