IIM Bangalore Ph.D Public Policy: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Bannerghatta Main Road, BangaloreAutonomous UniversityEstd 1973
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Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

IIM Bangalore's Doctoral Programme in Public Policy is a five-year full-time PhD programme in management, with a specialisation in Public Policy. The programme focuses on research in public policy analysis, design, process, and management, spanning a wide range of sectors and policy areas including development economics, education and labour, health systems, gender and household welfare, poverty and inequality, financial inclusion, urban governance, environmental sustainability, and the political and institutional foundations of public service delivery. Students and faculty actively engage with the Centre for Public Policy at IIMB. The programme leads to the award of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Management and is designed to train the next generation of academics and researchers who inspire business leaders and policymakers. The programme is fully funded, with a monthly stipend of Rs. 42,000, full tuition fee waiver, and on-campus accommodation for five years.

Admissions for the 2026 batch are currently in progress. The application window opened on 10 July 2025 and closes on 22 January 2026 (5:00 p.m. IST). Shortlisted candidates will be notified by 25 February 2026, with area tests and technical interviews scheduled for 13-14 March 2026. Offer letters are expected to be released on 20 March 2026, with the last date for acceptance being 27 March 2026. The PhD Preparatory Programme and formal registration are tentatively scheduled for the last week of May 2026.

Key Points

  • The PhD in Public Policy at IIMB is a five-year full-time residential programme. Students are NOT allowed to seek outside employment while pursuing the degree.
  • The programme is fully funded: all admitted students receive a full tuition fee waiver, a monthly stipend of Rs. 42,000, and single-seater on-campus hostel accommodation for five years.
  • Students can apply to two areas of specialisation (primary and secondary) as part of a single application. Once admitted to an area, students cannot change their specialisation.
  • The Public Policy area accepts a wide range of entrance test scores: GMAT, GRE, CAT, GATE, UGC-CSIR NET (in specified subjects), and the IIMB Test.
  • The programme requires two years of doctoral coursework, followed by a comprehensive examination, and then dissertation research.
  • IIMB is one of India's most prestigious management institutions, recognised as an Institute of National Importance under the IIM Act of 2017, and holds EQUIS accreditation.
  • Doctoral students are eligible for travel grants (up to Rs. 3,60,000) to present research at national and international conferences.
  • Students also receive start-up grants (Rs. 75,000 in Year 1) and contingency grants (Rs. 25,000 per year in Years 2-5) for books, stationery, computers, and other resources.
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IIMB PhD Public Policy Fees

The PhD in Public Policy at IIM Bangalore is fully funded. All admitted students receive a complete tuition fee waiver, meaning there are no tuition fees payable. In addition, students receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 42,000 and on-campus single-seater hostel accommodation for five years. The only costs students may incur are personal expenses and the application fee.

Fee and Financial Support Details

Fee / Financial Support ComponentDetails
Tuition FeeFull waiver (no tuition fees payable)
Monthly Stipend (Fellowship)Rs. 42,000 per month (for 5 years)
On-Campus AccommodationSingle-seater hostel accommodation provided for 5 years
Housing Subsidy (Married Accommodation)Rs. 20,000 per month for those seeking married accommodation outside campus
Start-up Grant (Year 1)Rs. 75,000 (for books, stationery, computers, etc.)
Contingency Grant (Years 2-5)Rs. 25,000 per year
Travel GrantUp to Rs. 3,60,000 (for presenting research at national/international conferences)
Application Fee (1 Area)Rs. 1,000 (non-refundable)
Application Fee (2 Areas)Rs. 1,500 (non-refundable)
IIMB Test Fee (if applicable)Rs. 1,200 per test (non-refundable)
Total Fees (Programme)Nil (fully funded)
  • All financial support (stipend, accommodation, grants) is available for a period of five years from the date of registration and ceases in the month of June at the end of the fifth year.
  • Fellowship funding is not available for foreign nationals.
  • Students are expected to provide service as Research Assistants and Teaching Assistants as part of the fellowship support.
  • Several students also receive additional external scholarships specially made available for doctoral students.

IIMB PhD Public Policy Admission 2026

Admissions to the PhD (Public Policy) programme at IIM Bangalore are conducted through a rigorous multi-stage process. Candidates are shortlisted based on their application, test scores, and academic background, and then called for an area-specific written test and/or technical interview. The 2026 batch admissions are currently in progress, with the application window closing on 22 January 2026. Offer letters are expected to be released on 20 March 2026.

IIMB PhD Admission Dates

EventDate
Application Window Opens10 July 2025
Application Window Closes22 January 2026 (5:00 p.m. IST)
IIMB Test 112 October 2025
IIMB Test 21 February 2026
Shortlist Notification25 February 2026
Area Tests (Online/In-person)26-28 February 2026
Technical Interviews (IIMB Campus)13-14 March 2026
Offer Notification20 March 2026
Last Date to Accept Offer27 March 2026
PhD Preparatory Programme and RegistrationLast week of May 2026 (tentative)

Entrance Exams Accepted

ExamValidity
GMATScores taken after 22 January 2021. Online GMAT not accepted. GMAT code: Q9HKK-55
GREScores taken after 22 January 2021. Online GRE not accepted. GRE code: 7385
CATCAT 2023, 2024, or 2025 scores
GATEScores taken after 22 January 2023
UGC-CSIR NETScores taken after 22 January 2023 (in specified subjects including Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Management, Public Administration, etc.)
IIMB TestConducted on 12 October 2025 and 1 February 2026. Additional test fee of Rs. 1,200 applicable.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Must hold a Master's degree (obtained after completing a Bachelor's degree), or a five-year Integrated Master's degree, or a two-year Post Graduate Diploma, or a professional qualification (CA/ICWA/CS), or a four-year/eight-semester Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution.
  • Minimum 55% marks in Bachelor's and Master's degrees (50% for SC/ST/PwD candidates). For four-year Bachelor's degree holders: minimum 6.5 CGPA (6.0 for SC/ST/PwD).
  • Must have a valid test score (GMAT, GRE, CAT, GATE, UGC-CSIR NET, or IIMB Test) at the time of application submission.
  • Final-year students of qualifying programmes may also apply provisionally.

