Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

RIIM - Arihant Group of Institutes (Ramachandran International Institute of Management), Pune, offers a 2-year full-time Post Graduate Diploma in Agri-Business Management (PGDM-ABM), approved by AICTE, New Delhi, Ministry of Education, Government of India. The programme is designed for candidates seeking to build a career in the agriculture, agri-business, food processing, rural development, and allied sectors. India's agriculture sector accounts for over 17% of the country's GDP and employs 42% of the total workforce, making it one of the most significant sectors for management professionals. The total course fee is INR 7,20,000 for the 2-year programme, which includes the IBEP-Dubai (5 Nights/6 Days) international exposure programme. The programme is offered in full-time on-campus mode and follows the 70:30 learning model - 70% practical, entrepreneurial, and skill-based learning and 30% theoretical. Accepted entrance exams include CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, ATMA, MAH MBA CET, GMAT, and NMAT.

Admissions for the 2026-28 batch are currently open. The admission process is direct - candidates apply to RIIM Pune with their entrance exam scores and are shortlisted for Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GD-PI). There is no fixed registration deadline; candidates can apply throughout the year. The batch typically commences in July/August each year.

Key Points

The PGDM-ABM programme is approved by AICTE, New Delhi, and is specifically designed for careers in agri-business, food processing, agri-tech, cooperatives, rural development, and allied sectors.
The programme follows a 70:30 learning model - 70% practical, entrepreneurial, and skill-based training and 30% theoretical coursework, with agri-specific domain capsules from Day 1.
Students choose any 5 domain specialisation capsules from: Channel Management, Retail Management, Digital Agriculture, Customer Relationship Management and Retention, Inventory Planning, Agriculture Export Marketing, Agri Analytics using R, Management of FPO (Farmer Producer Organisations), Agricultural Market Research, and SAP Module.
The institute promotes entrepreneurship in the agri-business sector and provides funding of up to INR 5 Lakh to one student per batch for an agri-business venture.
The IBEP-Dubai (5 Nights/6 Days) international business exposure programme is included in the course fee, providing global agri-business and trade exposure.
An optional 15-day residential Management Development Programme (MDP) at a premier IIM is available for students seeking additional management exposure.
15+ industry visits are conducted both regionally and nationally, including visits to agri-based companies, cooperatives, and food processing units.
Students also receive 8+ certifications across 4 semesters, including Business Analytics (IIM Bangalore - MakeIntern), Advanced Excel, Digital Marketing, and NSE Finance.

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RIIM PGDM-ABM Fees

The PGDM-ABM programme at RIIM Pune is priced at INR 7,20,000 for the full 2-year course, which includes the IBEP-Dubai international exposure programme. Hostel accommodation is mandatory for first-year students at INR 85,000 per year (INR 82,000 accommodation + INR 3,000 non-refundable maintenance charges).

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
First Year Fee	5,70,000
Second Year Fee	1,50,000
Total Course Fee (2 Years)	7,20,000
Hostel Fee (Per Year)	82,000
Hostel Maintenance Charges (Non-refundable, Per Year)	3,000
Total Hostel Fee (Per Year)	85,000
Total Hostel Fee (2 Years)	1,70,000
Total Fees (PGDM-ABM + Hostel for 2 Years)	8,90,000

Hostel accommodation is compulsory for first-year students. Second-year hostel is optional.
Hostel maintenance charges of INR 3,000 per year are non-refundable.
The PGDM-ABM fee includes the IBEP-Dubai (5 Nights/6 Days) international exposure programme.
An optional 15-day residential MDP at a premier IIM is available at an additional cost.
Students opting for the 1-month International Business Exposure Programme (IBEP) in UK/France pay an additional INR 3,50,000.
Entrepreneurship funding of up to INR 5 Lakh is available for one student per batch for an agri-business venture (subject to eligibility and evaluation).
Certification and knowledge modules are indicative and subject to change as per market demand.
Education loan facilities are available through partner banks.

RIIM PGDM-ABM Admission 2026

RIIM Pune PGDM-ABM admissions for the 2026-28 batch are currently open. The admission process is direct - candidates apply to RIIM Pune with their entrance exam scores and are shortlisted for GD-PI. All admissions are through the institute's own selection process. RIIM accepts a wide range of national entrance exam scores, making it accessible to candidates from agriculture, science, commerce, and management backgrounds.

RIIM Pune PGDM-ABM Admission Dates

Event	Date
PGDM-ABM Admissions Open	December 2025 (Ongoing)
GD-PI Rounds	January 2026 onwards (Rolling)
Last Date to Apply (Tentative)	June 2026
Batch Commencement	July/August 2026 (Tentative)

Note: For the 2027-29 batch, admissions are expected to open from December 2026 onwards.

Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Exam Date	Result Date
CAT 2026	November 30, 2026	December 24, 2026
XAT 2027	January 4, 2027	January 16, 2027
CMAT 2027	January 25, 2027	February 13, 2027
MAT 2027 (Feb Session - PBT)	March 1, 2027	March 14, 2027
MAT 2027 (Feb Session - CBT)	March 8, 2027	March 18, 2027
MAH MBA CET 2027 (1st Attempt)	April 6-8, 2027	April/May 2027
MAH MBA CET 2027 (2nd Attempt)	May 9, 2027	May 2027

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree (in any discipline - including B.Sc. Agriculture, B.Tech, BBA, B.Com, BA, B.Sc. etc.) from a recognised university with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for reserved category candidates).
Candidates with a background in agriculture, life sciences, or rural development are particularly suited for this programme, though it is open to all graduates.
Candidates appearing in the final year of their graduation are also eligible to apply provisionally.
A valid score in CAT / XAT / CMAT / MAT / ATMA / MAH MBA CET / GMAT / NMAT is required for admission.

Admission Process

Step 1: Appear in any accepted national entrance exam (CAT/XAT/CMAT/MAT/ATMA/MAH MBA CET/GMAT/NMAT).
Step 2: Fill out the online application form on the RIIM Pune official website (riimpune.com) and submit entrance exam scorecard.
Step 3: Shortlisted candidates are called for Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) at the RIIM campus in Pune.
Step 4: Final merit list is prepared based on entrance exam score, GD-PI performance, academic record, and work experience (if any).
Step 5: Selected candidates receive an admission offer and must pay the confirmation fee to secure their seat.
Step 6: Document verification and fee payment to complete the admission process.

RIIM PGDM-ABM Scholarships 2026

RIIM Pune offers a comprehensive range of merit-based, entrance exam-based, and special scholarships to support deserving PGDM-ABM students. The scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence, entrance exam performance, and special categories including defence personnel, sports achievers, and girl students. Scholarship amounts are adjusted against the second-year fee.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship Type	Criteria	Amount (INR)
Merit Scholarship	Above 90% aggregate in 10th, 12th & Graduation	1,00,000
Merit Scholarship	Above 80% aggregate in 10th, 12th & Graduation	50,000
Merit Scholarship	Above 70% aggregate in 10th, 12th & Graduation	25,000
Entrance Exam Scholarship	Above 80 percentile in CAT/XAT	1,50,000
Entrance Exam Scholarship	Above 70 percentile in CAT/XAT	1,00,000
Entrance Exam Scholarship	Above 60 percentile in CAT/XAT	75,000
Entrance Exam Scholarship	Above 50 percentile in CAT/XAT	50,000
Entrance Exam Scholarship	Above 90 percentile in MAT/ATMA/CET	25,000
Special Scholarship	Children of Armed/Police Forces	25,000
Special Scholarship	Students from North East, Kerala, J&K	25,000
Special Scholarship	IIT Graduates	50,000
Special Scholarship	Siblings Scholarship	25,000
Special Scholarship	State/National/International Sports Representation	25,000
Girls Scholarship	Above 60% throughout in 10th, 12th & Graduation	30,000

A minimum of 80% attendance is mandatory during the PGDM course to retain the scholarship.
Only one Special Scholarship is applicable per student.
Merit Scholarship cannot be clubbed with Special Scholarship.
Scholarship amount is adjusted against the second-year fee and is not paid directly to the student.
Continuation of scholarship is subject to maintaining 90% marks in all semesters; failing which, the student is placed on Academic Probation.
All scholarships are at the sole discretion of RIIM and the Scholarship Committee reserves the right to alter or withdraw any scholarship.
In case a scholarship student withdraws from the programme, the scholarship amount already disbursed must be refunded.

RIIM PGDM-ABM Placement 2026

RIIM Pune's PGDM-ABM programme has a strong placement record in the agri-business sector, with top recruiters from agri-input, FMCG, agri-tech, cooperatives, food processing, and retail sectors visiting the campus. The highest package for ABM students has been reported at INR 10 LPA, with an average package of INR 7.5 LPA. Notable agri-sector recruiters include Amul, ITC, Dhanuka, IFFCO Bazaar, Big Basket, Nestle, Dabur, Reliance Retail, Godrej Agrovet, DeHaat, Yara, HM Clause, Ankur Seeds, and many more. Graduates are placed in roles such as Agri Sales Manager, Territory Manager, Supply Chain Executive, Agri-Tech Analyst, FPO Manager, and Rural Development Officer.

