Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

The Part-Time Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Business Management at Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB), offered under XIM University, is a doctoral program designed for working professionals and researchers who wish to pursue doctoral studies without leaving their current employment. The program spans a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years following doctoral registration, and leads to the conferment of Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management, XIM University. Research areas span six broad domains: Accounting and Finance, Economics, Strategy and General Management, Information Systems, Marketing, and Operations Management and Decision Science. The annual program fee is Rs. 1,00,000 per year, with a one-time refundable deposit of Rs. 8,000. Unlike the Full-Time Ph.D., the Part-Time program does not offer a monthly scholarship, but the structured coursework and thesis phases are identical. The program is popular among industry professionals, academics, and government officers who wish to earn a doctoral degree from a top-ranked, AACSB-accredited institution while continuing their careers.

Admissions for the 2026 batch are currently closed, with the application deadline having been February 28, 2026. The XRAT and interviews were scheduled for April 2026, with results expected in May 2026 and the program commencing in June/July 2026. For the 2027 batch, applications are expected to open around November-December 2026, with the deadline likely in February 2027, based on the previous year's cycle.

Key Points

The Part-Time Ph.D. is designed for working professionals; candidates must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer permitting them to pursue doctoral studies.
Candidates not currently employed must submit a self-declaration that they will not join any organization without prior intimation and approval from XIM University during the program.
The program structure, coursework, and thesis requirements are identical to the Full-Time Ph.D.; the key difference is the mode of study and fee structure.
On-campus attendance is mandatory during the doctoral coursework phase (approximately one year for Master's degree holders, two years for 4-year Bachelor's degree holders).
The program covers six research areas: Accounting and Finance, Economics, Strategy and General Management, Information Systems, Marketing, and Operations Management and Decision Science.
UGC NET-JRF (Category 1: JRF) qualified candidates are exempted from XRAT but must appear for Research Presentation and Personal Interview.
The degree awarded is Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management by XIM University, identical to the Full-Time Ph.D. degree.
On-campus accommodation is available during the coursework phase; residential and mess expenses are to be borne by the scholar.

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FAQs

XIMB Ph.D. (Business Management) Part Time Fees

The Part-Time Ph.D. program at XIMB has a transparent and affordable fee structure of Rs. 1,00,000 per year, payable annually throughout the program duration. A one-time refundable deposit of Rs. 8,000 is also required at the time of admission. Unlike the Full-Time Ph.D., there is no monthly scholarship for Part-Time scholars; however, the annual fee is modest given the program's duration and the institution's reputation.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Annual Program Fee (per year)	1,00,000
Refundable Deposit (One-Time)	8,000
Total Fee (indicative, for 3 years minimum)	3,08,000
Total Fee (indicative, for 4 years)	4,08,000

The refundable deposit of Rs. 8,000 is returned at the end of the program.
Residential and mess expenses during on-campus coursework are to be borne by the scholar as per the prevalent rate.
All fee figures are indicative and subject to change; final amounts are confirmed in the admission offer letter.
Application fee is payable at the time of online application; the amount is communicated on the application portal at applyphd.xim.edu.in.
No monthly scholarship is provided for Part-Time Ph.D. scholars.

XIMB Ph.D. (Business Management) Part Time Admission 2026

Admissions to the Part-Time Ph.D. program at XIMB for the 2026 batch are now closed, with the application deadline having been February 28, 2026. The XRAT and interviews were scheduled for April 2026, with results expected in May 2026 and the program commencing in June/July 2026. For the 2027 batch, the application window is expected to open around November-December 2026. Candidates must apply online at applyphd.xim.edu.in and also appear for XRAT (unless exempted by UGC NET-JRF). A mandatory NOC from the employer (or a self-declaration if unemployed) is required at the time of joining.

Ph.D. Part-Time Admission Activity Dates

Activity	Date
Last Date for Online Application	February 28, 2026
XRAT (XIM Research Aptitude Test)	April 2026 (Tentative)
Research Presentation and Admission Interviews	April 2026 (Tentative)
Declaration of Admission Results	May 2026 (Tentative)
Issuance of Admission Letter	May 2026 (Tentative)
Program Commencement (Coursework Begins)	June/July 2026 (Tentative)

No external entrance exam (CAT/XAT/GMAT) is required. XRAT is conducted by XIM University. UGC NET-JRF (Category 1) holders are exempted from XRAT.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Master's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with at least 55% marks in aggregate from a recognized university (for XIMB's Xavier Institute of Management school).
Alternatively, candidates with a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor's degree (BE/BTech etc.) with a minimum CGPA of 7.5/10 or equivalent are also eligible (they undergo pre-doctoral coursework in Year 1).
SC/ST candidates get a 5% relaxation in the minimum marks requirement.
Candidates must submit a Statement of Purpose (SoP) along with the application.
A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the employer is mandatory for employed candidates; unemployed candidates must submit a self-declaration.

