The prestigious Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode) has officially commenced the admission process for its Doctoral Programme in Management (DPM) and Doctoral Programme (PhD) for the academic session commencing in 2026-27. Aspiring researchers and professionals can now submit their applications through the institute's official portal, with the deadline set for 23 January 2026.
Programme Details and Generous Financial Support
IIM Kozhikode offers three distinct doctoral pathways, all culminating in a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. These are the standard Doctoral Programme in Management (DPM), the DPM (Teaching Track), and the DPM (Practice Track). A major highlight for selected candidates is the comprehensive financial package. DPM scholars receive a full tuition fee waiver and a monthly fellowship that begins at ₹42,000.
This fellowship increases to ₹45,000 upon successful completion of the qualifying examination and further rises to ₹50,000 after the thesis proposal is defended. Additionally, each scholar is eligible for contingency and conference support amounting to ₹5,00,000 over the course of their doctoral studies.
Specialisations and Rigorous Curriculum
Applicants can pursue research in one of eight key management areas. The programme structure is designed to build robust research capabilities through a blend of coursework, examinations, and mentorship.
Available Specialisations:
- Decision Sciences and Operations Management
- Economics
- Finance, Accounting and Control
- Humanities and Liberal Arts in Management
- Information Systems
- Marketing Management
- Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management
- Strategic Management
The journey includes a comprehensive qualifying exam, thesis-proposal and pre-submission seminars, and culminates in the final thesis defence. Scholars benefit from close faculty guidance and a supportive research environment.
Eligibility, Selection Process, and Key Dates
Eligibility criteria vary slightly across programmes. For the DPM and Teaching Track, a postgraduate degree with at least 60% marks is required, while the Practice Track demands 55%. Professional qualifications like CA/CS/CMA are also accepted. A 5% relaxation is provided for candidates from SC, ST, EWS, NC-OBC, and PwD categories.
Work experience requirements differ: none for DPM, three years for the Teaching Track, and eight years (15 for Strategic Management) for the Practice Track. While DPM applicants need a valid score from tests like CAT, GATE, GMAT, GRE, IIMB Test, or UGC-NET, those applying to the Teaching and Practice Tracks are exempt from this requirement.
The selection process is a rigorous three-stage procedure involving initial screening, a Written Ability Test & Doctoral Orientation Conversation (held in major cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Kozhikode), and a final online Doctoral Area Conversation with faculty.
Important Dates for IIMK PhD Admission 2026:
- Application Window Opens: 24 November 2025
- Last Date to Apply: 23 January 2026
- Stage 2 (WAT & DOC): 6 February - 28 March 2026
- Admission Offers: First week of April 2026
- Programme Registration: Second week of June 2026
Application fees are programme-specific: ₹1,000 for DPM, ₹2,000 for Teaching Track, and ₹4,000 for Practice Track, with a 50% concession for reserved category candidates.
Prospective candidates are advised to keep their academic certificates, test scorecards, category documents, and proof of experience ready before starting the online application on the official IIM Kozhikode website at iimk.ac.in. This initiative underscores IIM Kozhikode's commitment to nurturing world-class research talent and contributing to the knowledge ecosystem in management studies.
