IIM Raipur PhD 2026: Eligibility, Fees, Stipend, Admission

IIM Raipur PhD Program Overview

The Indian Institute of Management Raipur's Doctoral Programme in Management (PhD) spans four years, focusing on advanced research in key management domains to develop experts for teaching and industry analysis roles. Enrolling in 2026 means joining a cohort that benefits from waived tuition and comprehensive support, with classes commencing around June 22 based on the 2025 cycle.

• Duration: Minimum 4 years, extendable up to 6 years
• Structure: Two years of coursework followed by comprehensive exams and thesis
• Intake: Limited seats across specializations, with reservations per Government of India norms

IIM Raipur PhD Eligibility Criteria 2026

For IIM Raipur PhD eligibility in 2026, candidates need a Master's degree with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwD) from a recognized university, or a Bachelor's degree plus professional qualifications like CA/ICWA/CS with two years of work experience. Final-year Master's students can apply provisionally if they complete requirements by June 30, 2026.

Valid test scores are mandatory unless exempted: CAT (minimum 80 percentile for General), GATE, GRE (sectional 70+), GMAT (80 overall), or JRF/UGC-NET (qualified) from July 1, 2024, onwards. IIM PGP alumni from the last 10 years with CGPA 6.0/10 are test-exempt. Age cap: Under 50 years as of June 1, 2026.

• Academic Conversion: CGPA to percentage via university formula; no scheme means (CGPA/Max CGPA) x 100
• Work Experience: Preferred but not required for freshers with strong academics
• Category Relaxations: 5% marks reduction for reserved categories in qualifying degrees

Link to detailed IIM Raipur Admission guidelines.

IIM Raipur PhD Admission Process 2026

IIM Raipur PhD admission 2026 starts with online applications opening post-CAT 2025 results, closing on May 10, 2026, mirroring the 2025 timeline. Submit INR 1,000 fee (INR 500 for reserved categories) per specialization via the official portal, followed by hard copies to the Admissions Office by deadline.

Shortlisting uses test scores and academics: General category needs 80 overall/70 sectional in CAT/GMAT, 75/65 for NC-OBC, 65/55 for SC/ST/DAP. Personal Interviews occur May 26-28, 2026, evaluating research aptitude. Final merit: 40% PI, 60% academics (10th: 20%, 12th: 20%, Graduation: 40%, PG: 20%). Offers by June 5, 2026.

IIM Raipur PhD Fees Structure

IIM Raipur PhD fees for 2026 are fully waived for tuition, library, and computer charges, making it accessible for dedicated scholars. The only mandatory payment is a one-time INR 6,000 alumni association fee upon joining.

Total program cost beyond stipend support remains under INR 2,00,000 excluding mess, far below private doctoral options.

Refer to IIM Raipur Courses and Fees for comparisons.

IIM Raipur PhD Stipend and Financial Assistance

IIM Raipur PhD stipend starts at INR 50,000 per month for the first two years, increasing to INR 55,000 for years three and four, covering living expenses while pursuing research. This support, provided to full-time scholars post-coursework clearance, totals over INR 25,00,000 across four years.

• Conference Grant: Up to INR 2,00,000 for presenting papers internationally
• Contingency Grant: INR 10,000-20,000 annually for research materials
• Laptop Grant: INR 50,000 one-time for computing needs
• Publication Grant: Up to INR 50,000 for journal submissions

Eligibility requires maintaining academic progress, with no deductions for teaching assistantships that enhance resumes.

Areas of Specialization in IIM Raipur PhD

IIM Raipur PhD offers research in eight core areas, allowing 2026 admits to align theses with interests like sustainable finance or digital marketing strategies. Each area features faculty with global publications, guiding scholars from coursework to defense.

• Decision Sciences & Operations
• Economics & Business Environment
• Finance & Accounting
• Human Resource Management & Organizational Behaviour
• Information Systems
• Marketing
• Operations Management & Quantitative Techniques
• Strategy

IIM Raipur PhD Placements and Career Outcomes

IIM Raipur PhD graduates from the 2025 batch secured roles in academia and consulting, with many joining as assistant professors at institutes like IITs earning INR 12-18 LPA starting salaries. Unlike MBA tracks, PhD outcomes emphasize research positions, with 80% pursuing faculty roles per institute records.

Alumni networks aid transitions, with no formal placement cell but dedicated career guidance.

Explore broader IIM Raipur Placements trends.

IIM Raipur Rankings 2025

Indian Institute of Management Raipur holds the 15th position in NIRF Management Rankings 2025, reflecting strong research output and faculty quality that bolsters PhD program credibility. This ranking, up from previous years, highlights IIM Raipur's rise as a top choice for doctoral studies in Central India.

• NIRF Score: High in Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR) and Research (RPC)
• Global Recognition: AACSB accredited, enhancing PhD thesis international value
• Regional Edge: As the only IIM in Chhattisgarh, it draws diverse talent for collaborative research

Scholarships for IIM Raipur PhD Students

Beyond the standard stipend, IIM Raipur PhD students access merit-based scholarships like the INR 2,00,000 conference fund for 2026 cohorts presenting at global forums. Government schemes such as UGC-JRF integrate seamlessly, providing additional INR 31,000 monthly for qualified entrants.

Check IIM Raipur Scholarships for application tips.