Doctoral Programme in Management – IIM Bangalore

Application and Admission Procedure - 2025 Batch

Application and Admission Procedure - 2025 Batch

Submit Shortlisting Area Test Technical Final

Application Interview Selection

Overall Admission Process to Doctoral Programme at IIM Bangalore

Page | 1
Doctoral Programme in Management – IIM Bangalore
Application and Admission Procedure - 2025 Batch

About the Doctoral Programme in Management

The main objectives of the doctoral programme in management at IIM-Bangalore are:

• To provide rigorous training in cutting edge inter-disciplinary management research, and
• To train the next generation of academics that inspire business leaders and policy makers.
The doctoral programme is a five-year full-time programme leading to a PhD degree in management.

Areas of Specializations

Students enrolled in the doctoral programme can specialize in one of the following ten areas:

• Decision Sciences • Marketing

• Information Systems • Organizational Behavior & Human Resource
• Economics Management
• Entrepreneurship • Production & Operations Management
• Finance & Accounting • Public Policy
• Strategy
Duration of the Programme

Students are expected to complete the doctoral programme within 5 years of registering for the
programme.

Eligibility

Candidates that apply for admission should have either:

a. A Master's degree (obtained after completing bachelor’s degree)1 or,

b. A five-year Integrated Master’s degree (obtained after completing higher secondary schooling in 10+2
pattern) in any discipline1 or,
c. A Post Graduate Diploma (2 years)1
d. A Professional qualification such as CA, ICWA, CS2 or,
e. A four-year or eight-semesters Bachelor's degree3

Note:
The percentage of marks obtained by the candidate would be calculated based on the practice
followed by the respective university or institution. In case of grades / CGPA, the conversion to
percentage of marks would be based on the procedure certified by the respective university or
institute. If a university or institute confirms that there is no scheme for converting CGPA into
equivalent marks, the equivalence would be established by dividing the candidate’s CGPA by the
maximum possible CGPA and multiplying the result by 100.
1
Candidates need to have at least 55 percent marks in the bachelor’s degree, master’s degree(s),
and post graduate diploma. This cutoff is 50 percent marks for applicants from SC, ST and PwD
categories.

Page | 2
Doctoral Programme in Management – IIM Bangalore
Application and Admission Procedure - 2025 Batch

2
Candidates with these professional qualifications should have obtained at least 50 percent marks
in their B.com or bachelor’s degree. This cutoff is 45 percent for applicants from SC, ST and PwD
categories.
3
Candidates in this category should have obtained at least 6.5 CGPA or equivalent marks. This cutoff
is 6.0 CGPA for applicants from SC, ST and PwD categories.

The above qualification should be from one of the Universities, or other educational institutions,
incorporated by an act of the Parliament or State legislature in India; or declared to be deemed as a
University under Section3 of UGC Act, 1956, or, recognized by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India.

• Candidates who are in the final year of the qualifying Programmes that would make them eligible can
also apply. (However, in case of CA/ICWA/CS the applicant should have completed the course at the
time of applying to the doctoral programme.)
• Such final year candidates, if selected, will be allowed to join the programme provisionally only if they
submit a certificate (latest by the date of registration to the PhD 2025 programme) from the Principal
or Head of the Department or Registrar or Director of the university or institute stating that they have
appeared for the examinations (including practical examinations) in all the subjects required for
obtaining the Master's or Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification.
• Their admission will be confirmed only when they submit the marks sheet and the certificate of having
passed the Master's or Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification referred to in the certificate issued
by the Principal or Registrar of their university or institute.
• The deadline for submission of marks sheet and the certificates is December 31, 2025.
• Please note that those candidates who have applied on the basis of their master's degree will have to
meet the 55% marks stipulation, and those who have applied on the basis of their bachelor's degree
will have to meet the 65% marks stipulation, or as applicable in the case of candidates from various
social categories. Non-fulfillment of these conditions will automatically result in the cancellation of the
provisional admission.

Reservations

IIMB is committed to providing admissions to persons from different social and economic backgrounds as
required under the respective laws. The doctoral program has seats reserved for Indian nationals belonging
to certain categories. The categories and the extent of reservation effective for Doctoral Programme 2025
are: 15% of the seats for Scheduled Caste (SC), 7.5% for Scheduled Tribe candidates, 27% for Other
Backward Classes candidates belonging to the “Non-Creamy” layer (NC-OBC), 10% for students from
Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) as statutorily defined and 5% for Persons with Disabilities (PWD).

For being considered for reservations, the applicable Central Government list as on the last date of
submission of applications (January 24, 2025) shall be binding. No subsequent changes will be effective
for Doctoral Programme 2025.The candidates claiming admissions in the reserved categories need to
further note the eligibility requirements carefully before applying. It should be noted that while it is the
endeavor of IIMB that candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD/NC-OBC/EWS categories join the programme,

Page | 3
Doctoral Programme in Management – IIM Bangalore
Application and Admission Procedure - 2025 Batch

they have to meet the minimum eligibility criteria and a certain minimum level of performance that IIMB
may specify in order to be considered for admission into the programme.

Test Scores

Candidates require a valid test score, from any one of the acceptable tests to the area(s) of specialization
they are applying to, as shown in the following table. If you are applying to an area that accepts UGC-CSIR
NET, it must be from one of the disciplines specified by the area.

Area of Specialization Acceptable Test Scores

GMAT GRE CAT GATE UGC-CSIR IIMB Test
NET
Decision Sciences Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Economics NR NR NR NR NR NR
Entrepreneurship Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Finance & Accounting Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
Information Systems Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Marketing Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Organizational Behaviour & Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Human Resource
Management
Production & Operations Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Management
Public Policy Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Strategy Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes
NR: Not Required
• Except for those opting for IIMB Test, all other candidates should mandatorily provide the test score,
which should be valid as on January 24, 2025, while submitting the application.
• Candidates can use only ONE of the acceptable test scores listed in the table above as part of their
applications. If students have taken multiple tests that are acceptable, they will need to pick one of
the acceptable tests as part of their application to the doctoral progamme at IIMB.
• Applicants opting for GMAT or GRE should have ETS send the OFFICIAL SCORE CARD to IIMB prior to
the application deadline and upload a copy of their official test scores along with the application.
Applicants who have not received the official score card, should upload the TEST TAKER COPY along
with the application, but have ETS send the OFFICIAL SCORE CARD before the interviews. Scores of
GMAT/GRE taken any time after January 24, 2020, can be used for application for PhD 2025. However,
online GMAT/GRE score (exam taken at home) will not be accepted for PhD 2025.
• The GRE Code for IIMB PhD is 7385. Use this code to have your score sent directly to IIMB. This process
is mandatory. However, your official report from ETS (for GRE) will be used in the assessment of the
application.
• The GMAT code for IIMB PhD is Q9HKK-55. Use this code to have your score sent directly to IIMB. This
process is mandatory. However, your official report from Pearson (for GMAT) will be used in the
assessment of the application.

Page | 4
Doctoral Programme in Management – IIM Bangalore
Application and Admission Procedure - 2025 Batch

• Applicants opting to use Common Admission Test scores (CAT) should upload their official CAT
scorecard with their application and bring OFFICIAL SCORE CARD for interviews. Scores of CAT taken
any time after January 24, 2022, can be used for application for PhD 2025.
• Applicants opting for GATE or (UGC-CSIR) NET score should upload their valid SCORE CARD along with
the application and bring OFFICIAL SCORE CARD for interviews. Scores of GATE or (UGC-CSIR) NET
taken any time after January 24, 2022, can be used for application for PhD 2025.
• Applicants opting to take the IIMB Test should choose this option in the application. IIMB Test will be
conducted by IIMB twice, on November 17, 2024, and February 02, 2025. Only scores of IIMB Test
conducted on these two dates can be used for application for PhD 2025.Those opting to appear for
the IIMB Test will have to pay a test fee of Rs. 1200 (non-refundable) in addition to the application fee
as specified. For more information on the IIMB Test, please see details in Appendix and visit the IIMB
website.
• Candidates taking the IIMB Test would need to indicate on the application form that they intend to
use the IIMB Test scores for their application.

Application Submission

The application form for admission to Doctoral Programme 2025, will be available at:
https://campus.iimb.ac.in/psp/cssisprd/?cmd=login&languageCd=ENG&

• Application opening date: July 26th, 2024.

• Deadline for submission of fully completed applications: January 24, 2025 (5:00 p.m. IST)

Application Packet

• Candidates must fill in their application through the online portal listed above.
• Candidates may apply to two areas of specialization as part of their application to the doctoral programme
at IIMB. Such candidates will need to identify their primary and secondary areas of specialization as part
of the application form.
• Application packet for all areas include the following:
• Fully completed online application form
• Photograph (passport size in JPG or PNG format)
• Score report (upload scanned copy of GRE, GMAT, GATE, (UGC-CSIR) NET, CAT, except those using
IIMB Test scores for their application.
• Statement of Purpose (upload document specific to the specialization area of candidate)
• Mark sheets (upload scanned copy of 10th Standard, 12th Standard, Bachelors and Masters, and
relevant Professional Certificates)
• Category certificate (upload scanned copy, if applicable)
• Letter of recommendation (ask recommender to complete the online process, do not upload
scanned copies)
• Additional documents (upload scanned copy of relevant document such as resume or research
publications, if available)

Page | 5
Doctoral Programme in Management – IIM Bangalore
Application and Admission Procedure - 2025 Batch

Application Fee

The application fee (Non-Refundable) is:

Applying to One Area Applying to Two Areas

Application Fee Rs.1000 Rs.1500

If taken, additional fee for IIMB Test will be applicable.

Short list for Area Test and/or Technical Interview

• Based on the information provided by the applicants, candidates will be shortlisted for the next
step in the admission process based on the recommendation of the respective area. This process
could include an area specific written test and/or technical interview depending on the area of
specialization.
• Candidates are requested to see the document on PhD 2025 Area-wise Admission Process for
details relevant to their area.
• Only those candidates who have been shortlisted for Area Test and/or Technical Interview will be
informed by e-mail, with all relevant details.
• Shortlisted candidates will be notified by February 25th, 2025.

Area Test and/or Technical Interview

• The mode of conducting the area specific written test and technical interview is likely to be in-
person. Shortlisted candidates will be informed of details in advance.
• Technical interviews are expected to be completed by 13th to 15th of March 2025.

Final Selection and Admission Offer

• Candidates will be admitted to the programme based on a combination of multiple parameters, as

also specified by the respective areas. Parameters may include applicant's performance in GMAT,
GRE, CAT, GATE, (UGC-CSIR) NET, or IIMB Test (as applicable), past academic performance, work
experience, area specific test and / or technical interview performance.
• The date for release of offer letters is 20th March 2025 and the last date for acceptance of offers is
28th March 2025
• Candidates admitted to the Doctoral Programme at IIMB are required to mandatory attend a
Preparatory Course tentatively scheduled from late May 2025.
• Formal registration for the Doctoral Programme will happen during that time and will be notified
separately on the IIMB website.

Page | 6
Doctoral Programme in Management – IIM Bangalore
Application and Admission Procedure - 2025 Batch

Important Dates

The application window and the schedule of events (tentative) are as below:

Application Window 26 July 2024 to January 24, 2025 (5:00 p.m. IST)
IIMB Test Round - 1: November 17, 2024
Round - 2: February 02, 2025
Short List Notification1 25th February, 2025
Area Tests [Online] February 28th and 1st of March, 2025
(as decided by Areas)1,2
Interview Date1,2 March 13, 14 & 15, 2025
(IIMB Campus)
Interview# IIMB Campus
Offer Notification 1 20th March, 2025
Offer Acceptance – Last date1 28th March, 2025
PhD Prep Programme and Last week of May 2025 onwards
Registration1

Note:
1
These dates are tentative and may change.
2
Area tests and interviews might be conducted online or in-person. Notifications will be provided
in advance.

June 30, 2024

This admission process is applicable for the Doctoral Programme 2025 admissions cycle only. IIMB reserves
the right to change/modify any part of the process, with due notice, at any stage of the admission process.

