IIM Calcutta PhD Admission 2027-28: Applications Open, Check Eligibility, Fees and January 29 Deadline

Published 5 Nov 202610 min read

The Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM Calcutta) has opened applications for its Doctoral Programme (PhD) Admission 2027-28. Interested candidates can submit their online applications through the institute's official website, iimcal.ac.in. The registration process started on November 5, 2026, and the last date to apply is January 29, 2027. The full-time doctoral programme offers research opportunities across 11 specialisation areas in management and related disciplines. Applicants can select up to two areas of specialisation without paying any additional application fee. Candidates shortlisted during the selection process will be invited to attend personal interviews at the IIM Calcutta campus. Applicants are advised to review the eligibility requirements, accepted entrance examinations and application fee before submitting their forms.
IIM Calcutta PhD Admission 2027-28: Important Dates
IIM Calcutta has announced the tentative schedule for the Doctoral Programme admission process for the 2027-28 academic session.
Admission Event | Scheduled Date |
|---|---|
Online application begins | November 5, 2026 |
Last date to submit applications | January 29, 2027 |
Interview call notification | End of February 2027 |
Personal interviews | Third or fourth week of March 2027 |
Admission offer letters | First or second week of April 2027 |
Candidates should complete the application process before the deadline and regularly check the official website for updates regarding interview invitations and admission offers.
IIM Calcutta PhD 2027-28: Areas of Specialisation
The full-time Doctoral Programme provides research opportunities across 11 areas of specialisation.
The available research areas include:
- Economics
- Finance and Control
- Human Resource Management
- Management Information Systems
- Marketing
- Operations Management
- Organisational Behaviour
- Public Policy and Management
- Regional Development
- Sociology
- Strategic Management
Applicants can select a maximum of two specialisation areas without any additional application fee. Candidates should choose their preferred research areas based on their academic background and research interests.
Who Is Eligible for IIM Calcutta PhD Admission 2027-28?
Candidates applying for the IIM Calcutta Doctoral Programme must satisfy the prescribed academic qualification and minimum marks requirements.
The eligibility criteria include the following:
- Master's Degree: A first-class Master's degree or a two-year postgraduate diploma, along with a three-year Bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks.
- Chartered Accountants: CA-qualified candidates with a minimum of 50% marks are eligible.
- CS and CMA Candidates: Candidates holding CS or CMA qualifications must have at least 55% marks along with a BCom degree.
- BTech Graduates: Candidates with a four-year BTech degree must have a minimum CGPA of 6.5.
- School Education: Applicants must have secured at least 50% marks in both Class 10 and Class 12 examinations.
Candidates should refer to the official admission brochure for the complete qualification requirements and any additional conditions applicable to their academic category.
IIM Calcutta PhD Application Fee 2027-28
Applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee while submitting their online forms. The fee varies according to the candidate's category.
Candidate Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
General Category | βΉ2,000 |
SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwD | βΉ1,000 |
The application fee must be paid online through the available payment facilities.
Accepted payment methods include:
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Net banking
Candidates should ensure that the payment is completed successfully before submitting the final application form.
Which Entrance Examinations Are Accepted for IIM Calcutta PhD Admission?
Candidates must have a valid CAT score or an area-specific qualifying examination score, depending on their preferred specialisation. The qualifying examination score must fall within the two-year validity period specified by the institute, calculated with reference to the application deadline.
The accepted examinations vary across research areas.
Specialisation | Accepted Qualifying Examinations |
|---|---|
Economics | CAT, GMAT, GRE, GATE (Economics), UGC-NET (Economics) |
Finance and Control | CAT, GMAT, GRE |
Human Resource Management | CAT, GMAT, GRE, UGC-JRF |
Management Information Systems | CAT, GMAT, GRE, GATE, UGC-JRF |
Marketing | CAT, GMAT, GRE, GATE, UGC-JRF |
Operations Management | CAT, GMAT, GRE |
Organisational Behaviour | CAT, GMAT, GRE, GATE, UGC-JRF |
Public Policy and Management | CAT, GRE, GATE (Architecture or Planning), UGC-NET |
Strategic Management | CAT, GMAT, GRE, GATE, UGC-JRF |
Candidates should check the specific examination requirements for their chosen specialisation before applying.
Important: Online GMAT and GRE scores are not accepted by IIM Calcutta for this admission process.
How to Apply for IIM Calcutta PhD Admission 2027-28?
Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the official IIM Calcutta website.
The application process involves the following steps:
- Visit the official website, iimcal.ac.inΒ .
- Navigate to the Doctoral Programme admissions section.
- Register using a valid email address and mobile number.
- Enter the required personal and academic information.
- Select up to two preferred specialisation areas.
- Upload the required scanned documents, photograph and applicable category certificate.
- Pay the application fee through the available online payment methods.
- Review the entered information and submit the application.
- Download and save the application confirmation page for future reference.
- Candidates should ensure that all details are accurate before submitting the final application.
IIM Calcutta PhD Admission 2027-28: What Should Applicants Do Next?
With the application window open until January 29, 2027, prospective applicants should begin preparing their documents and qualifying examination scorecards.
Before applying, candidates should:
- Verify their academic eligibility.
- Identify their preferred research specialisation.
- Check the accepted entrance examination for the selected area.
- Keep academic certificates and scorecards ready.
- Arrange the applicable application fee.
- Submit the application before the January 29 deadline.
IIM Calcutta's Doctoral Programme offers an opportunity for candidates interested in pursuing advanced research in management and related disciplines. Applicants should carefully review the official admission guidelines to ensure they meet all requirements.