Admission Process

  • Step 1: Submit the online application form on the IIMB admissions portal between 10 July 2025 and 22 January 2026. Pay the non-refundable application fee (Rs. 1,000 for one area; Rs. 1,500 for two areas).
  • Step 2: Upload required documents: mark sheets (10th, 12th, Bachelor's, Master's), test score report, statement of purpose (area-specific), category certificates (if applicable), and any research publications or resume.
  • Step 3: Arrange for one letter of recommendation to be submitted online by the recommender.
  • Step 4: Shortlisted candidates are notified by 25 February 2026 and called for an area-specific written test and/or technical interview at IIMB campus (or online, as decided by the area).
  • Step 5: Final selection is based on test scores, academic performance, work experience, and area test/interview performance.
  • Step 6: Offer letters are released on 20 March 2026. Candidates must accept by 27 March 2026.
  • Candidates can apply to a maximum of two areas (primary and secondary preference).
  • Reservations are implemented as per Government of India norms: SC - 15%, ST - 7.5%, OBC-NCL - 27%, EWS - 10%, PwD - 5%.

IIMB PhD Public Policy Scholarships 2026

The PhD (Public Policy) programme at IIM Bangalore is fully funded, making it one of the most financially attractive doctoral programmes in India. All admitted students receive a full tuition fee waiver and a monthly stipend of Rs. 42,000, along with on-campus accommodation, research grants, and travel support. Additional external scholarships are also available for doctoral students.

Financial Support Details

Financial SupportAmountDetails
Monthly Stipend (Fellowship)Rs. 42,000/monthFor all admitted students, for 5 years
Tuition Fee WaiverFull waiverNo tuition fees payable
On-Campus AccommodationProvidedSingle-seater hostel for 5 years
Housing Subsidy (Married)Rs. 20,000/monthFor those seeking married accommodation outside campus
Start-up GrantRs. 75,000 (Year 1)For books, stationery, computers, etc.
Contingency GrantRs. 25,000/year (Years 2-5)For research-related expenses
Travel GrantUp to Rs. 3,60,000For presenting research at national/international conferences
External ScholarshipsVariesSeveral external scholarships available for doctoral students
  • All financial support is available for 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.
  • Milestone-based incentives are also provided for successfully achieving various programme milestones.

IIMB PhD Public Policy FAQs

Ques. Is the PhD in Public Policy at IIMB suitable for someone from a non-management background (e.g., economics, political science, social work)?

Ans. Yes, the PhD in Public Policy at IIMB actively welcomes candidates from diverse academic backgrounds. The programme accepts UGC-CSIR NET scores in subjects like Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Public Administration, Social Work, and Environmental Sciences, among others. The area faculty have expertise in development economics, health systems, urban governance, and environmental sustainability, making it suitable for candidates from social science, economics, and policy backgrounds. An MBA is not a prerequisite.

Ques. What is the difference between the PhD in Public Policy and the PGPPM (Post Graduate Programme in Public Policy and Management) at IIMB?

Ans. The PhD in Public Policy is a five-year full-time research-oriented doctoral programme designed for those who want to pursue careers in academic research and teaching. The PGPPM is a 14-month hybrid master's programme (leading to a Masters of Management Studies in Public Policy) designed for experienced professionals who want to enhance their leadership and management skills in the public policy domain. The PhD is for those who want to contribute to knowledge creation through original research, while the PGPPM is for practitioners seeking advanced management education.

Ques. What kind of research is conducted in the Public Policy area at IIMB?

Ans. The Public Policy area at IIMB covers a wide range of research topics including development economics, education and labour markets, health systems and ageing, gender and household welfare, poverty and inequality, financial inclusion, urban governance, environmental sustainability, and the political and institutional foundations of public service delivery. Recent dissertation topics include research on rural banking and poverty alleviation, liquifying workforce in India, healthcare policy, agricultural marketing cooperatives, and urban flood vulnerability and climate justice.

Ques. Is the PhD programme fully funded? What is the monthly stipend?

Ans. Yes, the PhD programme at IIMB is fully funded. All admitted students receive a full tuition fee waiver (no tuition fees payable), a monthly stipend of Rs. 42,000 for five years, single-seater on-campus hostel accommodation, a start-up grant of Rs. 75,000 in Year 1, contingency grants of Rs. 25,000 per year in Years 2-5, and travel grants of up to Rs. 3,60,000 for presenting research at conferences. This makes it one of the most financially attractive doctoral programmes in India.

Ques. Can I apply to the PhD programme while working? Can I pursue it part-time?

Ans. No, the PhD programme at IIMB is a full-time programme. Students are NOT allowed to seek outside employment while pursuing the degree. The programme requires full-time commitment for five years, including coursework, comprehensive examinations, and dissertation research. Candidates who are currently employed must resign or take a leave of absence before joining the programme.

Ques. What are the career prospects after completing a PhD in Public Policy from IIMB?

Ans. The PhD programme is primarily oriented towards training students for academic careers in research and teaching. Graduates typically pursue faculty positions at leading management institutions, universities, and research organisations in India and abroad. However, leading Indian companies, MNCs, investment banks, consulting firms, and government think tanks also value the PhD for positions requiring specialised research skills. The IIMB brand and alumni network provide strong support for career placement in both academia and industry.

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Research a bit on these courses, and find some information on the above listed professors.

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