Ph.D

NMIMS Mumbai offers a full-time Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme across 13 specializations covering Management, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Engineering, Economics, Architecture, Data Science, Physiotherapy, Commerce, Law, Statistics, Mathematics, Psychology, and Science. The minimum programme duration is 3 years. Annual net fees are INR 50,000 across all specializations. Admission is through an NMIMS Entrance Test and Personal Interview, conducted in two phases each year.

📋 Admission Status: Admissions expected to open January 2027 (Tentative).

Key Points

• NMIMS PhD spans 9 constituent schools including the School of Business Management, Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and Engineering, and the School of Law
• Full-time scholars admitted through the NMIMS process receive a Junior Research Fellowship of INR 49,490 per month, upgradeable to a Senior Research Fellowship of INR 58,340 per month after 2 years on satisfactory research progress
• Admission runs in two annual phases converging to a July commencement: Phase 1 registration spans January to March and Phase 2 spans March to May
• The entrance test covers general aptitude and a subject-specific essay paper, with UGC-NET, GATE, or CSIR-NET holders eligible for a direct Personal Interview
• PhD scholars are required to publish research in UGC-listed or internationally indexed journals as part of degree fulfilment criteria

NMIMS Mumbai PhD Fees 2026

The annual net fee for NMIMS Mumbai PhD programmes is INR 50,000 across all 13 specializations. This is the effective fee after institutional fellowships and fee waivers. For Pharmaceutical Sciences, the gross annual fee is INR 2,50,000 with an assured scholarship of INR 2,00,000, bringing the net to INR 50,000. Other schools follow a comparable net-fee arrangement.

• Fees above are net after institutional fellowship and waivers.
• Verify gross fees with the official NMIMS PhD prospectus before applying.

NMIMS Mumbai PhD Admission 2026

Important Dates

• Both 2026 phases are closed. Dates above are for reference.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in the relevant discipline with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks (50% for SC/ST/PwD candidates)
• For Management PhD: MBA or equivalent postgraduate degree with relevant academic or professional background preferred
• For Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD: M.Pharm or equivalent degree with a minimum of 55% marks

Admission Process

• Apply online through the NMIMS admissions portal during the applicable Phase 1 or Phase 2 registration window
• Appear for the NMIMS PhD Entrance Test comprising a general aptitude section and a subject-specific essay-type paper
• Score a minimum of 50% in the entrance test to qualify for the Personal Interview round
• Candidates holding a valid UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, or GATE qualification may be considered for a direct Personal Interview without the written test
• Final selection is based on combined performance in the entrance test and Personal Interview

NMIMS Mumbai PhD vs Other Colleges

Here is how NMIMS Mumbai PhD compares with similar research universities on fees, entrance exams, and ratings.

✓ Opt for this if

• You want a PhD in Management or Pharma with Mumbai mentorship
• You qualify for the JRF to fund your PhD research tenure
• You prefer a private deemed university with PhD across diverse disciplines

✗ Skip if

• You want a government-funded PhD with lower gross fees
• Your research area needs IIT-level pure engineering infrastructure
• You need part-time or distance-mode doctoral research flexibility

NMIMS Mumbai PhD Scholarships 2026

NMIMS Mumbai PhD scholars can access institutional fellowships alongside external government funding schemes for research support.

• NMIMS JRF and SRF amounts include HRA and contingency from 2026.
• CSIR and DST fellowships follow government notification schedules.

NMIMS Mumbai PhD FAQs

Ques. Can a working professional pursue NMIMS Mumbai PhD without leaving their job?

Ans. No. NMIMS Mumbai PhD is a full-time residential programme requiring mandatory on-campus attendance for coursework, research seminars, and regular supervisor meetings. NMIMS does not offer a part-time or distance PhD format at its Mumbai campus. Professionals considering doctoral research at NMIMS need to take a career break or sabbatical for the minimum 3-year duration.

Ques. How does the two-phase NMIMS PhD admission cycle work in practice?

Ans. Both phases follow identical stages: online registration, written entrance test, Personal Interview, and merit list. They converge to a single July commencement. Phase 1 (January to March) typically fills a larger share of seats. Phase 2 (March to May) fills remaining vacancies. Apply in Phase 1 for a wider seat pool.

Ques. What does the NMIMS PhD entrance test cover, and how hard is it to clear?

Ans. The NMIMS PhD entrance test has two parts: a general aptitude section testing logical reasoning and research comprehension, and a subject-specific essay-type paper in the candidate’s chosen specialization. A minimum of 50% marks is required to proceed to the Personal Interview. Candidates who already hold UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, or a comparable national-level research qualification may be exempted from the written test and invited directly for the interview.

Ques. How does the JRF to SRF transition work at NMIMS and is it automatic after 2 years?

Ans. The transition from JRF (INR 49,490/month) to SRF (INR 58,340/month) is not automatic. After 2 years, the scholar’s research progress is reviewed by the doctoral committee, which evaluates course completion, research output, and thesis progress. Only scholars who meet the committee’s benchmarks are upgraded. Scholars who do not qualify in the first review may receive a specific improvement window before re-evaluation.

Ques. Are NMIMS PhD graduates exempt from UGC-NET for assistant professor positions in India?

Ans. Yes. PhD holders from UGC-recognised universities, including NMIMS as a deemed-to-be university, are exempt from the NET requirement for assistant professor appointments under UGC regulations. The exemption applies to candidates who completed their PhD through regular mode with prescribed attendance, a published thesis, and a successful viva-voce. The exact conditions are specified in the UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers) Regulations 2018 and its amendments.