Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Executive Ph.D. Programme at IIM Calcutta is a prestigious part-time doctoral programme designed for senior professionals in industry, civil services, policy-making, government, and non-government sectors who wish to engage in rigorous, impactful, and interdisciplinary research while continuing their careers. Launched from AY 2026-27, the programme has a duration of ideally 5 years and covers specializations including Finance and Control, Human Resource Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Operations Management, Organizational Behaviour, Public Policy and Management, Strategic Management, and Economics. The total programme fee for AY 2026-27 is Rs. 25,00,000 (non-refundable), paid in structured instalments. The programme is highly sought after by senior executives, government officials, and policy practitioners who aspire to become domain experts, thought leaders, or transition into academic roles.

Admissions for the AY 2026-27 batch are currently in progress. The shortlist for the selection process has been announced. The programme is scheduled to commence in the last week of June 2026. Admission involves a Research Aptitude Test (RAT) and a Personal Interview (PI) conducted in-person at the IIM Calcutta campus.

Key Points

The Executive Ph.D. is a part-time doctoral programme allowing candidates to continue their professional careers while pursuing research.
The programme duration is ideally 5 years, comprising 2 years of coursework followed by comprehensive qualifying examination, thesis proposal defence, and dissertation.
Specializations available: Finance and Control, HRM, MIS, Marketing, Operations Management, Organizational Behaviour, Public Policy and Management, Strategic Management, and Economics.
Students must maintain a minimum CGPA of 6.0 during the coursework phase.
Candidates are required to publish in top-quality academic journals as part of the programme.
A No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the employer is mandatory at the time of admission.
Students must obtain necessary leave from their employer for attending offline and online requirements at IIM Calcutta.
The programme aims to expand the pool of academically qualified Professors of Practice for business schools and management institutes.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

IIM Calcutta Exec PhD Fees

The Executive Ph.D. programme at IIM Calcutta has a total fee of Rs. 25,00,000 for AY 2026-27, payable in four structured instalments. The fee is entirely non-refundable and covers tuition, programme-related academic activities, course-packs (when necessary), and use of institute services including the library. Travel costs are not included in the programme fee.

Fee Instalments

Fee Component	Amount	Due Date
Acceptance / Commitment Fee	Rs. 1,00,000	At the time of accepting admission offer
Module 1 Fee	Rs. 8,00,000	By 24 June 2026
Module 2 Fee	Rs. 8,00,000	By 24 December 2026
Module 3 Fee	Rs. 8,00,000	By 24 May 2027
Total Fees	Rs. 25,00,000	Paid in 4 instalments

All paid fee instalment amounts are non-refundable under any circumstances.
The programme fee does not include travel costs or allowances for attending campus sessions.
Hostel / accommodation charges during campus visits are not included in the programme fee and are to be borne separately.
Application fee: Rs. 3,000 for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PWD candidates; applicable fee for general category candidates as per the admission form instructions.

IIM Calcutta Exec PhD Admission 2026

Admissions to the IIM Calcutta Executive Ph.D. programme are conducted annually. For AY 2026-27, the shortlist for the selection process has been released and the programme is set to commence in the last week of June 2026. The selection process involves a Research Aptitude Test (RAT) and a Personal Interview (PI), both conducted in-person at the IIM Calcutta campus. All admission-related decisions are made by IIM Calcutta.

Executive Ph.D. Admission Dates

Event	Date / Period
Application Window	January - February 2026
Shortlist Announcement	March 2026
Research Aptitude Test (RAT) and Personal Interview (PI)	March - April 2026 (in-person at IIM Calcutta campus)
Admission Offers Extended	April - May 2026
Acceptance Fee Payment Deadline	As mentioned in offer letter
Module 1 Fee Payment Deadline	24 June 2026
Programme Commencement	Last week of June 2026

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Minimum 8 years of full-time managerial, entrepreneurial, or professional experience after graduation at the time of applying.
Must meet at least one of the following academic criteria: (a) First Class Master's or 2-year PG diploma in any discipline with a 3-year bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks; OR (b) CA with min 50% / CS or CMA with min 55% marks along with B.Com with at least 50% marks; OR (c) 4-year/8-semester bachelor's degree with minimum 6.5 CGPA; OR (d) Equivalent qualification from a foreign institution accredited by a recognized authority.
Minimum 50% marks in Secondary or Higher Secondary examination.
A No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the employer is mandatory at the time of admission.

