PGDCA or Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications is a post graduation course that can be done after the graduation by students from any stream. Computer applications in various fields like banking, insurance, accounting etc is very much required in today’s world. It is a one year full time course but students have the option of doing 2 year part time course also.

Advantages or Benefits of Doing Post-Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications

Students can acquire both scientific and computer knowledge that would help them to find a job very easily in the present job market. Professional computer knowledge is offered through PGDCA. This course together with MCA has the value of doing engineering course, the only difference being it is a diploma course. But the job openings will be the same.

Eligibility Criteria for PGDCA program

The applicants for PGDCA must have completed their graduation with minimum 50% pass marks. They must also have studied mathematics at their 10+2 course. Candidates preparing for final year degree examination are also eligible to apply. The applicants who wish to pursue PGDCA must have completed 20 years of age in the year of seeking admission.

Admission Procedure for PGDCA program

An entrance exam will be conducted in order to select the best students. Candidates show casing good result will be called up for interview on the basis of their performance by the colleges. Candidates should have a thorough knowledge regarding computer applications. The board for interview will select the best performers in the interview for admission. Some colleges directly select candidates based on their marks in degree exams.

PGDCA Entrance exams in India

• Entrance exam by Delhi University
• Entrance exam by Sikkim University
• Entrance exam by Manipal University

How to fill in PGDCA Entrance Application form?

Candidates should fill up the application form in their own handwriting neatly and eligibly. They should stick on to the instructions given in the prospectus. Signatures and photographs should be put wherever required. All the details given should be true and a copy of the form can be kept with applicants for future correspondence.

PGDCA Entrance Exam Pattern

Admission is made by conducting a two hours test by the department of computer science under Delhi University for colleges offering this course under the university. The exam will be consisting of objective type questions comprising of question from mathematics, logical ability test and computer science. Each area will contain 50 questions carrying 200 marks in total. The syllabus will be from 10+2.

Coaching Centers for PGDCA Entrance Exam

• Infomath
• Disha Tutorial
• Insight
• Academy for Professional Excellence (APEX)
• Ambition
• Career Aim Institute
• Erudite Educational Centre
• Swot Institute
• Dishtek
• T.I.M.E

Reference Books for PGDCA Entrance Exam

• Essential Mathematics for Life Series by Mary S. Charuhas
• Elementary Algebra by Harold Jacobs
• Mathematics: A Human Endeavor by Harold Jacobs
• Master math by Debra Ross
• C Programming by Balgurusamy
• Programming in C  by S. Kochan.
• Born to code in C by H. Schildt.
• C Programming by Kerninghan and Ritchie - 2nd Edition.
• Programming in ANSI C by Agarwal
• C Programming with Problem Solving by Jacqueline A Jones, Keith Harro
• Human learning, Jeanne. E.O
• Basic managerial skills for all, E.H. Megrath
• Trainer’s GuideProject management, Michael Davies

