Ph D Business Management: Admission 2025, Eligibility, Colleges, Fees, and Careers

• Updated on  14 Aug, 2025 by Kashish

A PhD in Business Management is the highest academic level of study, which equips students with research skills and a broader knowledge framework, essential for those who wish to pursue an academic career. The students eligible to pursue a PhD Business Management must have a master’s degree in management and business administration or related fields, with a minimum aggregate of 50% score. The colleges and universities also require the students to appear for entrance exams like CAT, UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, or even a research proposal.

 

Many students opt to pursue a PhD to further strengthen their research skills and to gain a broader understanding of research to pursue an excellent career in it. The average course fees for PhD in Business Management ranges from INR 1,16,720- 4,37,500 depending on the type of institute. Some of the best colleges offering a Ph.D in Business Management are Jawaharlal Nehru University, Chandigarh University, BITS Pilani, LPU, Chitkara University, and Dr B. R. Ambedkar University.

 

After completing a Ph D in Business Management, the students often begin to establish their research and academic careers. Students work as University professors, full-time professors, Management consultants, Senior Strategy consultants, Business Development Managers, and Corporate trainers. Graduates receive employment opportunities in IIMs, IITs, DU, private universities, Premier institutions, research, guiding PhD students, McKinsey, BCG, Deloitte, EY, and corporate training firms, where the annual salary package ranges from INR 7 – 10 LPA.

 

Table of Contents
  1. PhD Business Management Key Highlights
  2. What is a Ph.D in Business Management?
  3. Why Study a Ph.D in Business Management?
  4. Who should study for the Ph.D in Business Management course?
  5. Ph.D in Business Management Eligibility Criteria
  6. Ph.D in Business Management Entrance Exams
  7. Ph.D in Business Management Colleges in India
  8. Ph.D in Business Management Admission Process
  9. Ph.D in Business Management Syllabus
  10. Ph.D in Business Management Job Opportunities in India
  11. Ph.D in Business Management Vs PhD Business Administration
  12. Ph.D in Business Management FAQs

 

PhD Business Management Key Highlights

Given below are some of the Ph.D in Business Management key highlights:

Details

Particulars

Course Name

Ph.D in Business Management (Doctorate of Philosophy in Business Management)

Course Level

Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD)

Duration

3 years

Course Type

Full time

Admission Process

Online applications and entrance exams like UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, and CAT

Eligibility Criteria

A Master’s degree in management and business administration or related fields, with a minimum aggregate of 50% score.

Course Fees

INR 1,16,720- 4,37,500

Subjects

Research Methodology, Research and Publication Ethics, Qualitative Research Methods, project work, electives

Top Colleges

Jawaharlal Nehru University, Chandigarh University, BITS Pilani, Lovely Professional University, Chitkara University, Dr B. R. Ambedkar University

Job Profiles

University Professor, Full Professor, Management Consultant, Senior Strategy Consultant, Business Development Manager, Corporate Trainer

Top Recruiters

IIMs, IITs, DU, private universities, Premier institutions, research, guiding PhD students, McKinsey, BCG, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, Top-tier consultancies, Corporate firms, tech firms, consultancies, MNCs, corporate training firms

Average Salary in India

INR 7-10 LPA

 

What is a Ph.D in Business Management?

A Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management is the highest academic level of study, offered across different colleges and universities. The course equips students with research skills and a broader knowledge framework, essential for those who wish to pursue a research and academic career. The program is designed to formulate a problem, develop the concepts, and understand them using methodological skills, and relate the topic to a broader framework to use in the business field.

 

Throughout the course curriculum, the students learn about research Methodology, Research and Publication Ethics, and Qualitative Research Methods, which help to strengthen their skills. Having developed strong skills, graduates seek roles as University Professors, Full Professors, Management Consultants, Senior Strategy Consultants, Business Development Managers, and Corporate Trainers, making it an in-depth and diverse area of study.

 

Why Study a Ph.D in Business Management?

