We have all had that one favorite brand that keeps surprising us with its upgrades and fun marketing strategies. Be it Coca-Cola offering a healthy sugar-free option or Mcdonald’s introducing Indian twists in their burgers. Such strategies help in gaining a viable position in the market.
Achieving this requires high focus and management of multiple teams to achieve that product success. A common analogy for the role of a Product Manager is that of a ship’s captain. It requires a high level of focus and strategic navigation of procedures to ensure the product achieves a successful, viable position in the market.
Are you someone who can manage multiple teams and bring the vision of a successful product to life? If yes, then the Product Manager role is for you!
Learn more about how to become a product manager, their duties, and the educational qualifications needed to become a Product Manager in India for the position in this blog. The blog also includes a summary of the skills required and the estimated income figures for this role.
Who is a Product Manager?
In simpler terms, a Product Manager supervises and manages all parts of the product, including its design, implementation, launch, and success (product cycle). The functions and responsibilities of a product manager vary from industry to industry and depending on the product.
Also learn: 7 Things About the Amazing World of Product Design
How to Become a Product Manager
Step 1: Choice of Stream
A person who wants to become a Product Manager can choose any stream after the 10th, i.e., Science, Commerce, or Arts. Enroll in an undergraduate program after class 12th in business management or a related subject.
Since it is a managerial-level position, it requires relevant experience in product management and a master’s degree to be eligible for the position. Do you think you are someone who can take up this high managerial position? Check it out with the Clever Harvey Future CEO course!
Step 2: Certification Courses & Project Courses
Certification courses can be pursued during or after graduation. These certificate courses will help in gaining insights from industry experts and gain project-based experience and skills.
Name of the course | Duration |
Digital Product Management | 3-6 months |
Software Product Management | 3-6 months |
Product Management Fundamentals | 3-6 months |
Brand and Product Management | 13 hours |
Product Strategy | 2 months |
Step 3: Educational Qualifications
As mentioned previously, one can pursue any stream post Grade 10. However if one plans to be a product manager specific to design or technical products, the science stream would be preferred.
How to become a Product Manager after 12th (UG Courses)
One can either apply for a bachelor’s degree in business management and then apply for a Masters’s program in business management. Or gain a relevant bachelor’s degree in marketing, technology, engineering, design, economics, or related fields, and apply for a Master’s degree in Business Management.
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UG courses for Product Management In India
The eligibility criteria for the bachelor’s program:
- Minimum 55% or equivalent in 10 + 2 Grade from a registered school or institution.
- Institution-specific entrance exam or merit-based selection.
A few of the entrance exams are,
- NMIMS-NPAT
- IIM Rohtak IPM Aptitude Test
- CUET
- JIPMAT
- Symbiosis SET
- Undergraduate degrees
Bachelor’s degrees in business management offered in India are as shown in the table below. The papers offered in these courses are – Finance, Entrepreneurship, Real Estate, Human Resource Management, Accounting and Information Systems, etc.
Name of the course | Duration |
Bachelor in Business Management (BBM) | 3 years |
Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) | 3 years |
Bachelor in Business Studies (BBS) | 3 years |
- Top 10 colleges in India for Product Management
Here’s a list of the top Universities in India from where you can pursue your career in Product Management.
Name of the Institute | Location | Estimated Fees (in INR) |
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies | Mumbai | 3,02,000 |
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies | Hyderabad | 2,52,000 |
Jamia Millia Islamia | Delhi | 39,300 |
Alliance University | Banglore | 7,50,000 |
Jindal Global Business School | Sonepat | 4,50,000 |
Christ University | Bangalore | 1,66,000 |
Lovely Professional University | Jalandhar | 1,12,000 |
OP Jindal Global University | Haryana | 4,50,000 |
ICFAI Business School | Hyderabad | 2,60,000 |
SCMS | Hyderabad | 1,070,00 |
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UG courses for Product Management Abroad
The eligibility criteria to apply for business management or related technical fields are as follows:
- Minimum 60% in 10 + 2 grades from a recognized board and institution.
- Minimum eligibility score in language tests (check website for university-specific requirements):
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE)
- Entrance exams for eligibility:
- Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)
- Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
- American College Testing (ACT)
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Or University specific entrance exam.
