A PhD in Business Administration is a doctoral-level degree that is focused on in-depth research and expertise in various areas of managing a business. The program provides students with knowledge of advanced business concepts, research methodologies so that they can contribute to the body of knowledge in business administration.
To be eligible for a PhD in Business Administration, candidates must have completed a Master's degree from any discipline with 50-55% marks from a recognised university. Candidates also have to qualify for entrance exams such as UGC-NET or CAT.
The average course fee for PhD Business Administration in India ranges between INR 11,000-4,00,000. During the course, students also receive stipends as per university norms and guidelines. Some of the reputed universities are Jawaharlal Nehru University, University of Delhi, MIT World Peace University, IIBM Institute of Business Management, CMR Institute of Technology, Mahindra University, and NIT Kurukshetra.
PhD in Business Administration graduates can work as Business and Management Research Writer, Associate Professor- Management, Academic Coordinator, Assistant Professor-BBA, Assistant Professor-MBA, HOD, and various other roles. They can earn an average salary of INR 6-24 LPA, depending on job position and experience gained during their course of work.
- PhD in Business Administration Course Highlights
- Why Pursue PhD in Business Administration?
- PhD in Business Administration Eligibility Criteria
- PhD in Business Administration Entrance Exams
- PhD in Business Administration Colleges and Fees
- PhD in Business Administration Admission Process 2025
- PhD in Business Administration Syllabus
- PhD in Business Administration Jobs and Salary
- PhD in Business Administration FAQs
PhD in Business Administration Course Highlights
Given below are some of the basic course highlights for the PhD in Business Administration:
Particulars | Details |
Course Name | Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration (Ph.D BA) |
Level of Study | Doctorate |
Duration | 3 years (maximum 6 years) |
Eligibility Criteria | Master's degree in any discipline with 50-55% marks from a recognised university
Qualify for applicable entrance examinations |
Entrance Exams | UGC-NET, CAT |
Admission Process | Entrance-Based |
Course Fee | INR 11,000-4,00,000 |
Colleges/Universities | Jawaharlal Nehru University, University of Delhi, MIT World Peace University, IIBM Institute of Business Management, CMR Institute of Technology, Mahindra University, NIT Kurukshetra |
Average Salary | INR 6-24 LPA |
Job Roles | Business and Management Research Writer, Associate Professor- Management, Academic Coordinator, Assistant Professor-BBA, Assistant Professor-MBA, HOD |
Why Pursue PhD in Business Administration?
The benefits of studying a PhD in Business Administration are:
- Chance to engage in original research and enhance business understanding
- Improved career opportunities in academic, consulting, and leadership fields
- Growth in critical thinking, analytical abilities, and problem-solving capabilities
- Greater specialization in business strategy, management practices, and organizational behavior
- Access to networking events with academics, industry executives, and policymakers
- Capacity to impact business practices and influence future industry developments
- Personal satisfaction and intellectual stimulation from addressing complex business challenges
PhD in Business Administration Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for taking admission into a PhD in HRM are as follows:
- Have a Master’s degree in any discipline with 50-55% marks from recognised universities. However, candidates from business or related fields get more priority.
- Qualification in the applicable entrance examinations
PhD in Business Administration Entrance Exams
The entrance exams for enrolling in the PhD Business Administration course are listed below:
Exam | Level | Registration Date | Exam Date | Application Fee |
UGC-NET 2025 | National | 21 Apr- 13 May 2025 | 21 June- 30 June 2025 | INR 1150 (Gen)
INR 600 (OBC/EWS)
INR 325 (SC/ST/PwD/TG) |
CAT 2025 | National | Aug 2025 | 30 Nov 2025 | INR 1,250 (SC/ST/PWD)
INR 2,500 (others) |
PhD in Business Administration Colleges and Fees
Some of the reputed institutions in India offering a PhD in Business Administration course are listed below:
Colleges | Course Fee |
Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi | INR 11,000 |
University of Delhi, New Delhi | INR 43,400 |
MIT World Peace University, Pune | INR 3,30,000 |
IIBM Institute of Business Management, Meerut | INR 2,70,000 |
CMR Institute of Technology, Bengaluru | INR 3,86,000 |
Mahindra University, Hyderabad | INR 6,00,000 |
NIT Kurukshetra | INR 55,000 |
PhD in Business Administration Admission Process 2025
The admission process for taking admission in the PhD Business Administration course is as follows:
- Step 1: First, the candidates are required to register themselves for the entrance examinations like UGC NET or CAT.
