PhD in Operation Management is a 3 to 5 year (may extend) research-based program in operation management that focuses on improving business processes, supply chains and operating systems. It covers areas such as logistics, inventory management and decision analytics using quantitative and modeling techniques.
To be eligible, candidates require a master's degree in the field of operations management, business, engineering, or related fields with 55% - 60% of marks. The admission is through entrance examinations such as UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, or university-specific trials, followed by interview and a research resolution and SOP.
Leading institutes like IIM Udaipur, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, Indian Institute of Management Calcutta offer stipends to the full -time PhD. scholars to support their research. The program includes coursework, research, seminars and teaching assignments as part of educational training.
Graduates work as professors,Operations Manager, Operations Research Scientist, Team Lead Operations, Symbiosis Institute of Operations Management, Production Manager. Salary is usually based on experience, role and institution from INR 8 to INR 39 LPA.
- PhD Operation Management Key Highlights
- What is PhD Operation Management?
- Why Study PhD Operation Management?
- Who Should Pursue PhD Operation Management?
- PhD Operation Management Eligibility Criteria
- PhD Operation Management Entrance Exams 2025
- PhD Operation Management Colleges in India
- PhD Operation Management Admission Process 2025
- PhD Operation Management Syllabus
- PhD Operation Management Job Opportunities in India
- PhD Operation Management Vs PhD Supply Chain Management
- PhD Operation Management FAQs
PhD Operation Management Key Highlights
Below are the key highlights of the PhD in Operation Management course:
What is PhD Operation Management?
The PhD in Operation Management is a research program in operations management that trains the students how to make business processes, such as production, supply chains and many more.
- Students learn to study problems in operation and find smart, efficient solutions using data and logic. Topics include planning, resource usage, and improving systems. The program focuses on solving real-world business issues.
- This is a good choice for those who enjoy problem-solving and want to work in teaching, research, or strategy roles.The curriculum includes methods of learning, doing research and writing a final thesis.
- It helps students to become specialists in the management and improve the operations. Graduates often work in top universities, companies or counseling firms.
Why Study PhD Operation Management?
The PhD in Operation Management is a research-focused program in operations management that trains scholars in process adaptation, supply chain systems, and decision analysis. It is ideal for individuals aiming for careers in academia, research, and strategic roles in operations-intensive industries.
Some of the reasons why study PhD Operation Management are as follows:
- Pursue the teaching profession in top business institutions to shape future operations leaders. Faculty roles allow for a balance between research, teaching and institutional development.
- Participation in the interdisciplinary work combining operations with behavioral science, AI, or sustainability. This area provides flexibility to align research with the emerging technical and social needs.
- Publishing in the top journals creates a strong educational identity in the quantitative and applied research. Recognition in journals like MS, OR or POM adds credibility and leads to career development.
- Contribute to original research in high-impact areas such as sustainable operation or digital manufacturing. The work can influence industrial practices and future academic inquiry.
Who Should Pursue PhD Operation Management?
A PhD in Operation Management is a doctoral program in operation management that focuses on adaptation of procedures, supply chains and decision making systems. It provides careers in academics, research and strategic roles in industries. With the increasing demand for data-powered efficiency, it attracts candidates interested in analytical and process-oriented research.
Below are few pointers related to the best-fit candidates who should pursue a PhD Operation Management:
- A person with a strong interest in analytical thinking, process adaptation and decision science.
- Those who are passionate about research in areas such as supply chain, logistics, production and operating strategies.
- Candidates targeting a career in academia, policy research, or high-level consultation and analytics roles.
- Graduate with a background in engineering, statistics, mathematics, who’ve pursued any course like MBA Business Economics, or MCom Finance.
PhD Operation Management Eligibility Criteria
To pursue the PhD in Operation Management, the applicant needs to meet certain criteria, without which admission into this course may be difficult. Mentioned below are the eligibility criteria for pursuing an PhD Operation Management in India:
- A master's degree in operation management, MCom Business Administration or a related field is usually necessary. The minimum of 55% - 60% marks or equivalent CGPA is usually required.
- Some institutes may accept a 4-year bachelor's degree in engineering or relevant subjects. It is more common in research-focused or technical institutions.
- A valid score is accepted from the entrance examinations such as the CAT, GMAT. Technical background candidates can use the GATE or UGC/CSIR-NET score. Some universities conduct their admission or qualification tests for PhDs.
