Criteria :
Full time PhD Programme

• • A candidate seeking admission into the Krea University’s PhD program in addition to having 60% marks in undergraduate degree, s/he must satisfy the eligibility requirements prescribed by the University as under. The eligibility criteria are:
    • • Master Degree or equivalent PG Diploma in any discipline, with 55 percent marks in the qualifying examinations

    OR

    • • Five-Year integrated Master’s degree/Dual degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline with 55 percent marks in the qualifying examinations

    OR

    • Professional Qualification like ACA/FAC/AICWAI/ACSI Qualifications of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Institute of Cost & Works Accountants of India and Institute of Company Secretaries of India

• Valid Scores of Standardised Tests (CAT, CMAT, GATE, GMAT, GRE, NET JRF, NMAT, XAT) – or pass an entrance test
• Graduates of full-time post-graduate degree course and candidates in the final year of the post-graduate degree are eligible to apply

Part-time PhD Programme

• MBA degree with 55 percent marks in the qualifying examinations

AND

• Five years of work experience after MBA

Students with Undergraduate and/or Postgraduate degrees from ODL (Open and Distance Learning) institutions are also eligible to apply as per the UGC policy and notification

30 years for full-time program and no age bar for part-time/executive program.

No, work experience is not mandatory for admission to full time residential PhD Programme.

But minimum 5 years of work experience after MBA degree is required for admission to Part-time PhD Programme.

No. IFMR GSB does not have any quota system. Admissions are purely based on merit.

In 1982, IFMR became an approved research institution to conduct research leading to award of PhD by the University of Madras. Now, since integration with Krea, PhD program is being offered by the IFMR Graduate School of Business, under Krea University. The supervisors are experienced faculty with more than 20 years of mentoring and supervision.

Please fill the Application form from the PhD admission section in IFMR GSB’s website. The application fees is INR 500/-

31 March 2026

Yes, the applicant needs to write an entrance test conducted by IFMR GSB, Krea University, if there are no valid scores of standardised tests (CAT, CMAT, GATE, GMAT, GRE, NET JRF, NMAT, XAT)

* These dates are tentative and subject to change. This page will be updated periodically during the admission cycle.
** Shortlisted will be intimated by an email with all details. Interviews will be conducted online or in person as decided by the university.
*** Candidates who have applied to the Part-time PhD programme must provide NOC from their employer.

Shortlisted candidates not having a valid test score from national level tests can appear for the Krea Research Eligibility Test conducted by IFMR GSB for admission to PhD program at IFMR GSB. The test consists of two parts: Part-A and Part-B. Part-A evaluates quantitative aptitude (+2 level mathematics and Statistics including data interpretation) and Part-B assesses the candidate’s writing skills in English (write an essay on a topic relevant to management research). Each part will carry equal weightage and a candidate must secure at least 50 percent marks in Krea Eligibility Test to be eligible for appearing for personal interview (PI). However, final shortlisting of candidates for PI round will depend on the relative performance of the eligible candidates.

IFMR Graduate School of Business (IFMR GSB) offers a PhD degree under the auspices of Krea University.

Krea University has been enacted by the Legislature of the State of Andhra Pradesh as per The Andhra Pradesh Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) (Amendment) Act, 2018 vide the gazette notification published on April 30, 2018 and listed in the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) website.

The PhD program at IFMR GSB, Krea University is 2 years of course work followed by work on dissertation.