PhD in Management
Admission & Eligibility
Areas of Specialization (2026 Admission)
- Organizational Behavior & Human Resource Management
- Finance & Accounting Management
- Operations Management
- General Management, Public Policy & Economics
- Strategic Management
- Information System Management
- Marketing Management
Candidates may apply to a maximum of two areas, identifying a primary and secondary area. The primary area, once chosen, is binding for the doctoral work; the secondary area applies only if a change-of-area request is made later, subject to programme rules.
Qualification
Per MoE guidelines, the candidate must hold one of:
- A Master's degree (10+2+3 pattern Bachelor's + Master's) or a 2-year PG Diploma from IITs/IIMs/reputed universities, with at least 60% marks (or equivalent CGPA) in both Bachelor's and Master's.
- A professional qualification (CA/ICWA/CS) with a Bachelor's degree at min. 60%.
- A 4-year/8-semester engineering degree (B.E./B.Tech/B.Sc Engg/B.Arch) with min. 6.5 CGPA or equivalent.
- A 5-year integrated Master's degree with min. 60% aggregate after 10+2 or equivalent.
SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD candidates receive a 5% relaxation on the minimum marks requirement. The qualifying degree must be from a university/institution recognised by an Act of Parliament/State Legislature, the Ministry of Education, or AICTE, with at least three years of study after 10+2. Final-year students may apply and, if selected, join provisionally, subject to completing all requirements by 30 June 2026.
Age Limit
Maximum 40 years as of 30 June 2026.
Reservation
Per Government of India reservation policy.
Admission Process
- Shortlisting for Personal Interview (PI).
- Conducting the PI.
- Preparing the Merit List based on admission criteria and PI performance.
Eligible candidates must have a valid CAT score (CAT 2023, 2024 or 2025 valid for 2026 admission), OR GATE/JRF (UGC/CSIR) taken on/after 1 January 2024 and GRE/GMAT taken in the last five years, OR a valid IIMSAT 2026 score.
Test Exemption: Candidates who have completed a two-year full-time PGP/MBA from an IIM or an institution ranked in the NIRF 2025 top 50, with a minimum CGPA of 6.00/10 or 60% marks, are exempt from the standard test score. Part-time/evening/weekend/distance-learning programmes do not qualify. Admission is open to Indian citizens only.
Selection Criteria
Shortlisting for PI: Based on CAT/GRE/GMAT/GATE/JRF-UGC-CSIR/IIMSAT score or percentile; the PhD Committee determines the PI shortlist in consultation with the Competent Authority.
Personal Interview: An expert panel assesses research suitability based on the candidate's portfolio, SOP, academic record and professional accomplishments.
Merit List: Based on Personal Interview, Academic Qualification, Relevant Work Experience and Research SOP.
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Up to 2,000 words, including a title, research motivation, possible research approaches, and references.
JRF-Qualified Candidates
IIM Sambalpur may admit eligible JRF candidates beyond the approved intake, based on merit, subject to eligibility and the standard selection process. No financial assistance (stipend, contingency or other grants) is provided to candidates admitted under this route.
Programme Duration
Full-time residential; expected completion in four years, including a maximum of two years of coursework.
Fellowship & Stipend
A comprehensive fellowship covers tuition, computer, library, medical insurance, placement and alumni fees. A monthly subsistence allowance of ₹40,000 (Slab A) applies in Years 1–2, rising to ₹45,000 (Slab B) after the TAC-approved thesis proposal, for up to 4 years. Up to two six-month extensions may be granted on the Doctoral Committee's and Competent Authority's recommendation. Campus hostel accommodation is provided to all students.
First-Year Course Waiver
Candidates with a two/three-year full-time PGDM/PGP from an IIM, an MBA from IITs/FMS Delhi, or an MBA/PGDM from an institution ranked within the NIRF top 50 (preceding year) are waived from first-year coursework and proceed directly to second-year courses. Candidates with a two/three-year full-time MBA/PGDM/PGP from other institutes and at least 5 years' managerial experience also qualify for this waiver.
Programme Fees & Withdrawal
Full-time PhD scholars are exempt from tuition/programme fees. Selected candidates deposit an offer-acceptance fee of ₹51,080, of which ₹44,000 is refunded on programme completion (else forfeited), and ₹6,000 (excl. 18% GST) is adjusted toward a non-refundable alumni fee.
Withdrawal/Cancellation:
- Admission is cancelled if false information is provided at any stage.
- Withdrawal by the date in the offer letter: ₹49,000 refunded after deducting ₹1,000 administrative charges.
- Withdrawal after the registration date: no refund.
- Withdrawal mid-programme or leaving it incomplete: all deposited fees are forfeited.
IIM Sambalpur reserves the right to modify admission criteria and cut-offs until the admission process is complete. Disputes concerning the PhD 2026 batch fall under the jurisdiction of courts in Sambalpur.
Last Date for Submission of Applications: 31 March 2026