A Ph.D in Business Management is a highly demanded program for commerce and management students to pursue to obtain a doctoral degree, and hence, it is offered in different colleges and universities in India. The reasons for opting for a Ph.D in Business Management are given below:

  • A strong academic and research career- The course of a PhD in Business Management opens up multiple opportunities for researchers and academicians, leading to securing top positions in reputable institutions and universities worldwide.
  • Consultancy opportunities- Many government and global consultancies value PhD students and those with an excellent academic background for policy formation and decision-making.
  • Global careers- Having a Doctor of Philosophy often opens up multiple opportunities and careers, and it also helps students secure international corporate and academic research roles.

 

Who should study for the Ph.D in Business Management course?

Reasons, which include individuals who might be a good choice for pursuing a Ph.D in Business Management in different colleges in India, are mentioned below:

  • Students who want to become professors and want to teach at a higher university level, and want to become researchers, should choose to study a PhD course in Business Management.
  • Students with a background in MBA in Business Management and those seeking specialization to further strengthen and deepen their understanding of business management should opt for a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management.
  • Students who want to enhance frameworks to scale big businesses based on extensive research and academic insight skills should choose to study a PhD degree in Business Management.

 

Ph.D in Business Management Eligibility Criteria

To secure a seat in the top colleges and institutes in India for a Ph.D in Business Management course, a student must meet the following eligibility criteria to be selected for further application and the admission process. The detailed eligibility criteria are mentioned below:

  • The students typically require a master’s degree in management and business administration or related fields like MCom in Business Management, with a minimum aggregate of 50% score.
  • The colleges and universities may also require the students to appear for entrance exams like CAT, GMAT, or even, in some cases, a research proposal.
  • Some colleges and universities may also consider accepting students with a four-year bachelor’s degree.
  • Colleges and universities may also prefer candidates with some relevant work experience.
  • Some universities may also conduct interviews as part of the selection process for further shortlisting the candidates.

 

Ph.D in Business Management Entrance Exams

To secure a seat in the top colleges in the country for the Ph.D in Business Management course, the student has to appear for various entrance examinations. Some top entrance examinations for a PhD degree in Business Management have been listed in the table below:

Exam Name

Application Date

 

(tentative)

Exam Date (tentative)

Cut-off

Application Fee

UGC-NET 2026

April- May 2026

June 2026

Gen: 172+

 

OBC: 158+

 

EWS: 156+

 

SC/ST: 150+

INR 1150 (General/Unreserved)

 

INR 600 (General-EWS/OBC-NCL)

 

INR 325 (SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender)

CAT 2026

August- September 2026

November 2026

98 to 99 percentile

INR 2500 (general)

 

INR 1250 ((SC/ST/PwD)

 

Ph.D in Business Management Colleges in India

A Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management is a three-year course opted for by students interested in learning deeply about business management and pursuing research. Hence, it is offered by several colleges and universities across India. Colleges offering this course are listed in the table below:

College Name

Course Name

Location

Course Fee (Approx.)

NIRF Ranking

Admission process

Jawaharlal Nehru University

Ph D Business Administration

Delhi

INR 3,00,000

10

An online application, viva-voce based on UGC-NET score and research proposal

Chandigarh University

-

Chandigarh

INR 4,37,500

20

An online application, a CUCET score, and an interview.

BITS Pilani

Ph D Management

Rajasthan

INR 4,26,900

23

An online application, an entrance exam score, and an interview.

Lovely Professional University

Ph.D. Management

Phagwara, Punjab

INR 3,00,000

27

An online application, an entrance exam score, and an interview.

Chitkara University

-

Punjab

INR 4,20,000

101-150

An online application, an entrance exam score, a written test, and an interview.

Dr B. R. Ambedkar University

PhD in Management

Delhi

INR 1,16,720

33

An online application, an entrance exam, and a research proposal.

