

PH-D in Management Sciences at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur


Kanpur Nagar, Uttar Pradesh
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About the Specialization
What is Management Sciences at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur Kanpur Nagar?
This Management Sciences Ph.D. program at IIT Kanpur focuses on rigorous research in various facets of management, including Operations, Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, Information Systems, Business Analytics, and Technology Management. The program is designed to create academicians, researchers, and thought leaders who can address complex business challenges with a strong analytical and empirical foundation, highly relevant to India''''s dynamic industrial landscape.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for candidates holding a Master''''s degree in Engineering, Technology, Management (MBA), or relevant disciplines like Economics, Statistics, and Computer Applications, who possess a strong aptitude for research and a desire to contribute to management theory and practice. It is particularly suited for individuals aspiring to academic careers or research roles in consulting firms and R&D divisions within Indian and multinational corporations.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue rewarding careers as faculty members in premier academic institutions (IITs, IIMs, top universities) in India, or take on senior research and analytics roles in consulting, financial services, e-commerce, and technology sectors. Starting salaries for Ph.D.s in academia or industry can range significantly (e.g., INR 12-25 LPA entry), with strong growth trajectories leading to leadership and thought leadership positions within Indian companies.

Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Methodologies- (Semester 1-2)
Focus intensely on coursework (Managerial Economics, OR, Statistics, Research Methods) to build a strong analytical foundation. Utilize IITK''''s library resources, attend departmental research seminars, and form study groups with peers to clarify concepts. This ensures robust preparation for the comprehensive examination and future research.
Tools & Resources
IITK Central Library, IME Departmental Seminars, Peer Study Groups
Career Connection
A strong methodological foundation is crucial for successful thesis work and enhances credibility in academic or industry research roles.
Identify Research Interests and Faculty- (Semester 1-2)
Actively attend faculty presentations, engage in discussions with potential supervisors, and read extensively in different management areas to narrow down research interests. Early identification helps align with faculty expertise, fostering mentorship crucial for thesis development.
Tools & Resources
Faculty Profiles (IME Website), Research Paper Databases (Scopus, Web of Science), Departmental Workshops
Career Connection
Aligning early with faculty and research areas streamlines thesis progress and opens doors to relevant networks.
Develop Academic Writing Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Begin practicing academic writing by critically reviewing literature and summarizing research papers. Utilize resources like the IITK Writing Centre, if available, or online guides on scholarly writing to prepare for proposal development and thesis submission.
Tools & Resources
IITK Writing Centre (if available), Grammarly, Purdue OWL
Career Connection
Proficiency in academic writing is essential for publications, thesis submission, and academic career progression.
Intermediate Stage
Prepare Rigorously for Comprehensive Exam- (Semesters 3-5)
Dedicate focused effort to prepare for the comprehensive examination, which assesses foundational knowledge acquired through coursework. Collaborate with seniors for guidance, solve past papers if available, and ensure a deep understanding of core and area coursework. Success is pivotal for thesis registration.
Tools & Resources
Course Notes, Textbooks, Senior Peer Mentoring
Career Connection
Passing the comprehensive exam is a critical milestone for continuing in the Ph.D. program and demonstrating research readiness.
Formulate Research Proposal and Collect Data- (Semesters 3-5)
Work closely with the supervisor to develop a compelling research proposal, outlining the problem, methodology, and expected contributions. Start identifying and exploring potential data sources, leveraging IITK''''s computing facilities and available databases for empirical studies relevant to the Indian context.
Tools & Resources
Supervisor Meetings, Statistical Software (R, Python, SPSS, Stata), IITK Data Centers, Industry Contacts
