Ph.D. (Management Studies)

The Ph.D. (Management Studies) programme at Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai is a prestigious doctoral programme affiliated with the University of Mumbai, designed to develop management teachers, researchers, and consultants. The programme has a minimum duration of 3 years and can extend up to 6 years for full-time scholars. The total course fee is Rs. 48,390 (Year 1: Rs. 17,680 + subsequent years at Rs. 15,355 per year for a minimum 2 more years), making it one of the most affordable doctoral programmes at a top-ranked management institution in India. The primary qualifying exams accepted are PET (University of Mumbai PhD Entrance Test), NET, SET, and JRF. The seat intake is 40 per batch. The programme is offered in full-time on-campus mode and is popular for its strong research ecosystem, access to JBIMS's renowned faculty, and the institute's legacy as one of India's top management schools.

Admissions for the Ph.D. programme are typically opened in December-January each year. For the 2026-27 batch, the application window was open until January 31, 2026. For the 2027-28 batch, the admission notice is expected to be released around December 2026-January 2027 (tentative), with applications likely closing by January-February 2027. Admission is based on a Personal Interview (PI) along with a Research Proposal submission. Candidates must have a valid qualifying exam score (PET/NET/SET/JRF) at the time of application.

Key Points

• Affiliated with the University of Mumbai and follows VCD/947 of 2018 regulations for Ph.D. programmes.
• Research focus areas include Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Operations, and related management disciplines.
• Access to state-of-the-art library and research databases for doctoral scholars.
• Research-oriented workshops, guest sessions, and conferences are regularly organized.
• Software tools for statistical analysis (SPSS, STATA, etc.) are available to scholars.
• The Late Dr. S. S. Nadkarni Fellowship is available exclusively for doctoral and post-doctoral research in Finance and Corporate Management.
• JBIMS is consistently ranked among the top management institutes in India, lending significant credibility to the Ph.D. degree.

JBIMS Ph.D. Fees

The Ph.D. (Management Studies) programme at JBIMS Mumbai is remarkably affordable compared to other top management institutes in India. The fee for the first year is Rs. 17,680, and from the second year onwards, the fee is Rs. 15,355 per year until completion. For a minimum 3-year programme, the total fee works out to approximately Rs. 48,390. There are no hostel facilities mentioned for Ph.D. scholars on campus.

Fee Components

• Application fee of Rs. 100 is non-refundable and paid at the time of application.
• Fee for Year 2 onwards is Rs. 15,355 per year, payable each consecutive year until completion.
• Total fees calculated as: Rs. 17,680 (Year 1) + Rs. 15,355 x 2 (Year 2 and Year 3) = Rs. 48,390 for minimum 3-year duration.
• No hostel facility is specifically mentioned for Ph.D. scholars at JBIMS.
• Payment is made via online bank transfer to Bank of Baroda, Backbay Reclamation, Churchgate, Mumbai (Account No: 03820100021761, IFSC: BARB0BACKBA).

JBIMS Ph.D. Admission 2026

The Ph.D. (Management Studies) programme at JBIMS Mumbai admits scholars once a year, typically in the January-February cycle. Admission is based on a valid qualifying exam score (PET/NET/SET/JRF) and a Personal Interview (PI) with a Research Proposal. For the 2026-27 batch, applications closed on January 31, 2026. The 2027-28 admission cycle is expected to follow a similar timeline, with the notification likely in December 2026 and applications closing around January-February 2027.

JBIMS Ph.D. Admission Dates

Qualifying Exam Dates

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Candidates must have a Post Graduation (Master's degree) in Business Management or a related discipline of Management with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates as per University of Mumbai norms).
• Candidates must have qualified any one of the following examinations: PET (University of Mumbai PhD Entrance Test) / NET / SET / JRF / M.Phil. in Commerce or Management Faculty.
• Candidates must submit a Research Proposal at the time of application and appear for a Personal Interview (PI).

Admission Process:

• Visit the JBIMS website (www.jbims.edu) and find the Ph.D. Programme admission link.
• Fill out the online application form and upload attested copies of UG and PG marksheets, degree certificates, caste certificate (if applicable), qualifying exam certificate (NET/SET/PET/JRF/M.Phil.), and a scanned Research Proposal.
• Pay the application fee of Rs. 100 via online bank transfer and send the payment screenshot to accounts@jbims.edu and phd@jbims.edu.
• Shortlisted candidates are called for a Personal Interview (PI); PI date and time are announced on the JBIMS website.
• Final admission is based on PI performance and Research Proposal evaluation.
• Admission follows the University of Mumbai VCD/947 of 2018 regulations.

JBIMS Ph.D. Scholarships 2026

JBIMS Mumbai offers limited scholarship and fellowship opportunities for its students. For Ph.D. scholars specifically, the Late Dr. S. S. Nadkarni Fellowship is the most relevant, instituted in memory of a distinguished finance professional and funded by the S K Birla Group and B K Jhawar Group. Additionally, government scholarships such as UGC-JRF/SRF are available for eligible NET-qualified candidates. The Smt. Jyoti Dwivedi Memorial Scholarship is primarily for MMS students and not applicable to Ph.D. scholars.