PGDCA Colleges in India

• A.G.L Degree and PG College, Andhra Pradesh
• A.K.D Dharmaraja’s Women’s College, Tamil Nadu
• A.S College, Punjab
• A.S Patil College of Commerce, Karnataka
• A.V.C College, Tamil Nadu
• Veeraiya Vandayar Memorial Sri Pushpam College, Tamil Nadu
• Abhyapuri College, Assam
• Acharya Narendra Dev College, New Delhi
• Advance Institute of Business Management,  Haryana
• Aishwarya Post Graduation College, Rajasthan
• Akal Degree College for Women, Punjab
• All India Jat Heroes’ Memorial College, Haryana
• Amardeep Singh Shergill Memorial College (ASSM), Punjab
• Anglo Sanskrit College for Women, Punjab
• Annai College of Arts and Science
• Anakudi Road, Kovilacheri, Tamil Nadu
• Annammal College of Education for Women, Tamil Nadu
• Arawali institute of Computer and Management (AICM),Madhya Pradesh
• Arumugam Pillai Seethai Ammal College, Tamil Nadu
• Aryan International College, Rajasthan
• Asian Workers Development Institute Bastia Smruti Sadan, Orissa
• Aviva Info. Tech. College, Chhattisgar
• Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College,Tamil Nadu
• V. Bhoomareddi College of Arts Science and Commerce, Karnataka
• Banasthali University, Rajasthan
• Baba Farid College
• Muktsar Road, Punjab
• Baroda Institute of Management Studies (BIMS), Gujarat
• Basu Bir Foundation, Kolkata
• Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune
• Bhartiya Institute of Professional Studies, Madhya Pradesh
• Bhaurao Kakatkar College (B.K), Karnataka
• Bhavnagar University, Gujarat
• Blitz Institute of Creative Arts (B.I.C.A.), Uttar Pradesh
• Cardamom Planters’ Association College, Tamil Nadu
• College of Management & Technology, Punjab
• Colonel Degree College for Women, Punjab
• D.R.V D.A.V. Centenary College, Punjab

PGDCA course curriculum

Semester 1:

• Fundamentals of Information Technology
• C Programming
• Soft Skill
• Practical

Semester II:

• Visual Basic
• Java
• DBMS
• Practicals

Semester III

• Software Engineering and Business Process
• Oracle
• Web Programming
• Practical

Semester IV

• Data Structure and Algorithms
• PPM & OB
• Project
• Practical

PGDCA Course Evaluation

Students are assessed on the basis of their performance in both internal and external exams. Separate pass mark is required for both the exams. 70% of evaluation will be based on external assessment and rest 30% on the basis of internal assessment. Internal marks will include attendance, written test and tutorial work. External exams will be conducted at the end of each semester.

PGDCA Text Books

• Computers Today 3e: by Sanders.
• Computers: by Trainor & Krasnewich (McGraw Hill).
• Fundamentals of Computing: by Tucker, Cupper,
• Bradley Epsten, Kelemen (McGraw Hill).
• Operating System Concept: by Peterson Biberachaty.
• Operating System: by Millan Milenkoric.
• Fundamentals of Computers: by Rajaraman.
• Know your PC: by Peter Norton.
• MS-DOS Technical References Manual.
• Microprocessors Systems 8086/8080 family: by Gibson.
• Advanced MS-DOS Programming (Microsoft press).
• Computer Networks: by Andrew S. Tenenbaum.
• Computer Network and Distributed Processing: by James martin.
• Computer Studies : by C.S.French.
• Elements of digital computer: by Thomas Bartee
• MCSD MSCS Training Guide VB 5.0
• Evangelos Petroustos Mastering Visual Basic 6.0
• IDG Visual Basic 6 Programming Black Book
• Perpy Greg Visual Basic 6.0 in 21 days
• Jerke Noel Visual Basic 6.0 –The Complete Reference
• Introduction To Database Systems, by C.J.Date
• Data Base System Concept by Korth.
• Data Management Systems by Alexis Leon, Mathew Leon
• Principals of Database Management by James Martin.
• Computer Database Organization by James Martin.
• Relational database design for Micro Computers applications by Jackson
• Introduction to Data Management Systems By Atul Kahate
• Fundamentals of Database Systems  By Elmasri, Navathe

What to do after PGDCA?

After the completion of PGDCA one can opt for MCA which will give them a status equivalent to an engineer and with which they can pursue their career in software field. PGDCA opens a wide opportunity in IT field.

Job and Career options for PGDCA

• Software Programmer
• Database Administrator
• System and Network Administrator
• System Analyst
• Computer Teacher/Faculty at 10+2/Graduation level
• Web analyst
• Software Quality Tester

Remuneration after PGDCA

As PGDCA covers area like banking, insurance and accounting the demand for them is really high. A person with PGDCA back ground can earn a salary of Rs.15000 and above per month depending on the field they work with.