Career Connection
A well-defined proposal and initial data collection are crucial for successful thesis execution and timely completion.
Network and Collaborate- (Semesters 3-5)
Actively participate in departmental seminars, national workshops, and conferences to present preliminary findings and receive feedback. Network with fellow Ph.D. scholars, faculty from other institutions, and industry professionals to broaden perspectives and explore collaborative research opportunities.
Tools & Resources
National/International Conferences (e.g., IIM, IIT conferences), Departmental Colloquia, Research Gate
Career Connection
Networking opens doors to collaborations, post-doctoral opportunities, and visibility in the academic and research community.
Advanced Stage
Focus on Thesis Writing and Publication- (Semesters 6-8)
Prioritize systematic writing of thesis chapters, ensuring clarity, coherence, and rigorous argumentation based on research findings. Aim to publish research in high-impact national and international journals, which significantly enhances career prospects in academia and industry.
Tools & Resources
Academic Journals (e.g., Journal of Operations Management, Journal of Marketing Research), LaTeX/Word Processors, Reference Managers (Mendeley, Zotero)
Career Connection
Publications are critical for academic job applications, promotions, and establishing a strong research profile.
Prepare for Thesis Defense and Job Market- (Semesters 6-8)
Refine the thesis for final submission and prepare thoroughly for the viva-voce examination. Concurrently, start preparing for the academic job market, developing a strong CV, teaching philosophy statement, and practicing job talks, tailored for institutions in India and abroad.
Tools & Resources
Mock Viva Sessions, Career Services (IITK), Academic Job Portals (HigherEdJobs, LinkedIn)
Career Connection
Successful thesis defense and a well-prepared job application package are essential for securing desired positions.
Mentor Junior Scholars- (Semesters 6-8)
Engage in mentoring junior Ph.D. students, offering guidance on coursework, research methods, and program navigation. This practice reinforces one''''s own understanding, builds leadership skills, and contributes positively to the departmental research ecosystem.
Tools & Resources
Departmental Mentorship Programs, Peer-to-Peer Learning Platforms
Career Connection
Mentoring develops leadership and teaching skills, valuable for academic roles and demonstrating community contribution.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Master''''s degree in Engineering/Technology or MBA/M.Com/MS/MA/MCA or equivalent with minimum 60% marks/6.0 CPI (55%/5.5 CPI for SC/ST/PwD). OR B.Tech/B.S. (4-year) in Engineering/Sciences or M.Sc. or equivalent with minimum 65% marks/6.5 CPI (60%/6.0 CPI for SC/ST/PwD). Valid GATE/UGC/CSIR JRF/NET or equivalent qualification is mandatory for most categories.
Duration: Minimum 3 years (for M.Tech/MBA/M.Phil entry) to 4 years (for B.Tech/M.Sc. entry); maximum 7 years for all cases
Credits: Minimum 90 (for M.Tech/MBA entry) to 135 (for B.Tech/M.Sc. entry), including thesis credits. Coursework component is approximately 55 credits (6 courses + 1 seminar). Credits
Assessment: Assessment pattern not specified
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IME601 | Managerial Economics | Core | 9 | Demand and Supply Analysis, Production and Cost Theory, Market Structures and Pricing Strategies, Game Theory and Strategic Decisions, Asymmetric Information, Managerial Decision-making under Uncertainty |
| IME602 | Operations Research | Core | 9 | Linear Programming and Simplex Method, Network Optimization Models, Integer and Non-linear Programming, Queuing Theory and Applications, Inventory Management Models, Simulation Modeling |
| IME603 | Statistical Methods for Management | Core | 9 | Hypothesis Testing and Estimation, Regression Analysis (Linear and Non-linear), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Covariance (ANCOVA), Factor Analysis and Discriminant Analysis, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Non-parametric Methods |
| IME604 | Research Methods | Core | 9 | Research Design and Philosophy, Data Collection and Sampling Techniques, Measurement and Scaling, Quantitative Research Methodologies, Qualitative Research Methodologies, Ethics in Business Research |
| IME691 | Seminar | Core | 1 | Academic Presentation Skills, Literature Review and Synthesis, Current Research Trends in Management, Interdisciplinary Research Approaches, Scholarly Communication, Feedback and Discussion |




