PhD in Commerce and Management Course: Admission Process 2025, Salary, Entrance Exams, Eligibility

• Updated on  13 Aug, 2025 by Abheet Chawla

A PhD in Commerce and Management in India is a highly competitive but challenging academic course for applicants seeking to go deeper into the research in the fields of commerce, business and management theories. It is a degree that spans 3 to 6 years and is crafted in such a manner that enables individuals to mould the dynamics of the world o

 

commerce and management.

 

The program consists of theoretical ideologies as well as practical applications, equipping researchers with sophisticated research skills and analytical tools to address all business complexities.

 

The applicants seeking a PhD in the subject must possess a master's degree in Commerce or an MBA or M.Phil with 55% aggregate marks from any recognised university. The candidates must appear for aptitude tests such as UGC NET and DET, along with interviews, to assess the research proposal of the candidate. A few universities, such as Pondicherry University, administer their own entrance test.

 

After earning a PhD in Commerce and Management, the career opportunities are wide-ranging and diverse, ranging from academics, corporate management, consultancy, and policy-making. The minimum salary of a PhD scholar in Commerce and Management is 8 LPA.

 

Table of Contents

  1. PhD in Commerce and Management Highlights
  2. Who should pursue a PhD in Commerce and Management?
  3. PhD in Commerce and Management Eligibility Criteria
  4. PhD in Commerce and Management Admission Process
  5. PhD in Commerce and Management Entrance Exams
  6. PhD in Commerce and Management Syllabus
  7. PhD in Commerce and Management Colleges in India
  8. PhD in Commerce and Management VS PhD in Marketing
  9. PhD in Commerce and Management Job Opportunities and Career Scope
  10. PhD in Commerce and Management FAQs

 

PhD in Commerce and Management Highlights

Provided below are some of the basic course highlights for the PhD in Commerce and Management:

Particulars

Details

Course Name

PhD in Commerce and Management

Duration

3- 6 years

Eligibility

Post-graduate with 55% aggregate in MBA, M.Com, or M.Phil. 5% relaxation for ST/ SC/ OBC.

Entrance Examinations

UGC NET, CSIR-NET, GATE

Average Course Fees

INR 50,000 to INR 3,00,000

 

What is a PhD in Commerce and Management?

Doctor of Philosophy in Commerce and Management is a research doctorate programme with a focus on research at a deeper level in areas such as finance, marketing, human resources, international business, and organisational behaviour. The programme is suited for such candidates who would prefer to be associated with academics, research, policy formulation, or high-level consulting.

 

The programme involves intensive coursework followed by independent work culminating in a thesis. It prompts the acquisition of theoretical, analytical, and practical knowledge required in addressing complex business problems as well as contributing to the scholarly and professional area of commerce and management.

 

Why Study a PhD in Commerce and Management?

There are many reasons that you should aim PhD in Commerce Management:

  • Excellent career prospects: Candidates, upon successful completion of their PhD, can seek teaching positions as University professors or researchers, corporate leadership roles in consulting firms, and government agencies.
  • Outstanding research competencies: Focusing on strong research practices, the candidates will provide themselves with the skillset of conducting thorough analysis and creating worthwhile insights. This PhD will address real-world issues and maximise business processes.
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving: The program ensures that the candidate becomes a treasure when it comes to solving vital problems surrounding business and management.
  • Networking opportunities: Pursuing a PhD opens the door to a group of professionals, scholars, and business leaders. Teamwork with fellow students and mentors produces rich contacts.

Also read: PhD Business Management

 

Who should pursue a PhD in Commerce and Management?

Mentioned below are the ideal candidates for pursuing this course:

  • The students aspiring to a career in teaching and higher education at the university level.
  • Applicants with an expressed interest in undertaking original work in fields like finance, marketing, human resource management, or strategic management.
  • Those interested in pursuing evidence-based research that can be used as part of business and economic policy.
  • Professionals who would like to improve their skills and make a contribution to their discipline by conducting superior theoretical and empirical research.
  • Students with an academic orientation and interests in adding to the scholarly literature.
  • Those who are seeking research-oriented jobs in organizations like think tanks, non-governmental organizations or agencies that deal with international financial institutions.
  • Individuals who choose to work in academic institutions in leadership positions include a dean, a director, or a head of a department.
  • Students who are ready to take part in a lasting, intellectually challenging, and academic process.

