IIM Nagpur PhD Admission 2026

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Nagpur, Maharashtra invites application for PhD Admission 2026.

Eligibility

A candidate must qualify for any one of the following educational qualifications:

• Master’s degree (two years following the 10+2+3 or 10+2+4 system of education) with a minimum of 60% or equivalent marks
• Post-graduate diploma in management (two years following the 10+2+3 or 10+2+4 system of education) of two years in duration passed with at least 60% or equivalent marks
• Professional qualification – CA/ICWA/CS with (with at least 50 % aggregate marks) along with a Bachelor’s degree exam passed with a minimum of 60% or equivalent marks
• A five-year integrated Master’s degree (five years following the 10+2 system of education) program in any discipline, with at least 60 % aggregate or equivalent marks
• A 4 year / 8 semesters Bachelor’s degree (10+2+4 system of education) with a minimum of 60% or equivalent marks.

Non-fulfilment of these conditions will automatically result in the cancellation of the admission. Further calculations will be done based on qualifying degree marks/percentage filled by the candidate in the application form.

Candidates who are in the final year of their Master’s/Bachelor’s Programmes that would make them eligible can also apply. Such candidates, if selected, will be allowed to join the programme provisionally only if they submit a certificate latest by 31st May 2026 from the Principal/Head of the Department/Registrar or Director of the university/institute (issued on or before 31st May 2026) stating that they have appeared for the examinations (including practical examinations) in all the subjects required for obtaining the Master’s/Bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification. Furthermore, candidates must satisfy the eligibility criteria, which includes aggregate marks scored in the qualifying program, except for final exam marks. Their admission will be confirmed after they submit the mark sheets and a certificate of having passed the Master/Bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification referred to in the certificate issued by the Principal/Registrar of their college/institute. The deadline for submission of the mark sheet and the certificate is 31st December 2026. Non-fulfilment of these conditions and the minimum qualifications for eligibility will automatically result in the cancellation of the provisional admission.

Candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PWD categories will get a relaxation of 5% or equivalent for the minimum qualifying marks mentioned above.

Reservations will be applicable as per the Government of India norms.

Screening Examination

Applicants will need at least one of the following test scores to apply for Ph.D. (2026-30) at IIM Nagpur based on the area they are applying to. Screening examination scores would be accepted for application to Ph.D. Programme if the exam has been taken any time in the last two years (1st January 2024 onwards).

1	DSIS	CAT, GMAT, GRE, GATE, UGC-NET, and UGC-JRF
2	ECO	CAT, GMAT, GRE,GATE,UGC-NET,UGC-JRF,CSIR-NET,CSIR-JRF
3	F&A	CAT, GMAT, GRE, GATE,UGC-JRF, CSIR-JRF
4	MAR	CAT, GMAT, UGC-JRF (Management)
5	OB & HR	CAT, GMAT, GRE, UGC-NET, UGC-JRF, CSIR–JRF, CSIR-NET
6	POM	CAT, GMAT, GRE, GATE, UGC-NET, UGC-JRF, CSIR-NET, CSIR-JRF
7	S&E	CAT, GMAT, UGC-NET, UGC-JRF
8	HASS	CAT, GMAT, GRE, UGC-NET and UGC-JRF

Applicants will be screened based on overall scores/percentiles/percentage as decided by the Areas. Candidates belonging to NC-OBC and EWS categories will get a relaxation of 5 percentile/percentage on minimum qualifying overall cut-offs decided by the area. Candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PWD categories will get a relaxation of 10 percentile/percentage.

PGP (Full-time) alumni of any IIM who have graduated within the past three years will get a waiver from appearing for the screening examinations provided they have graduated with a minimum CGPA equivalent to 60%. For example, for 2026 Ph.D. admissions, candidates who have graduated from any IIM during 2024, 2025, or 2026 would be considered for the waiver. Candidates who are in the final year of their post-graduate programme at IIMs would be eligible, provided that their CGPA at the time of application is equivalent to at least 60%. Non-fulfilment of these conditions and the minimum qualifications for eligibility will automatically result in the cancellation of the provisional admission.

Check latest requirements on IIM Nagpur website.

Admission Process

• Stage 1
  • Candidates are invited to fill a detailed application form within a stipulated date (see IIM Nagpur website for the important dates and latest updates). Candidates who apply for the Ph.D. admission process at IIM Nagpur will be first screened for the requirements and eligibility.
• Stage 2
  • Only those candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will be considered for preparing the shortlist for PIs. The shortlisted candidates will be informed by email.
• Stage 3
  • Candidates who accept the email invitation for the Area PI will be scheduled for the Area PI interview. If they are shortlisted by the area, they will then proceed to the Programme-led. In case a candidate has applied for two areas of specialization, he/she has to attend the interview for each Area.
• Stage 4
  • Candidates who appear for the PI will be considered for this stage. Admission offers will be sent to the final shortlisted candidates.

Offer and Admission

• The selected candidates will receive a provisional admission offer from IIM Nagpur by email. The candidate has to deposit a commitment fee of INR 50,000 to confirm the acceptance of the offer. An amount of INR 20,000 will be refunded after two years of completion of the programme by the candidate. The remaining INR 30,000 will be refunded after the completion of the programme.
• Candidates selected for admission are required to attend the preparatory course as advised by the Area/ Programme Committee.

Application Procedure

• Interested candidates will have to apply online through the Institute website.
• Candidates can fill-up the application form online. A candidate can apply for a maximum of two areas of specialization. The application fee is INR 1,000 for applying to a single area and INR 1,500 for applying to two areas. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Documents to be uploaded

All related documents, as mentioned below, will have to be uploaded as per the instructions while filling in the online application form.

• Copy of the latest exam score certificate
• Original 10th, 12th Marksheets/certificates and Degree of Graduation/ Post Graduation
• Caste certificate (if applicable)
• DAP certificate (if applicable)
• Documents related to the work experience (if applicable)
• Documents related to research/academic output (if applicable)

• Link open for Online Application: 15 December, 2025
• Last date for submitting Online Application: 28 February, 2026
• Shortlisting for Personal Interviews: April, 2026 (Tentative)
• Area-wise Personal Interviews: April/May, 2026 (Tentative)
• Committee Personal Interviews: May, 2026 (Tentative)
• Registration: July, 2026 (Tentative)

• Admission Policy
• Application Form
• IIIT Nagpur Website