IIM Calcutta opens PhD admissions for 2027-28: 11 areas, apply by January 29

By TUF News Desk · Published 7 November 2026 · 4 min read

Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy

Applications for the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta’s full-time PhD programme for 2027-28 opened on November 5, and the window stays open until January 29, 2027. The institute is offering 11 specialisation areas, and candidates can apply to two of them without paying an extra fee.

The Doctoral Programme started in 1971 and prepares students for careers in teaching and research in management and related disciplines. IIM Calcutta is among the three oldest IIMs in the country.

Eleven areas to choose from

The 11 areas cover Economics, Finance and Control, Human Resource Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Operations Management, Organizational Behaviour, Public Policy and Management, Regional Development, Sociology and Strategic Management.

Sociology and Regional Development sit alongside Finance and Marketing in the same programme. Candidates pick up to two areas in a single application, which matters for those whose research interests cross the line between management and the social sciences.

Who can apply

Applicants need a first-class Master’s degree or a two-year postgraduate diploma, along with a three-year Bachelor’s degree with at least 50 percent marks. Chartered Accountants with 50 percent marks are also eligible, while Company Secretary and Cost and Management Accountant holders need 55 percent marks with a BCom degree. Four-year BTech graduates need a minimum CGPA of 6.5. All candidates must have at least 50 percent in both Class 10 and Class 12.

Tests and scores

Every applicant needs a valid score in CAT or an area-specific qualifying test. Which test counts depends on the area: Economics accepts CAT, GMAT, GRE, GATE in Economics and UGC-NET in Economics, while Human Resource Management accepts CAT, GMAT, GRE and UGC-JRF, and Public Policy and Management accepts CAT, GRE, GATE and UGC-NET. The score must fall within two years of the application deadline. Scores from online GMAT and GRE tests are not accepted.

Fee and stipend

The application fee is Rs 2,000 for general candidates and Rs 1,000 for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwD candidates. It is non-refundable and paid online by card or net banking.

Selected students get a monthly stipend. The institute pays Rs 42,000 a month before the comprehensive qualifying examination, Rs 45,000 after it, and up to Rs 50,000 once the thesis proposal is accepted. For candidates weighing a research career against a job, that stipend is part of the calculation, and our guide to scholarships for Indian university students covers other funding routes worth checking alongside it.

Dates to remember

Interview call notifications will go out by the end of February 2027. Personal interviews will be held on the IIM Calcutta campus in the third or fourth week of March 2027, and final offer letters are expected in the first or second week of April 2027.

How to apply

Applications go through the official doctoral admissions portal. Candidates register with an email ID and phone number, fill in their academic details, upload scanned documents, a photograph and any category certificate, pay the fee and submit the form. Keep the confirmation page after submitting. Before starting, it helps to have the paperwork ready, and our admission documents checklist covers what most Indian universities ask for. For eligibility and fee details, the institute’s doctoral programme FAQ page is the reference to check.

Frequently asked questions

What is the last date to apply for IIM Calcutta PhD 2027-28?

Applications close on January 29, 2027. The window opened on November 5, 2026, and forms are submitted online through the institute’s doctoral admissions portal.

How much is the IIM Calcutta PhD application fee?

The fee is Rs 2,000 for general candidates and Rs 1,000 for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwD candidates. It is non-refundable and paid online.

Which test scores does IIM Calcutta accept for PhD admission?

Candidates need a valid CAT score or an area-specific qualifying score such as GMAT, GRE, GATE or UGC-NET/JRF, depending on the specialisation. Scores must fall within two years of the application deadline.

Do IIM Calcutta PhD students get a stipend?

Yes. The institute pays a monthly stipend of Rs 42,000 before the comprehensive qualifying examination, Rs 45,000 after it, and up to Rs 50,000 after the thesis proposal.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: Collegedunia, IIM Calcutta