 

PhD in Commerce and Management Eligibility Criteria

The candidates who are interested in pursuing a PhD in Commerce Management are required to have a postgraduate degree (e.g., MBA, MCom, or M.Phil) in Commerce or a related field with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks from a recognized university and a 5-10% relaxation for SC/ ST and OBCs.

 

PhD in Commerce and Management Admission Process

The admission process in KRM University, Sohna, for PhD in Commerce Management is as follows:-

 

Step 1: Interested applicants can submit their resumes using the PhD application form to be found on the KRM University, Sohna official web site.

 

Step 2: Before filling out the application form, candidates must register online using a valid mobile number and email ID. These will be used to generate a username and password, which are essential for accessing and completing the application process.

 

Step 3:The completed application form must be submitted online along with the prescribed application fee before the application deadline.

 

Step 4: Admission to the KRM University to obtain PhD program will be made by the Final Decision of the Admission Committee of KRM University. It will be done on the basis of earlier academic achievements, corresponding qualifications, and adherence to the rules issued by the UGC.

 

Step 5: With the offers of the prospective admission, the candidate who has been selected is required to release the admission fee to secure and confirm the seat in the program.

 

Step 6: Once the university confirms that the fee is paid, the candidate formally gets enrolled into the university and can be enrolled to the PhD program with the start of the new academic year.

 

Required Documents

  • Class 10 and 12 mark sheets
  • Master’s degree certificate
  • Entrance exam scorecard
  • Proof of date of birth
  • Character certificate
  • Medical certificate
  • Six passport-sized photographs
  • Photocopy of ID proof (e.g., Driving License)
  • Original registration payment receipt
  • Undertaking by parents and students

 

PhD in Commerce and Management Entrance Exams

There are specific entrance exams and qualifications that you require to pursue a PhD in Commerce Management in India:-

Exam

Application Dates

 

(tentative)

Exam Dates

 

(tentative)

Application Fee

Cut off

UGC-NET

April – May, 2026

June, 2026

INR 1,150 (General),

 

INR600 (OBC/EWS),

 

INR 325 (SC/ST/PwD)

Unreserved: 146

 

OBC:132

 

SC:124

 

ST: 122

CSIR-NET

To be announced

To be announced

INR 1,150 (General),

 

INR 600 (OBC-NCL),

 

INR 325 (SC/ST/PwD)

General:99.03

 

EWS: 96.34

 

OBC: 96.63

 

SC: 92.18

 

ST: 89.61

 

PwD:74.53

GATE

Aug – Oct, 2025

Feb 2026

INR 1,800 (General),

 

INR 900 (Female/SC/ST/PwD)

General:31.23

 

OBC:28.1

 

SC/ST: 20.8

 

PhD in Commerce and Management Syllabus

The syllabus for the PhD in Commerce is vast. Top universities for PhD in Commerce and Management cover the following key areas of study:-

Semester 1

Semester 2

Research Methodology

Advanced Research Methodology

Business Environment

Financial Management

Organizational Behavior

-

Semester 3

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Dissertation Proposal Preparation

Electives

Semester 1

Semester 2

Emerging Areas in Marketing

Strategic Management

Emerging Areas in Finance

Consumer Behavior

Emerging Areas in Human Resource Management

Business Ethics

Semester 3

Semester 4-6

Digital Marketing

Focus on dissertation writing and research under the guidance of a supervisor

Corporate Governance

Regular progress reviews and presentations.

Entrepreneurship

-

 

PhD in Commerce and Management Colleges in India

Following are some of the top universities offering a PhD in Commerce and Management in India:-

University

NIRF Ranking

Course Fees

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham

8

INR 2.60 Lacs

Integral University

41

INR 75,000

Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences

68

INR 1.40 Lacs

Manav Rachna University

92

INR 1.80 Lacs

Vidhyadeep University

-

INR 1.40 Lacs

Srinath University

-

INR 3.0 Lacs

Sigma University

-

INR 2.40 Lacs

University Of Technology, Jaipur

-

INR 1.50 Lacs

 

PhD in Commerce and Management VS PhD in Marketing

Mentioned below is the comparison between PhD Commerce and Management and PhD in Marketing:

Aspect

PhD in Commerce and Management

PhD in Marketing

Focus Area

Broad focus on commerce, business, finance, HR, and management topics

Specialized focus on marketing theory, consumer behavior, branding, digital marketing, etc.

