PGDCA is a one-year postgraduate diploma course that focuses on various aspects of computer science and information technology used in programming languages, computer networks, and software engineering. The course curriculum helps students to pursue their careers in software development, system analysis, and IT consulting.
Table of Contents
| Degree | Postgraduate Diploma |
| Full Form | Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications |
| Duration | 1 Year |
| Age | No Age Restrictions. |
| Minimum Percentage | Candidate with a minimum of 50% marks in 10+2+4 or any Bachelor’s degree. |
| Average Fees | ₹7K – 1 LPA |
| Similar Options of Study | MCA, BCA+MCA |
| Average Salary | INR 2-6.5 LPA |
| Employment Roles | Programmers, PHP Developer, Oracle PL/SQL Developer, Quality Analyst, etc. |
| Top Recruiters | Educational Institutes, IT Firms, Health Care Providers, etc. |
PGDCA full form is a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications, an undergraduate course that aims at an in-depth understanding of computer applications and their application in different fields. The PGDCA course duration is one year.
PGDCA Admission 2024 requires students to have a minimum of 50% in a 10+2+4 or any undergraduate degree. The candidate must qualify with the required cut-off marks in entrance exams such as JMIEE, CUET, etc. PGDCA syllabus and subjects are designed to cover all essential aspects of operating systems, database management systems, and web programming.
After completion of the PGDCA degree, graduates can pursue careers in the IT industry, e-commerce, digital marketing, etc. The average salary of a PGDCA graduate is in the range of INR 2-6.5 LPA.
The Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications helps students develop computer application skills to face industry challenges and provide adequate solutions. Below mentioned are points regarding why one should pursue a PGDCA course:

Below are the points regarding who should pursue the PGDCA course:
Read More: PGDCA Jobs and Scope
For admission to a PGDCA course, it is important to meet a certain set of standard eligibility criteria which is mentioned below:
Admissions to the PGDCA course can be done through both online and offline methods Below are the steps regarding the details of the admission process in general:

For the PGDCA admission process, the selection of candidates is either based on merit or through an entrance exam conducted at the national or institute level. Candidates must ensure they prepare for the entrance exam of PGDCA along all the lines of requirements.
Listed below are some of the popular entrance exams for the 1-year PGDCA course:
|
PGDCA Entrance Exam |
Registration Details |
|
LPU NEST |
Application Form |
|
JMI EE |
Application Form |
|
NIM CET |
Application Form |
|
CUET |
Application Form |
The average PGDCA course fees is in the range of INR 7,000 -1 Lakh. Below is a list of the best PGDCA colleges along with a breakdown of their fees:
|
S.No |
College Name |
Tuition Fees |
Admission Fees |
Miscellaneous Fees |
|
1 |
Punjab Technical University |
INR 26,350 |
INR 2,000 |
INR 10,500 |
|
2 |
AISECT University |
INR 12,000 |
INR 1,000 |
INR 2,100 |
|
3 |
Arunachal University of Studies |
INR 30,000 |
INR 1,000 |
INR 3,000 |
|
4 |
College of Applied Science (IHRD) |
INR 17,000 |
INR 300 |
INR 2,000 |
The PGDCA course can be pursued by students in regular, part-time, or distance mode with colleges like IGNOU. Below mentioned are the PGDCA course details:
|
Type |
PGDCA Eligibility |
PGDCA Duration |
|
PGDCA Full Time |
Should have passed 10+2+4 with a minimum of 50% + Entrance Examinations |
1 Year |
|
PGDCA Part-Time |
Should have passed 10+2+4 with a minimum of 50% |
1 Year |
|
Distance PGDCA |
Should have passed 10+2+4 with a minimum of 45-50% |
1-4 Year |
Below mentioned are the distance PGDCA course details:
Read More: Distance PGDCA
With the rise in demand for computer science and application graduates, there is an increase in colleges providing PGDCA courses. Admission is based on merit score and few colleges may require entrance exam scores as per the requirement.
Below listed are government colleges offering PGDCA course:
|
S.No |
College Name |
Average Fees |
|
1 |
Jiwaji University |
INR 16,000 |
|
2 |
Indian Statistical Institute |
– |
|
3 |
Gujarat University |
INR 10,000 |
|
4 |
Punjab Technical University |
INR 26,350 |
|
5 |
Dibrugarh University |
INR 20,000 |
|
6 |
Jamia Millia Islamia University |
INR 7,800 |
Below listed are private colleges offering PGDCA courses:
|
S.No |
College Name |
Average Fees |
|
1 |
Banasthali Vidyapith |
INR 1.24 LPA |
|
2 |
GLS University |
– |
|
3 |
Renaissance University |
INR 25,000 |
|
4 |
Silver Oak University |
INR 35,000 |
|
5 |
RMIT University |
INR 51,000 |
Top PGDCA Colleges by City
|
PGDCA Colleges in Mumbai |
PGDCA Colleges in Ahmedabad |
|
PGDCA Colleges in Pune |
PGDCA Colleges in Chennai |
|
PGDCA Colleges in Jaipur |
PGDCA Colleges in Bangalore |
|
PGDCA Colleges in Kolkata |
PGDCA Colleges in Lucknow |
|
PGDCA Colleges in Noida |
PGDCA Colleges in Bhopal |
Top PGDCA Colleges by State
|
PGDCA Colleges in Maharashtra |
PGDCA Colleges in Delhi |
|
PGDCA Colleges in Karnataka |
PGDCA Colleges in UP |
|
PGDCA Colleges in Kerala |
PGDCA Colleges in West Bengal |
|
PGDCA Colleges in Tamil Nadu |
PGDCA Colleges in Madhya Pradesh |
The PGDCA subjects introduce students to a wide array of theoretical to practical approaches combined with technical skills per industrial demands. The various subjects of study during the PGDCA course duration are visual basics, java, e-commerce, oracle, and C++.