- A clear and well-structured research proposal should be presented. This should underline research problems, objectives, and proposed functioning.
- A strong research qualification and interest in the academic functions are necessary. Candidates should demonstrate critical thinking and skills to solve the problem.
PhD Operation Management Entrance Exams 2025
Candidates who want to pursue a PhD in Operations Management in India typically need a relevant postgraduate degree. Some universities may conduct interviews or consider academic performance and research proposals for admission.
Some of the entrance exams for PhD Operations Management are given below:
PhD Operation Management Colleges in India
Many Indian universities provide PhD in Operation Management for students interested in logistics, supply chain and process adaptation. The program focuses on quantitative methods, decision -making models and production schemes. Some of the colleges that offer PhD Operation Management in India or related courses are as follows:
PhD Operation Management Admission Process 2025
The below mention steps are the admission process for pursuing PhD in Operation Management in Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya:
Step 1: Application Submission: After opening the official portal, submit the filled form online.
Step 2: Required Entrance Examination: Candidates will have to submit a valid score from CAT, GMAT, GRE, Gate, or UGC-JRF. The score should align with the chosen expertise.
Step 3: Shortlisting the candidates: Shortlisting is usually based on the academic records, test scores, and the interested research area. The selected candidates go through the interview round.
Step 4: Personal Interview: Shortlisted applicants will then appear for a research qualification test and a written analysis test, followed by a personal interview.
Step 5: Final selection: The final selection will be held, and then the final admission offer letter will be sent via email id.
Candidates wanting to switch roles in marketing can also look for PhD Marketing degree
PhD Operation Management Syllabus
The PhD in Operations Management offered by the Indian institutes focuses on areas like supply chain management, logistics, process optimization, and decision sciences, with specific topics varying by institution.
Here are some subjects that are covered under the Production & Operations Management in Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB):
PhD Operation Management Job Opportunities in India
Graduates with a PhD in Operations Management can work in academia, consulting firms, manufacturing industries, logistics companies, and research organizations. They are often employed in roles related to supply chain strategy, process improvement, operations research, and decision analytics.
Some of the job opportunities after completing PhD Operations Management in India are as follows:
PhD Operation Management Vs PhD Supply Chain Management
PhD Operations Management primarily deals with optimizing internal processes and resources, whereas PhD Supply Chain Management studies the larger, cross-company networks delivering goods and services to customers efficiently.
PhD Operation Management FAQs
Is work experience required for admission to a PhD in Operation Management?
Work experience is not always mandatory, but is often preferred. This can strengthen the application, especially for practice-oriented research fields. Some business schools encourage candidates with managerial or industrial backgrounds.
What is the salary of a PhD in Operations Management?
The average pay scale of a PhD in Operations Management is INR 7,00,000 to 17,00,000 a year from which it can go up to approx INR 20 LPA or more with the level of experience. The entry-level jobs can begin at approximately INR 7 to 10 LPA. Reputed companies,MNCs and academic institutions usually offer higher salaries in roles as Operations Manager, Service Delivery Manager and Senior Operations Manager depending on the experience and duties.
How PhD Operations Management is different from PhD Logistics Management?
PhD Operations Management and PhD Logistics Management have few differences, the main one is scope and its focus. Operations Management entails the overall management and control of production and operational procedures within an organization such as the resource management and management principles. Logistics Management on the other hand has a bit more to do with efficient movement, storing and flow of goods, services and information between the source and its consumption. Operations Management is broader in approach within the organization whereas Logistics Management is a niche environment that focuses on supply chain and transportation.
What are the jobs that the candidates can opt in government sector after PhD Operations Management?
PhD graduates in Operations Management can choose among an array of jobs within the government sector such as academics such as being a Professor or Lecturer in a university, research in tasks at governmental think tanks or in governmental public sector undertakings (PSU), in addition to being a manager in the government corporations regulating operations and production. The sectors may also allow them to appear in policy research, public administration, and operation management.
What is the scope of PhD in operations management?
The scope of PhD in Operations Management is broad. It provides access to career paths in academia, research, leadership in business and consultancy. Graduates may spearhead operational strategy in the manufacturing sector, the service industry, supply-chain management, and logistics. They can be applied to positions that demand a high level of knowledge in terms of streamlining procedures, cost cutting and organizational performance.
