Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

The Ph.D. in Business Management at Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University (UPRTOU), Prayagraj is a research-oriented doctoral programme offered in Regular Mode at the university campus under the subject "Business Administration and Business Management" (Subject Code 008). The programme has a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years, including mandatory Pre-Ph.D. coursework of 16 credits. The total course fee is Rs. 98,000, and admission is based on UGC-NET/JRF scores in Management combined with an interview and synopsis presentation. For the 2026-27 session, 3 seats were available (SC-01, OBC-01, UR-01), making it a competitive programme for researchers in business strategy, organisational behaviour, human resource management, marketing, and entrepreneurship. The programme is popular among MBA graduates, management professionals, and corporate executives who wish to pursue advanced research and academic careers.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are now closed. Applications were accepted from December 2 to 30, 2026, and interviews were conducted between March 20 and March 25, 2027. The next admission cycle (2027-28) is expected to open tentatively in December 2027, based on the previous year's schedule. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website www.uprtou.ac.in for the upcoming session notification.

Key Points

The Ph.D. in Business Management is offered in Regular Mode at the UPRTOU campus in Prayagraj; employed candidates may register as Part-Time scholars with a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from their employer.
Admission is strictly merit-based: 70% weightage to UGC-NET/JRF scores in Management and 30% to the interview and synopsis presentation.
Pre-Ph.D. coursework of 16 credits is compulsory for all admitted candidates (except M.Phil. holders with 55%+ marks).
3 seats were available for 2026-27 (SC-01, OBC-01, UR-01), with representation across all major reservation categories.
Part-Time Ph.D. scholars must devote a minimum of 200 days with their research supervisor during the programme.
The programme is ideal for MBA/PGDM holders and management professionals seeking to transition into academia or contribute to management research.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

UPRTOU Ph.D (Business Management) Fees

The total fee for the Ph.D. in Business Management at UPRTOU is Rs. 98,000 for the complete course duration (minimum 3 years). The annual programme fee of Rs. 20,000 is charged per year, while one-time charges include registration, Pre-Ph.D. coursework, pre-submission presentation, and thesis evaluation fees. The fee structure is highly affordable compared to private management institutions offering doctoral programmes.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)	Remarks
Ph.D. Programme Registration Fee	3,000	One-time, Non-refundable
Ph.D. Programme Fee	20,000 per annum	Per year (Refundable*)
Ph.D. Programme Fee (3 years total)	60,000	For minimum 3-year duration
Pre-Ph.D. Course Work Admission + Exam Fee	10,000	One-time (Refundable*)
Pre-Submission Presentation Fee	10,000	At time of thesis pre-submission viva, Non-refundable
Thesis Evaluation and Viva Voce Fee	15,000	At time of thesis submission, Non-refundable
Total Fees	98,000	For minimum 3-year duration

Application Processing Fee: Rs. 1,000 (General) / Rs. 500 (SC/ST) - Non-refundable; Rs. 1,500 (General with late fee) / Rs. 750 (SC/ST with late fee). This is separate from the course fee.
*Refund Policy: 100% refund if withdrawal notice is received 15 or more days before the last date of admission; 90% if less than 15 days before; 80% if within 15 days after; 50% if within 30 days after; 0% if more than 30 days after the last date.
Re-Pre-Submission Presentation Fee (if required): Rs. 3,000 per attempt.
Pre-Ph.D. Course Work Back Paper Fee (if required): Rs. 2,000 per paper.
All fees are payable online via Net Banking/Credit Card/Debit Card only.
If the programme extends beyond 3 years, the annual programme fee of Rs. 20,000 is charged for each additional year.

UPRTOU Ph.D (Business Management) Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Business Management) programme at UPRTOU are conducted once a year, typically in the December-January cycle. The 2026-27 admission process has been completed, with interviews held in March 2027. The next session (2027-28) is expected to follow a similar timeline, with applications likely opening in December 2027. Admission is based on a combined merit of UGC-NET/JRF scores in Management and performance in the interview and synopsis presentation.

UPRTOU Ph.D. (Business Management) Admission Dates

Event	Date
Online Application Opens	December 2, 2026
Last Date for Application (without late fee)	December 23, 2026
Last Date for Application (with late fee)	December 30, 2026
Application Form Correction Period	December 31, 2026 - January 5, 2027
Declaration of Ph.D. Admission List	January 24, 2027
Date of Interview	March 20 - March 25, 2027
Document Verification and Interview	March 25, 2027

UGC NET Exam Dates

Event	Phase 1 Dates	Phase 2 Dates (Tentative)
Application Registration	October 7 - November 7, 2026	April 2027 (Tentative)
Admit Card Release	December 28, 2026	June 2027 (Tentative)
Exam Date	December 31, 2026 - January 7, 2027	June 2027 (Tentative)
Answer Key Release	January 14, 2027	July 2027 (Tentative)
Result Declaration	February 4, 2027	July 2027 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Business Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline (2 years/4 semesters after a 3-year Bachelor's, or 1 year/2 semesters after a 4-year Bachelor's) with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/EWS candidates).
Candidates with a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor's degree must have a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate (70% for reserved categories).
Candidates holding an M.Phil. degree in Business Management/Administration with at least 55% marks in aggregate are also eligible (50% for reserved categories).

