ICICI PGPRM Program vs. ICICI Manipal PO Program – Which is Better in 2025?

ICICI Bank, one of India’s leading private banks, offers two prominent training programs for graduates aspiring to build a career in banking: the Post Graduate Program in Relationship Management (PGPRM) and the Manipal Probationary Officer (PO) Program. Both programs, conducted in partnership with Manipal Global Education Services, provide a structured pathway to a banking career with guaranteed job placements at ICICI Bank. However, they cater to slightly different career paths and come with distinct features. This blog compares the ICICI PGPRM and Manipal PO Program based on eligibility, structure, fees, salary, job roles, and growth prospects to help you decide which is better suited for your career goals in 2025.

Overview of the Programs

ICICI PGPRM Program

The Post Graduate Program in Relationship Management (PGPRM) is a specialized one-year program focused on developing skills for sales and relationship management in banking. It targets graduates interested in roles that emphasize client relationships, cross-selling, and business development.

• Objective: Train candidates to become frontline managers in sales and relationship management, focusing on customer acquisition and servicing.
• Certification: Post Graduate Diploma in Banking (PGDB) from Manipal Academy of Higher Education.
• Job Role: Deputy Manager (Band I) in sales and relationship management roles upon completion.

ICICI Manipal PO Program

The Manipal Probationary Officer Program is a well-established one-year training initiative designed to prepare graduates for a broader range of banking roles, with an emphasis on sales, servicing, and operational management.

• Objective: Develop first-level managers with comprehensive banking knowledge and skills for sales, relationship management, and branch operations.
• Certification: Post Graduate Diploma in Banking (PGDB) from Manipal Academy of Higher Education.
• Job Role: Deputy Manager (Band I) in sales, relationship management, or branch operations roles upon completion.

Comparison of Key Parameters

1. Eligibility Criteria

• PGPRM Program:
  • Educational Qualification: Graduates from any discipline with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks.
  • Age Limit: Typically up to 27 years (born on or after a specific date, e.g., July 31, 1998, for 2025; verify on the official website).
  • Additional Requirements: Strong interest in sales and relationship management. Some sources suggest preference for candidates with prior sales or customer-facing experience, though not mandatory.
• Manipal PO Program:
  • Educational Qualification: Graduates from any discipline, including engineers, with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks. Some sources mention a 60% requirement for certain batches, so confirm for 2025.
  • Age Limit: Up to 27 years (e.g., born on or after July 31, 1998, for 2025; verify on the official website).
  • Additional Requirements: Open to candidates with a passion for banking, including sales, servicing, and operations. No prior experience required.

Verdict: Both programs have similar eligibility criteria, making them accessible to graduates from diverse backgrounds. The PGPRM may slightly favor candidates with sales aptitude, while the PO program is broader, welcoming engineers and others interested in varied banking roles.

2. Program Structure

• PGPRM Program:
  • Duration: 1 year, divided into:
    • Term 1 (4 months): Classroom training at ICICI Manipal Academy (IMA), Bengaluru, focusing on banking products, relationship management, sales techniques, and compliance.
    • Term 2 (2 months): Internship at an ICICI Bank branch, applying classroom knowledge in a professional setting.
    • Term 3 (6 months): On-the-job training at ICICI Bank, emphasizing sales and client relationship management.
  • Training Focus: Specialized in sales and relationship banking, with case studies and hands-on training tailored to customer acquisition and servicing.
  • Delivery: Residential training at IMA, Bengaluru, supplemented by practical experience at ICICI Bank branches.
• Manipal PO Program:
  • Duration: 1 year, divided into:
    • Term 1 (4 months): Classroom training at IMA, Bengaluru, covering core banking operations, products, processes, systems, and regulations.
    • Term 2 (2 months): Internship at an ICICI Bank branch, focusing on real-world banking operations and customer interactions.
    • Term 3 (6 months): On-the-job training at ICICI Bank, involving sales, servicing, cross-selling, and operational tasks.
  • Training Focus: Comprehensive banking knowledge, including sales, relationship management, and branch operations, with a balance of theoretical and practical learning.
  • Delivery: Residential training at IMA, Bengaluru, with state-of-the-art facilities like branch simulators and processing centers.

