The Executive Fellow Programme in Management (EFPM) is a doctoral-level course tailored for experienced professionals aiming to blend management research and advanced leadership. The course duration is around 3 – 4 Years. The course has a flexible structure which is attested by the fact that working professionals can hone in such areas as strategy, operations, and business analytics.
The qualifying requirements of EFPM are composed of a postgraduate degree, preferably in the fields of management, engineering, etc with high academic standing and substantial experience (5-8 years or more) in the capacity of a manager or leader at the workplace. The applicants have to demonstrate a strong interest in research and may be asked to include a statement of purpose and recommendations in the application packet.
The job market opportunities after EFPM are to work as management researchers, as faculty members in colleges, corporate strategist, as senior consultants, where the students of this course are mostly the heads of research projects or joining academics or policy thinking cells.
The EFPM fee ranges from INR 5,50,000 – 10,00,000 depending on the institute type. The top colleges in EFPM are IIM Lucknow, ISB Hyderabad, IIM Indore and XLRI Jamshedpur. EFPM is the choice of motivated engineers because of the strenuous curriculum, good industry-academia interface, and opportunity to progress in career.
Table of Contents
- EFPM Key Highlights
- What is an Executive Fellow Programme in Management?
- Why Study the Executive Fellow Programme in Management?
- Who Should Study the EFPM?
- EFPM Eligibility Criteria
- EFPM Entrance Exams 2025
- EFPM Top Colleges in India
- EFPM Admission Process 2025
- EFPM Syllabus
- EFPM Job Opportunities in India
- EFPM FAQs
EFPM Key Highlights
Given below are some of the basic key highlights for the Executive Fellow Programme in Management:
What is an Executive Fellow Programme in Management?
The Executive Fellow Programme in Management (EFPM) is a doctoral-level programme tailored for experienced professionals aiming to advance their management knowledge and research skills while continuing their careers. EFPM is a program that is targeted to senior executives, faculty, and practitioners and integrates academic research excellence with applied business challenges.
Upon the completion of this programme, participants will be well prepared to become scholar-practitioners capable of filling in the gap between management theory and practice, making great contributions in academic circles, consulting, and industry.
Why Study the Executive Fellow Programme in Management?
The Executive Fellow Programme in Management (EFPM) offers senior professionals a unique pathway to advance their expertise in management through rigorous research and practical application.
Given below are some of the points on why you should pursue EFPM:
- Focused on Executives: Engineered to suit those individuals with prior experience in business and with a desire to augment their knowledge of management, EFPM enables you to remain employed as you pursue a doctoral study of research.
- Problem Solving: Develop the investigative capabilities to solve high-stakes, real-life business problems using evidence-based ideas with an augmented influence in the job-related scope, consultancy, or academia.
- New Career Opportunities: EFPM also equips professionals to undertake a career in academia, consulting, management education, or top corporate research, opening up new career opportunities.
- Learning Agile Format: Programmes are mainly part-time or blended, and this allows you to integrate learning with your current work commitments with ease.
Who Should Study the EFPM?
The Executive Fellow Programme in Management (EFPM) is best suited for high-achieving professionals motivated to advance their expertise in management research. Leaders made in this programme are shaped by academic excellence and industry knowledge. The best candidates who describe the following types of profiles are suited to EFPM:
- Senior Executives and Managers: People with high leadership or decision-making experience (8-10 years or more) who wish to move strategically, analytically, and in research ability without needing to take career leave.
- Corporate Leaders and Consultants: Consultants or strategy/industry advisors who wish to combine theory and practice or who seek a shift to a more high-impact branch of leadership.
- Policy Makers and Think Tank Professionals: The professionals who make policy or work in policy-driven private and public organizations, including research institutions that need high levels of complex analytical and evidence-based decision-making skills.
- Research-Practitioners: Managers and executives who have a great interest in applied research, inquiry-driven problem solving, and providing knowledge contribution to the business and academic community.
EFPM Eligibility Criteria
Given below is the detailed eligibility criteria for the Executive Fellow Program in Management:
- The candidate must have a master’s degree or equivalent such as MBA, M.Com, MA, M.Tech, etc.) with at least 55% marks from a recognized university or institute.
- A minimum of 5 years of full-time work experience in a managerial or executive role is typically required.
- Professionals from corporate sectors, government organizations, academia, or research institutions can apply if they meet the academic and experience requirements.
- Some institutes also accept professional qualifications like CA, ICWA, or CS with a minimum of 55% marks, provided the candidate has the required work experience.
- Most EFPM programs do not require national-level entrance exams like CAT/XAT/UGC-NET, but institutes may conduct their own written test and/or interview.
- Applicants should have a strong interest in research or teaching, as the course is designed for doctoral-level research in management fields.
