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DOCTORAL PROGRAM

Ph.D (Full-Time)

Overview:

This program is intended to prepare full-time participants for research and teaching positions both within and outside academia. Our doctoral scholars are expected to be innovative knowledge builders in their respective fields and capable of generating new knowledge and be the great new thinkers for our world. The scholars are expected to develop a deep understanding in the areas of research selected by them. They also get a structured exposure to a range of topics, develop various professional skills, and participate in academic and other activities.

Eligibility:

Candidates need to satisfy the following criteria to be considered eligible for doctoral studies in select schools at XIM University, Bhubaneswar as indicated below. For information about schools please visit the XIM University, Bhubaneswar homepage www.xim.edu.in. Candidates not meeting the eligibility criteria of a particular school need not apply to the school.

PERTAINING TO CANDIDATES HAVING A BACHELOR’S DEGREE AS THE HIGHEST DEGREE:

Candidates seeking admission to a school under XIM University after a minimum of 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree (e.g. B.E / B.Tech / B.Sc-Agriculture & Allied Sciences / B.Arch / B.Plan) should have a minimum CGPA of 7.5/10 or equivalent.

PERTAINING TO CANDIDATES HAVING A MASTER’S OR EQUIVALENT DEGREE:

Candidates seeking admission after a Master’s or an equivalent degree need to meet the school-specific requirements as in the table below

School Necessary Qualification for Doctoral Studies
Xavier Institute of Management
Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with at least 55% of marks in aggregate from a recognized University.
School of Human Resource Management
Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with at least 55% of marks in aggregate from a recognized University.
School of Rural Management
Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with at least 55% of marks in aggregate from a recognized University.
School of Sustainability
Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with at least 55% of marks in aggregate from a recognized University.
School of Human Settlements
For Ph.D-Urban Management and Governance and Ph.D-Planning:
Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with at least 55% of marks in aggregate from a recognized University.
School of Governance and Public Affairs
Master’s degree in Public Administration / Public Policy and Governance studies / Sociology / Psychology / Political Science / Economics / Management Studies with at least 55% of marks in aggregate from a recognized University.
School of Commerce
Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with at least 55% of marks in aggregate from a recognized University.
School of Economics
Master’s degree in Economics / Statistics with at least 55% of marks in aggregate from a recognized University.
School of Communications
Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism / Visual Communication / Communication / Electronic Media / New media / Fine Arts / Advertising and Public Relations / Broadcast Communication / Film Studies / English language and literature, OR a professional Degree in the stream of communication declared equivalent by the corresponding statuary regulatory body with at least 55% of marks in aggregate from a recognized University.
School of Computer Science and engineering
M.Tech / M.E in relevant discipline / MCA / M.Sc / MS in Computer Science or Mathematics or Statistics or equivalent / MBA with B.Tech in the relevant discipline. Minimum requirement is 55% of marks in aggregate in the Master’s level from a recognized University.
Xavier Law School
L.L.M. Degree (regular mode) with at least 55% of marks in aggregate from a recognized

For SC / ST categories a relaxation of 5% will be applicable on all schools tabled above. In case the score is available on a letter-grade system or grade-point system, the University expects a minimum equivalent of prescribed percentage of marks in aggregate as per the awarding University’s norms for conversion to a percentage.

How to Apply:

Applicants have to fill up the online application form separately for the Doctoral program(s) at: www.xim.edu.in. Upon successfully filling out the online application form and paying the application processing fee, the applicant will receive the confirmation by email.

Selection Process:

Candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of their academic records and Statement of Purpose (SoP). The shortlisted candidates will be required to appear for XIM Research Aptitude Test (XRAT), followed by Research Presentation, and Personal Interview, the details of which will be communicated in due course. Details about XRAT is available separately on our website www.xim.edu.in/admission.

 

Candidates who have qualified UGC NET-JRF (Category-1: JRF) will be exempted from XRAT. However, they will take part in the other selection processes as listed above.

 

Candidates qualified in UGC-NET (Category-2: Assistant Professor and Category-3: Admission to Ph.D) may appear for XRAT (Conducted by XIM University) to become eligible for a University Scholarship based on merit. These candidates are required to take part in the other selection processes as listed above.

The coursework for the selected candidates is expected to commence from June/July 2025.

Financial Support:

Recipients of the University scholarship are determined by a merit list generated from the admission results. The deserving ones will be granted the University scholarship (30,000 INR per month) upon joining the program, subject to the information that they are not the recipient of any other financial support from any other sources. The scholarship will be given for a duration of 4 years from doctoral registration.

Those who do not qualify for the University scholarship will receive a full tuition fee waiver.

Duration of the Program:

The doctoral program is for a minimum duration of three (3) years and a maximum duration of six (6) years following doctoral registration. Those who join after a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree will need to go through an initial pre-doctoral coursework that has been prescribed.