Page | 7
Doctoral Programme in Management – IIM Bangalore
Application and Admission Procedure - 2025 Batch

Appendix: Information on Appearing for the IIMB Test 2024 – 25

The IIMB Test can be used by applicants to apply to both the PGPEM and PhD programs at IIM Bangalore.

Dates of IIMB Test

For the adcademic year 2024-25, the IIMB Test will be conducted twice:
• Round 1: November 17, 2024
Registration deadline: November 14, 2024 (5 p.m. IST)
• Round 2: February 02, 2025
Registration deadline: January 24, 2025 (5 p.m. IST)

How to Register for IIMB Test

• Please visit the Admissions webpage for instructions on how to register for the IIMB Test. Applying
for PGPEM or PhD does not automatically register a candidate for the IIMB Test. Similarly, registering
for the IIMB Test does not lead to an automatic submission of the PGPEM or PhD application.
• Applicants can choose to appear in the IIMB Test either once or twice. If the applicant chooses to take
the IIMB Test twice, only the highest score will be considered during admission.
• If the applicant opts for the first round but is unable to attend the test (for whatever reason), the test
fee paid earlier stands forfeited. The applicant can appear for the second round by paying the test fee
again.
• Registration for the IIMB Test will generate a receipt number which the candidates need to enter in
the online application form.
• IIMB Test score will be used for the internal processing of the application and no test score card shall
be issued to the candidate.

Test Fee
• Rs 1,200 for each round. The test fee is non-refundable.

Note
The IIMB Test will be conducted and proctored online by IIMB. The candidates can take the test from their
own locations / home. The conditions / requirements to be followed by the candidates will be shared
ahead of the test.

Page | 8
Doctoral Programme in Management – IIM Bangalore
Application and Admission Procedure - 2025 Batch

Appendix: Information on UGC-CSIR NET Exams accepted for admission to Doctoral Programme

UGC/CSIR - NET Subjects* Decision Science Info. Systems Public Policy OBHRM Strategy
UGC-NET-1-Economics / Rural Economics etc. YES YES YES YES
UGC-NET-2-Political Science YES YES YES
UGC-NET-4-Psychology YES YES YES YES
UGC-NET-5-Sociology YES YES YES YES
UGC-NET-7-Anthropology YES YES YES YES
UGC-NET-8-Commerce YES YES YES
UGC-NET-9-Education YES YES YES
UGC-NET-10-Social Work YES YES YES
UGC-NET-11-Defence and Strategic Studies YES YES YES
UGC-NET-14-Public Administration YES YES YES
UGC-NET-15-Population Studies YES YES YES
UGC-NET-17-Management (including Business Admn. Mgt./Marketing etc. ) YES YES YES YES YES
UGC-NET-55-Labour Welfare/Personnel Management etc YES YES YES YES
UGC-NET-58-Law YES YES YES
UGC-NET-63-Mass Communication and Journalism YES YES YES
UGC-NET-74-Women Studies YES YES YES
UGC-NET-81-Social Medicine & Community Health YES YES YES
UGC-NET-87-Computer Science and Applications YES YES YES
UGC-NET-88-Electronic Science YES YES YES
UGC-NET-89-Environmental Sciences YES YES YES
UGC-NET-90-Politics including International Relations/International Studies etc. YES YES YES
CSIR-NET-704-Mathematical Sciences YES YES YES
*UGC/CSIR NET exams in other subjects are not accepted by IIM Bangalore for admission into the Doctoral Programme in Management
*Areas not listed in the table do not accept UGC/CSIR NET exams for admission into the Doctoral Programme in Management
*See document on PhD 2025 Area-wise Admission Process for more details

Page | 9
Doctoral Programme in Management – IIM Bangalore
Application and Admission Procedure - 2025 Batch

Appendix: FAQs related to PhD Admissions at IIM Bangalore

Q1. What is Doctoral Program in management?

