Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

The Ph.D. in Management Studies at K L University (KLEF Deemed to be University), Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, is a full-time, on-campus doctoral research programme offered through the KL University Business School (KLUBS). The programme spans a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 5 years, and is designed to develop advanced management researchers and academicians with deep expertise in areas such as Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management, Marketing, and Finance and Economics. Admission is conducted twice a year through a written entrance test and personal interview, with UGC-NET/GATE-qualified candidates exempted from the written test. The programme is popular among MBA/M.Com graduates aspiring to academic careers, corporate research roles, and senior consulting positions. KL University is ranked 70th in Management by NIRF 2025 and 26th Best Research Institute in India by NIRF 2025, making it a credible destination for management research.

Admissions for the 2026-27 Even Semester cycle are now closed (application window: October 15 to December 10, 2026; entrance test: December 21, 2026; interview: January 2, 2027). The next admission cycle for the 2027-28 Odd Semester is expected to open around May 2027, with tentative application deadline in June 2027, entrance test in late June 2027, and interviews in early July 2027, based on the previous year's pattern.

Key Points

Ph.D. in Management Studies is offered in both Full Time and Part Time modes; full-time scholars are eligible for monthly fellowship support.
Three official research specialisations are available: Organisational Behaviour and HRM, Marketing, and Finance and Economics.
Full-time scholars who qualify UGC-NET/GATE receive a fellowship of Rs. 38,000 per month; others receive Rs. 33,000 per month.
Tuition fee waiver is available for deserving full-time candidates based on interview performance and research progress.
KL University offers 100 full-time fellowships across all PhD disciplines each academic year.
Scholars benefit from access to DST-PURSE facilities, IEEE open-access publication support, and seed grants through research supervisors.
The university supports IPR/patent filing, plagiarism detection tools, and Innovation and Incubation Centre support for start-ups.
MPhil degree holders and scientists in government organisations/research labs with at least 5 years of experience are exempted from the entrance test.

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KL University Guntur Latest Updates and News

05 May, 2026 KL University Guntur Ph.D Management Studies Admission 2026-27 (odd semester) is open till May 30, 2026. The entrance exam is scheduled for Jun 13, 2026, followed by the interview on Jul 7, 2026. Check details.

KLU Ph.D. (Management Studies) Fees

The Ph.D. in Management Studies at KL University involves a tuition fee of Rs. 40,000 per semester, payable across 6 semesters (3 years), amounting to Rs. 2,40,000 as total tuition fees for the programme. A one-time admission fee of Rs. 15,000 is charged at the time of joining. Hostel accommodation is optional and not mandatory for PhD scholars; fees vary by room type, starting from Rs. 1,28,975 per year for a non-AC 4-bed room (inclusive of mess, GST, and room rent). The total programme cost (tuition + admission fee) is Rs. 2,55,000, excluding hostel.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount
Admission Fee (One-Time)	Rs. 15,000
Tuition Fee (Per Semester)	Rs. 40,000
Tuition Fee (6 Semesters - 3 Years)	Rs. 2,40,000
Total Fees (Tuition + Admission)	Rs. 2,55,000

Hostel Fees (Optional - Not Mandatory)

Room Type	Annual Fee (Approx.)
Non-AC Room, Common Toilet (4-Bed)	Rs. 1,28,975
Non-AC Room, Attached Toilet (3-Bed)	Rs. 1,38,975
AC Room, Attached Toilet (2-Bed)	Rs. 1,53,975
AC Deluxe Room with Study Room (3-Bed)	Rs. 1,56,975

Hostel fees include mess charges (Rs. 89,500), GST at 5% (Rs. 4,475), and room rent (varies by type).
Electricity charges are paid separately via prepaid meters; electricity deposit ranges from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 15,000 depending on room type.
A one-time non-refundable hostel registration fee of Rs. 5,000 is applicable for newly admitted students.
Hostel rooms are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis subject to availability.
Caution deposit (refundable) is charged separately.
Full-time PhD scholars qualifying NET/GATE receive Rs. 38,000/month fellowship, which can substantially offset the cost of the programme.

KLU Ph.D. (Management Studies) Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. in Management Studies at KL University are conducted twice a year - once in the Odd Semester (June-July) and once in the Even Semester (November-January). The selection process involves a written entrance test followed by a personal interview. Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET, CSIR-JRF, SLET, or GATE are exempted from the written entrance test and are directly called for the interview. The 2026-27 Even Semester cycle has concluded; the next cycle for 2027-28 Odd Semester is expected to begin around May 2026.

KL University Ph.D. Management Studies - Admission Dates

Event	2026-27 Even Semester (Concluded)	2027-28 Odd Semester (Tentative)
Application Start Date	October 15, 2026	May 2027
Last Date for Applications	December 10, 2026	June 2027
Entrance Test	December 21, 2026	Late June 2027
Interview Date	January 2, 2027	Early July 2027
Batch Commencement	January 2027	July 2027

UGC-NET Exam Dates (Accepted Entrance Exam for Ph.D. Management Studies)

Event	Phase 1 (2026-27)	Phase 2 (2027)
Application Start	October 7, 2026	April 1, 2027
Application End	November 7, 2026	May 1, 2027
Admit Card	December 28, 2026	June 1, 2027
Exam Date	December 31, 2026 - January 7, 2027	June 2027
Answer Key	January 14, 2027	July 2027
Result	February 4, 2027	July 2027

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree (MBA/M.Com/MA in relevant discipline) with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA from a recognised university.
A 5% relaxation in the minimum marks is applicable for SC/ST/Differently Abled category candidates.
Candidates holding a 4-year UG degree with a minimum of 80% marks or CGPA of 8.0 on a 10-point scale are also eligible to apply.

