About Fellow Programme in Management [FPM]
IMDR Pune offers a 4-year Fellow Programme in Management (FPM), an AICTE-approved doctoral-level qualification recognised by AIU as equivalent to a PhD. Admission requires no entrance examination and is based on a research proposal and personal interview. Total fees are INR 6,04,000 over four years. IMDR is NBA-accredited and among the few Pune institutes with a standalone doctoral research track in management.
📋 Admission Status: Applications closed. Research Proposal Presentation expected July 2026.
IMDR FPM Fees 2026
| Component | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Programme Fee (Year 1) | INR 2,00,000 |
| Programme Fee (Year 2) | INR 2,00,000 |
| Programme Fee (Year 3) | INR 1,00,000 |
| Programme Fee (Year 4) | INR 1,00,000 |
| One-time Registration Fee | INR 4,000 |
| Total Fees (4 Years) | INR 6,04,000 |
- Fees are as per the official IMDR FPM fee schedule for the 2026-30 cohort.
- An application fee of INR 1,500 is payable separately at the time of submission.
- AICTE allows a programme extension beyond four years for valid academic reasons.
IMDR FPM Admission 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| FPM Application Window Closed | June 30, 2026 |
| Research Proposal Presentation | July 2026 (Tentative) |
| Personal Interview | July 2026 (Tentative) |
| Academic Session Begins | August 2026 |
- No entrance examination is required for FPM admission at IMDR Pune.
- Submit a 5,000-word research proposal with the application to fpm@imdr.edu.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- First-class Master’s degree in Management, Engineering, Technology, Economics, Social Sciences, Pure Sciences, Humanities, or Commerce.
- Candidates with results awaited may apply, provided the degree is completed by September 30 of the admission year.
- A clearly articulated and original research proposal is required to qualify for the interview stage.
Admission Process
- Submit the application form to fpm@imdr.edu together with the 5,000-word research proposal.
- Documents are verified and the proposal is evaluated by the IMDR faculty selection committee.
- Shortlisted candidates present their research proposal before the faculty panel.
- A personal interview is conducted to assess research orientation and academic background.
- Final admission offer is based on proposal quality, presentation, and interview performance.
✓ Opt for this if
- You want an AICTE-approved doctoral management qualification from a Pune institute.
- You plan a faculty or research career in management education or policy work.
- You have a defined research question and prefer an interview over competitive exams.
- Total four-year cost of INR 6,04,000 suits your research funding plan.
✗ Skip if
- You are targeting IIM FPM or PhD programmes at IITs or premier institutes.
- You need a UGC fellowship with a monthly stipend from year one.
- You are not ready for a minimum four-year full-time research commitment.
- You need a large Scopus journal support network on campus.
IMDR FPM Scholarships 2026
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| NSP PM-USP Yojana | INR 82,000 per year | SC/ST/OBC students via National Scholarship Portal |
- Apply to NSP schemes before the government portal deadline each year.
- Contact the IMDR office for institute-level research support grants available.
- 79 out of 122 under IIRF Management Ranking 2025.
Read more on IMDR Pune Rankings here
IMDR Pune FPM FAQs
Ques. Is the IMDR FPM equivalent to a PhD and accepted for faculty positions?
Ans. The IMDR Fellow Programme in Management is an AICTE-approved doctoral-level qualification recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) as equivalent to a PhD. FPM graduates from IMDR are eligible for faculty positions at AICTE-approved management institutions and universities that accept AIU-recognised doctoral degrees. Candidates targeting UGC-regulated faculty roles should verify individual institution requirements, as recognition norms may vary across different categories of higher education institutes in India.
Ques. What is the research proposal requirement for the IMDR FPM?
Ans. FPM applicants must submit a 5,000-word research proposal along with the application form to fpm@imdr.edu. The proposal must define the research problem, articulate its relevance to management practice, outline the theoretical framework, and propose a research methodology. Shortlisted candidates are required to present the proposal to the IMDR faculty selection panel. The quality and originality of the proposal is a primary criterion in the final selection decision for the programme.
Ques. What are the total fees for the FPM programme at IMDR Pune?
Ans. The total fees for the 4-year FPM programme at IMDR Pune are INR 6,04,000. The annual programme fee is INR 2,00,000 in Year 1 and Year 2, and INR 1,00,000 in Year 3 and Year 4, plus a one-time registration fee of INR 4,000. An additional application fee of INR 1,500 is payable at submission. Fees are as per the official IMDR FPM fee schedule and are payable annually as per the institution payment schedule.
Ques. Which management domains does the IMDR FPM programme cover?
Ans. IMDR Pune’s FPM supports research across major management disciplines including Marketing, Finance, Operations, Human Resource Management, Entrepreneurship, Strategy, and IT Management. The programme spans four years with coursework in the first two years and independent thesis work in the latter two years. Scholars work under faculty supervision at IMDR and may engage with industry mentors for applied management research relevant to their chosen domain and research question.
Ques. Is there a monthly fellowship or stipend for FPM scholars at IMDR Pune?
Ans. The official IMDR FPM programme does not list a monthly stipend as part of its published structure. Candidates seeking financial support should explore the NSP PM-USP Yojana for SC/ST/OBC students, and UGC or AICTE research fellowships for eligible management doctoral scholars. Scholars are advised to contact the IMDR admissions office at fpm@imdr.edu to confirm any updated financial assistance provisions, as fellowship availability may change each admission cycle.
Ques. What is the selection process and timeline for the IMDR FPM 2026?
Ans. The FPM application window at IMDR Pune closed on June 30, 2026. Applications with the 5,000-word research proposal are submitted to fpm@imdr.edu. Shortlisted candidates are invited for a proposal presentation and personal interview in July 2026. The selection committee evaluates candidates on research aptitude, domain knowledge, and proposal quality. The academic session for the selected cohort is expected to begin in August 2026, subject to official confirmation from IMDR Pune.