Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The Doctoral Programme in Management at Indian Institute of Management Bangalore prepares students for careers in research and teaching in academic institutions engaged in business management and public policy.  IIM PhD is a five-year full time programme which trains students to advance knowledge through theoretical and applied research and engage in their dissemination and implementation. IIM Bangalore supports its students through a generous financial aid package that includes full tuition fee waiver, stipend, subsidized hostel accommodation, start-up grants, travel grants and milestone incentives.

The programme adds substantially to the body of knowledge through research, both applied and - conceptual, and disseminates such knowledge.  IIMB PhD provides rigorous, inter-disciplinary training that will equip students with the ability to conduct cutting-edge research of international standard. It contributes to the creation and transmission of knowledge with emphasis on issues faced by firms and organizations in India. The PhD programme helps to meet the teaching and research manpower needs of academia and industry.
 

IIMB PhD students actively engage with its world class faculty work at the cutting edge of research, teaching, and implementation of management research. The PhD programme at IIMB has two main phases: an initial phase of coursework aimed at providing breadth and depth in management disciplines, and a subsequent phased focused on development of the doctoral dissertation under the guidance of a dissertation advisory committee. Periodic milestones are inbuilt in the programme to ensure timely progress towards the degree.

The programme duration is 5 years and has two phases: coursework and thesis research. The first phase covers the first two years and includes the following components: (a) coursework (b) independent study (c) a summer research project at the end of the first academic year. Successful completion of the first phase requires passing the Comprehensive Examination (written and viva) at the end of the second academic year. 

The student then begins the second phase focused on the dissertation research. The dissertation work which takes roughly three years has milestones such as formation of Dissertation Advisory Committee, Dissertation Proposal Defense, Dissertation Submission, Dissertation Evaluation, and Public Defense of Dissertation. 
Doctoral students also work as a Research Assistants (RA) and Teaching Assistants (TA) periodically during various stages of the Doctoral Programme. Students are expected to graduate at the convocation at the end of their fifth year in the programme.

The admission process for IIMB PhD programme is detailed as below:

• Based on the information provided by the applicants in their application, the candidates will be shortlisted (on the recommendation of the respective areas) and invited for an area specific written test and / or interview
• The mode of conducting the Area specific written test and Interview i.e either Online / In-person will be notified/intimated well ahead of the process.
• Candidates will be admitted to the programme based on a combination of multiple parameters, as also specified by the respective areas.
• Admission Parameters may include applicant's performance in GMAT, GRE, CAT, GATE, JRF (NET) score, or IIMB Test (as applicable), past academic performance, work experience, area specific test and / or interview performance etc.
• Candidates selected for admission are required to attend a Preparatory Course which is expected to be scheduled from late May through mid-June
• Registration for the Doctoral Programme will be notified separately on the website.
   

Eligible candidates should apply online at IIM Bangalore PhD admission official website with application fee of Rs.1000 for one specialization area and Rs.1500 for two specialization area. The candidate can apply for maximum two specialization areas. If the applicant wants to appear in IIMB admission test he/she has to pay Rs.500 extra in addition to the application fees