PhD in Management in India: FPM Course, Eligibility, Admissions, Syllabus, Fees, Career

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Updated on
February 8, 2023

PhD in Management & Fellow Program in Management

Business and Management education has grown rapidly in India. According to AACSB International, a premier global accreditation agency, India has more than 3,000 MBA programs, the highest in the world! Lack of quality faculty is often lamented by education leaders. Further, with the advent of Industry 3.0 Trends and proliferation of IT in business, management thinking and practices are also getting altered significantly. These developments highlight the growing importance of trained researchers and faculty in management domains in India. However little information exists about PhD in Management in India and FPM in India, that are supposed to create researchers and faculty in management disciplines. This special article by MBAUniverse.com shall bridge the gap.

 

phd in management

PhD in Management: Highlights

Particulars
Details
Degree Name
PhD in Management
Degree Type
Doctoral
Degree Duration
3 to 5 years
Entrance Exams
UGC NET, CSIR NET, IIM and IIM Tests, Entrance Tests by XLRI.
Eligibility Criteria
Masters Degree
Admission process
Based on the admission tests and interview
Fees for the entire duration
Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 5,00,000
Scholarships
Many IIMs offer Scholarship to selected candidates 

What is PhD in Management?
Let’s start by answering the basic question -- What is a PhD in Management course? Well, a PhD in Management course or Doctor of Philosophy in Management is one of the highest academic degrees awarded in the study of management science. The degree was designed primarily for those candidates seeking Academic Research and Teaching Careers at business schools.

 

IIM Ahmedabad says that its Ph.D. program in Management course prepares students for a career in academia or research positions in industry. IIM Bangalore says its PhD in Management course is committed to training individuals to excel in their chosen areas of research and produce publication-quality work of international standards. The PhD in Management Program of IIM Calcutta was started in 1971. The Programme aims to prepare students for careers in teaching and research in management studies and in related disciplines, and for careers in the government, in industry, and in other organizations that require advanced analytical and research capabilities.

 

What is FPM?
As per the education regulatory system in India, only a UGC recognized University or an ‘institution of national importance’ can offer a PhD program. Since IIMs, till passing of IIM Act in 2017, were not authorised to offer PhD in Management, they offered a ‘Fellow Programme in Management’ or FPM. In line with Fellow program in Management offered by IIMs, Technical education regulatory body AICTE also allowed PGDM B-schools like XLRI, MDI and SPJIMR to offer the FPM in India (Fellow Programme in Management). After passing of IIM Act, today most IIMs offer a PhD in Management in India, while PGDM B-schools continue to offer FPM in India. Public and Private Universities offer a PhD in Management in India.

 

Above can be explained well through an example. IIM Bangalore, established in 1973, is now incorporated and recognized as an ‘Institution of National Importance’ by an Act of Parliament titled, the Indian Institutes of Management Act, 2017. With IIM Act coming into effect, the erstwhile Doctoral Programme – Fellow Programme in Management now leads to the grant of a degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Prior to this, the Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) of the IIM Bangalore, which is now referred to as the Doctoral Programme, was recognized as being equivalent to the Ph.D. degree of a University by the Association of Indian Universities.

 

XLRI for example offers FPM in India - Fellow Programme in Management (FPM), a full-time, residential doctoral programme offering studies in different fields of management and functional areas. SPJIMR’s Fellow Programme in Management (FPM), is full-time doctoral-level programme “designed to develop high caliber researchers and faculty in various management disciplines.”

 

PhD Vs FPM in India: What is the difference?
In terms of curriculum and content, there is no difference between PhD and FPM in India. However technically they are two separate programs offering different academic titles.

 

Top PhD in Management in India offered by IIMs, AICTE B-schools & Universities

Sr No
B-schools & Universities
Program Name
1
IIM Ahmedabad
PhD in Management
2
IIM Bangalore
PhD in Management
3
IIM Calcutta
PhD in Management
4
XLRI
Fellow in Management (FPM)
5
SPJIMR
Fellow in Management (FPM)
6
MDI Gurgaon
Fellow in Management (FPM)
7
FMS Delhi University
PhD in Management
8.
IIT Mumbai - Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management
PhD in Management
9.
IIT Delhi - Department of Management Studies
PhD in Management
10.
IIM Kozhikode
PhD in Management/ Doctoral Program in Management

Different Areas of Specializations in PhD in Management program
PhD in Management in India, is generally specific to the study of research questions with potential relevance to the business world. Areas of specialization for the PhD in Management in India include typical domains of management like Strategy, Finance & Accounting, Human Resource, Marketing etc. Some B-schools like IIM Calcutta also encourage research into to related domains like economics, sociology and regional development.

