IIM Calcutta PhD in Public Policy and Management

To apply for the program, you must have:

• A Master’s degree in Management, Economics, Public Administration, Sociology, Engineering, Political Science, or related fields
• At least 55% marks
• Valid scores in CAT, GRE, GMAT, or UGC-NET
• Strong interest in policy research, governance, and data analysis
• Good writing and analytical skills
• Research or work experience (preferred but not mandatory)

This PhD is a full-time residential program.
If you are already working in the public or private sector, leaving your job may be difficult. In that case, an Online DBA is a much better alternative because it lets you grow academically without interrupting your career. 

IIM Calcutta is one of the top Indian institutes that offers all the facilities to facilitate the smooth education service to all students enrolled in the programs. They offer many scholarships to the students by various corporates Aditya Birla Group, T. Thomas Scholarship,  OP Jindal Engineering & Management Scholarship,  Ratan Tata Trust, and many more. The students get many options for scholarships and other education aids. 

The PhD in Public Policy and Management at IIM Calcutta includes a mix of foundational courses, advanced electives, and research-based learning.

In the first 1–2 years, students complete coursework and research training.
After that, they work on field research, attend seminars, publish papers, and write their dissertation.

In the Online DBA, the subjects are similar but the approach is practical.
You will work on real organizational problems such as:

• Improving governance processes
• Designing social impact projects
• Managing public-sector teams
• Using data to improve policy decisions
• Planning sustainable development programs
• Strengthening CSR strategies
• Handling real organizational challenges

This makes the DBA more useful for working professionals who want to grow into leadership roles while applying their learning immediately.

For Online examination conduction, the University has collaborated with Mercer. This is a global portal for online examinations that helps in remote proctoring. They have more than 2,000 proctors that anchor large-scale examination processes and ensure cheating-proof conduction of examinations. They have maintained the robustness of all the assessment processes and maintained high standards and a highly high-prestigious image even for online mode of courses. 

A PhD in Public Policy prepares graduates mostly for research and academic careers.
Here are some popular roles:

These roles are great but mostly research-heavy.

Many professionals today prefer a DBA because it opens doors to higher-paying leadership roles such as:

• CSR Director
• Program Head
• Policy Consultant
• Governance Advisor
• Senior Manager (NGO / Development Sector)
• Strategy and Operations Lead
• Public Affairs Specialist
• Director of Social Impact

These positions often offer ₹25–50 LPA or even more, especially in large organizations, consulting firms, and international development agencies.

Why the Online DBA Is Becoming More Popular Than the PhD

Here are the biggest advantages of choosing an Online DBA:

Flexible Learning

Study without quitting your job.
Attend online or weekend classes from anywhere.

Practical Research

Your projects focus on solving organizational and real-world social problems—not on academic theories.

Career Acceleration

Move into senior leadership positions faster.

Globally Recognized Degree

Accredited Online DBA programs are accepted internationally.

Direct Workplace Application

You can use your DBA research to improve processes, lead teams, and make strategic decisions at your workplace.

Perfect for Mid-career Professionals

Ideal for managers, NGO leaders, policy consultants, and public-sector professionals who want a doctorate that fits into their busy life. A PhD prepares you for academic excellence.
A DBA prepares you for leadership excellence.