Admission Process

Fill out the online application form at applyphd.xim.edu.in and pay the application fee.
Shortlisting is done based on academic records and Statement of Purpose (SoP).
Shortlisted candidates appear for XRAT (XIM Research Aptitude Test) - a 3-hour test covering writing ability, verbal ability and comprehension, reasoning, and quantitative aptitude (100 marks total). UGC NET-JRF (Category 1) holders are exempted.
Shortlisted candidates then appear for Research Presentation and Personal Interview.
Final selection is based on XRAT score, Research Presentation, and Personal Interview performance.
Admission offers are issued in May; scholars confirm admission and submit the NOC/self-declaration and pay the refundable deposit.
Program commences in June/July with the Student Admission and Mentorship Program.

XIMB Ph.D. (Business Management) Part Time Scholarships 2026

The Part-Time Ph.D. program at XIMB does not offer a monthly scholarship, unlike the Full-Time Ph.D. program. However, the annual fee of Rs. 1,00,000 is modest and affordable for working professionals. Scholars may explore external funding options such as UGC fellowships, employer sponsorship, or research grants from government bodies.

Scholarship Support Types

Support Type	Details	Conditions
UGC JRF Fellowship	Available to UGC NET-JRF (Category 1) qualified candidates	As per UGC norms; subject to UGC guidelines for part-time scholars
Employer Sponsorship	Partial or full fee coverage by the employer	Employer provides NOC and may reimburse fees
Government Research Grants	ICSSR, DST, and other government bodies offer research grants	Subject to eligibility and application to respective bodies

No University scholarship is provided for Part-Time Ph.D. scholars.
Scholars are encouraged to apply for external fellowships and research grants to support their doctoral research.
The annual fee of Rs. 1,00,000 is payable each year for the duration of the program.

XIMB Ph.D Business Management Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#33 out of 372 in India 2025

#2nd in Odisha

Outlook Ranking

#6 out of 200 in Top Private Colleges in India 2025

IIRF Ranking

#10 out of 122 in Top Private Colleges in India 2025

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XIMB Ph.D. (Business Management) Part Time FAQs

Ques. What is the key difference between the Full-Time and Part-Time Ph.D. in Business Management at XIMB?

Ans. The core difference lies in the mode of study and financial support. The Full-Time Ph.D. requires scholars to be on campus full-time and offers a monthly scholarship of Rs. 30,000 for 4 years (or a full tuition fee waiver). The Part-Time Ph.D. allows scholars to continue working while pursuing the degree, requires on-campus attendance only during the coursework phase, and has an annual fee of Rs. 1,00,000 with no monthly scholarship. The degree awarded, program structure, and research areas are identical for both.

Ques. Is it mandatory to be employed to apply for the Part-Time Ph.D.?

Ans. No, employment is not mandatory. However, employed candidates must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer at the time of joining. Candidates who are not employed must submit a self-declaration stating they will not join any organization without prior intimation and approval from XIM University. If they join employment during the program, they must submit an NOC from the new employer within 30 days.

Ques. How much time do I need to spend on campus for the Part-Time Ph.D.?

Ans. Candidates with a Master's degree are required to attend all classes, exams, and academic events on campus for approximately one year (the doctoral coursework phase). Candidates joining after a 4-year Bachelor's degree must be on campus for approximately two years (pre-doctoral + doctoral coursework). After the coursework phase, scholars can work on their thesis remotely, with periodic visits to campus for seminars and reviews.

Ques. Can I switch from Part-Time to Full-Time Ph.D. after joining?

Ans. The official program pages do not explicitly mention a provision for switching between Part-Time and Full-Time modes. Candidates interested in such a transition should contact the admissions office at admission@xim.edu.in or call +91-674-6647-806/807/900 for clarification.

Ques. What research areas are available for the Part-Time Ph.D. in Business Management at XIMB?

Ans. The Part-Time Ph.D. in Business Management at XIMB covers the same six research areas as the Full-Time program: (1) Accounting and Finance, (2) Economics, (3) Strategy and General Management, (4) Information Systems, (5) Marketing, and (6) Operations Management and Decision Science. The preferred area is indicated at the time of application and formalized by the end of the doctoral coursework.

Ques. What are the career benefits of a Part-Time Ph.D. from XIMB for a working professional?

Ans. A Part-Time Ph.D. from XIMB (XIM University) allows working professionals to earn a doctoral degree without interrupting their careers. It opens doors to academic positions (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor) at reputed institutions, senior research roles in industry and think tanks, and enhanced credibility in consulting and advisory roles. The AACSB accreditation of XIMB adds international recognition to the degree. Many Part-Time Ph.D. scholars at XIMB are senior professionals from industry, government, and academia who leverage the degree for career advancement and intellectual growth.