 

Ph.D in Business Management Admission Process

To secure a seat in the top colleges of Ph.D in Business Management in India, the student must follow a few steps first. Initially, the student must meet the eligibility criteria of the course and then have to appear for the entrance examinations. The detailed procedure for securing a seat in Chandigarh University is given below:

 

Step 1: The students must choose the different entrance exams for a Ph.D in Business Management course that they want to appear for, which may include UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, CAT, CUCET, etc.

 

Step 2: Interested students can apply online on the official website of the college, and then proceed with the filling of their personal and academic details.

 

Step 3: The students then need to upload all the relevant documents and proceed with the payment of the application fee.

 

Step 4: The students have to check for the dates of the entrance exams, etc, and appear for the exam on the specified date. In case the student hasn't appeared for the CUCET exam, then in this case, the student’s score in UGC-NET, CAT, etc., will be taken into consideration.

 

Step 5: After the students have appeared for their exams, they must check the website again for their results. Once the results are announced, they have to keep the scorecard and save it for future reference.

 

Step 6: The final selection of the students will be based on their performance in the entrance exams and the personal interview round. Shortlisted candidates may be called for a personal interview round to further finalize their application.

 

Step 7: The final selected students will be required to submit their original documents and get them verified by the college itself.

 

Step 8: The selected students will be required to confirm their admission by paying the admission fee.

 

Documents Required

  • Post-graduation mark sheet
  • Identity proof such as an Aadhar card, PAN Card
  • An entrance exam scorecard
  • Recent passport-sized photographs
  • Category certificate, if applicable
  • Bank details

 

Ph.D in Business Management Syllabus

A Ph D in Business Management is a three-year full-time course offered across different colleges and universities in India. The subjects taught during the entire course at Jawaharlal Nehru University are mentioned below:

Semester 1

Semester 2

Research Methodology

Elective I

Research and Publication Ethics

Elective II

Qualitative Research Methods

Minor Project

Qualitative Research Methods-I

List of Electives:

Electives to Choose From

Applied Econometrics

Advanced Financial Management

Business Analytics

Advanced Marketing Management

Innovations and Intellectual Property Rights

Advanced Human Resource Management

Indian Business Ethos

Emerging Issues in Information Technology Management

Time Series Analysis and Business Forecasting

Emerging Issues in Organization Behavior

Advanced Managerial Economics

Financial Markets Operations

-

Game Theory Applications

 

Ph.D in Business Management Job Opportunities in India

Multiple job opportunities and careers are associated with a Ph D in Business Management in India, which are mentioned below in the table:

Job Profile

Experience

Top Recruiters/ Recruiting Areas

Average Salary

University Professor

0-5 years

IIMs, IITs, DU, private universities

INR 6-10 LPA

Full Professor

6+ years

Premier institutions (IIMs, IITs); roles include research, guiding PhD students

INR 10-30 LPA

Management Consultant

2-8 years

McKinsey, BCG, Deloitte, EY, KPMG

INR 10-20 LPA

Senior Strategy Consultant

8+ years

Top-tier consultancies

INR 20-31 LPA

Business Development Manager

2-5 years

Corporate firms, tech firms, consultancies

INR 6-8 LPA

Corporate Trainer

3-8 years

MNCs, corporate training firms

INR 6-12 LPA

 

Ph.D in Business Management Vs PhD Business Administration

A Ph.D. in Business Management mainly focuses on the issue of management, but a Ph.D. in Business Administration, on the other hand, addresses a wider range of business topics.

Aspect

Ph.D. in Business Management

Ph.D. in Business Administration

Focus

Academic research-oriented degree focused on advancing business management theories and addressing scholarly inquiries.

Highest degree in business administration covering a broad range of business disciplines including management, strategy, and organizational studies.

Duration

Typically 3 to 6 years

Typically 3 to 5 years

Research Orientation

Emphasizes creating new knowledge through theoretical or empirical research specific to management disciplines.

Emphasizes original scientific research contributing to the business administration field broadly, often theoretical.