The subject list for the PGDCA computer course is listed below:
Read More: PGDCA Syllabus and Subjects
PGDCA stands for Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Application and is typically catered to students interested in and inclined towards information technology, software development, web designing, programming, etc. Below is a comparison of the PGDCA course with other courses:
The table below showcases the differences between PGDCA and DCA:
|
Parameters |
PGDCA |
DCA |
|
Full-Form |
Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications |
Diploma in Computer Applications |
|
Subjects Taught |
PPM & OB, Web Programming, etc. |
Introduction to Computer and Internet, Computer Organizations, etc. |
|
Course Fees (INR) |
INR 7,000 – 1 Lakh. |
INR 5,000 – 30,000 PA |
|
Course Duration |
1 year |
6 months – 1 year |
|
Top Colleges |
Jamia Millia Islamia, Madras Christian College, Indian Statistical Institute |
Calcutta University, Lovely Professional University, Aligarh Muslim University |
|
Average Annual Salary (INR) |
2 – 6.5 LPA |
2 – 5 LPA |
Read More: DCA
Graduates who want to enhance their skills and domain knowledge can go for various certification courses and higher degree options. Some of the higher education opportunities available to graduates having a PGDCA qualification are listed below:
While conducting research into the PGDCA course details, one should look into the career options that PGDCA offers for its graduates. Some of the job roles for PGDCA graduates are listed below:

The average PGDCA salary offered in India is in the range of INR 2-6.5 LPA. The salary of a graduate is influenced by various factors such as skills, experience, domain knowledge, etc. The pay range goes higher as the graduate acquires more technical skills with experience.
Read More: PGDCA Salary
Students pursuing computer science or application courses get various scholarships provided by the government and private organizations as financial aid. Below is a list of scholarships for the computer application-related course:
Read More: Computer Science Scholarships
The PGDCA course details focus on making students skill oriented in the field of computer science and applications. Listed below are a certain set of skills that a PGDCA graduate should possess:
| Other Popular PG Courses | |
| MBA | MCA |
| MA | MD |
| M.Sc | MSW |
| MTech | M.Phil |
| MIM | PGDM |
| MPT | MPA |
The PGDCA Syllabus focuses on providing both theoretical and practical knowledge of computer science and its applications over two semesters in one year. The subjects in the PGDCA course syllabus include C programming, Visual Basic, IT & OS, to name a few.
The PGDCA course is a skill-based course with advanced technical expertise in computer and IT. Graduate of the course has a wide range of job opportunities, including Web Design, UI/UX interface design, Technical Consulting, and Quality Analysis.
Table of Contents
PGDCA Syllabus is covered for a duration of one year. The semester-wise PGDCA Syllabus focuses on studying the subjects of programming, fundamentals of the subject, web programming, internet technologies, software development, data structuring etc. Listed below is the semester-wise PGDCA Course Syllabus:
Given below is the PGDCA Syllabus in 1st sem for reference:
|
PGDCA 1st Sem Subjects |
Topics |
|
Fundamentals of Computers & Information Technology |
Brief History of Development of Computers, Input/Output & Storage Unit, Number System. |
|
Introduction to Operating Systems (Dos, Windows, Linux) |
Introduction, History & Versions of DOS, DOS Basics – Physical Structure of Disk, Drive Name, FAT. |
|
Visual Basic |
VB Environment, VB The language, Visual Basic Controls from Toolbox, Managing Menus. |
|
PC Packages |
Office Packages-Office activities and their software requirement, Advanced Features of MS-Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook. |
|
C Programming |
C Fundamentals, Built-in operators and function, Decision and Case Control Structure, |
|
Database Management System |
Database System Concept & Data Modeling, Data Model, Relation Model, MYSQL/SQL. |
PGDCA 1st sem Practicals
In the list below are the practicals offred 1st sem of PGDCA syllabus:
Given below is the PGDCA Syllabus in 2nd sem for reference:
|
PGDCA 2nd Sem Subjects |
Topics |
|
Web Design (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, XML) |
Image Editing Tools, Basic tags used in HTML, Elements In HTML, Attributes In HTML, Formatting In HTML, Meta Tags and their use, Commenting a HTML Code. |
|
System Analysis and Design |
System Concept: Definition, Characteristics, Elements of system, Initial Investigation, Tools of Structured Analysis. |
|
Internet & E-Commerce |
Internet, E-Mail, Word wide web (www), Html, Javascript Overview, syntax & conventions, E – Commerce, Concepts, Advantages and disadvantages. |
|
Financial Accounting with Tally |
Basic Concepts of Accounting, Financial Statements, Financial Statement Analysis, Create, Alter & Display Groups and Ledgers. |
|
Cloud Computing |
Evolution of Cloud Computing, Service and Deployment Models, Service Level Agreement (SLA) Management. |