Verdict: The PGPRM is more specialized, focusing on sales and relationship management, while the PO program offers a broader curriculum, covering additional aspects like branch operations. If you prefer a focused sales career, PGPRM is ideal; for a versatile banking role, the PO program is better.

3. Program Fees and Financial Support

• PGPRM Program:
  • Fee: Approximately INR 2,55,500 (including taxes), based on historical data for similar programs. Confirm the exact fee for 2025 on icicicareers.com or manipalacademyofbfsi.com.
  • Financial Support: Education loans available through partner banks to cover the fee. No stipend details are explicitly mentioned for PGPRM, but it’s likely similar to the PO program (see below).
  • Return on Investment: The guaranteed job and stipends during internship and OJT help recover the fee within 1–2 years.
• Manipal PO Program:
  • Fee: INR 2,55,500 (including taxes), as per recent sources. Education loans are available to fund the program.
  • Stipends:
    • Term 1 (4 months): INR 5,000/month (total INR 20,000).
    • Term 2 (2 months): INR 22,000–24,000/month (total INR 44,000–48,000).
    • Term 3 (6 months): INR 28,000–32,000/month (total INR 1,68,000–1,92,000).
    • Total Stipend: INR 2,32,000–2,60,000, offsetting a significant portion of the fee.
  • Return on Investment: The stipends and starting salary of INR 5,00,000–5,50,000 per annum ensure a strong ROI within 1–2 years.

Verdict: Both programs have similar fees, with the PO program offering clear stipend details that offset costs. PGPRM’s stipend structure is less documented but likely comparable. The PO program’s transparency in stipend amounts gives it a slight edge for financial planning.

4. Salary and Job Roles Post-Completion

• PGPRM Program:
  • Starting Salary: INR 5,00,000–5,50,000 per annum (CTC, based on location) as a Deputy Manager (Band I) in sales and relationship management roles.
  • Job Role: Focuses on sales, cross-selling, acquiring new customers, and managing client relationships, often through field visits and branch-based interactions. Responsibilities include pitching banking products like loans, credit cards, or insurance and maintaining customer satisfaction.
  • Work Environment: Field-based, target-driven, with emphasis on client engagement and business development.
• Manipal PO Program:
  • Starting Salary: INR 5,00,000–5,50,000 per annum (CTC, based on location) as a Deputy Manager (Band I).
  • Job Role: Encompasses sales, relationship management, customer servicing, and branch operations. Duties include managing customer accounts, cross-selling products, acquiring new clients, and overseeing operational tasks like transaction processing or compliance.
  • Work Environment: A mix of branch-based and field-based work, with a broader scope that may include operational and managerial tasks.

Verdict: Both programs offer identical starting salaries and designations (Deputy Manager, Band I). However, PGPRM roles are more sales-focused, while PO roles offer versatility, including operations and management. Choose PGPRM for a sales-centric career; choose PO for a broader banking role.

5. Career Growth Prospects

• PGPRM Program:
  • Short-Term (1–3 Years): As a Deputy Manager, you’ll focus on achieving sales targets and building client relationships. High performers can move to roles like Relationship Manager or Branch Sales Manager, with salaries of INR 6,00,000–10,00,000 per annum.
  • Long-Term (5+ Years): Opportunities to advance to senior roles like Area Sales Manager or Regional Head, with salaries ranging from INR 12,00,000 to 20,00,000+ per annum, per AmbitionBox data.
  • Advantages: Specialized training in relationship management can lead to lucrative sales roles in private banking or wealth management.
  • Challenges: Growth depends heavily on sales performance, and the target-driven nature may limit work-life balance, as noted in some Quora reviews.
• Manipal PO Program:
  • Short-Term (1–3 Years): As a Deputy Manager, you’ll handle sales, servicing, and operations, with potential to become a Branch Manager within 3 years, earning INR 6,00,000–12,00,000 per annum.
  • Long-Term (5+ Years): Progression to roles like Area Manager, Regional Head, or even Assistant General Manager, with salaries up to INR 20,00,000–30,00,000 per annum for top performers.
  • Advantages: Broader skill set allows flexibility to move into operations, retail banking, or leadership roles. The program has produced over 30,000 bankers, indicating a proven track record.
  • Challenges: The diverse responsibilities may involve high-pressure targets and longer hours, with some reviews citing limited work-life balance.