Admission Process

Review faculty research profiles in the chosen area of specialization on the IIM Calcutta website.
Submit the online application form along with required documents and application fee.
Shortlisted candidates are invited for the Research Aptitude Test (RAT) and Personal Interview (PI) at the IIM Calcutta campus.
Admission offers are extended to successful candidates.
Pay the Acceptance/Commitment fee (Rs. 1,00,000) by the date mentioned in the offer letter.
Submit the employer's No-Objection Certificate at the time of admission.
Pay Module 1 fee (Rs. 8,00,000) by 24 June 2026 to confirm enrollment.

IIM Calcutta Exec PhD Scholarships 2026

IIM Calcutta does not offer formal scholarships or fellowships for the Executive Ph.D. programme, unlike the regular full-time Ph.D. programme where students receive a monthly stipend. The Executive Ph.D. is a fee-paying programme, and participants are expected to self-fund or seek employer sponsorship.

Given the senior professional profile of participants, many candidates are sponsored by their organizations or government departments. The program's research outcomes often directly benefit the sponsoring organization, making a strong case for employer-funded participation.

Funding Options

Funding Option	Details
Self-Funded	Candidate pays the full fee of Rs. 25,00,000 in instalments
Employer / Organizational Sponsorship	Candidates may seek sponsorship from their employer or government department
Government Deputation	Government officials may apply under deputation with departmental funding

No merit-based or need-based scholarships are available for the Executive Ph.D. programme.
Unlike the regular Ph.D. programme, Executive Ph.D. students do not receive a monthly stipend or fellowship from IIM Calcutta.
For queries on fee payment, contact the Doctoral Programme Office at admissions-exdp@iimcal.ac.in or +91-7596068946.

IIM Calcutta Ph.D Executive Ranking

Financial Times Ranking

#53 out of 100 in International 2026

Outlook Ranking

#3 out of 25 in Top Public Colleges in India 2026

QS Ranking

#64 out of 301 in International 2026

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IIM Calcutta Exec PhD FAQs

Ques. Can I pursue the Executive Ph.D. while continuing my current job?

Ans. Yes, the Executive Ph.D. is specifically designed for working professionals. The programme is part-time and allows you to continue your career. However, you must obtain a No-Objection Certificate from your employer and arrange necessary leave for attending offline coursework, workshops, and other in-person requirements at IIM Calcutta.

Ques. What is the difference between the regular Ph.D. and the Executive Ph.D. at IIM Calcutta?

Ans. The regular Ph.D. is a full-time residential programme for fresh graduates or those with limited work experience, and students receive a monthly stipend. The Executive Ph.D. is a part-time programme for senior professionals with at least 8 years of work experience, is fee-paying (Rs. 25 lakhs), and allows participants to continue their careers. Both programmes lead to a Ph.D. degree from IIM Calcutta.

Ques. What is the Research Aptitude Test (RAT) in the Executive Ph.D. admission process?

Ans. The RAT is an in-person test conducted at the IIM Calcutta campus as part of the selection process. It assesses the candidate's research aptitude, analytical thinking, and readiness for doctoral-level research. Shortlisted candidates are invited for the RAT followed by a Personal Interview (PI) with the faculty.

Ques. What are the areas of specialization available in the Executive Ph.D. programme?

Ans. The available specializations are: Finance and Control, Human Resource Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Operations Management, Organizational Behaviour, Public Policy and Management, Strategic Management, and Economics. Candidates are advised to review faculty research profiles in their chosen area before applying.

Ques. Is the Executive Ph.D. from IIM Calcutta recognized by UGC for teaching positions?

Ans. The Executive Ph.D. from IIM Calcutta is a doctoral degree from a premier institution. IIM Calcutta is a deemed university and its degrees are generally recognized. Candidates aspiring to teach in Indian universities should verify UGC recognition norms for their specific context and confirm with the relevant regulatory body.

Ques. How many seats are available in the Executive Ph.D. programme each year?

Ans. IIM Calcutta has not publicly disclosed the exact seat intake for the Executive Ph.D. programme. The programme is highly selective, with admission based on the Research Aptitude Test, Personal Interview, and the availability of faculty supervisors in the chosen area of specialization. Candidates are encouraged to apply early and align their research interests with faculty expertise.