Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Ph.D. in Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources Management (OBHRM) at IIM Bangalore (IIMB) is a rigorous five-year full-time doctoral programme that trains scholars for academic and research careers at the intersection of social sciences, psychology, and management. The OBHRM area at IIMB has faculty with multidisciplinary qualifications and covers a wide range of research topics including Leadership and Leadership Development, Talent Management, Organizational Diversity and Inclusion, Cross-Cultural Issues in Management, HRM in High-Tech Organizations and SMEs, Social Entrepreneurship, Work-Life Balance, Organizational Structure and Processes, and Human Dimensions of Corporate Restructuring. The programme is fully funded: all admitted students receive a complete tuition fee waiver and a monthly stipend of Rs 42,000 for five years. The OBHRM area is particularly attractive to candidates with backgrounds in social sciences, psychology, management, and related disciplines who aspire to academic careers.

Admissions for the 2026 batch are now closed. The application window was open from July 10, 2025 to January 22, 2026. Offer letters for the 2026 batch were released on March 20, 2026, and the last date for offer acceptance was March 27, 2026. The PhD Preparatory Programme and formal registration for the 2026 batch is tentatively scheduled for the last week of May 2026 onwards. For the 2027 batch, applications are expected to open around July 2026 based on the previous year's schedule.

Key Points

The programme is fully funded: tuition fees are completely waived and students receive a monthly stipend of Rs 42,000 for five years.
The OBHRM area accepts CAT, GMAT, GRE, GATE, UGC-CSIR NET (specific subjects), and the IIMB Test.
Both an Area Test and a Technical Interview are conducted for shortlisted candidates.
The area has a strong preference for candidates with master's degrees from reputed institutions such as IIMs, MDI, TISS, XLRI, and similar institutions, though applications from diverse schools are welcome.
Research in the OBHRM area spans leadership, team dynamics, organizational resilience, diversity management, gig work, and social entrepreneurship.
Students are provided single-seater hostel accommodation on campus for the full five-year duration of the programme.
A start-up grant of Rs 75,000 is provided in Year 1, and a contingency grant of Rs 25,000 per year is provided in Years 2 to 5.
Travel grants of up to Rs 3,60,000 are available for presenting research at national and international conferences.
IIMB's PhD programme has been consistently rated among the best doctoral programmes in management in India.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

IIM Bangalore Ph.D. OBHRM Fees

The Ph.D. (Organizational Behavior and Human Resources) programme at IIM Bangalore is fully funded for all admitted students. There is no tuition fee charged; instead, students receive a monthly fellowship (stipend) of Rs 42,000 for the entire five-year duration. The only fees payable are the application fee (non-refundable) at the time of applying, and an additional IIMB Test fee if the candidate opts for the IIMB Test. Hostel accommodation is provided on campus at no additional cost for five years.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount
Tuition Fee (per year)	Nil (fully waived)
Application Fee (1 area)	Rs 1,000 (one-time, non-refundable)
Application Fee (2 areas)	Rs 1,500 (one-time, non-refundable)
IIMB Test Fee (if opting for IIMB Test)	Rs 1,200 per test
Monthly Stipend (Fellowship)	Rs 42,000 per month (for 5 years)
Start-up Grant (Year 1)	Rs 75,000 (one-time)
Contingency Grant (Years 2-5)	Rs 25,000 per year
Travel Grant (total, 5 years)	Up to Rs 3,60,000
Hostel Accommodation	Provided on campus (no charge for 5 years)
Total Fees Payable by Student	Rs 1,000 (application, 1 area) or Rs 1,500 (2 areas)

All application fees are non-refundable.
The monthly stipend of Rs 42,000 is paid for five years from the date of registration and ceases in the month of June at the end of the fifth year.
Students seeking married accommodation outside campus receive a housing subsidy of Rs 20,000 per month instead of on-campus hostel.
Financial support (stipend, grants) is available for a maximum period of five years from the date of registration.
No EMI or payment schedule is applicable as there is no tuition fee.