Career Path

Suited for careers in academia, research centers, and scholarly publication.

Primarily academic careers, research roles, and university-level teaching.

Practical vs Theoretical

More theoretical with sometimes applied research aspects.

Typically more theoretical focused on advancing knowledge in various business areas.

Student Profile

Often recent graduates or mid-career professionals focusing on scholarly research.

Typically pursued by candidates focused on broad academic and research careers in business administration.

 

Ph.D in Business Management FAQs

Can someone pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in business management through part-time or distance learning in India?

Yes. Many universities and institutes offer part-time or distance learning learning in the hybrid mode for students and professionals interested in pursuing PhD programs in business management. However, these universities and colleges require the candidates to appear for campus research and essential coursework components.

What are some of the key research areas in contemporary times in business management for PhD scholars?

Some of the key research areas in contemporary times in business management for PhD scholars include those that are highly relevant in today’s times due to the changes in technology. These generally include AI used in business strategy, green marketing, behavioral and corporate finance, governance, and decision-making, etc.

Do colleges and universities offer fellowships or stipends to students while they are pursuing a PhD in business management?

Yes. Many top-ranked colleges and universities, including IITs and IIMs, offer grants and stipends to students that range from INR 25,000- 30,000 per month to support the students and offer them travel support for conferences.

Can we do PhD without MBA?

Yes, the candidates can get a PhD degree without an MBA degree. The MBA is not a requirement for a PhD, as most PhD programs require an undergraduate or a masters degree in a related study area. The candidates should have a master's degree in business, management, or other related fields. Previous work experience is usually not a requirement of admission to a PhD program, though quite a number of MBA programs require significant professional experience.

Is it better to have a PhD or MBA?

An MBA is a professional degree that focuses on business, leadership, and management, thus empowering them to develop in a corporation or pursue executive roles or even create their own companies.MBA is a two-year course and provide a wide range of jobs in consultancy firms. On the other hand, PhD is a research and scholarly degree that usually takes four to six years; it helps in developing a theory and developing a new knowledge in a dedicated field. A PhD is especially suitable for the candidate intending to make a career in an academic, research institution, policy-making, or in an especially specialized industry employment prospect.

Is publishing in journals essential while pursuing a PhD in Business Management?

Yes. Publishing in journals is highly essential for students pursuing a PhD in Business Management. Publishing helps with building very strong academic credibility and competency, and is highly useful for a thesis when targeting a specific research or academic career.

Explore Other Popular Ph.D. in Business Management Colleges

Exam Accepting

Online|
PG|
IITs and IISc|
Engineering
Exam1 Feb, 2025
Result19 Mar, 2025
Online|
PG|
Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)|
Business & Management Studies
Exam30 Nov, 2025
Result19 Dec, 2025
Online|
PG|
Xavier Labour Relations Institute|
Business & Management Studies
Exam5 Jan, 2025
Result17 Jan, 2025
Online|
PG|
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies|
Business & Management Studies
Exam5 Nov, 2025 - 23 Dec, 2025
Result5 Nov, 2025 - 24 Dec, 2025
Online|
UG|
Consortium of National Law Universities|
Law
Exam1 Dec, 2024
Result17 May, 2025
Online|
PG|
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay)|
Design
Exam19 Jan, 2025
Result5 Mar, 2025
Online|
PG|
CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research)
Exam25 Jul, 2024 - 27 Jul, 2024
Result12 Sept, 2024
Online/Offline|
UG|
All India Management Association (AIMA)
Exam-
Result
Online|
PG|
National Testing Agency (NTA)|
Business & Management Studies
Exam25 Jan, 2025
Result13 Feb, 2025
Online|
PG|
Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra|
Business & Management Studies
Exam1 Apr, 2025 - 3 Apr, 2025
Result

Explore Popular Ph.D. Courses

Loading exam list...

Students learning mobile

Your opinion matters to us!

Rate your experience using this page so far.