Research Areas

Finance, Accounting, Organizational Behavior, HRM, Business Law, Strategy

Consumer Behavior, Digital Marketing, Brand Management, Market Research, Advertising

Career Options

Academia, Consulting, Corporate Leadership, Policy-making, Banking, and Government roles

Academia, Marketing Research, Brand Strategy, Advertising, Digital Marketing roles

Duration

Usually 3–5 years

Usually 3–5 years

Entry Background

Commerce, Management, Finance, Economics, or Business Studies

Marketing, Management, Business, Psychology, or related fields

 

PhD in Commerce and Management Job Opportunities and Career Scope

Completing a PhD in Commerce and Management opens many career opportunities. One can choose from starting an own business to leading a corporation after pursuing this course. Below are some exclusive and lucrative career opportunities for a PhD scholar in Commerce and Management:-

Job Role

Description

Average Salary Range (Approx)

Business Analysts

The work includes gathering information, assessing it, documenting it, and creating reports for business development.

INR 6- 15 LPA

Finance and Management Manager

As a finance manager, one must monitor accounts, prepare reports, investigate current market trends, and develop business development tactics.

INR 10- 22 LPA

Business Development Executive

The role includes identifying sales leads, creating new hypotheses to pitch sales, evaluating data, and preparing reports.

INR 4- 7 LPA

Chief Financial Officer

The position includes managing company activities, handling currencies, managing accounting and treasury concerns, and supervising employees.

INR 30- 40 LPA

 

PhD in Commerce and Management FAQs

Which of the universities require UGC-NET for a PhD?

Calcutta University, Allahabad University, Mahatma Gandhi University, and Jamia Millia Islamia are a few among the best Indian universities that require a UGC NET qualification in order to study PhD.

Which university is ideal for pursuing a PhD in Commerce in India?

Some of the top universities providing this complete program include Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Vidhyadeep University, and Manav Rachna University. The program ensures that the candidates attain their professional goals through superior faculty and infrastructure.

Which PhD is best for Commerce students?

A PhD in Commerce which enables research in fields like accounting, finance, marketing, management and business law is the ideal PhD that is offered in the list of best PhDs that a student of Commerce can get. The program develops the talent and opens doors to academia opportunities, corporate leadership, consultancy, and the government.

Is PhD compulsory for lecturer?

To be a lecturer, a PhD is not necessarily mandatory in most cases, and only a masters degree is necessary with post-graduate qualifications such as NET/SLET to enable him/her to be appointed as permanent lecturer or professor to various universities or colleges but rather a requirement in most cases to show research capabilities and expertise.

What is the scope of PhD in Commerce?

A PhD in Commerce gives wide scope and it has potential careers in university/college teaching, research, and management consulting, financial analysis, entrepreneurship, government policy-making and corporate strategy. This comes with high prospects of leadership as well as academic influence and high paying opportunities in both government and corporate sector.

Is there any scholarship for a PhD in Commerce and Management in India?

Yes, several universities offer scholarships to students pursuing a PhD in Commerce and Management. Some of them are- Integral University, Pondicherry University, and Sigma University.

Exam Accepting

Online|
PG|
IITs and IISc|
Engineering
Exam16 Feb, 2025
Result19 Mar, 2025
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Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)|
Management
Exam30 Nov, 2025
Result19 Dec, 2025
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Xavier Labour Relations Institute|
Management
Exam5 Jan, 2025
Result17 Jan, 2025
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Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies|
Management
Exam5 Nov, 2025 - 23 Dec, 2025
Result5 Nov, 2025 - 24 Dec, 2025
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UG|
Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)|
Management
Exam-
Result
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UG|
Consortium of National Law Universities|
Law
Exam1 Dec, 2024
Result7 Dec, 2024
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PG|
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay)|
Design
Exam19 Jan, 2025
Result5 Mar, 2025
Online/Offline|
UG|
All India Management Association (AIMA)
Exam-
Result
Online/Offline|
PG|
Association of Indian Management Schools|
Management
Exam-
Result1 Mar, 2025
Online|
PG|
Government of Odisha|
Management
Exam-
Result6 Jun, 2025

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