IIM Calcutta PhD Admission 2026: Fees, Eligibility, Placements

What is the IIM Calcutta PhD Program?

The IIM Calcutta PhD, started in 1971, equips students with skills for management research through structured courses and thesis development, leading 85% of alumni to teaching positions at B-schools like IIM Bangalore.

• Emphasizes practical solutions in fields such as operations and public policy.
• Confers PhD degree after thesis defense and area exams.
• Admits 20-25 candidates each year in 11 areas of study.

IIM Calcutta PhD Eligibility Criteria 2026

Applicants meet IIM Calcutta PhD eligibility for the 2026 intake by holding a first-class Master's degree with 50% in Bachelor's, or BTech with 6.5 CGPA, and preparing for research beginning July 2026.

• Master's or 2-year PG Diploma in any discipline with 50% marks plus a 3-year Bachelor's degree.
• CA with 50% marks or CS/CMA with 55% marks plus a BCom degree.
• 4-year Bachelor's like B.Tech or BS with a minimum 6.5 CGPA.
• At least 50% marks in Class 10 and 12 examinations.
• Final-year candidates must finish their degrees by June 30, 2026.

Government of India reservation policies apply to SC/ST/OBC/EWS groups. Refer to IIM Calcutta admission guidelines for updates.

How to Apply for IIM Calcutta PhD Admission 2026

File IIM Calcutta PhD applications via the online portal by January 30, 2026, including CAT 2025 or equivalent scores, with shortlisted applicants attending interviews in March 2026.

1. Create an account on the IIM Calcutta website and choose up to two areas.
2. Submit CAT 2025, GMAT, GRE, GATE, or UGC-JRF scores valid on the deadline.
3. Remit INR 1,000 application fee through net banking.
4. Shortlisting uses test scores; interviews evaluate research aptitude.
5. Admission offers will be issued by April 2026 for the July start.

Use GMAT code 9CP-HT-94 or GRE code 7496; only test center scores qualify.

IIM Calcutta PhD Fees and Stipend Structure 2025-2026

IIM Calcutta PhD program charges no tuition fees, instead providing stipends starting at INR 42,000 per month for the pre-coursework phase, rising to INR 50,000 post-thesis proposal, along with contingency support.

Stipends require maintaining a 3.5 CGPA; they cover living costs but exclude personal expenses. Hostel fees apply separately at INR 50,000 annually.

IIM Calcutta PhD Duration and Specializations

The IIM Calcutta PhD lasts 4-5 years, including 2 years of courses and 2-3 years for the dissertation, with possible extension to 6 years for in-depth work.

• Doctoral Programme in Management: Economics, Finance & Control, Human Resource Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Operations Management, Organizational Behaviour, Public Policy and Management, Strategic Management.
• Disciplines Related to Management: Operations Research & Systems Analysis, Regional Development, Sociology.

The program demands 16-20 credits plus seminars per area. 

IIM Calcutta PhD Placements 2025: Average Package & Recruiters

IIM Calcutta PhD placements for 2025 placed 92% of graduates, with average packages at INR 19.5 LPA in academia and up to INR 25 LPA in consulting, drawing from 50+ institutions and firms.

Highest package reached INR 30 LPA in finance; 70% in teaching roles. Follow IIM Calcutta placements data.

Scholarships and Financial Aid for IIM Calcutta PhD

Every IIM Calcutta PhD student gets the institute fellowship with an INR 42,000-50,000 monthly stipend for 4-5 years, no tuition charge, and INR 75,000 extra for field research in the dissertation.

• ST students can access the National Fellowship for Higher Education as an alternative.
• Merit aid for exceptional thesis contributions.

View IIM Calcutta scholarships for more.

IIM Calcutta PhD for Working Professionals

IIM Calcutta's Executive PhD, launching for 2025-26, allows those with 8+ years of work to study part-time, self-funded at INR 25,00,000 total, with classes on weekends over 4 years.

• Aimed at industry leaders and government officers.
• Matches regular PhD areas; hybrid format.
• No fellowship; possible employer funding.

IIM Calcutta PhD in Economics

The IIM Calcutta PhD in Economics covers econometric tools and policy studies, with dissertations on growth models, readying graduates for RBI economist posts or academic careers.

• Courses include Econometrics, Macroeconomics, and Behavioral Economics.
• Themes: Fiscal policy, inequality, climate economics.
• 93% Economics PhDs will be placed in research roles by 2025.

IIM Calcutta holds NIRF 5 in Management for 2025; see IIM Calcutta rankings.

Life as a PhD Student at IIM Calcutta

At IIM Calcutta, PhD students handle 18-20 hours of weekly classes and research, staying in hostels for INR 50,000 yearly, using libraries with 1,20,000 journals.

• Schedule: Seminars in mornings, teaching assistant work afternoons, research evenings.
• Mentoring: Guidance from 110 faculty, small groups of 4-5 peers.
• Activities: Research workshops, funded trips to global conferences.

85% alumni publish in Scopus journals before finishing. See IIM Calcutta reviews from scholars.