 

Areas of Specializations in PhD in Management/ FPM Program in Management
Let’s check different Areas of Specializations in Doctoral Program in Management

 

IIM Ahmedabad offers following areas of high levels of specialization: (1) Agriculture, (2) Economics, (3) Finance & Accounting, (4) Human Resource Management, (5) Information Systems, (6) Innovation and Management in Education, (7) Marketing, (8) Organizational Behaviour, (9) Production and Quantitative Methods, (10) Public Systems and (11) Strategy

 

IIM Bangalore Areas of Specializations are: (1) Decision Sciences, (2) Economics & Social Sciences, (3) Entrepreneurship, (4) Finance & Accounting, (5) Marketing, (6) Organizational Behavior& Human Resource Management, (7) Production & Operations Management, (8) Public Policy, (9) Strategy

 

IIM Calcutta offers Doctoral Programme which has two streams:

  1. The Doctoral Programme in Management includes the following - specializations: Economics, Finance & Control, Human Resource Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Operations Management, Organizational Behaviour, Public Policy and Management, and Strategic Management.
  2. The Doctoral Programme in Disciplines Related to Management includes the following specializations: Operations Research & Systems Analysis, Regional Development, and Sociology.

IIT Delhi’s Department of Management Studies research areas are broadly classified into the following areas: Economics; Finance & Accounting; Information Technology & Systems; Marketing; Operations, and Supply Chain Management; and Strategy, and Technology Management.

 

PhD in Management in India: Program Duration
Generally, students are expected to complete the PhD programme within 5 years of registering and completing the process of PhD in Management Admission. However, some scholars finish the program in lesser duration (4 years) and some take more than 5 years. 

 

Benefits of PhD or FPM Program
So what are the benefits of PhD or FPM Program? Here are the key ones:

  1. New Knowledge Creation: Through research, Faculty and Researchers create new knowledge that are essential in advancing any disciple. By pursuing regular research in their areas, faculty also remains current in his or her chosen field.
  2. Eligibility Requirement for Academic Career: A PhD in Management  in India or FPM in India is often required for those interested in pursuing an academic career as a professor at a business school. 
  3. Positive Impact on Rankings: Reputed MBA Rankings like Financial Times UK, NIRF India are influenced by the proportion of faculty with Ph.D. degrees or doctorates.

PhD in Management Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for PhD in Management Admissions in India require candidates to meet certain criteria. General PhD in Management Eligibility Criteria in India are:

a) A Master's Degree (obtained after completing bachelor’s degree) or a 5 year Integrated Master’s Degree (obtained after completing higher secondary schooling in 10+2 pattern) in any discipline (OR) Post Graduate Diploma (2 years), OR

b) Professional qualification - CA, ICWA, CS with B.com/Degree, OR

c) 4 year / 8 semesters Bachelor's degree

So for PhD in Management Admissions in India, you must have one of the above qualifications. It may be noted that the above are the minimum eligibility for PhD in Management admissions. 

 

PhD in Management Admission Process
The PhD in Management Admission process is designed to test candidates at the rigorous standard Since PhD or FPM is a rigorous program. Here are the key steps of PhD in Management in India Admission process

  1. Written Exam: The first step to PhD in Management Admissions is appearing in entrance test like CAT, XAT, GMAT, GRE, UGC-JRF in relevant discipline or own PhD in Management Admission Test of Universities. IIM Bangalore conducts its own PhD in Management admission test as well. At SPJIMR, applicants will have to give a Research Aptitude Test (RAT) during their personal interview session.
  2. Interview: Candidates are short listed on the basis of their performance in written exams, academic background and experience for next round of Ph.D.in Management admission process. Ph.D. in Management admission interviews are held thereafter.
  3. Final Ph.D. in Management Admissions: Based on Written Exam Scores, Interview performance and other criteria as specified by IIMs, Universities and B-schools, final Ph.D. in Management admission list is released. Selected candidates are expected to complete registration formalities within stipulated time.

PhD in Management Fees, Fellowship and Expenses
While some Universities and B-schools have PhD in Management Fees, most IIMs and top B-schools don’t charge any fee from the candidates enrolled into their PhD programs. Infact, to encourage research, they offer fellowships and grants. Here are some of the top MBA Colleges in India offering Phd in Management with Fee details:

 

Top IIMs offering Phd in Management with Fee Details
Below are some of the top IIMs offering doctoral program in Management (PhD). Till the passing of IIM Act, these IIMs offered FPM in Management. The Phd from IIMs does not require tuition fee. In fact IIMs offer a stipend or PhD allowance to motivate students to pursue research. Here are some details:

  1. IIM Bangalore: There is no tuition fee for PhD students. Additionally, they will receive a stipend of Rs 35,000 per month for up to five years to cover their living expenses.
  2. IIM Ahmedabad: Provides a comprehensive fellowship that covers all academic expenses including tuition, computer, library, medical insurance, placement and alumni fees, and in addition includes a monthly subsistence allowance of Rs. 32,800 to 39,300. IIMA also offers Contingency Allowance and other support for attending international conference/ workshop/ summer school during their entire tenure with Ph.D. Since the Ph. D. Programme is a full time residential programme, accommodation is provided to all selected candidates.
  3. IIM Calcutta: Each student is given a stipend that starts at Rs.30,000 per month and goes up to Rs.35,000 per month. In addition, each student can avail the student development grants of up to Rs. 65,000 for the first year of study, and of up to Rs. 25,000 per year for subsequent years.
  1. SPJIMR: FPM at SPJIMR is a fully-funded programme. Every scholar admitted to the programme receives a 100 per cent scholarship for the entire duration of their FPM journey. Apart from this, to enable the participants to take care of their essential needs during their research journey, SPJIMR also provides a monthly stipend of Rs 40,000 per month for the program’s first four years.

