IIFT PhD Economics 2025. Complete Details
About Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), a premier institution of higher learning, invites applications for its Ph.D. (Economics) Programme for the academic year 2025. IIFT is known for its high academic standards and specialized focus on international trade, economics, and related disciplines, offering comprehensive doctoral research opportunities to both domestic and overseas scholars.
Program Offered
- Ph.D. (Economics) – Full-Time and Part-Time
- Available at:
- Delhi Campus
- Kolkata Campus
Maximum intake for 2025:
- Delhi Campus: 12 seats
- Kolkata Campus: 10 seats
Reservations applicable as per Government of India rules.
Objectives of the Ph.D. Programme
- Encourage advanced research and in-depth analysis in chosen fields of economics.
- Develop independent application of research methodologies and creation of new knowledge.
- Foster critical analysis, scientific inquiry, and effective dissemination of research results.
Duration and Process
- Minimum: 3 years (including course work)
- Maximum: 6 years (extendable up to 8 years through re-registration; for women and PwD candidates, maximum duration is 10 years)
- First-year mandatory course work (two semesters)
- 160 total credit hours (including 16 credit hours of coursework and 2 credit hours for Research and Publication Ethics)
- Continuous research progress presentations to Doctoral Advisory Committee (DAC) twice a year
- Thesis submission allowed after minimum 2 years from synopsis confirmation
Eligibility
For Indian Scholars
Master’s Degree in Economics:
- 1-year/2-semester master’s after 4-year bachelor’s, or 2-year master’s after 3-year bachelor’s.
- Minimum 55% marks or equivalent grade.
- 5% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/EWS/PwD candidates.
Direct Entry after 4-year Bachelor’s with Economics major:
- Minimum 75% marks or equivalent grade.
- 5% relaxation for reserved categories.
M.Phil. Degree Holders:
- Minimum 55% marks or equivalent grade (5% relaxation for reserved categories).
Final Year Candidates:
- Can apply provisionally, subject to meeting minimum eligibility before December 15, 2025.
For Overseas Scholars
- Master’s/M.Phil. degree in any discipline from a recognized university with at least 55% marks or equivalent CGPA.
- Proficiency in spoken and written English.
- No scholarship or residential/hostel facilities provided for overseas scholars.
Age Limit: No age limit.
Admission Process
- No separate entrance test; selection based on UGC NET scores in Economics only.
- Eligible candidates:
- UGC JRF qualified in June 2023 or December 2023.
- UGC NET/JRF qualified in June 2024 or December 2024 under any of these categories:
- Category 1: Ph.D. admission with JRF and eligibility for Assistant Professor.
- Category 2: Ph.D. admission without JRF and eligibility for Assistant Professor.
- Category 3: Ph.D. admission only.
Selection Procedure
- Shortlisting based on seat availability.
- Final selection:
- 70% weightage: UGC NET score
- 30% weightage: Interview performance
Fee Structure
Indian Scholars
- Full-Time Ph.D. Scholars: No program fee; only refundable Library Security Deposit of ₹5,000.
- Part-Time Ph.D. Scholars:
| Installment | Fee |
|---|---|
| At joining (1st Installment) | ₹2,00,000 |
| January 2026 (2nd Installment) | ₹67,500 |
| January 2027 (3rd Installment) | ₹67,500 |
| January 2028 (4th Installment) | ₹67,500 |
| January 2029 (5th Installment) | ₹67,500 |
| Student Activities Fee (at joining for 3 years) | ₹15,000 |
| Alumni Fee (at joining) | ₹10,000 |
| Library Deposit (Refundable, at joining) | ₹5,000 |
| Examination Fee (by June 2029 or thesis submission) | ₹35,000 |
50% relaxation on Program Fee & Examination Fee for SC/ST/PwD candidates (except Library, Alumni, and Student Activities fees)
Overseas Scholars
- Total Programme Fee: US$ 10,000 (US$ 2,000 per year)
Important Dates
| Last date for application submission | 27th June 2025 |
| Declaration of exam results | Last week of June 2025 |
| Personal Interview (offline) | 3rd week of July 2025 |
| Final results declaration | Last week of July 2025 |
| Programme commencement | Mid-August 2025 |
How to Apply
- Submit online application at: www.iift.ac.in
- Application Fee:
- General: ₹2,500
- SC/ST/PwD: ₹1,250
- NRI/Foreign Nationals: US$120 / ₹8,500
- Online payment required at the time of application submission.
Documents to Upload:
- Statement of Purpose (4-5 pages)
- Certificates and mark-sheets of all qualifications
- One letter of recommendation (format provided in application)
- Example of scholarly/professional writing (optional)
- Category certificate for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD candidates
Contact Details
Admissions Cell (Delhi Campus)
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
B-21, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi – 110016
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +91-11-39147213 (Direct), +91-11-39147200-205 (Extn. 621)
For Academic Queries (Kolkata Campus)
Prof. Bibek Ray Chaudhuri, Head-Economics Division
1583, Madhurdaha, Chowbagha Road, Ward No. 108, Borough XII, Kolkata – 7000107
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +91-11-39147200-205 (Extn. 415)
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