IIM Bangalore Ph.D. OBHRM Admission 2026

Admissions to the IIM Bangalore PhD (Organizational Behavior and Human Resources) programme for the 2026 batch are now closed, with offer letters released on March 20, 2026. The next admission cycle (2027 batch) is expected to open around July 2026. The OBHRM area follows a multi-stage selection process: initial shortlisting based on academic performance, work experience, test scores, and research potential, followed by an Area Test and a Technical Interview for shortlisted candidates.

Admission Dates

Event	Date
Application Window Opens	July 10, 2025
Application Deadline	January 22, 2026 (5:00 PM IST)
Shortlist Notification	February 25, 2026
Area Tests (Online)	February 26, 27 & 28, 2026
Technical Interviews (IIMB Campus)	March 13 & 14, 2026
Offer Notification	March 20, 2026
Offer Acceptance Last Date	March 27, 2026
PhD Prep Programme & Registration	Last week of May 2026 onwards

Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Accepted for OBHRM	Key Dates (2025-26)
CAT 2025	Yes	Exam: November 30, 2025; Result: December 24, 2025
GATE 2026	Yes	Exam: February 7, 8, 14 & 15, 2026; Result: March 19, 2026
GMAT	Yes	Conducted year-round; check mba.com for schedule
GRE	Yes	Conducted year-round; check ets.org for schedule
UGC-CSIR NET	Yes (specific subjects only)	Phase 1 Exam: December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026; Result: February 4, 2026
IIMB Test	Yes	Test 1: October 12, 2025; Test 2: February 1, 2026

For UGC-CSIR NET, only specific subject codes are accepted for the OBHRM area: Anthropology (Code 7), Business Economics (Code 01), Human Resource Management (Code 55), Management (Code 17), Psychology (Code 04), and Sociology (Code 05). For PhD 2026, valid test scores must be from after January 22, 2021 (GMAT/GRE), after November 2023 (CAT), or after January 22, 2023 (GATE/UGC-CSIR NET). Online GMAT/GRE (exam taken at home) is NOT accepted for PhD 2026.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree (after a bachelor's degree), a 5-year Integrated Master's degree, a 2-year Post Graduate Diploma, a professional qualification (CA/ICWA/CS), or a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor's degree.
Minimum 55% marks in bachelor's and master's degrees (50% for SC/ST/PwD); for 4-year bachelor's degree holders, minimum 6.5 CGPA (6.0 for SC/ST/PwD).
A valid score in one of the accepted tests (CAT/GMAT/GRE/GATE/UGC-CSIR NET/IIMB Test) is mandatory; for UGC-CSIR NET, only the specific subject codes listed above are accepted.

Admission Process

Submit online application at the IIMB portal (campus.iimb.ac.in) with all required documents including test scores, Statement of Purpose, mark sheets, resume, research publications (if any), and letters of recommendation.
Shortlisting: Candidates are assessed on academic performance, work experience and quality, test scores, and overall research potential (prior research work, research statements, publications, and recommendation letters). The area also screens for master's degrees from reputed institutions.
Area Test: Shortlisted candidates appear for an area-specific written test.
Technical Interview: Candidates are assessed on motivation for research and academic work, ability to communicate, and conceptual skills.
Final ranking is based on performance in the technical interview and Area Test score.
Candidates may apply to up to two areas of specialization; once admitted to an area, change of area is not permitted.

