Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

LJ University (Lok Jagruti Kendra University), Ahmedabad, offers a full-time Ph.D. in Management under its Doctoral Program, catering to aspiring researchers, academicians, and management professionals who wish to contribute original knowledge to the field of business and management. The programme spans a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years, with fees payable for up to 8 semesters. The total programme fee (excluding hostel) amounts to approximately Rs. 2,97,700 for 8 semesters, making it an affordable doctoral option in Gujarat. Admission is based on valid scores in UGC-NET/GRE/GMAT/CAT (for Management and Commerce field) for full-time scholars, or the LJU PhD Entrance Test for part-time candidates, followed by a rigorous personal interview. The programme is open to both full-time scholars and working professionals (part-time mode), with seat intake decided annually. The Ph.D. in Management at LJ University is popular among MBA graduates, corporate professionals, and faculty members seeking to advance their academic credentials and research expertise in areas such as strategic management, human resource management, marketing, finance, and organizational behaviour.

Admissions for the 2026 batch are currently open at LJ University. Based on the 2025 tentative schedule, the application process typically begins in March, with the entrance exam held in May. For the 2026 cycle, tentative dates are expected to follow a similar pattern (March-May 2026). Candidates are advised to monitor the official website (ljku.edu.in) for the 2026 admission notification and exact dates.

Key Points

The programme is open to both full-time scholars and working professionals (part-time mode), with coursework classes held in evenings and weekends at the LJ University campus.
Scholars must publish a minimum of 2 research papers indexed in Scopus/Web of Science/ABDC/EBSCO and present at least one paper at an international conference before thesis submission.
Professional degree holders such as Chartered Accountants (CA) and Company Secretaries (CS) are also eligible to apply, subject to equivalence with a Master's degree as per UGC norms.
The university disbursed Rs. 10.33 lakh in research incentives in 2024-25, with the School of Management being one of the top contributors to research publications.
Coursework of 12 credits includes Research Methodology (generic and specialized), Discipline-Specific Courses, and components from SWAYAM/UGC-recognized platforms.
A minimum of 6 Research Advisory Committee (RAC) meetings (held every 6 months) must be completed before submitting the final synopsis.
LJ University's L.J. Institute of Management Studies (LJIMS) has a strong alumni network of entrepreneurs and professionals, providing a rich research ecosystem for PhD scholars.

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Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

LJU Ph.D. (Management) Fees

The Ph.D. (Management) programme at LJ University is structured with a per-semester tuition fee of Rs. 35,000, along with one-time charges for registration, coursework, and registration certificate. The total fee payable across 8 semesters (the maximum fee-paying period) comes to approximately Rs. 2,97,700, excluding the Viva-Voce exam fee of Rs. 20,000 charged in the last semester. A refundable security deposit of Rs. 15,000 is also collected at the time of admission. LJ Faculty and Staff are eligible for a reduced tuition fee of Rs. 15,000 per semester.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Application Fee (Non-Refundable)	1,500 + Taxes
Registration Fee (One Time)	2,500
Course Work Fee (One Time)	1,200
Registration Certificate Fee (One Time)	1,000
Tuition Fee Per Semester	35,000
Tuition Fee Per Semester (LJ Faculty/Staff)	15,000
Refundable Security Deposit (One Time)	15,000
Viva-Voce Exam Fee (Last Semester Only)	20,000
Total Fee (8 Semesters, General Category)	2,97,700
Total Fee (8 Semesters, LJ Faculty/Staff)	1,57,700

The Refundable Security Deposit of Rs. 15,000 is returned upon successful completion of the programme.
Fees are payable semester-wise. Non-payment for 3 consecutive semesters will lead to cancellation of registration.
Scholars are required to pay fees for a maximum of 8 semesters only, even if the programme extends up to 6 years.
Viva-Voce Exam Fee of Rs. 20,000 is charged additionally in the last semester.
LJ Faculty/Staff pursuing PhD pay Rs. 15,000 per semester as tuition fee; the difference is refunded upon programme completion, provided they continue with LJ University throughout.
Hostel (PG) facility is available separately at Rs. 72,000 to Rs. 1,44,000 per year (not mandatory).
Fees can be paid via NEFT/IMPS or through the QR code provided by the university.

LJU Ph.D. (Management) Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Management) programme at LJ University are open year-round, with entrance tests conducted in January and July each year. The 2025 admission cycle followed a March-May schedule for applications and entrance exams. For 2026, admissions are currently open and candidates should apply through the official admissions portal (admissions.ljku.edu.in). The admission process involves a written entrance test (unless exempted) followed by a personal interview/viva-voce.

LJ University PhD Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date (2026)
Start of Application Process	March 1, 2026
Last Date to Submit Application Form	April 21, 2026
LJU PhD Entrance Exam	May 3, 2026
Declaration of Entrance Exam Result	May 10, 2026
Personal Interview / Viva-Voce	May 12-17, 2026
Declaration of Shortlisted Students	May 25, 2026

Relevant Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Event	Date
UGC-NET (Phase 1)	Registration	October 7 - November 7, 2025
UGC-NET (Phase 1)	Exam Date	December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
UGC-NET (Phase 1)	Result	February 4, 2026
UGC-NET (Phase 2)	Registration	April 1 - May 1, 2026 (Tentative)
UGC-NET (Phase 2)	Exam Date	June 1, 2026 (Tentative)
UGC-NET (Phase 2)	Result	July 1, 2026 (Tentative)
CAT 2025	Exam Date	November 30, 2025
CAT 2025	Result	December 24, 2025

Note: UGC-NET and CAT scores are valid for 2 years for PhD admission in Management and Commerce field at LJ University. GMAT and GRE scores are also accepted; candidates should check official GMAT/GRE websites for current test dates.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree or equivalent professional degree (CA, CS, etc.) with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/OBC/Differently Abled candidates).
For Full-Time PhD: Candidates must have a valid score in UGC-NET/GRE/GMAT/CAT (for Management and Commerce field) within the last 2 years.
For Part-Time PhD: Candidates must qualify the LJU PhD Entrance Test, unless exempted (UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE/GPAT/JRF holders or M.Phil. degree holders are exempt from the entrance test).