Placement Statistics

Placement Metric	Details
Average Package (ABM)	INR 7.5 LPA
Highest Package (ABM)	INR 10 LPA
Placement Rate (Institute - 5-Year Average)	82%
Number of Recruiters (Annual)	300+
Key Agri-Sector Recruiters	Amul, ITC, Dhanuka, IFFCO Bazaar, Big Basket, Nestle, Dabur, Reliance Retail, Godrej Agrovet, DeHaat, Yara, HM Clause, Ankur Seeds, JK Agri Genetics, SWAL, Indofil Industries, Vegrow, Parle Agro
Typical Roles for ABM Graduates	Agri Sales Manager, Territory Manager, Supply Chain Executive, Agri-Tech Analyst, FPO Manager, Rural Development Officer

RIIM PGDM-ABM FAQs

Ques. Who should pursue PGDM-ABM at RIIM Pune? Is it only for agriculture graduates?

Ans. The PGDM-ABM at RIIM Pune is open to graduates from any discipline - B.Sc. Agriculture, B.Tech, BBA, B.Com, BA, B.Sc. (any stream), etc. While candidates with an agriculture or life sciences background have a natural advantage, the programme is designed to equip students from all backgrounds with the necessary agri-business knowledge. The management curriculum covers agri-business environment, supply chain, digital agriculture, agri-finance, and rural development, making it accessible to non-agriculture graduates as well. Many students from commerce and engineering backgrounds have successfully built careers in the agri-sector after this programme.

Ques. What is the entrepreneurship sponsorship of INR 5 Lakh offered in the PGDM-ABM programme?

Ans. RIIM Pune promotes self-employment and entrepreneurship in the agri-business sector. As part of this initiative, one student per batch is provided funding of up to INR 5 Lakh (in recurring/non-recurring mode) for an agri-business venture. The funding is subject to eligibility, evaluation, mentoring, pitching, and other criteria that are communicated at the commencement of the entrepreneurship programme. The business must be related to agri-business only. This is a unique feature of the PGDM-ABM programme at RIIM Pune.

Ques. What are the career opportunities after PGDM-ABM from RIIM Pune?

Ans. Graduates of PGDM-ABM can pursue careers in agri-input companies, FMCG companies with agri-focus, agri-tech startups, cooperatives (like Amul, IFFCO), food processing companies, commodity trading firms, rural banking and microfinance, and government/public sector agri-organisations. Key roles include Agri Sales Manager, Territory Manager (Agri), Supply Chain Executive, Agri-Tech Analyst, FPO (Farmer Producer Organisation) Manager, Rural Development Officer, and Agri-Export Manager. The growing agri-tech sector (DeHaat, Vegrow, GrowIT, etc.) also offers exciting opportunities for PGDM-ABM graduates.

Ques. What are the domain specialisation capsules available in PGDM-ABM at RIIM Pune?

Ans. Students in the PGDM-ABM programme choose any 5 domain specialisation capsules from the following options: Channel Management, Retail Management, Digital Agriculture, Customer Relationship Management and Retention, Inventory Planning, Agriculture Export Marketing, Agri Analytics using R, Management of FPO (Farmer Producer Organisations), Agricultural Market Research, and SAP Module. These capsules are delivered by industry mentors with hands-on experience in the agri-sector, providing practical, job-relevant knowledge.

Ques. How does RIIM Pune's PGDM-ABM compare with other agri-business management programmes in India?

Ans. RIIM Pune's PGDM-ABM is an AICTE-approved programme priced at INR 7,20,000 for 2 years, making it more affordable than many specialised agri-management programmes. It includes the IBEP-Dubai international exposure, 8+ certifications, 15+ industry visits, and an entrepreneurship funding opportunity. Compared to premier institutions like IIM Ahmedabad (PGP-FABM), IIM Lucknow (PGP-ABM), IRMA, or VAMNICOM, RIIM Pune is more accessible in terms of admission criteria and fees, while offering strong industry connections in the Pune/Maharashtra agri-business ecosystem. Students seeking a more affordable, practical, and industry-connected ABM programme in Pune will find RIIM a strong option.

Ques. What is the placement scenario specifically for PGDM-ABM students at RIIM Pune?

Ans. The PGDM-ABM programme at RIIM Pune has a dedicated agri-sector placement network with companies like Amul, ITC, Dhanuka, IFFCO Bazaar, Big Basket, Nestle, Dabur, Reliance Retail, Godrej Agrovet, DeHaat, Yara, HM Clause, Ankur Seeds, JK Agri Genetics, SWAL, Indofil Industries, Vegrow, and Parle Agro visiting for placements. The average package for ABM students is reported at INR 7.5 LPA with a highest package of INR 10 LPA. Students are placed in roles across agri-input, FMCG, agri-tech, cooperatives, and food processing sectors. Prospective students are advised to connect with recent ABM alumni to get a realistic picture of placement outcomes.