Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), an Autonomous Institute Under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Govt. of India; Nehru Nagar, P.B. No. 357, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh-462003; has invited applications for the Doctoral Programme in Management (DPM) (PhD programme) at the Institute.

The total intake is 20. Areas of specialization offered at IIFM are (i) Communication and Extension Management (ii) Ecosystem and Environment Management (iii) Environment and Developmental Economics (iv) Financial Management (v) Human Resource Management (vi) Information Technology and Quantitative Techniques (vii) Marketing Management (viii) Sociology and Community Development (ix) Strategic Management and (x) Technical Forestry. 

Eligibility: Applicant must not be more than 45 years old as on 1st July 2025. Applicant must hold one of the following (i) Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 60% marks and Master’s degree or Post Graduate Diploma (2-year) obtained after completing a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; or a five-year integrated Master’s degree (after completing higher secondary school/10+2 pattern) in any field with 60% marks or equivalent (ii) BE/B. Tech. Degree or its equivalent with at least 60% marks obtained after completing higher secondary education (10+2) or equivalent and followed by at least 2 years of relevant work experience (iii) Professional qualifications namely CA, ICWA, CS with a minimum of 60% marks with Bachelor degree with minimum of 60% marks.

Those appearing for their final examination in the respective discipline may also apply. Such candidates, if selected, shall be provisionally admitted provided they complete all the eligibility requirements before 30th September 2025. 

Applicants require a standard test score from any one of the acceptable tests depending on the area(s) of specialization they are applying to. They include CAT/ GMAT /GRE/ UGC NET- JRF/NET/ ICAR-SRF (PGS –merit list for award of SRF)/DST Inspire/CSIR NET –JRF/CSIR NET –NET. Table listing the acceptable standard test scores area wise is given in the DPM Information Brochure at https://iifm.ac.in/dpm

CAT score should not be older than 2 years. Scores/Certificates of GMAT/JRF should not be older than 3 years. Online GMAT/GRE (take home) exam scores are not valid. Only test centre based GMAT/GRE scores are valid. IIFM shall decide the required cut-off score for the applicable standard score as mentioned. 

IIFM may add more suitable acceptable examination test scores to benefit the candidates. Candidates shall be screened for the next stage based on the cut-off score. 

Research Aptitude Test (RAT) and Personal Interview: Screened candidates, satisfying the eligibility criteria and acceptable standard score of the test, have to appear for specially designed Research Aptitude Test (RAT) to be held at IIFM Bhopal, from the area of specialisation chosen by them. RAT will be followed by a general interview, which shall be followed by the Faculty Area wise interview, as per the criteria decided by IIFM. 

Based on the combined outcome of the RAT and interviews, selected candidates will be offered admission based on their choice of area. Once selected, a candidate cannot change his/her area of specialization. 

Fellowships: Up to 50% top meritorious scholars admitted will receive a monthly fellowship of Rs. 35,000/- for first and second years of the program. The fellowship amount will be increased to Rs. 40000/- per month, for third to fifth year of the program. Fellowship can only be availed for a maximum period of 5 years. Contingency grant of Rs. 25,000/- per year in years 2 to 5 will be provided, that could be used for books, stationery, computers etc. to support their PhD work. The scholars are expected to provide service as a Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant during various stages of their Doctoral Programme. Institute’s fellowship is not available to those who have secured fellowship through any other source(s). Scholars who have fellowship of any national and/or state level organization/corporate body, at the time of admission or at any future date, will not be eligible for IIFM fellowship.

Application: Application can be submitted online at www.iifm.ac.in/dpm latest by 30.04.2025. 

Application fee of Rs. 1500/- should be paid online.