PGDCA 2nd sem Practicals
In the list below are the practicals offred 2nd sem of PGDCA syllabus:
Odisha State Open University in Sambalpur is a public university that specializes in distance learning. They offer a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including an 18-month (1.5 year) PGDCA course. See the PGDCA syllabus table below for OSOU:
PGDCA 1st Year Syllabus
| Semester I | Semester II |
| Computer Fundamentals | Web Design (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, XML) |
| Office Automation (Word, Excel, Power Point) | Database Management System |
| Data Communication & Networking | Application Development Using PHP |
| Computer Fundamentals Lab | Web Design Lab |
| Office Automation Lab | Database Management System Lab |
| Data Communication & Networking Lab | Application Development Using PHP Lab |
| – | Project Work |
PGDCA 2nd Year Syllabus
| Semester III |
| Programming in Java |
| Introduction to Android Programming & Python |
| Introduction to Multimedia & Photoshop |
| Programming in Java Lab |
| Introduction to Android Programming & Python Lab |
| Introduction to Multimedia & Photoshop Lab |
MCNUJC is a government university in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. It offers full-time UG, PG, and Ph.D. programs, including PGDCA course. Check the table for PGDCA syllabus at MCNUJC.
| Semester I | Semester II |
| Fundamentals of Computers & Information Technology | Programming with Visual Basic.Net |
| Introduction to Operating Systems (Dos, Windows, Linux) | Internet & E-Commerce |
| PC Pakages | System Analysis and Design |
| – | Project Work |
|
Electives- I : A) Foxpro B) MS Access |
|
|
Electives- I : A) .OOPS and Programming with C++ B) Financial Accounting with Tally |
The PGDCA Subjects give the students a thorough understanding of computer programming concepts and practical application abilities. Given below is a list of PGDCA 1st sem subject name and PGDCA second sem subjects divided into core, elective and practical subjects:
The core subjects of the PGDCA Syllabus provide an important framework for the advanced study of computer applications and their related field. Below is a list of PGDCA Subjects:
The elective subjects provide candidates with a range of skills that help them excel further in their career advancement. Below is a list of electives offered in the PGDCA Course Syllabus:
Practical subjects, also known as lab subjects, train candidates in the development of skills in computer applications. Below are the practical courses offered in PGDCA Subjects:
PGDCA Syllabus includes a wide range of subjects such as JavaScript, Python, C++, etc. Some of the PGDCA Subjects are given in detail below:
| PGDCA Subjects | Topics Covered |
| PC Packages | Office Activates and Their Software Requirements, Word-processing, Spreadsheet, Presentation Graphics, Database, Introduction and Comparison of Various Office Suites. |
| Foxpro | The RDBMS for PC, Concept of Database, FoxPro – Versions, features, Requirement of Hardware and Software FoxPro – Menu System. |
| Fundamentals of Information Technology | Block Diagram of Elements of Digital Computer-their functions, Memory, CPU, I-O devices, Secondary Storages, Magnetic Tape, Disk, CD-ROM, Other recent developments-Scanners, Digitizer, Plotters. |
| System Analysis and Design | Initial Investigation: Determining Users Requirements and Analysis, Fact Finding Process and Techniques, Feasibility Study: Determination of Feasibility Study. |
| Programming with Visual Basic.Net | The VB.NET Language-Variables-Declaring variables, Data Type of variables, Forcing variables declarations, Scope & lifetime of a variable, Constants, Arrays. |
| ‘C’ Programming | C Character Set, Identifiers and Keywords under ANSI C. Data Types, Constants: int, float, double, char. Qualifiers: long, short, unsigned and signed. |
The PGDCA Course Subjects are divided into theoretical teaching and practical/lab work during the two-semester-long duration. The course also includes skill-based elective subjects. Give below is the PGDCA Course Syllabus structure:
The PGDCA Course Syllabus encompasses non-conventional methods to enable students in developing their computer skills and applications knowledge along with polishing their soft skills. Some of the PGDCA teaching methodology and techniques are listed below:
The PGDCA Syllabus has projects at the end of the course that serves as the basis of qualification. The candidates need to complete the projects to get the proper credit points required for graduation. Here are some of the popular PGDCA project areas listed belo
The PGDCA Course Syllabus is dynamic. Below listed are some of the popular PGDCA reference books for students to refer:
|
Name of the Books |
Authors |
|
An Introduction to Database Management Systems |
Bipin C. Desai |
|
Programming in ANSI C |
E. Balaguruswamy |
|
Object-oriented Programming in C++ |
Nabajyoti Barkakati |
|
IT Tools and Applications |
Ramesh Bangia |
|
Born to Code in C |
Herbert Schildt |
|
Computer Database Organization |
James Martin |