- Certificates courses abroad for Product Management
Name of course | Duration |
Product Manager Certification Course by Product Manager HQ | 10 weeks |
Product Management and Ownership by York University | 3 weeks (self-paced) |
Product Management Certification by Product School | 8 weeks |
Digital Product Management by EdX and Boston University | 7 weeks |
Product Strategy by Northwestern | Kellogg School of Management | 2 months |
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- Undergraduate courses abroad for Product Management
Name of course | Duration |
Bachelors in Product Design and Development | 3 years |
BA (Hons) Business Management | 3 years |
Bachelor of Business Administration | 3 years |
Bachelor of Management in Business Economics | 3 years |
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Management and Technology | 3 years |
- Top colleges abroad to become a Product Manager
Here’s a list of the top Universities in India from where you can pursue your career in Product Management.
Name of the Institute | Location |
Teesside University | Middlesbrough, UK |
Northeastern University | Boston, USA |
The University of Illinois at Chicago | Chicago, USA |
Monash University | Melbourne, Australia |
University of Toronto | Toronto, Canada |
Ludwig Maximilians University Munich | Munich, Germany |
Humboldt University of Berlin | Berlin, Germany |
Eastern Institute of Technology | New Zealand |
Manukau Institute of Technology | Auckland, New Zealand |
ESSEC Business School – France | Paris, France |
Step 4: Job Preparation
- Internships:
During the undergraduate course or after, one can apply for internships related to product management in different industries. While applying for the internships cultivate the skills and experience that can be added to the portfolio
- Portfolio creation:
A portfolio can be in any format with detailed information regarding the projects you have worked on, case studies, reviews, certifications and contact details. The sooner you start your career, the better! Check out the Clever Harvey Junior MBA course on Technology
3. Freelance:
Though it is a managerial-level position, one can be a remote Product Manager as well. However, previous relevant experience in the field would be preferred.
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Skills to become a Product Manager
Interpersonal skills | Technical skills | Business skills | Marketing Skills | User Skills | Core Product Skills |
Leadership | Innovation | Product council | Product Positioning | Wireframe | Vision |
Communication | Partnership | Product Planning | Product Discovery | Requests | Roadmap |
Stakeholder Management | Specification | Product Analysis | Product Competition | Feedback | Requirements |
Team collaboration | System Analysis | Product Support | Product Optimization | Personas | Testing Features |
Salary of a Product Manager – Country wise list
The table below provides the average annual salary of Product Managers globally.
Country | India(in rupees) | US(in dollars) | UK(in pounds) | Canada(in Canadian dollars) | Singapore(in Singapore dollars) | Germany(in euros) |
Avg. Annual Salary | INR 16.3 LPA | $89,861 | £57,555 | $89,325 | SGD 36,000 | €63,000 |
Top recruiters for Product Manager in India
Top recruiters in India |
Cognizant Technology Solutions |
DXC Technology |
Amazon |
Harman |
Tata Consultancy Services |
FIS |
Sprinklr |
Oracle |
Meta |
Freshworks |
Top recruiters abroad for Product Manager
Top recruiters abroad |
Coolblue |
Booking.com |
N26 |
Tessian |
Hyperfine |
Canva |
Airtasker |
Glovo |
Smartly.io |
Stripe |
The role of a product manager is a challenging one, but also a financially rewarding position. As product managers map out plans for the product’s features, vision, strategy, efficient cross-team cooperation, and alignment of stakeholders to establish the efficacy for success. It is estimated that the position will gain more demand and relevance over the next couple of years.
FAQs related to becoming a Product Manager after 12th in India
What qualifications do I need to be a product manager?
The basic requirement to become a Product Manager is a relevant degree in Business Administration or Management and 2-3 years of experience in Product development.
Are product managers paid well in India?
The average salary of a Product Manager in India is 17 lakhs p.a. With the lowest being 5.8 lakhs p.a., the highest being 35 lakhs p.a
How do I start a career as a product manager?
You can start your career by gaining relevant experience in product development, followed by applying for the position of Associate Product Manager.
How to become a product manager after the 12th?
You can enrol for a bachelor’s Program in Business Management or administration or related fields.
Which degree is best for a product manager?
An ideal candidate would possess a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Masters’s degree in management with relevant product management experience of 2-3 years.
What are the job profiles available for Product Managers?
Based on the experience level and size of the organization, the different roles you can apply for our- Associate Product Manager, Senior Product Manager, Product Leader, Principal Product Manager, etc.