Verdict: Both programs offer strong growth prospects, but PGPRM is better for those aiming for specialized sales or wealth management roles, while the PO program suits those seeking versatility and potential leadership in branch operations or management.

6. Selection Process

• PGPRM Program:
  • Online application through icicicareers.com or manipalacademyofbfsi.com.
  • Online aptitude test (assessing reasoning and numerical skills).
  • Online psychometric questionnaire.
  • Group discussion (GD) and personal interview (PI) to evaluate interpersonal and sales skills.
  • Focus: Emphasis on sales aptitude and relationship-building skills.
• Manipal PO Program:
  • Online application through icicicareers.com or manipalacademyofbfsi.com.
  • Online aptitude test (reasoning, numerical, and verbal skills).
  • Online psychometric questionnaire.
  • Group discussion and personal interview to assess banking knowledge and interpersonal skills.
  • Focus: Broader evaluation of banking aptitude, including operations and customer servicing.

Verdict: The selection processes are nearly identical, with slight differences in the focus of the GD and PI. PGPRM prioritizes sales skills, while the PO program assesses a wider range of banking competencies.

Pros and Cons

PGPRM Program

• Pros:
  • Specialized training for sales and relationship management, ideal for those passionate about client-facing roles.
  • Guaranteed job with competitive salary (INR 5,00,000–5,50,000 per annum).
  • PGDB certification enhances credibility in sales-focused banking roles.
  • Strong potential for high earnings through incentives in sales roles.
• Cons:
  • High-pressure, target-driven environment may not suit everyone.
  • Less flexibility for non-sales roles compared to the PO program.
  • Limited transparency on stipend structure compared to the PO program.

Manipal PO Program

• Pros:
  • Comprehensive training covering sales, operations, and management, offering versatility in career paths.
  • Guaranteed job with identical salary (INR 5,00,000–5,50,000 per annum).
  • Clear stipend structure (INR 2,32,000–2,60,000) offsets program costs.
  • Proven track record with over 30,000 graduates employed by ICICI Bank.
• Cons:
  • Broad responsibilities may include operational tasks, which some may find less appealing.
  • High-pressure sales targets and long hours, as noted in some reviews.

Which Program is Better for You?

• Choose the PGPRM Program if:
  • You’re passionate about sales and building client relationships.
  • You want specialized training for roles in wealth management, retail banking, or business development.
  • You’re comfortable with a target-driven, field-based role and thrive in customer-facing environments.
  • You aim for high earnings through sales incentives.
• Choose the Manipal PO Program if:
  • You prefer a versatile banking career with exposure to sales, operations, and management.
  • You want flexibility to explore diverse roles, such as branch management or operations.
  • You value a clear stipend structure to offset the program fee.
  • You’re interested in a well-established program with a strong track record (30,000+ graduates).

Tips for Success in Either Program

1. Prepare for the Selection Process: Practice aptitude tests (reasoning, numerical, verbal) using resources like Testbook or previous ICICI PO papers.
2. Hone Sales Skills: Both programs emphasize sales, so develop communication, persuasion, and objection-handling skills.
3. Leverage Training: Actively engage in classroom and practical training to build banking knowledge and confidence.
4. Network: Connect with mentors and peers at IMA, Bengaluru, for career guidance and opportunities.
5. Plan Finances: Use education loans and stipends to manage the INR 2,55,500 fee, ensuring a strong ROI with the guaranteed job.

Conclusion

Both the ICICI PGPRM and Manipal PO Programs offer excellent pathways to a banking career with ICICI Bank in 2025, providing a guaranteed job, a PGDB certification, and competitive starting salaries of INR 5,00,000–5,50,000 per annum. The PGPRM is ideal for those focused on sales and relationship management, offering specialized training for client-facing roles. The Manipal PO Program, with its broader curriculum and proven track record, suits those seeking versatility in sales, operations, or management. Your choice depends on your career goals: PGPRM for a sales-centric path, or PO for a comprehensive banking role. For the latest details on fees, stipends, and applications, visit icicicareers.com or manipalacademyofbfsi.com.

Sources: Information compiled from ICICI Bank’s official website, Manipal Academy of BFSI, Prosple, AmbitionBox, Quora, and other career portals. Verify 2025-specific details on official channels, as fees and stipends may vary.