IIM Bangalore Ph.D. OBHRM Scholarships 2026

IIM Bangalore provides one of the most comprehensive financial support packages for doctoral students in India. All admitted PhD students receive a full tuition fee waiver and a monthly stipend, making the programme financially accessible to all selected candidates. Several students also receive external scholarships specifically available for doctoral students in management and organizational behaviour.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Financial Support	Amount	Eligibility / Notes
Monthly Fellowship (Stipend)	Rs 42,000 per month	All admitted PhD students; for 5 years from registration
Tuition Fee Waiver	Full waiver (100%)	All admitted PhD students
Start-up Grant	Rs 75,000 (Year 1)	For books, stationery, computers, and academic resources
Contingency Grant	Rs 25,000 per year (Years 2-5)	For academic resources and research support
Travel Grant	Up to Rs 3,60,000 (over 5 years)	For presenting research at national/international conferences; subject to travel committee approval
Housing Subsidy (married accommodation)	Rs 20,000 per month	For students seeking accommodation outside campus
Director's Merit List (DML) Award	Cash award + recognition	Awarded to top-performing PhD students each year
External Scholarships	Varies	Several external scholarships are available specifically for doctoral students; details shared after admission

All financial support is available for a maximum of five years from the date of registration and ceases in June at the end of the fifth year.
Fellowship funding is not available for foreign nationals.
Students are expected to serve as Research Assistants and Teaching Assistants as part of the fellowship support.
Incentives are also provided for successfully achieving various programme milestones.

IIM Bangalore Ph.D Organizational Behavior and Human Resources Ranking

Financial Times Ranking

#34 out of 100 in International 2026

Outlook Ranking

#2 out of 25 in Top Public Colleges in India 2026

QS Ranking

#52 out of 301 in International 2026

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IIM Bangalore Ph.D. OBHRM FAQs

Ques. What UGC-NET subjects are accepted for the PhD OBHRM area at IIMB?

Ans. The OBHRM area accepts UGC-CSIR NET scores only for specific subjects: Anthropology (Code 7), Business Economics (Code 01), Human Resource Management (Code 55), Management (Code 17), Psychology (Code 04), and Sociology (Code 05). Candidates with NET scores in other subjects should use CAT, GMAT, GRE, GATE, or the IIMB Test instead.

Ques. Does the OBHRM area prefer candidates from specific institutions or backgrounds?

Ans. The OBHRM area has a stated preference for candidates with master's degrees from reputed institutions such as IIMs, MDI, TISS, XLRI, and similar institutions. However, the area explicitly welcomes applications from diverse schools and from abroad. Candidates from social sciences, psychology, management, and related disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Ques. What kind of research is done in the OBHRM area at IIMB?

Ans. The OBHRM area covers a wide range of research topics including leadership and leadership development, team dynamics and cohesion, organizational resilience during crises, diversity management, gig work and motivation, social entrepreneurship, talent management, work-life balance, HRM in startups, and cross-cultural management. Recent dissertations have explored topics such as organizational responses to shocks, the evolution of Ayurvedic pharmaceuticals, and team integration under stress.

Ques. Is prior work experience required for admission to the PhD OBHRM programme?

Ans. Work experience is not mandatory but is valued in the shortlisting process. The OBHRM area assesses the quality of work experience as part of the shortlisting criteria. Candidates with relevant work experience in HR, organizational consulting, or social sector roles may have an advantage, but strong academic performance and research potential are the primary criteria.

Ques. What is the Area Test for the OBHRM area, and how should I prepare?

Ans. The OBHRM area conducts an area-specific written test for shortlisted candidates. The test assesses conceptual understanding of organizational behaviour and human resource management, analytical thinking, and written communication. Candidates should be familiar with foundational concepts in OB, HRM, psychology, and organizational theory. Reading key textbooks and research papers in these areas is recommended.

Ques. What career paths are available after completing a PhD in OBHRM from IIMB?

Ans. Graduates of the OBHRM doctoral programme primarily pursue academic careers as faculty members at leading business schools, IIMs, IITs, and universities in India and abroad. Some graduates also move into research and consulting roles at HR consulting firms, think tanks, and policy organizations. The programme's focus on both quantitative and qualitative research methods makes graduates versatile researchers who are valued in both academic and applied research settings.