- Step 2: Now, the candidates need to appear for the exam and wait for the results.
- Step 3: Once the results are declared by the conducting body, the candidates need to apply for the desired university.
- Step 4: The university will release the cut-off for the course and the merit list of the selected candidates.
- Step 5: If selected, the candidates will be required to appear for the interview process at the university.
- Step 6: Institutes will shortlist applicants based on their academic performance, work experience, and the quality of the research proposal submitted.
PhD in Business Administration Syllabus
The syllabus for PhD Business Administration may vary depending on the institution offering the course, however, the core courses remain almost the same in all. The core subjects covered during the course are mentioned below:
Semester-I | Semester-II |
Research Methodology | Elective I |
Research and Publication Ethics | Elective II |
Qualitative Research Methods | Minor Project |
Qualitative Research Methods-I | - |
Course Title (Electives) |
Applied Econometrics |
Business Analytics |
Innovations and Intellectual Property Rights |
Indian Business Ethos |
Time Series Analysis and Business Forecasting |
Advanced Managerial Economics |
Advanced Financial Management |
Advanced Marketing Management |
Advanced Human Resource Management |
Emerging Issues in Information Technology Management |
Emerging Issues in Organization Behavior |
Financial Markets Operations |
Game Theory Applications |
PhD in Business Administration Jobs and Salary
Some of the jobs available for PhD Business Administration graduates in India are listed below:
Job Title | Recruiters | Average Salary |
Business and Management Research Writer | Thesis Guy | INR 6-8 LPA |
Associate Professor- Management | Global Risk Management Institute/Sharda University/New Horizon College | INR 10-12 LPA |
Academic Coordinator | Indian School of Public Policy | INR 8-10 LPA |
Assistant Professor-BBA | S-Vyasa University/NHPUC/KV Institute of Management and Technology | INR 12-14 LPA |
Assistant Professor-MBA | IIMT Group of Colleges/New Horizon Educational Institutions/PSGR College/Guru Nanak College/Rathinam International Public School | INR 15-18 LPA |
Head of Department (HOD) | New Horizon Pre-University College/Chandigarh Group Of Colleges/Lymax Learning/Subhawanti Institute of Education/One School of Business | INR 20-24 LPA |
PhD in Business Administration FAQs
What is the usual duration for completing a PhD in Business Administration?
In common, the PhD is offered for the duration of 3 years. However, it depends on the research area chosen by the candidates and the time taken in conducting the research and formulating the thesis. So, with this, the PhD can be extended to 8 to 10 years.
What kind of assistance can the students get upon enrolling in the PhD in Business Administration?
Students usually receive mentorship from faculty advisors, research grants, access to academic resources, and networking opportunities through seminars and workshops.
How PhD in Business Administration different from the DBA, Doctor of Business Administration?
The PhD in Business Administration focuses on providing research opportunities and career growth in academic careers. Whereas, DBA focuses more on the practical aspects of Business Analytics, Operations, Administration, etc, which helps the students in gaining practical knowledge.
Are PhD students allowed to work with industries or businesses during their research?
Yes, many PhD programs promote collaboration with businesses through methods like case studies, consulting projects, and research sponsored by industry.
Is it possible to pursue a PhD in Business Administration part-time or online?
Some universities do provide part-time or online options, though traditional programs are often full-time and necessitate in-person engagement in research and teaching.
