Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Ph.D. (Finance) at MAHE Manipal is a 3-year full-time doctoral program designed to develop research scholars in advanced finance disciplines. The program emphasizes research in corporate finance, financial markets, investment and portfolio management, banking, financial risk management, and financial derivatives. The total course fee is 59,000 for self-financed candidates, with Dr. TMA Pai Scholarships available offering monthly stipends ranging from 27,500 to 38,500. The program is recognized for its focus on cutting-edge research addressing contemporary financial challenges and market innovations. Admission is ongoing with two cycles per academic year (July and January), and the program is highly popular among students seeking research-oriented careers in finance and financial services.

Admissions for the July 2026 cycle are currently ongoing. The application deadline for Phase 1 is March 15, 2026, with the PhD MET (Manipal Entrance Test) scheduled for April 13-14, 2026. Results are expected by April 18, 2026 (tentative), followed by counseling in the second week of June 2026. For the January 2027 cycle, applications typically open in October 2026 with the MET scheduled for December 2026-January 2027. Candidates should note that admission is merit-based through the PhD MET and interview process, with no specific seat intake mentioned.

Key Points:

Research-focused curriculum with emphasis on corporate finance and financial markets
Access to advanced research facilities and financial databases
Opportunity to work on industry-relevant projects in investment management and financial risk analysis
Strong emphasis on publication and presentation at national and international conferences
Flexible research domains allowing specialization in portfolio management, banking, financial derivatives, and emerging market finance

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

MAHE Ph.D. (Finance) Fees

The Ph.D. (Finance) program at MAHE Manipal offers an affordable doctoral education with a total course fee of 59,000 for self-financed candidates. This makes it one of the most cost-effective PhD programs in finance in India. The fee structure is designed to be accessible while maintaining high research standards and world-class financial research facilities.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Total Course Fee (Self-Financed)	59,000

The fees mentioned are for self-financed candidates.
Candidates selected under the Dr. TMA Pai Scholarship category do not pay course fees and receive monthly stipends.
Payment can be made in installments as per the joining process guidelines.

MAHE Ph.D. (Finance) Admission 2026

Ph.D. (Finance) admissions at MAHE Manipal follow a merit-based selection process conducted twice annually. The admission process emphasizes research aptitude, academic excellence, and motivation for doctoral research. Candidates are evaluated through the PhD MET (Manipal Entrance Test) and a comprehensive interview process that assesses research potential and subject knowledge.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Application Submission Deadline (Phase 1)	March 15, 2026
PhD MET Phase 1 Exam	April 13-14, 2026
MET Result Declaration	April 18, 2026 (Tentative)
Counseling Commencement	2nd week of June 2026
Application Submission Deadline (Phase 2)	After Phase 1 deadline
PhD MET Phase 2 Exam	May 23-24, 2026

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Master's degree in Finance, Commerce, Business Administration, or related disciplines from a recognized university with minimum 55% marks (50% for SC/ST candidates)
Valid score in PhD MET or exemption through GATE qualification or UGC-NET qualification with Assistant Professorship
Strong motivation for research and demonstrated interest in finance research areas

Admission Process:

Online application submission through https://apply.manipal.edu/ with selection of preferred research domain and stream
Appearance for All India centre-based online PhD MET (exempted for GATE/UGC-NET qualified candidates)
Shortlisting based on MET performance (35% weightage) and interview performance (65% weightage)
Interview comprising presentation, viva voce on research area, and discussion on motivation and goals
Allotment of PhD topic and guide based on interview performance and candidate preferences
Offer letter issuance and joining process completion with document verification

MAHE Ph.D. (Finance) Scholarships 2026

MAHE Manipal offers comprehensive scholarship and financial support options for Ph.D. (Finance) candidates. The Dr. TMA Pai Scholarship program is the primary scholarship avenue, providing monthly stipends and financial assistance for research activities. Additionally, candidates can avail financial assistance for conference presentations and research activities.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship Type	Monthly Stipend	Duration	Eligibility
Dr. TMA Pai Scholarship - Probationary Period	27,500	6 months	Selected candidates meeting merit criteria
Dr. TMA Pai Scholarship - First Year	34,000	12 months	Successful completion of probation
Dr. TMA Pai Scholarship - Second Year	34,000	12 months	Satisfactory academic progress
Dr. TMA Pai Scholarship - Third Year	38,500	12 months	Continued research progress

Dr. TMA Pai Scholarship recipients are not permitted to accept additional salary or stipend from other sources during the fellowship tenure.
Scholarship amount must be returned if the candidate discontinues the PhD program or if registration is cancelled by MAHE.
Additional financial assistance up to 30,000 is available for conference presentations, workshops, and research activities within 4 years of admission or before thesis submission, whichever is earlier.
Candidates can also avail education loans through partner banks including Axis Bank, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, ICICI Bank, and State Bank of India.

MAHE Manipal Ph.D Finance Ranking

IIRF Ranking

#54 out of 100 in Top Private Colleges in India 2022

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MAHE Ph.D. (Finance) FAQs

Ques. What research areas are available in Ph.D. (Finance)?

Ans. Research domains include corporate finance, financial markets, investment and portfolio management, banking, financial risk management, financial derivatives, mergers and acquisitions, and emerging market finance. Specific topics are made available during the application process based on faculty research interests and current industry needs.

Ques. Is the PhD MET mandatory for all candidates?

Ans. No, the PhD MET is exempted for candidates with valid GATE scores or UGC-NET qualification with Assistant Professorship. However, most candidates are required to appear for the MET to be considered for admission.

Ques. What is the difference between Dr. TMA Pai Scholarship and Self-Financed PhD categories?

Ans. Dr. TMA Pai Scholarship candidates receive monthly stipends (27,500 to 38,500) and do not pay course fees, while self-financed candidates pay a total fee of 59,000 but have no monthly stipend. Both categories follow the same admission process and have equal access to research facilities and supervision.

Ques. What facilities and support are available for PhD research?

Ans. PhD scholars have access to financial databases, research libraries, and the Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF). Financial assistance up to 30,000 is available for conference presentations and research activities. Scholars also receive guidance from experienced faculty and opportunities to work on industry-relevant financial research projects.

Ques. What is the minimum duration of the PhD program?

Ans. The minimum duration is 3.5 years from the date of joining (registration), with a maximum duration of 6 years. The program includes a 6-month probationary period followed by the main research phase.

Ques. Can I pursue PhD part-time while working?

Ans. MAHE Manipal offers a separate Part-Time PhD program for working professionals. The full-time PhD program requires full-time commitment to research and is not suitable for working professionals. However, the part-time option allows professionals to pursue research while maintaining employment.