The doctoral program at IIM Bangalore is a five-year full-time PhD Program. The main objectives of the
doctoral programme in management at IIM-Bangalore are: (i) To provide rigorous training in cutting edge
inter-disciplinary management research, and (ii) To train the next generation of academics that inspire
business leaders and policy makers. The intent is to train future academics and the programme should
not be confused with master’s programs such as MBA.
Q2. Can I complete the course on a part-time basis?
No, it is a full-time program.
Q3. Who should do the Doctoral Program?
Students/professionals who want to pursue a career in advanced research and academics (including
teaching) are the ideal candidates for this Program. The applicant should have high scholastic ability,
aptitude for research and excellent analytical skills.
Q4. What is expected from the Doctoral Program students?
They are expected to complete two years of doctoral course work, pass a comprehensive exam, and do
high quality research as part of their dissertation.
Q5. Do I need to be an MBA to do this Program?
An MBA is not a pre-requisite. The course work for the PhD programme provides specific training in
research methodologies, and tools and provides foundations for management research. Different areas
prefer students from diverse backgrounds to match the area requirement.
Q6. What is the level of rigour of the program?
The doctoral program is rigorous. It needs a very high quality of academic commitment and integrity.
There are specific requirements at every stage of the Program.
Q7. Where do the Doctoral Program students get placed?
Doctoral Program is oriented towards training students for academic careers in research and teaching.
Such training is most highly valued by academic institutions. But leading Indian companies, MNCs,
investment banks and consulting firms also value this program for certain positions requiring specialized
research skills.
Q8. When are these students allowed to take up outside employment?
Students are NOT allowed to seek employment while pursuing their full-time PhD degree.
Q9. Do these students have a separate placement process?
Institutes and firms looking for researchers contact Doctoral Program students and Doctoral Program
office. The students can also avail themselves of the services of IIMB's Placement office.
Q10. I am working in a technical position in my company. I want to switch to a managerial position.
However, I have not done any management courses. My first preference is a corporate job. Should I apply
for a Doctoral Program?
For these kinds of career objectives related to a corporate career, a PhD degree might not be the most
appropriate.
Q11. What is the selection process of Doctoral Program?
Based on the information provided by the applicants, candidates will be shortlisted (on the
recommendation of the respective areas) for a written area test and/or technical interview. Candidates

Page | 10
Doctoral Programme in Management – IIM Bangalore
Application and Admission Procedure - 2025 Batch

will be admitted to the program based on a combination of multiple parameters, as specified by each
area. Please see document on Area Specific Admission Process for details.
Q12. Do I have to take any test for getting admission into the Doctoral Program?
Candidates require a valid test score, from any one of the acceptable tests to the area(s) of specialization
they are applying to. Please see earlier section in this document for details of acceptable test for each
area of specialization.
Q13. What is the purpose of Area specific selection tests and the technical interview?
We attach high importance to an applicant's motivation and research capability. Technical interviews of
selected applicants allow us to ascertain their motivation for research, and whether their aspirations and
preparation are compatible with objectives and expectations of the Doctoral Program. The technical
interview and test also gauge the academic preparation of the candidate for the specific area he/she has
applied to.
Q14. How many students get selected per year?
The selection is area specific and entirely depends on the candidate's performance.
Q15. Do I apply for a specific area, or can I choose my area after getting admission?
You can apply to two areas but must mention your first and second preference in your application. Once
a student is admitted to an area, a student is not permitted to change areas of specialization.
Q16. Does IIMB allow foreign nationals to apply for the Doctoral Program?
Yes, the eligibility criteria are the same, however fellowship funding is not available.
Q17. What is the degree/title that I get at the completion of the course?
Students are awarded the degree of ‘Doctor of Philosophy’ (PhD) in Management.
Q18. What financial aid is available?
IIMB provides one of the best financial packages for doctoral students. Currently the students are
provided monthly stipend for five years and are exempt from tuition fees. Several grants are available for
educational purposes. For details refer to the 'Financial Aid' section of IIMB website.
Q19. Do I have the scope to do interdisciplinary research?
Yes, much of the research work done by our students is interdisciplinary in nature.
Q20. Do the Doctoral Program students need to teach?
No, but they are required to work closely with professors as teaching assistants and some may get
opportunities to teach a few sessions.

Page | 11