Scholarships and Fellowships

• The Late Dr. S. S. Nadkarni Fellowship is specifically for research in Finance and Corporate Management. Interested candidates should contact the JBIMS Admin Department directly for application details and fellowship amount.
• UGC-JRF/SRF is available only to candidates who have qualified UGC-NET with JRF. The fellowship is paid by UGC and is separate from JBIMS fees.
• The Smt. Jyoti Dwivedi Memorial Scholarship is exclusively for MMS (full-time MBA) students at JBIMS and is not applicable to Ph.D. scholars.
• No specific application deadline is publicly listed for the Nadkarni Fellowship; candidates are advised to check the JBIMS website announcements section regularly.

According to an external review site Ranking 2025, JBIMS Mumbai ranks 16 out of 372 colleges in India for its Ph.D Management Studies program.

• 20 out of 275 under India Today Management Ranking 2024.
• 10 out of 150 under The Week Management Ranking 2019.
• 10 out of 25 under Outlook Management Ranking 2026.
• 6 out of 100 under IIRF Management Ranking 2025.
• 10 out of 50 under The Times Of India Management Ranking 2019.

Read more on JBIMS Mumbai Rankings here

JBIMS Ph.D. FAQs

Ques. Is the JBIMS Ph.D. in Management Studies a full-time programme, and can working professionals apply?

Ans. The Ph.D. (Management Studies) at JBIMS is a full-time programme. Working professionals who wish to pursue a Ph.D. may need to take a leave of absence or check with the institute regarding part-time options, as JBIMS currently lists only the full-time variant for this programme. The institute follows University of Mumbai VCD/947 of 2018 norms, which may allow part-time registration under specific conditions. It is advisable to contact JBIMS directly at phd@jbims.edu for clarification.

Ques. What is the difference between PET, NET, and SET for JBIMS Ph.D. admission? Which one should I appear for?

Ans. PET is the PhD Entrance Test conducted by the University of Mumbai specifically for admission to affiliated colleges including JBIMS. NET (National Eligibility Test) is conducted by UGC at the national level, and SET is the State Eligibility Test. For JBIMS Ph.D. admission, any one of PET/NET/SET/JRF is accepted. If you already hold a valid NET or JRF certificate, you are exempt from appearing in the PET. NET/JRF is generally considered more prestigious and opens up fellowship opportunities (UGC-JRF/SRF), so it is recommended if you are a fresh applicant.

Ques. How competitive is the JBIMS Ph.D. admission process? What does the Personal Interview involve?

Ans. With only 40 seats and JBIMS being one of India's most reputed management institutes, the admission process is competitive. The Personal Interview (PI) evaluates the candidate's research aptitude, clarity of research topic, understanding of the proposed research area, and academic background. Candidates are expected to submit a well-structured Research Proposal along with the application. The PI panel typically consists of senior faculty members who assess the feasibility and originality of the proposed research.

Ques. What are the research areas available for Ph.D. scholars at JBIMS?

Ans. JBIMS offers Ph.D. research in a wide range of management disciplines including Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Operations Management, Information Management, Organizational Behaviour, and related areas. The research guide (supervisor) is allotted based on the candidate's research area and faculty availability. Candidates are advised to review the faculty profiles on the JBIMS website (jbims.edu/faculty_research) before applying to identify potential research guides aligned with their area of interest.

Ques. What is the total cost of completing the Ph.D. at JBIMS, and are there any hidden charges?

Ans. The total fee for a minimum 3-year Ph.D. at JBIMS is Rs. 48,390 (Rs. 17,680 for Year 1 + Rs. 15,355 per year for Year 2 and Year 3). If the programme extends beyond 3 years, an additional Rs. 15,355 per year is payable. The application fee is Rs. 100 (non-refundable). There are no hostel charges mentioned for Ph.D. scholars. University of Mumbai may charge additional fees for PET registration (Rs. 1,000), registration (Rs. 2,000), thesis submission (Rs. 5,000), and viva (Rs. 3,000) as per MU norms, which are separate from JBIMS fees.

Ques. Does JBIMS provide any stipend or financial support to Ph.D. scholars?

Ans. JBIMS itself does not publicly offer a monthly stipend to all Ph.D. scholars. However, the Late Dr. S. S. Nadkarni Fellowship is available for scholars working in Finance and Corporate Management (contact Admin Dept. for details). Scholars who have qualified UGC-NET with JRF are eligible for UGC-JRF (Rs. 37,000/month) and UGC-SRF (Rs. 42,000/month after 2 years) fellowships, which are funded by UGC and are independent of JBIMS. Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for UGC-NET with JRF to avail of this financial support during their doctoral studies.