IIM Ahmedabad Ph.D. Admissions 2026 Open; Apply by January 21

Candidates may submit applications for admission to the following doctoral specialisations:

Economics, Finance & Accounting, Food and Agribusiness, Human Resource Management, Information Systems, Innovation and Management in Education, Marketing, Operations & Decision Sciences, Organisational Behaviour, Public Systems, and Strategy.

IIM Ahmedabad PhD Application Dates 2026

The tabulated below shows the schedule for the IIM Ahmedabad 2026 Application process.

From Qualification to Selection: IIM Ahmedabad Ph.D. Criteria

Candidates applying for the Ph.D Programme at IIM Ahmedabad require a strong academic record. A master’s degree, a professional qualification, or a four-year bachelor’s with the required minimum marks makes one eligible to apply.

Educational Qualification:

• Master’s degree, two-year postgraduate diploma (after a bachelor’s), or five-year integrated master’s with at least 55% marks
• Professional qualifications (CA/CS/CMA) with 50% marks plus a bachelor’s degree with 55%
• Four-year bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 65% marks
• 5% relaxation is given to SC, ST, PwD, NC-OBC, and EWS categories
• Final-year students can apply provisionally but must submit proof of qualification by May 31, 2026

Entrance Tests Accepted: Valid score in CAT or other approved exams such as GMAT, GRE, GATE, or UGC-NET JRF (depending on the area of specialisation).

Selection Stages:

• Screening based on academic record, entrance test scores, and relevant experience
• Personal Interview rounds scheduled for March–April 2026
• The final admission decision is made considering overall performance in test scores and interviews

How to Apply for a PhD at IIM Ahmedabad?

Applications can be submitted online through the IIM Ahmedabad Ph.D. admission page. Candidates may apply for a maximum of two specialisations. The application fee is INR 500 (INR 250 for reserved category candidates).

How IIM Supports Its Ph.D. Students?

IIM Ahmedabad provides Ph.D. Management fees waiver and a monthly stipend of INR 42,000 in the first two years, INR 45,000 after the Comprehensive Examination, and INR 50,000 after the thesis proposal.

Scholars also receive a contingency grant of INR 35,000 per year, conference support up to INR 4 lakh, fieldwork support up to INR 2 lakh, and a start-up grant of INR 1 lakh. Accommodation is available on campus, while off-campus students get a House Rent Allowance of INR 15,000–20,000 per month.