IIM Nagpur PhD & Executive PhD Admissions 2026 Begins; Apply by February 28 @iimnagpur.ac.in

The Indian Institute of Management Nagpur (IIM Nagpur) has begun applications for its doctoral programs for the 2026 academic session. The institute offers two distinct tracks: the PhD (Regular) for those pursuing full-time research and the PhD (Executive) tailored for senior working professionals. The application portal opened on December 15, 2025, and will remain accessible until February 28, 2026.

The application fee of IIM Nagpur for the 2026 session requires paying a non-refundable application fee as part of the online submission process. For the PhD (Regular) program, candidates are charged INR 1,000 if they apply for a single specialisation area, which increases to INR 1,500 for those choosing the maximum of two areas.

On the other hand, the PhD (Executive) program involves a higher application fee of INR 2,000 for one area of specialisation and INR 3,000 for candidates applying to two areas. All payments must be completed through the institute's official admission portal before the February 28, 2026, deadline.

IIM Nagpur PhD & Executive PhD Admissions 2026 Tentative Important Dates

For more information, students can visit the official website, iimnagpur.ac.in. For easy access, the link is given below.

Direct Link: IIM Nagpur PhD & Executive PhD Admissions 2026 Application Portal

IIM Nagpur PhD Regular Eligibility Criteria:

This is a four-year, residential program aimed at developing scholars for careers in academia and high-level research.

• Academic Qualification: A candidate must have a Master’s degree or a 2-year PG Diploma with at least 60% marks. Alternatively, a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 60% marks (though 85% is often used for screening) is accepted. Professional qualifications (CA/ICWA/CS) require 50% in the professional exam plus 60% in a Bachelor's degree.
• Entrance Exam: A valid score (from the last 2 years) in CAT, GMAT, GRE, GATE, or UGC/CSIR-NET/JRF is mandatory.
• Exemption: Full-time PGP alumni from any IIM who graduated in 2024, 2025, or 2026 with at least 60% marks are exempt from the entrance exam.

IIM Nagpur PhD Regular Admissions 2026 Selection Process

1. Stage 1: Initial screening of online applications for basic eligibility.
2. Stage 2: Shortlisting for interviews based on test scores and academic profile.
3. Stage 3: Two-tier interview process: Area-led Personal Interview (PI) followed by a Program-led PI.
4. Stage 4: Final admission offers sent via email.

PhD (Executive) Eligibility Criteria

This program is designed for working executives, allowing them to pursue research while maintaining their professional roles through a hybrid learning model.

• Work Experience: A minimum of 10 years of full-time, post-qualification professional/managerial experience is mandatory.
• Academic Qualification: A Master’s degree or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree (like B.Tech/BE) with at least 60% marks. Professional qualifications (CA/ICWA/CS) require 50% marks plus a 55% score in a Bachelor’s degree.
• Employment Status: The candidate must be currently employed full-time.

PhD (Executive) Selection Process

1. Stage 1: Verification of professional experience and academic credentials.
2. Stage 2: Shortlisting of eligible candidates for the interview rounds.
3. Stage 3: Candidates undergo an Area-specific PI and a Program-led PI to evaluate research aptitude and industry relevance.
4. Stage 4: Issuance of provisional admission offers to the selected candidates.

IIM Nagpur PhD & Executive PhD Admissions 2026 - How to Apply?

1. Official Portal: Visit the IIM Nagpur admissions website.
2. Register: Create an account and select your preferred doctoral track (Regular or Executive).
3. Upload Documents: Provide digital copies of 10th, 12th, and Degree mark sheets, work experience certificates (for Executive), and entrance exam scorecards.
4. Fee Payment: Pay the application fee, INR 1,000 for one specialisation or INR 1,500 for two (for Regular PhD).
5. Submission: Submit the form before the February 28, 2026, deadline.

Also Read

• IIM Nagpur Courses & Fees 2026
• IIM Nagpur Course Admissions 2026: Dates, Fees, Eligibility, Cutoff, Application Process, Selection Criteria