Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU), Madurai offers a full-time Ph.D. in Business Administration, a doctoral research programme under the School of Business Studies, Department of Management Studies. Established in 1980-81, the Department of Management Studies was the 4th institution in Tamil Nadu to start a full-time MBA programme and has a strong legacy in management education and research. The Ph.D. Business Administration programme spans a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years, with a total fee of approximately Rs. 1.14 Lakhs for the entire duration. Admission is through a university-level entrance test followed by an interview. The programme is popular among management professionals and academics seeking to contribute original research in areas such as finance, marketing, human resource management, and strategic management.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are conducted through MKU's annual Ph.D. entrance test. The most recent admission cycle (2026-27) had its entrance exam on December 14, 2026, and the April 2027 cycle had its entrance exam on April 5, 2027. For the next cycle, the admission notification is expected around July-August 2027, with the entrance test likely in August-September 2027 (tentative, based on previous year patterns). Candidates with a valid UGC NET/JRF are exempted from the entrance test.

Key Points

Offered under the School of Business Studies, Department of Management Studies, one of the oldest and most established management departments in Tamil Nadu (est. 1980-81).
The programme is interdisciplinary in nature, with research areas spanning finance, marketing, human resource management, organizational behaviour, entrepreneurship, rural management, and strategic management.
Candidates must complete a mandatory pre-Ph.D. course work (minimum 8 credits, maximum 16 credits) within the first year of registration.
A minimum of one research paper must be published in a UGC-listed refereed journal before thesis submission.
Two open research seminars must be presented during the research period.
MKU is NAAC A++ accredited (4th Cycle, 2021) and ranked 9th among government multidisciplinary universities in India (Education World, 2022).
Women candidates and persons with disability can avail up to 8 years for completion; women scholars are also entitled to maternity/child care leave of up to 240 days.
The Department has active UGC-funded research projects in areas including rural entrepreneurship, women empowerment, and self-help groups.

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FAQs

MKU Ph.D. (Business Administration) Fees

The Ph.D. (Business Administration) at MKU follows the Arts/Humanities fee structure, as Business Administration is classified under management/social sciences. The annual research and administration fee is Rs. 7,500 per year. The total fee over the minimum 3-year duration, including one-time registration and submission charges, is approximately Rs. 1.14 Lakhs for the entire programme duration.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Ph.D. Application Form	1,000
Registration Fee (One-time)	3,000
Methodology Test Fee	3,000
Course Work Fee	2,000
Administrative Fee	2,000
Annual Research + Administration Fee (Arts/Management)	7,500 per year
Synopsis Submission Fee	5,000
Thesis Submission Fee	10,000
Viva-Voce Completion Certificate	500
Ph.D. Regulation Certificate	500
Total Fees (Approx. for entire duration)	Rs. 1.14 Lakhs

Annual Research + Administration Fee: Rs. 7,500/year for Arts/Management subjects (Rs. 9,500/year for Science subjects).
Extension fee: Rs. 4,000 per year (in addition to the annual research fee) for candidates who exceed the minimum duration.
SC/ST candidates are eligible for fee concessions as per Tamil Nadu Government norms.
Differently-abled candidates are exempt from tuition and special fees.
Fees are to be paid through SBI I-Collect to the MKU Registrar Account.
M.Phil. candidates who register for Ph.D. are charged Rs. 8,000 (if 55% and above in M.Phil.) or Rs. 11,000 (if below 55%) as registration fee.

Hostel Fees (Optional)

Hostel Type	Annual Fee (Approx.)
Men's Hostel (Non-AC Room)	Rs. 13,500 - Rs. 28,500
Women's Hostel (Non-AC Room)	Rs. 13,500 - Rs. 28,500
Mess Charges (Vegetarian)	Rs. 5,000 per year (approx.)
Mess Charges (Non-Vegetarian)	Rs. 8,500 per year (approx.)

Hostel accommodation is optional and subject to availability.
Separate hostels are available for men and women on the MKU campus.

MKU Ph.D. (Business Administration) Admission 2026

MKU conducts its Ph.D. admissions through a university-level entrance test held typically twice a year (July-August and December cycles). The entrance test is objective type, comprising two parts of one hour each (50 marks each): Part 1 covers research aptitude, English comprehension, logic and reasoning; Part 2 covers subject-specific knowledge in Business Administration/Management. Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview (50 marks). Final selection is based on combined entrance test and interview marks. Candidates holding UGC NET/JRF are exempted from the entrance test.

MKU Ph.D. Admission Dates

Event	2026-27 (Actual)	2027-28 (Tentative)
Admission Notification	October 2026 / March 2027	July-August 2027
Application Last Date	November 2026 / April 3, 2027	August 2027
Entrance Examination	December 14, 2026 / April 5, 2027	August-September 2027
Interview / Selection	December-January 2026-27 / April 2027	September-October 2027
Registration / Commencement	January-February 2027	October-November 2027

Relevant Exam Dates

Exam	Purpose	Key Dates (2026-27)
MKU Ph.D. Entrance Test	Mandatory for MKU Ph.D. admission (unless exempted)	December 14, 2026 / April 5, 2027 (Actual); Next: Aug-Sep 2027 (Tentative)
UGC NET (Management)	Exemption from entrance test; JRF for fellowship	Phase 1: Dec 31, 2026 - Jan 7, 2027; Phase 2: June 2027 (Tentative)

Note: Candidates with valid UGC NET/JRF are directly exempted from the MKU Ph.D. entrance test and may be admitted directly.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree (MBA / M.Com. / PGDM / MA in Management or related disciplines) from a recognized university.
Minimum 55% aggregate marks in the Master's degree (50% for SC/ST/OBC/Differently-abled candidates).
Candidates with M.Phil. degree are also eligible; those with M.Phil. marks below 55% pay a higher registration fee.
JRF/SRF holders working in externally funded research projects are also eligible for direct admission.