Top MBA Colleges offering FPM in Management with Fees Details
Below are some of the top AICTE approved PGDM institutes offering FPM in Management

  1. XLRI: An FPM student is awarded a fellowship of Rs. 25,000/- per month during the 1st and 2nd year and Rs. 30,000/- per month for the next two years in addition to tuition waiver, to help meet living and other expenses. Fellowship will be paid only to full-time residential students, and for a maximum period of four years.No extension of fellowship is provided.
  2. SPJIMR: FPM at SPJIMR is a fully-funded programme. Every scholar admitted to the programme will receive a 100 percent scholarship for the entire duration of their FPM journey. Apart from this, to enable the participants to take care of their basic needs during their research journey, SPJIMR also provides a monthly stipend as below:
  • During the coursework phase: INR 40,000 per month
  • Post clearing the qualifying exam: INR 42,000 per month
  • Post successful defence of proposal: INR 45,000 per month
  1. MDI Gurgaon: At MDI, Tuition Fee is waived off. FPM scholarship is given for maximum four years for non MBA students and three years for MBA students. For first two years, scholarship will be Rs. 24000/month and for remaining duration it will be Rs. 26000/month. In addition, a contingency grant shall also be given to FPM students to support their field work, purchase of books, etc. 

Phd in Management Admission in India: Important Dates
In most MBA Colleges, PhD in Management Admission process starts 6-8 months before the program begins in June/July/August. Let’s check the admission process of a few institutions.

 

XLRI FPM Admissions Process
Candidates can apply for admission to XLRI FPM through ONE of the following routes:

  1. XAT: Appear in the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) that is conducted by XLRI all over India in first week of January every year.
  2. Other Entrance Tests: Candidate can submit the scores obtained in the latest UGC-JRF/NET, or the GMAT, or the GRE, or the GATE.
  3. MBA/PGDM from premier B-schools: Candidates with two-year full time PGDM/ MBA from premier B-schools like XLRI, any of the IIMs, FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, XIMB, IRMA, SPJIMR, TISS, ISI or the school/department of management of an IIT with a CQPI of at least 6 on a scale of 8, or equivalent can apply directly.

IIT Bombay PhD Admission Process
IIT Bombay accepts applications for Ph.D. Programme round the year. However, they are processed twice a year i.e. Autumn Semester (July session) and Spring Semester (January session). After applying for the program, shortlisted applicants called for a Written Test followed by an Interview. The written test is based on aptitude test. Candidates applying to SJMSOM are required to submit a sample of their recently published writings on relevant topics or a 1500 word proposal on proposed area of research.

 

IIT Delhi PhD Admission Process Although Phd in management in Delhi is offered by many top MBA colleges including IIM Rohtak, IIFT, FMS Delhi, however IIT Delhi is one of the prominent institutions to offer Ph.D. in Management in Delhi.

 

Normally, Ph.D. programmes at IIT Delhi are advertised in the month of March and October each year, and admissions are carried out in the months of May and December. Further, admission to the Ph.D programme is possible any time of the year with the application being processed and candidates interviewed by the respective DRC/CRC/SRC. Ph.D. scholars can join the Institute at any time of the year, though the course registration will be possible only at the beginning of the subsequent semester.

 

PhD Placements in India
The majority of PhD students join academics to teach at a B-school. Some also join policy think tanks and industry bodies.

 

Sharing information about its PhD Placements, IIM Kozhikode says, “We see Fellow Programme in Management as a crucial source of management researchers and faculty resources of top quality for academic institutions, industry, business, government and society. Our graduated fellows have become faculty members in many prestigious National Institutes. IIM Kozhikode PhD in Management students have received job offers from following leading institutions:

  • Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore
  • Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Trichy
  • Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras
  • National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai
  • Loughborough University, United Kingdom
  • Durham University Business School, United Kingdom
  • University of New Brunswick, Canada
  • Strathclyde Business School, United Kingdom
  • Middlesex University, Dubai
  • University College of London
  • University of St. Gallen
  • Xavier School of Management (XLRI), Jamshedpur

IIM Kozhikode says its students who opted for non-academic jobs, have received offers in prestigious positions from reputed corporate organizations, such as:

  • Analytics expert, HDFC Mutual Funds
  • Lead, Chief Technology Officer Research Team, WIPRO
  • Dy. Manager (Systems), SBI

Hope this special article by MBAUniverse.com is useful in providing information about PhD and FPM program in India. The article will be frequently updated, so book mark the page.