IIM Calcutta’s fully funded PhD program offering ₹50,000/month stipend, ₹1.5 lakh research grants
Institutional Support for PhD Students at IIM Calcutta
- What Is Institutional Support at IIM Calcutta?
- Objectives of Institutional Support
- Eligibility Criteria
- Benefits and Financial Support
- How to Apply for the PhD Programme at IIM Calcutta
- Documents Required
- Selection Process
- Importance of Institutional Support for PhD Students at IIM Calcutta
- FAQs
What Is Institutional Support at IIM Calcutta?
The Institutional Support for PhD Students at IIM Calcutta denotes a complete financial, structural, and academic package of support to promote the highest quality of research. With monthly stipends up to ₹50,000, annual development grants, housing allowances, and international conference funding, this program empowers scholars to pursue high-impact research in management and allied disciplines.The program is fully funded and residential so that scholars can concentrate on research without the worry of funding challenges.
Objectives of Institutional Support
- The institutional support provided by IIM Calcutta is designed to:
- Facilitate rigorous, interdisciplinary research in the field of management and cognate disciplines.
- Foster an enabling environment, including access to infrastructure, mentors, and facilities.
- Provide continuous financial and academic support throughout the doctoral program.
- Prepare researchers and faculty leaders of global standing.
- Foster innovative, data-based solutions to real management problems.
Eligibility Criteria
In order to be eligible to apply for the PhD Programme at IIM Calcutta, candidates must meet any one of the following eligibility criteria:
- Master’s / Postgraduate Diploma (2 years) in any discipline with First Class, and a 3-year Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% aggregate marks.
- CA with at least 50% marks, or CS/CMA with at least 55% marks, plus a B.Com degree.
- B.Tech / 4-year degree with 6.5 CGPA or equivalent.
- Non-engineering candidates with a10 + 2 + 5 year education system are also eligible.
- CMA (USA) candidates can apply.
- For applying, candidates must also have at least 50% aggregate marks in either the Secondary (10th) or Higher Secondary (10+2) examination.
Provisional Eligibility:
- Candidates in the final year of the Bachelor’s or Master’s degree course can also apply as long as they can complete the Bachelor’s / Master’s degree course by June 30, 2026 and provide proof of completion before December 31, 2026.
Benefits and Financial Support
IIM Calcutta offers considerable financial and infrastructural support to its PhD scholars to create a stress-free atmosphere conducive to research.
- Tuition and Stipend
- No tuition fee will be charged during the duration of the PhD.
- Students receive a monthly stipend that increases based on academic milestones:
- ₹42,000/month (Pre-CQE)
- ₹45,000/month (Post-CQE)
- ₹50,000/month (Post-Thesis Proposal)
- Student Development Grants
- Up to ₹1,05,000 during the first year.
- Up to ₹35,000 per year for the subsequent years.
- Can be utilized for books, laptops, field research or attending a conference.
- Support for Field Research
- Additional funding of up to ₹75,000 during the dissertation period for field or data collection.
- Teaching Assistantship
- Scholars are expected to assist in assigned teaching tasks (as available).
- Each Teaching Assistantship will pay up to ₹42,000 per course, in addition to the stipend.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- ₹10,000/month for single students.
- ₹15,000/month for married students (with family).
- Conference and International Exposure
- Financial support to attend international conferences/events (it is assumed that equivalent to one international workshop can be treated as a conference, if applicable).
- Duration of Support
- Support in the form of stipend and grants will be provided for four years, and can typically be extended for a fifth year based on deemed satisfactory progress.
How to Apply for the PhD Programme at IIM Calcutta
If you want to apply for the PhD admissions for the cycle 2025-26, follow the steps below:
Go to the PhD Admissions Portal: https://www.iimcal.ac.in/programs/doctoral/admissions
- Register and fill in the online application form carefully.
- Select a specialisation area (up to two).
- Upload the necessary attachments (below)
- Pay the application fee as applicable.
- Complete the form before the deadline posted on the official site
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews/research aptitude tests.
Application Timeline (Tentative):
- Application Opens: September 2025
- Deadline: January 2026
- Interviews: March-April 2026
Documents Required
During online submission, applicants must upload the following documents:
- Academic transcripts (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Professional degrees)
- Valid test score (CAT / GMAT / GRE / UGC-JRF / GATE)
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Updated CV / Resume
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- Research proposal (if required by area)
- Identity proof (Aadhaar / Passport)
- Recent passport-size photo
Selection Process
The admission procedure at IIM Calcutta is thorough and has a multi-step process to confirm the choice of the most qualified candidates.
- Screening: Based on academic qualifications, test scores, and statement of purpose.
- Research Aptitude Test / Interview: Conducted by area-specific faculty committees.
- Final Selection: Based on performance in the interview, academic qualifications, and research interests.
- Offers for Admission: Candidates who are selected will also have an opportunity for institutional financial aid.
Importance of Institutional Support for PhD Students at IIM Calcutta
The Institutional Support framework at IIM Calcutta is an important mechanism for developing the next generation of scholars and thought leaders:
- Guarantees total financial independence for the conduct of independent research.
- Provides global scholarly research exposure through international conference grants.
- Facilitates scholars to pursue high-quality, evidence-based research with impact.
- Creates a vibrant research community aligned with the academic standards of scholarship worldwide.
- Sustains the prestige of India on the global stage of management research and innovation.
FAQs
Q1. Is the PhD program at IIM Calcutta fully funded?
Ans. Yes. Throughout the entire duration of the program, scholars receive a salary, tuition waiver, and research grants.
Q2. How long does it take to complete the PhD program?
Ans. Generally, the completion time for the PhD program is 4-5 years, depending upon the research progress of the student.
Q3. Do I need to take the CAT to apply?
Ans. No, you do not have to take the CAT to apply. Alternatively, the GMAT, GRE, GATE, or UGC-JRF scores will be considered based upon their specialism area.
Q4. Can I apply if my Master’s degree is still in progress?
Ans. Yes, you can apply provisionally only if you will receive your Master’s before completion of June, 2026.
Q5. Will IIM Calcutta provide on-campus housing?
Ans. Yes, IIM Calcutta provides on-campus housing, family housing may also be allocated subject to availability.
Q6. Is there any access to funding for international conferences?
Ans. Yes, scholars can be funded up to ₹1.5 lakh for international conference attendance.
Conclusion
IIM Calcutta’s PhD Programme, rooted in a strong institutional framework, is one of the most prestigious PhD programmes in management research in India, offering, with financial support, academic guidance, international exposure, and interdisciplinary experiences, the opportunity to researchers to become impactful scholars and educators who will shape the future of research, education, and policy in business for the global society.
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