Admission Process

Watch for the official Ph.D. admission notification on the MKU website (mkuniversity.ac.in) and in national newspapers.
Download and submit the application form with a fee of Rs. 1,000 (Ph.D. application form fee).
Appear for the MKU Ph.D. Entrance Test (two parts, objective type, 100 minutes total).
Shortlisted candidates attend an interview at the Department of Management Studies, MKU.
Final selection is based on combined entrance test + interview marks; candidates are allotted to research guides based on rank and research interest.
Complete pre-Ph.D. registration and course work within the first year.
Candidates with UGC NET/JRF are directly admitted without appearing for the entrance test.

MKU Ph.D. (Business Administration) Scholarships 2026

Ph.D. scholars at MKU can avail of a wide range of fellowships and scholarships from central and state government agencies. JRF holders receive a monthly stipend, while non-NET scholars can apply for the UGC Non-NET Fellowship. SC/ST scholars have access to dedicated national fellowships. Management research scholars can also explore ICSSR fellowships.

Scholarships and Fellowships

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount (Approx.)	Offered By
UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	UGC NET qualified with JRF	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF after 2 years)	UGC, Govt. of India
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF)	SC/ST Ph.D. scholars	Rs. 25,000/month (JRF level)	UGC, Govt. of India
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF)	Minority community Ph.D. scholars	Rs. 25,000/month	UGC, Govt. of India
ICSSR Junior Research Fellowship	Social science / management research scholars	Rs. 25,000/month	ICSSR, Govt. of India
DST-INSPIRE Fellowship	Top-ranked students in qualifying exams	Rs. 80,000/year + Rs. 20,000 contingency	DST, Govt. of India
Non-NET Fellowship	Ph.D. scholars without JRF	Rs. 5,000/month	UGC
Post Matric Scholarship (SC/ST)	SC/ST students; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh	Up to Rs. 20,000 per year	Central / State Government
Tamil Nadu State BC/MBC/DNC Scholarship	BC/MBC/DNC students	Varies	Tamil Nadu Government
University Research Fellowship (URF)	MKU students selected by university	Varies	Madurai Kamaraj University
Dr. D.S. Kothari Post Doctoral Fellowship	Post-doctoral researchers	Rs. 38,000/month	UGC, Govt. of India

JRF holders are exempted from the MKU Ph.D. entrance test and can be directly admitted.
ICSSR JRF is particularly relevant for Business Administration scholars given its social science and management orientation.
SC/ST students must apply for scholarships through the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Welfare Department.
Application deadlines for government scholarships vary; students should check the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) for current deadlines.
UGC Non-NET Fellowship of Rs. 5,000/month is available for full-time Ph.D. scholars who do not hold a JRF.

MKU Ph.D. (Business Administration) FAQs

Ques. What is the minimum and maximum duration to complete a Ph.D. in Business Administration at MKU?

Ans. The minimum duration is 3 years from the date of registration. The maximum duration is 6 years. Women candidates and persons with disability are allowed up to 8 years. Women scholars are also entitled to maternity/child care leave of up to 240 days during the entire research period. If a candidate fails to submit the thesis within the stipulated period, the registration is automatically cancelled.

Ques. What research areas are available for Ph.D. Business Administration at MKU?

Ans. The Department of Management Studies at MKU has research expertise in finance (capital markets, banking, corporate finance, microfinance), marketing (consumer behaviour, digital marketing, rural marketing, branding), human resource management (talent management, organizational behaviour, industrial relations, women empowerment), entrepreneurship (rural entrepreneurship, startup ecosystems, self-help groups), and strategic management. Scholars can choose their research topic in consultation with their assigned guide.

Ques. Can working professionals pursue Ph.D. Business Administration at MKU on a part-time basis?

Ans. Yes. MKU offers Ph.D. registration under both full-time and part-time categories. Part-time scholars are required to be available to their guide during weekends, holidays, and vacations. However, the course listed here is Full Time. Part-time candidates must ensure their employer allows them to pursue research and that they can fulfill the attendance, seminar, and course work requirements.

Ques. What are the publication requirements for completing the Ph.D. in Business Administration at MKU?

Ans. Candidates must publish at least one research paper as the first author in a UGC-listed national or international refereed journal before submitting the thesis. The research guide may be a co-author. Additionally, two open research seminars must be presented during the research period, and a pre-submission presentation must be made before the Research Advisory Committee at least 3 months before thesis submission.

Ques. Is PGDM (from a non-university institution) accepted as eligibility for Ph.D. Business Administration at MKU?

Ans. PGDM from AICTE-approved institutions is generally considered equivalent to MBA for admission purposes at many universities. However, MKU specifically requires a Master's degree from a recognized university. Candidates with PGDM should verify their eligibility directly with the MKU Research Section before applying, as recognition depends on the specific institution and AICTE equivalence certificate.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing a Ph.D. in Business Administration from MKU?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as assistant professors and associate professors in management colleges and universities (after clearing UGC NET). Other career paths include senior research roles in think tanks and policy organizations (NITI Aayog, CII, FICCI), management consultant positions in corporate and international organizations, research scientist roles in government and private research institutes, and leadership positions in NGOs and development organizations. A Ph.D. from a NAAC A++ accredited university like MKU is well-regarded in academic and research circles.