The Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) at XLRI is a full-time, residential doctoral programme offering studies in different fields of management and functional areas. The programme trains prospective scholars to become skilled and innovative researchers and teachers in management. It aims at preparing students for careers as faculty members at premier academic institutions and for positions outside academics requiring advanced research and analytical capabilities.
The FPM offered by XLRI Jamshedpur is recognized as equivalent to the Ph.D. programme of an Indian University by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
The FPM at XLRI is an intense and rigorous full-time study programme that typically takes about four years. Only those who can commit to devoting themselves wholly and sincerely to such a study must apply for this programme. Taking long breaks of more than 1–2 of weeks during the programme, for whatever reasons, is detrimental to serious study, and is strongly discouraged by the institute. Those who are unsure of committing themselves to a full-time study as described above, are advised to refrain from applying to this programme.
The basic eligibility to apply for admission to the FPM is either:
A) a BE / B. Tech. degree or its equivalent with at least 60% marks (50% for SC/ST candidates) obtained after after completing higher secondary education (10+2) or equivalent, and followed by at least 2 years of relevant work experience,
OR
B) a bachelor’s degree / equivalent of minimum three years duration with at least 60% marks (50% for SC/ST candidates) after completing higher secondary education (10+2) or equivalent, and followed by post-graduation (MBA/Master’s degree in any discipline) from a university or a centre of higher learning in India / abroad with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST candidates),
OR
C) an integrated master’s degree of four / five years in any discipline, with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST candidates), obtained after completing higher secondary education (10+2) or equivalent,
OR
D) a professional qualification like CA, ICWA or CS with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST candidates)
Eligible candidates can apply for admission to the FPM through any ONE of the following three routes:
ROUTE 1 (XAT)
ROUTE 2 (a different test)
ROUTE 3 (MBA/PGDM)
Applications obtained through either of the three routes described above will be subject to a merit-based short-listing by XLRI. Shortlisted candidates will be required to travel to and appear for a personal interview at the XLRI campus in Jamshedpur for final selection.
XLRI offers nine areas of specialization:
When applying for admission, the candidate must indicate a primary area and a secondary area of interest.
The FPM typically takes four to five years of study and requires a continuous and committed residential stay in the XLRI campus in Jamshedpur. Doctoral students are required to first do a set of courses that train them in a) the fundamental theories, concepts and applications in management and related fields and b) the necessary skills to conduct academic research, write and publish in top international journals. The coursework can take between 12 to 24 months, depending upon the student’s previous educational background and performance.
The coursework is composed of a set of core and elective courses.
A. A. In the first year, FPM students must do a set of core courses along with the first year PGP (BM / HRM) students. The actual set of courses to be done by a FPM student is decided by the faculty of the student’s area of specialization. The total credits from these courses should be at least 33. An FPM student can register for additional credits (courses) with the first year PGP students if s/he wishes to, for a nominal fee.
Research methods course: In addition to the core courses, all first year FPM students together do the Research Methods (RSM) course. This course is compulsory for all FPM students and is administered by the FPM & Research Office.
B. B. The second year is intended for acquiring in-depth knowledge in the area of one’s specialization and related fields. The student also gets an exposure to the advanced research courses in the second year. The aim of these courses is to train students into the process of scholarly research and induce them in doing a critical review of the research in their area of specialization. The second year courses are divided into four categories:
At the end of the coursework, the FPM student must appear in and pass the Comprehensive Qualifying Examination (CQE) that tests the student’s learning obtained from the coursework and their preparedness for rigorous academic research. The student is given two chances to pass the CQE, failing which s/he will be asked to withdraw from the programme.
The FPM student is expected to complete the programme in about 4 years. The maximum permissible time for the completing the programme completion is 7 years. Students failing to complete the requirements within this time period will be deemed to have withdrawn from the program and their candidature in the programme will be closed.
An FPM scholar is awarded a fellowship of Rs. 45,000/- per month during the 1st and 2nd year, and Rs. 50,000/- per month for the next two years in addition to tuition waiver, to help meet living and other expenses. Fellowship will be paid only to full-time residential students, and for a period of four years. Extension of the financial support beyond four years is considered on a case-by-case basis subject to the academic performance of the concerned scholar.
An FPM scholar is entitled to a contingency grant of Rs. 30,000 per annum for four years.
After successful completion of the CQE, and with prior approval of the FPM chair, the institute provides support for presentations in conferences, up to a total of Rs. 2,50,000.
Fellow students can avail a data collection grant of up to Rs. 50,000 in total during their third and fourth years in the programme.
An FPM scholar is required to serve as a Teaching Assistant (TA) during the programme in accordance with the institute's rules, and gain exposure to management teaching. There is no separate remuneration for this.
FPM scholars are given a full waiver of the hostel accommodation charges on the XLRI Jamshedpur campus, during the four years of tenure in the programme.
The above-mentioned fellowship, grant and hostel charge waivers are subject to the scholar's meeting the academic requirements and discipline of the institute, on a continuous basis, throughout the programme. Any, or all, of these elements may be suspended / permanently terminated by the institute, should the scholar cease to meet the specific requirements.
The student is conferred the title "Fellow in Management" of XLRI on successful completion of all the requirements of the programme.