Indian Institute Of Management Sambalpur

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Phd Admission Process – 2026

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IIMSAT Pattern & Syllabus

PhD In Management Programme Admission 2026 is offered in the following area of specialization:

Area of Specialization :
  • Organizational Behavior& Human Resource Management
  • Finance & Accounting Management
  • Operations Management
  • General Management & Economics
  • Strategic Management
  • Information System Management
  • Marketing Management

Candidates may apply to maximum of two areas as part of their application to the PhD programme at IIM Sambalpur. Such candidates will need to identify their primary and secondary areas of research/specialization as part of the application form.

Once a candidate chooses in a given area as primary area, s/he will have to pursue the doctoral work in that area only. Secondary Area chosen at the time of admission will be appliable only for the time of request for change in area by the scholar, they can request for change of area, but it would be subject to the rules and guidelines of PhD Programme.

1. Admission Criteria

1.1 Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur, an Institute of national importance aims at imparting management education through an unconventional and novel approach

IIM Sambalpur’s vision is to create responsible leaders with entrepreneurial mind-set with Innovation, Integrity, and Inclusion as its core operating principles.

IIM Sambalpur admits students in Ph.D Programme who have a strong academic background, are highly motivated and who have the intellectual curiosity to undertake original research. The doctoral programme prepares students for a career in academia or research positions in industry.

Qualification :

1.2.1. The candidate must hold, subject to the condition laid down below, as per MoE guidelines :

Master’s Degree (i.e., Bachelor’s Degree obtained in 10+2+3 pattern, followed by a master’s degree) or Post Graduate Diploma (2 years) from IITs/IIMs/Other reputed Universities, with at least 60% marks or equivalent grade point average in the bachelor’s as well as in the master’s degree.
OR
A professional qualification like CA, ICWA, CS with Bachelor’s Degree, with at least 60 % marks or equivalent grade point in the Bachelor’s Degree.
OR
A 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (B.E/B.Tech/B.Sc Engineering/B. Arch) with at least 6.5 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) or equivalent percent marks.
OR
Five-year Integrated Master’s degree programme in any discipline, with at least 60 % aggregate marks, obtained after completing higher secondary schooling (10+2) or equivalent.

1.2.2. Candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) and Persons-with-Disabilities will be given a 5% relaxation in the minimum mark’s requirement.

1.2.3. Condition:

The Master’s degree or equivalent qualification/Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification should be:

(a) From any of the Universities incorporated by an act of the central or state legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under section 3 of UGC Act, 1956;

OR

(b) Recognized by the Ministry of Education(Erstwhile known as Ministry of HRD), Government of India

OR

(c) Possess an equivalent qualification from an institution approved by AICTE. The Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent qualification obtained by the candidate must entail a minimum of three years of education after completing Higher Secondary schooling (10+2) or equivalent.

Candidates who are in the final year of their Master’s/Bachelor’s Programmes that would make them eligible, can also apply. Such candidates, if selected, will be allowed to join the programme provisionally only if they complete all the requirements on or before 30th June 2026

1.3 Age Limit

Candidate must not be more than 40 years as on June 30th, 2026

1.4 Reservation:

IIM Sambalpur follows the Government of India’s Reservation Policy.
2. Admission Process
2.1. The admission process of IIM Sambalpur consists of :
  • Shortlisting of candidates for Personal Interview (PI) process.
  • Conducting the PI process
  • Preparing the Merit List based on the Admission Criteria and PI process.
  • Candidates who fulfill the eligibility criteria as stated above are required to take Common Admission Test (CAT).CAT 2023, 2024 & 2025 is valid for 2026 PhD Admission at IIM Sambalpur.
  • Shortlisting of candidates for Personal Interview (PI) process.
  • Conducting the PI process
  • Preparing the Merit List based on the Admission Criteria and PI process.
  • Candidates who fulfill the eligibility criteria as stated above are required to take Common Admission Test (CAT).CAT 2020, 2021 & 2022 is valid for 2023 PhD Admission at IIM Sambalpur.
OR

Alternatively, those who have GATE/JRF (UGC/CSIR) taken during the last two years (1st January 2024 and or after) and who have GRE/ GMAT taken during the last five years will be considered valid for 2026 Admission.

OR

Valid Research Aptitude Test Score (IIMSAT) of IIM Sambalpur 2026.

