
Updated on May 11, 2025
Shibam Kumar
Updated on May 11, 2025
Shibam Kumar
A PhD in Human Resource Management (HRM) is a doctoral-level research-intensive degree that educates students to manage, advise, or educate in the discipline of human resources, with an emphasis on acquiring competency in HRM principles, practices, and research methodology.
To be eligible for a PhD in Human Resource Management, applicants must have a Bachelor's and Master's degree in any discipline with 50-55% minimum marks from a recognised university. They must also qualify for applicable entrance examinations such as CUET-PG, GATE, UGC-NET, CAT and others.
The average fee for studying for a PhD in Human Resource Management in India ranges between INR 90,000-5,00,000 depending on the university selected. Some of the top institutions are IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Mumbai, IIM Udaipur, XIM University, K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research, BITS Pilani, Symbiosis International, Shoolini University, GITAM University, GD Goenka University.
After completing a PhD in Human Resource Management, one can work as an Assistant Professor-HR, HR Manager, Learning & Development Manager, Employee Relations Manager, Human Resource Representative/Executive, Researcher and others. The average salary can range between INR 8-16 LPA, depending on the experience level.
Given below are some of the basic course highlights for the PhD in HRM course:
Particulars | Details |
---|---|
Course Name | Doctor of Philosophy in Human Resource Management (PhD HRM) |
Level of Study | Doctorate |
Duration | 3 years (can be extended up to 6 years) |
Eligibility Criteria | Master's degree in any discipline with 50-55% minimum marks from a recognised university Qualify for applicable entrance examinations |
Entrance Exams | UGC-NET, CUET PG, CAT, GATE, X-RAT |
Admission Process | Entrance-Based |
Course Fee | INR 90,000-5,00,000 |
Colleges/Universities | IIM Bangalore, IIM Mumbai, IIM Udaipur, XIM University, K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research, BITS Pilani, Symbiosis International, Shoolini University, GITAM University, GD Goenka University |
Average Salary | INR 8-15 LPA |
Job Roles | Assistant Professor-HR, HR Manager, Learning & Development Manager, Employee Relations Manager, Human Resource Representative/Executive |
The benefits of studying PhD in HRM are:
The eligibility criteria for taking admission into PhD in HRM are as follows:
The entrance exams for enrolling on PhD HRM course are listed below:
Exam | Level | Registration Date | Exam Date | Application Fee |
---|---|---|---|---|
UGC-NET 2025 | National | Mar-Apr 2025 (Tentative) | June 2025 (Tentative) | 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) |
GATE 2025 | National | 28 Aug–11 Oct 2024 | 1, 2, 15, 16 Feb 2025 | INR 1800 (UR) INR 900 (SC/ST/PwD) |
CUET-PG 2025 | National | 2 Jan-8 Feb 2025 | 13 Mar-1 Apr 2025 | INR 1400 (Gen) INR 1200 (OBC/EWS) INR 1100 (SC/ST/TG/PwD) |
X-RAT 2025 | University | 15 Jul-10 Dec 2024 | 5 Jan 2025 | INR 2200 |
Some of the best institutions in India offering a PhD in Human Resource Management are given below:
Institutions | NIRF Ranking | Course Fee |
---|---|---|
IIM Bangalore | 2 (Management) | - |
IIM Calcutta | 5 (Management) | - |
IIM Mumbai | 6 (Management) | INR 4,50,000 |
IIM Udaipur | 22 (Management) | - |
XIM University, Bhubaneshwar | 43 (Management) | INR 3,00,000 |
K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research, Mumbai | 63 (Management) | INR 1,50,000 |
Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani | 19 (University) | INR 2,50,000 |
Symbiosis International, Pune | 31 (University) | INR 1,80,000 |
Shoolini University, Bajhol | 70 (University) | INR 4,77,000 |
Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat | - | INR 4000 (Male) INR 10,500 (Female) |
GITAM University, Visakhapatnam | - | INR 90,000 |
Allana Institute of Management Science, Pune | - | INR 5,00,000 |
GD Goenka University, Sohna | - | INR 1,70,000 |
The admission process for PhD in HRM at BITS, Pilani has been given below:
The syllabus for PhD in HRM is subject to change depending upon the institution offering the course. However, the core subjects remain the same in all. The common core subjects covered during the course are as follows:
Few jobs and their salary for PhD in Human Resource Management have been listed below:
Job Role | Recruiters | Experience Level | Average Salary |
---|---|---|---|
Assistant Professor-HR | Reva University/Ahmedabad University/Shraddha University/JK Business School | 1-2 years | INR 8-10 LPA |
Human Resource Representative/Executive | NextGrowth Labs/Dinero Solutions/Aycom Business Solutions Pvt. Ltd. | 2-3 years | INR 8-10 LPA |
Human Resource Manager | Azelis/IG International/Sprink/TelSpiel Communications/Mahindra & Mahindra/Atul Paper Private Limited | 2-3 years | INR 12-15 LPA |
Learning & Development Manager | Aliqan Technologies/L&T/Maruti Suzuki India Ltd./Techknomatic Services | 3-4 years | INR 10-12 LPA |
Labour Relations Manager | Continental/Eaton/Diageo/L&T/OpenText | 3-4 years | INR 12-15 LPA |
The time frame differs by region and institution, but on average, a PhD in HRM generally takes between 3 to 5 years to finish, depending on the progress of research and the requirements for the dissertation.
Key research topics often include employee motivation and engagement, organizational behavior, leadership development, talent management, diversity and inclusion, workplace ethics, and the effects of AI and technology on HR practices.
Most academic institutions either mandate or highly encourage the publication of research in peer-reviewed journals, as it improves academic stature and contributes to the discipline.
Common challenges include identifying a distinctive and meaningful research topic, managing comprehensive literature reviews, navigating data collection and analysis, and sustaining motivation throughout the research experience.
Some educational institutions provide part-time or online PhD options, offering flexibility for working professionals, though these programs may necessitate occasional in-person meetings or research presentations.
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