Admission Process

Apply online at admissions.ljku.edu.in and pay the non-refundable application fee of Rs. 1,500 + taxes.
Candidates with valid UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE/GPAT/JRF scores or M.Phil. degree are exempted from the LJU Entrance Test.
Appear for the LJU PhD Entrance Test (if not exempted): Single paper with 50% Domain Knowledge and 50% Research Methodology; minimum 50% marks required to qualify.
Shortlisted candidates appear for a Personal Interview/Viva-Voce before the Board of Studies (weightage: Written Test 70%, Viva-Voce 30%).
Final selection is based on combined performance in the written test and interview.
Admitted scholars must deposit fees within the stipulated deadline and submit required documents to the PhD Section (phdsection@ljku.edu.in).

LJU Ph.D. (Management) Scholarships 2026

LJ University offers a unique internal scholarship for its own faculty and staff pursuing a PhD, along with the opportunity to avail government fellowships. The university's research incentive programme further supports scholars financially through publication rewards and project grants. Scholars qualifying for national fellowships such as UGC-JRF can also avail monthly stipends during their doctoral tenure.

Scholarships and Fellowships

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
LJ University Faculty/Staff Scholarship	LJ University full-time faculty/staff enrolled in PhD	Tuition fee reduced to Rs. 15,000/semester (57% reduction); full difference refunded on programme completion
UGC-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	Candidates qualifying UGC-NET with JRF	Rs. 31,000/month (first 2 years), Rs. 35,000/month (remaining tenure) + annual contingency grant
LJU Research Incentive	PhD scholars publishing in Scopus/WoS/ABDC/EBSCO indexed journals	Cash incentive per publication (part of Rs. 10.33 lakh disbursed in 2024-25)
LJU Student Project Grant	Innovative student-led research projects	Up to Rs. 1 lakh per project (Rs. 17 lakh awarded to 16 projects in 2024-25)
Digital Gujarat Scholarship	SC/ST/OBC/Minority/EWS students (Gujarat domicile)	As per government norms; applied through Digital Gujarat portal

The LJ Faculty/Staff scholarship requires the scholar to remain employed at LJ University throughout the PhD programme; the refund is made only upon successful completion.
UGC-JRF fellowship is awarded to candidates who qualify UGC-NET with JRF rank; the upper age limit is 35 years for men and 45 years for women as on July 1 of the application year.
Research incentives are disbursed annually by the university based on publications and research output.
Government scholarships (Digital Gujarat, etc.) are subject to state government norms and annual renewal.

LJU Ph.D. (Management) FAQs

Ques. Can I pursue a Ph.D. in Management at LJ University while working full-time in a corporate job?

Ans. Yes. LJ University offers the PhD in Management in part-time mode specifically for working professionals. Coursework classes are scheduled in evenings and weekends at the LJ University campus, allowing you to continue your job while pursuing doctoral research. You will need to qualify the LJU PhD Entrance Test (unless you hold UGC-NET/GMAT/CAT/GRE) and attend mandatory RAC meetings at the campus.

Ques. What research areas or specializations are available under the Ph.D. in Management at LJ University?

Ans. The PhD in Management at LJ University covers a broad range of research areas including strategic management, human resource management, marketing management, financial management, organizational behaviour, supply chain management, and entrepreneurship. The specific research topic is finalized in consultation with the assigned Research Supervisor based on the scholar's interest and the supervisor's expertise.

Ques. Is a CAT score mandatory for PhD admission in Management at LJ University?

Ans. For full-time PhD admission in Management, candidates must have a valid score in UGC-NET, GRE, GMAT, or CAT (valid for 2 years). For part-time PhD, candidates need to qualify the LJU PhD Entrance Test, unless they already hold UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE/GPAT/JRF or an M.Phil. degree, in which case they are exempted from the entrance test.

Ques. What is the minimum number of publications required before submitting the PhD thesis in Management at LJ University?

Ans. Scholars must publish a minimum of 2 research papers related to their research topic, indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, ABDC, or EBSCO databases. Additionally, they must present at least one paper at an international conference. These are mandatory requirements before thesis submission at LJ University.

Ques. How does LJ University support PhD scholars in Management through its research ecosystem?

Ans. LJ University has a dedicated research promotion scheme that disbursed Rs. 10.33 lakh in research incentives in 2024-25, with the School of Management being one of the top contributors. The university organizes national and international conferences, workshops, and a monthly research newsletter. Scholars also benefit from the LJIMS alumni network of over 100 top entrepreneurs and professionals, providing industry connect and research collaboration opportunities.

Ques. What is the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) process, and how often do I need to attend these meetings?

Ans. The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) is a panel that monitors and guides the progress of PhD scholars. Scholars must complete a minimum of 6 RAC meetings, held every 6 months, before submitting the final synopsis. Physical presence at the LJ University campus is mandatory for RAC meetings. These meetings evaluate the scholar's research progress, methodology, and findings, and provide structured guidance throughout the doctoral journey.

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LJ University Ph.D Management: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Table of Contents

LJU Ph.D. (Management) Fees

Fee Components

LJU Ph.D. (Management) Admission 2026

LJ University PhD Admission Dates

Relevant Entrance Exam Dates

Eligibility Criteria

Admission Process

LJU Ph.D. (Management) Scholarships 2026

Scholarships and Fellowships

LJU Ph.D. (Management) FAQs

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