Admission Process

Only UGC-NET/JRF or equivalent exam qualified candidates in Management are eligible to apply.
Candidates must apply online at www.uprtou.ac.in within the notified application window.
Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview, where they must present a tentative research synopsis via PowerPoint before the interview board of the School of Management Studies.
Merit list is prepared on 100 points: 70 points for NET/JRF scores and 30 points for interview/synopsis presentation.
Reservation rules of the Uttar Pradesh Government are followed (vertical and horizontal reservation under 100-point roster rule).
Selected candidates must deposit the Pre-Ph.D. course work fee within the prescribed period and the programme fee within 6 weeks of approval of research title and supervisor.
In case of a tie, preference is given to the candidate with higher PG marks; if still tied, the older candidate gets priority.

UPRTOU Ph.D (Business Management) Scholarships 2026

UPRTOU does not offer institution-specific scholarships for Ph.D. students. However, doctoral researchers in Business Management at UPRTOU can avail themselves of various government-funded fellowships and scholarships. The UGC-JRF fellowship in Management is the most significant financial support available for JRF-qualified candidates. State and central government scholarship schemes are also accessible to eligible students based on category and financial need.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship / Fellowship	Offered By	Amount	Eligibility
UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	University Grants Commission (UGC)	Rs. 37,000/month (1st 2 years); Rs. 42,000/month (thereafter)	UGC-NET JRF qualified candidates in Management
UGC Senior Research Fellowship (SRF)	University Grants Commission (UGC)	Rs. 42,000/month	Upgrade from JRF after 2 years, based on assessment
UP Government Post-Matric Scholarship	Government of Uttar Pradesh	Varies (covers tuition and maintenance)	SC/ST/OBC/Minority students enrolled in recognised universities
National Fellowship for SC Students (NFSC)	Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF level)	SC students pursuing Ph.D.
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF)	Ministry of Minority Affairs	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF level)	Minority community students pursuing Ph.D.

UGC JRF/SRF fellowships are awarded only to candidates who qualify the JRF category in UGC-NET; NET-only qualifiers are not entitled to the fellowship.
UP Government scholarships are applied for through the official UP Scholarship portal (scholarship.up.gov.in).
NFSC and MANF applications are submitted through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
Scholarship amounts and eligibility criteria are subject to revision by the respective awarding bodies.

UPRTOU Ph.D (Business Management) FAQs

Ques. Is the Ph.D. in Business Management at UPRTOU offered in distance mode or regular mode?

Ans. The Ph.D. in Business Management at UPRTOU is offered in Regular Mode at the university campus in Prayagraj. While UPRTOU is an open university offering many UG/PG programmes in distance mode, the Ph.D. is a campus-based research programme. Employed candidates (such as corporate professionals or MBA faculty) may register as Part-Time Ph.D. scholars with a No Objection Certificate from their employer, but must spend a minimum of 200 days with their supervisor at the university.

Ques. Which UGC-NET paper should I qualify for Ph.D. in Business Management at UPRTOU?

Ans. Candidates must qualify UGC-NET in Management (Paper Code: Management) to be eligible for Ph.D. admission in Business Management at UPRTOU. The NET/JRF score in Management forms 70% of the admission merit. JRF-qualified candidates are also eligible for the monthly UGC fellowship.

Ques. How many seats are available for Ph.D. in Business Management at UPRTOU?

Ans. For the 2026-27 session, 3 seats were available: SC-01, OBC-01, and UR-01. The number of seats may vary each year depending on the availability of eligible research supervisors and university policy.

Ques. Can an MBA graduate apply for Ph.D. in Business Management at UPRTOU?

Ans. Yes, MBA graduates with at least 55% marks (50% for reserved categories) are eligible to apply, provided they have qualified UGC-NET in Management. MBA is considered equivalent to a Master's degree for Ph.D. admission purposes. PGDM holders should verify equivalence recognition before applying.

Ques. What research areas can I pursue under Ph.D. in Business Management at UPRTOU?

Ans. The Ph.D. in Business Management at UPRTOU covers diverse research areas including strategic management, human resource management, marketing management, financial management, operations management, entrepreneurship and innovation, organisational behaviour, supply chain management, digital marketing, and rural/agricultural marketing. The specific research topic is finalised in consultation with the assigned research supervisor.

Ques. What is the career scope after completing Ph.D. in Business Management from UPRTOU?

Ans. A Ph.D. in Business Management from UPRTOU opens doors to academic positions such as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor in management colleges and universities (UGC-NET is also required for teaching positions). Other career avenues include research roles in management consulting firms, think tanks, government policy bodies, and corporate research and development departments. The degree significantly enhances credibility for senior academic and administrative roles.