EFPM Entrance Exams 2025
Entrance exams for the Executive Fellow Programme in Management (EFPM) are essential for admission to leading institutes in India. Below are the key national and state-level entrance exams relevant for EFPM admissions in 2026.
EFPM Top Colleges in India
The Executive Fellow Programme in Management (EFPM) is offered by a select group of top management institutions in India.
The table below summarizes leading colleges, their locations, estimated full-programme fees, latest NIRF ranking, and main intake entrance exams for 2025–26.
EFPM Admission Process 2025
Admission to the Executive Fellow Programme in Management (EFPM) 2025 aims at the selection of experienced candidates who are strongly oriented towards research. Eligible candidates are required to meet the eligibility requirements, and an elaborate selection process is conducted in the form of written applications, evaluation, and interview.
Given below is the step-by-step admission process for XLRI School of Management, Jamshedpur.
Step 1: First, on the official website of a chosen institute during the planned admission period, you should fill out the registration form and the online application form.
Step 2: Provide scanned copies of academic transcripts, degree certificates, and experience letters, to prove that you have the necessary education and professional work experience.
Step 3: Include supporting documentation to assist with your choice of research area (research proposal or statement of research area; may include abstract or extended research plan, run to around 5,000 words, IMI Kolkata: up to 5,000 words); some institutes may also include a supporting statement of research topic and research plan (IMI New Delhi: supporting statement of research topic and research plan).
Step 4: Give two letters of reference, academic or professional referees who may be able to verify your research potential and professional development.
Step 5: Complete payment of the stipulated, often non-refundable application fee using the internet (e.g. ISB: 5,000-10,000 INR, depending on the round).
Step 6. Presentation and personal interview is given to shortlisted candidates- these can be carried out at campuses or online.
Step 7: The final selection is done by analyzing the academic performance, research proposal, work experience, the performance of the face-to-face interview, and relevant test marks (such as CAT/GMAT/GRE/Institute test).
Step 8. The selection is followed by an offer to the shortlisted candidates, after which they must pay the admission fee and complete document verification. The commencement and induction of the programme will be as per the academic calendar of that particular institute.
Required Documents:
- Recent passport-size photo
- Scanned copy of valid passport or identity proof
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates (all semesters/years)
- Proof of professional experience (joining/relieving letters, experience certificates)
- Two recommendation letters
- Statement of Purpose or Research Proposal
- Proof of income (if required)
- Application fee payment receipt
EFPM Syllabus
The Executive Fellow Programme in Management (EFPM) at IIM Lucknow is structured to offer a balanced progression from core management concepts to advanced research, tailored for experienced professionals.
Given below is a semester-wise EFPM syllabus followed at IIM Lucknow:
EFPM Job Opportunities in India
The Executive Fellow Programme in Management (EFPM) prepares experienced professionals for advanced roles in academia, research, consulting, and top-tier industry positions. Given below are some of the job profiles candidates can pursue after completing the Executive Fellow Program in Management:
EFPM FAQs
Does EFPM equal to PhD in Management?
Yes, the Executive Fellow Programme in Management (EFPM) is recognized as equivalent to a PhD degree by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). It provides the same combination of scholarly intensity and research activity as a traditional PhD yet the program can be completed concurrently with ongoing work.
Do I have to work full-time and still be able to pursue EFPM?
Absolutely. EFPM is a structured part-time and non-residential programme where the candidates are given opportunity to balance careers and academic research. Courses are usually planned in weekend hours or in a blended mode to allow work executives to pursue research without sacrificing their work.
Are there campus placements in EFPM programmes?
EFPM is an academic PhD Program and not a conventional MBA or an executive programme. It usually fails to offer placements in campuses. Nonetheless, the highest level of research and academic qualifications acquired in EFPM set open possibilities to progress their careers at academia, consultancy, corporate research, and top management.
What is the EFPM research publication requirement?
A minimum postgraduate requirement is normally two research article publications in either Scopus, Web of Science, or ABDC journal databases, published in peer review journals. These publications show academic contribution and create credibility of the research necessary to an academic and consulting profession.
What is the difference between an EFPM dissertation and a regular PhD thesis?
EFPM dissertations are distinguished by the fact that in addition to using rigorous original research, they may be focused on applied research, particularly with application to business. The programme actively promotes the interdisciplinary vectors cross-breeding between the theoretical faculty and practical management issues that may be encountered by working professionals.
Are there any age and professional restriction requisites to become an EFPM applicant?
A good part of the EFPM programmes will demand considerable manager experience (generally 5-10 years) or professional experience and a masters degree or the equivalent. There can be age restrictions in some institutes (usually up to 55 years) which are dependent and must be consulted in individual institute guidelines. The programme seeks very many professionals who are keen when it comes to research and dedicated to scholastic excellence.