  • Exemption from Standard Test: Candidates who have already passed two-year full-time PGP/ MBA from IIMs or Institutions/ Universities in NIRF 2025 top 50 Ranking with a minimum CGPA of 6.00 and above on a scale of Ten or equivalent or with a minimum of 60 percent marks or equivalent are exempted from the test score.
  • Exemption from Standard Test: Candidates who have already passed two-year full-time PGP/ MBA from IIMs or Institutions/ Universities in NIRF 2022 top 50 Ranking with a minimum CGPA of 6.00 and above on a scale of Ten or equivalent or with a minimum of 60 percent marks or equivalent are exempted from the test score.
Part-time/evening/weekend/Distance Learning programmes of IIM or Institutions as specified above are NOT considered.
Note: Admission to the programme is open to Indian Citizens only.
3. Selection Criteria
3.1 Shortlist For Pi
The CAT/GRE/GMAT/GATE/ JRF-UGC/CSIR/ IIMSAT Score/ percentile will be used for shortlisting candidates for PI. The PhD committee in consultation with the Competent Authority will decide the number of candidates to be called for PI based on the merit order.
3.2 Personal Interview

Upon being shortlisted, the candidate shall appear for a personal interview before the Expert panel. The panel will assess the suitability of the candidates for research work based on the portfolio of the candidate. Candidate will especially be assessed based on Statement of Purpose (SOP) apart from academic record, professional accomplishments, etc.

3.3 Preparing The Merit List
Merit List will be prepared based on Personal Interview, Academic Qualification, Relevant Work Experience and Research Statement of Purpose (SOP).
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
The candidate should submit a SOP not exceeding 2000 words and should include a title, research motivation, possible research approaches, and references.
4. JRF Qualified Candidate
In addition to the approved intake, IIM Sambalpur may provide admissions to eligible Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) candidate(s) if found suitable for the programme. The selection of these candidates will be based on merit; provides they fulfil the requisite eligibility requirement and attend the selection process. IIM Sambalpur would not provide any financial assistance of any sorts such as stipend, contingency and other grants for the candidates admitted under these criteria.
5. Programme Duration
PhD will be a full time residential programme. The student will be expected to complete the programme in four years, including a maximum of two years of course work
6. Fellowship Stipend

IIM Sambalpur provides a comprehensive fellowship that covers all academic expenses including tuition, computer, library, medical insurance, placement, and alumni fees. In addition, a monthly subsistence allowance of Rs.40,000/- (Slab A) for first and second years, and Rs. 45,000/- (Slab B) after submitting the TAC approved thesis proposal will be provided till 4 years. A maximum of two six-month extensions may be provided subject to the recommendation of the Doctoral Committee and Competent Authority.

Since the PhD is a full-time residential programme, accommodation will be provided to all the students in the campus hostel. 

7. First Year Course Waiver
Candidates having a two/three-year full-time classroom-based

(1) PGDM/PGP from any of the IIMs

OR

(2) MBA from IITs / FMS Delhi 

OR

(3) MBA /PGDM from reputed institutions with a NIRF Ranking not greater than 50 (In the Preceding Year)will be waived off from first year coursework and will pursue the courses of second year.

Alternatively, candidates with a two/three-year full-time classroom-based MBA/ PGDM/ PGP from other institutes with a minimum managerial experience of at least 5 years will also be waived off from first year course work and will pursue the courses of second year.
8. Programme Fees & Withdrawal from the programme
Full-time Ph.D scholars are exempted from tuition/programme fee. However, the selected candidates will have to deposit an offer of acceptance fee of INR 51,080 to confirm the acceptance of the offer out which an amount of INR 44,000 will be refunded after completion of the programme by the candidate, else it will be forfeited and an amount of INR 6000/- (excluding GST @ 18%) will be adjusted towards alumni fee (Non-Refundable).
Withdrawal and cancellation process

The withdrawal/cancellation of an admission offer can happen in multiple ways:

(1). The admission of a candidate stands cancelled if he/she provides any false information at any step in the admissions process.

(2). A candidate can request a withdrawal from the programme by a stipulated date mentioned in the offer letter. In that case, an amount of INR 49,000 will be refunded after a deduction of INR 1,000 towards administrative processing charges.

(3). In case a candidate requests withdrawal from the programme after the date of registration, no refund will be made.

(4). If a candidate withdraws in the middle of the programme or leaves it incomplete, the all fee deposited with the Institute will be forfeited.

9.PROVIDING INCORRECT INFORMATION
The admission of a candidate stands cancelled if he/she provides any false information at any point in time during the programme. No claim for refund of the fee paid till then will be entertained.
IIM Sambalpur reserves the right to modify any part of this document including the various criteria and cut offs mentioned at any time till the actual admission process for the batch is completed.

Any dispute concerning Admission for the PhD 2026 batch would be subject to jurisdiction of the competent courts within the territorial jurisdiction of city of Sambalpur only.

Last Date for Submission of Applications: 28th February 2026