Calendar Year Event Point Details
1
June/July

Admission into the Doctoral Program

June/July - May (End)

Doctoral Registration followed by Coursework

Expected: End of 1st Year
Comprehensive Qualifying Examination
2+

Expected 2nd Year & Onwards

Thesis Phase (Includes): 

   - Domain Review Seminar
   - Research Review Seminars (Optional)
   - Draft Proposal Seminar (Optional)
   - Thesis Proposal Seminar
   - Thesis Submission Seminar

Final Year

Comprehensive Qualifying Examination

Calendar Year Event Point Details
1
June/July

Admission into the Doctoral Program

June/July - May (End)

Pre-Doctoral Coursework*

1/2
June/July - May (End)

Doctoral Registration followed by Doctoral Coursework.

Expected: End of Doctoral Coursework

Comprehensive Qualifying Examination

2/3+
Subsequent Years
Thesis Phase (Includes): 
   - Domain Review Seminar
   - Research Review Seminars (Optional)
   - Draft Proposal Seminar (Optional)
   - Thesis Proposal Seminar
   - Thesis Submission Seminar
Final Year

(Expected) Thesis Submission

* Only for those joining after a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree

Doctoral Program Structure:

PRE-DOCTORAL COURSEWORK:

Candidates joining after a minimum of 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree will be required to attend the pre-doctoral coursework that is prescribed by the Research Committee of the school, for an expected duration of one year.

DOCTORAL COURSEWORK:

The purpose of doctoral coursework is to expose PhD students to the basic curriculum of the field of study and a variety of pedagogical approaches followed in academics and teaching. The doctoral coursework spans one year. The credit requirement ranges from 12 to 18 credits, determined by the total number of courses the PhD student completes.

COMPREHENSIVE QUALIFYING EXAMINATION:

The Comprehensive qualifying examination will be conducted after the successful completion of the doctoral coursework. After successful completion of the comprehensive qualifying examination, the student will be allowed to proceed to the Thesis Phase.

THESIS PHASE:

This phase will involve working on the thesis proposal till the final submission of the thesis. The scholar is conferred the title as given below on successful completion of all the requirements of the thesis.

 

School Title of Conferment
Xavier Institute of Management
Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management
School of Human Resource Management
Doctor of Philosophy in Human Resource Management.
School of Rural Management
Doctor of Philosophy in Rural Management
School of Sustainability
Doctor of Philosophy in Sustainability Studies
School of Human Settlements
Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Management and Governance
Doctor of Philosophy in Planning
School of Governance and Public Affairs
Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy
School of Commerce
Doctor of Philosophy in Commerce
School of Economics
Doctor of Philosophy in Economics
School of Communications
Doctor of Philosophy in Communications
School of Computer Science & Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science & Engineering
Xavier Law School
Doctor of Philosophy in Law

Any extension of time beyond the expected completion duration as noted above will be based on the review of the progress status of the scholars in concern. Students failing to comply with the program requirements will be de-registered. A student has to meet all the requirements of the Doctoral Program according to the prescribed standards and no exemption will be granted for any reason whatsoever.

Program Fee:
Name of the Program Fee Details (Figure in INR)
Ph.D Full-Time
Program Fee (To be paid each year)
--
Refundable Deposits (One-Time)
20,000

Accommodation:

The students staying on campus will be provided with accommodation. Except students who are granted University scholarship, all other students will need to pay for the residential expenses as per the prevalent rate. The mess expenses as per actuals will have to be borne by all students themselves.

Ph.D ACTIVITY DATES 2025

SL No. Activity Dates
1.
Last date for On-line Application
February 28, 2025
2.
Conducting XRAT (Research Aptitude Test of XIM University, Bhubaneswar)
April 2025 (Tentatively)
3.
Presentation, and Admission Interviews
April 2025 (Tentatively)
4.
Declaration of Admission Results
May 2025 (Tentatively)
5.
Issuance of admission letter to selected candidates
May 2025 (Tentatively)
6.
Student Admission & Mentorship Program
(Academic Program calendar starts immediately following this)
June/July 2025 (Tentatively)

ABOUT XRAT

XRAT is the Research Aptitude Test conducted by XIM University, Bhubaneswar as a part of the Ph.D admission process. The test is used to assess some basic skills considered essential for researchers, namely writing ability, verbal ability and comprehension, reasoning, and quantitative aptitude. The test consists of the four sections as indicated above. The total marks for the test are 100 and the total time allocated is 3 hours. The questions are a mix of subjective and objective types. Sectional cut-offs for these four sections are decided by the University, and the candidature of applicants who do not meet these cut-offs are summarily rejected.

The test is conducted by XIM University, Bhubaneswar. There is no need to apply separately for XRAT. Guidelines containing details on the examination is available separately on the Ph.D admission page, and can be accessed by visiting our website www.xim.edu.in/admission.

Indicative Areas of Research:

At the time of applying for admission, candidates are required to choose their School. They should also indicate their preferred area of research from the list provided below; this will however be formalized by the end of the doctoral coursework.

Xavier Institute of Management
School of Human Resource Management
School of Rural Management
School of Sustainability
School of Human Settlements

Urban Management and Governance

Planning

School of Governance and Public Affairs
School of Commerce
SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS
School of Communications
School of Computer Science & Engineering
Xavier Law School

Contact US:

All Doctoral Program admission-related queries may be addressed to: