The program structure includes compulsory course work, comprehensive examination, thesis proposal, and doctoral level research (including thesis work). During the first two years of the program, as part of the compulsory coursework, doctoral students study foundation level and doctoral level courses, including research methodology courses. After completing the second-year course work, doctoral students take the comprehensive examination. The comprehensive examination tests whether the doctoral student has obtained the satisfactory knowledge in respective field of specialization (including research methodology). It may consist of written and oral examination. After successful completion of the mandatory course work and comprehensive examination, doctoral students undertake their research work, supervised by a thesis advisory committee.

IIM Amritsar provides limited financial assistance to its doctoral students including monthly fellowship, annual contingency grant, and research grant to attend conferences / workshops. The students are also provided with the medical insurance in line with the institute’s student welfare policy.

The doctoral programme at IIM Amritsar is aims to produce high quality management teachers and researchers for the careers in academia, government, and industry. The programme structure includes two years of rigorous course work followed by two years of research work, leading to a good quality thesis with practical implications. IIM Amritsar admits students who have strong academic credentials, highly motivated, and who have curiosity to pursue original research.

Candidates can apply to the following areas of specialization: (1) Economics & Public Policy, (2) Finance, Accounting & Control, (3) IT & Computational Systems, (4) Marketing & Communications, (5) Quantitative Methods & Operations Management, (6) Organizational Behavior & Human Resources Management, and (7) Strategic Management.

Basic eligibility criteria:
A candidate for the programme must have one of the following qualifications obtained 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 possess an equivalent qualification recognized by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India, or an equivalent qualification from an institution approved by AICTE, or any equivalent qualification from recognized foreign universities or institutions.

• Master’s degree or Post Graduate Diploma or its equivalent in any discipline with first class
OR
• B.Tech. / 4 Years Degree with 6.5 CGPA or equivalent
OR
• Any professional qualification such as CA/ ICWA/ CS/CFA- Level-II (USA) with a graduate degree in the relevant subject has a minimum 55% aggregate marks or equivalent grade point average.

Those who are appearing for their final year of Master’s / Bachelor’s examination in the current academic year may also apply. However, their admission to the programme will be provisional subject to their successful completion of all requirements for obtaining the relevant degree before 30th June 2024. These candidates are expected to submit their marksheet and degree certificate on or before December 31, 2024. Non-fulfilment of this condition will automatically result in the cancellation of the provisional admission.

Selection Process:
Candidates who fulfil the above eligibility criteria and seeking admission into the programme must take Common Admission Test. Alternatively, those who have taken GATE, GMAT, GRE, JRF (UGC/CSIR) (in the respective specialization) examinations can also apply in the relevant area of specialization. Scores of these examinations (including CAT) taken during the last two years (i.e., on 1st July, 2022 or after) will be considered valid for the admission process.

The candidates short-listed on the basis of their academic record, performance in the competitive examinations mentioned above, and research interests will be called for a personal interview (including Research Aptitude Test and Written Analysis Test) for final selection in March/April 2024. The successful candidates will receive admission offers by the end of May 2024.

Application process:
On-line application window will open on or before November 16, 2023.
Due date for submitting completed application forms is Feb 15, 2024.

Instructions:

• Provide the complete and accurate information in the application process.
• You will be asked to upload your recent color photograph (passport size) and qualifying examination’s scorecard (in the PDF format).
• Application fee details:
  • SC/ST: Rs. 1000/-
  • Differently abled candidates (certified by competent authority): Rs. 1000/-
  • General/OBC/EWS: Rs. 1500/-
  • The application window closes on Feb 15, 2024

For any admission related query - please write to us: phdadmission@iimamritsar.ac.in