Admission Process

Submit the online application at kluniversity.in/applyonline2.aspx along with the application fee of Rs. 1,100.
Eligible candidates are called for a written entrance test (held at Vijayawada or Hyderabad campus).
Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET, CSIR-JRF, SLET, or GATE are directly called for the personal interview, exempted from the written test.
MPhil degree holders and scientists in government organisations/research labs with at least 5 years of experience are also exempted from the entrance test.
Final selection is based on combined performance in the written test and personal interview.
Selected candidates are allotted a research supervisor from the available specialisations (OB and HRM, Marketing, Finance and Economics) and must complete mandatory pre-PhD coursework in the first year.

KLU Ph.D. (Management Studies) Scholarships 2026

KL University provides strong financial support to Ph.D. scholars through monthly fellowships for full-time researchers. With 100 full-time fellowships available each academic year across all disciplines, the Management Studies programme is well-supported. The fellowship amounts are competitive and can effectively cover living and tuition expenses for qualifying scholars. Tuition fee waivers are additionally available for deserving candidates, making the programme financially viable for meritorious students from all backgrounds.

Ph.D. Fellowships and Scholarships

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount
Ph.D. Fellowship - NET/GATE Qualified	Full-time scholars who have qualified UGC-NET, CSIR-JRF, SLET, or GATE	Rs. 38,000 per month
Ph.D. Fellowship - Others	Full-time scholars not holding NET/GATE qualification	Rs. 33,000 per month
Tuition Fee Waiver	Deserving full-time candidates based on interview performance and research progress	Partial to full tuition waiver
SC/ST Special Scholarship	SC/ST category students	Rs. 10,000 per year
OBC Special Scholarship	OBC category students	Rs. 5,000 per year
Differently Abled Scholarship	Differently abled candidates	Rs. 10,000 per year

Only 100 full-time fellowships are available per academic year across all PhD disciplines; allocation is competitive.
Fellowship is subject to satisfactory research progress as evaluated periodically.
Tuition fee waiver is separate from the monthly fellowship and is awarded based on interview performance.
Government scholarships such as the National Fellowship for SC/ST students (UGC) are also applicable and can be availed in addition to university support.
MBA/PG scholarship of up to 20% on merit fee is available for qualifying exam scores (CAT/MAT/XAT/KLMAT), though this is primarily applicable to MBA and not directly to PhD.

KL University Guntur Ph.D Management Studies Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#194 out of 350 in India 2026

#3rd in Andhra Pradesh

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KLU Ph.D. (Management Studies) FAQs

Ques. What are the research specialisations available under Ph.D. Management Studies at KL University?

Ans. KL University officially offers three research specialisations under the Ph.D. in Management Studies: Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management, Marketing, and Finance and Economics. Scholars are assigned a supervisor based on their research interest and the availability of faculty in the chosen specialisation.

Ques. Is a UGC-NET score required to apply for Ph.D. Management Studies at KLU?

Ans. UGC-NET is not mandatory for applying. However, candidates who have qualified UGC-NET, CSIR-JRF, SLET, or GATE are exempted from the university's written entrance test and are directly called for the personal interview. Candidates without these qualifications must appear for the KLU Ph.D. entrance test conducted at the Vijayawada or Hyderabad campus.

Ques. What is the fellowship amount for Ph.D. Management Studies scholars at KLU?

Ans. Full-time Ph.D. scholars who have qualified UGC-NET or GATE receive Rs. 38,000 per month. Those without NET/GATE qualification receive Rs. 33,000 per month. These fellowships are available for 100 full-time scholars across all disciplines and are subject to satisfactory research progress as evaluated periodically.

Ques. Can a working professional pursue Ph.D. Management Studies at KL University?

Ans. Yes, KL University offers the Ph.D. in Management Studies in part-time mode as well, specifically designed for working professionals. The minimum duration for part-time is 4 years. Candidates must fulfil the minimum residency requirements and complete the mandatory pre-PhD coursework as per KLU's PhD regulations.

Ques. How is the research environment for Management Studies at KL University?

Ans. KL University's Business School supports management research through access to databases, research publication support via IEEE open access, seed grants through supervisors, and the Innovation and Incubation Centre. The university has published over 50,000 Scopus and WoS indexed publications overall and is ranked 26th Best Research Institute in India by NIRF 2025, reflecting a strong research culture.

Ques. What career options are available after completing Ph.D. Management Studies from KLU?

Ans. Graduates of the Ph.D. in Management Studies from KL University typically pursue careers as Assistant Professors or Associate Professors in business schools and universities, management consultants, corporate researchers, policy analysts, and senior executives in HR, marketing, or finance functions. The doctoral degree also opens doors to post-doctoral fellowships and research positions in national and international institutions.