What is FPM: Full Form, Course Duration, Admission 2026, Colleges, Syllabus, Salary & Scope

Updated on Feb 2, 2026 03:39 IST

FPM full form is Fellow Programme in Management, which is a doctoral course that offers studies in many areas of business and management. It is a 3 to 5-year-long program that aims to develop academic researchers and management experts. The FPM course is offered by top IIMS and other colleges.

You can get admission to an FPM course after an MBA or any other relevant master's degree. It is available in many specializations, including Finance, Operations, Human Resources, IT & Systems, Sales & Marketing, Business Economics, Accounting, and more.

You'll find around 80 Business & Management colleges in India providing the Fellowship Programme in Management. If interested, you can continue reading the article for more details on the FPM course in India.

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FPM Course Details: Highlights

FPM is also a prestigious, PhD-level program, similar to a doctorate degree. It also requires extensive research and a thesis. You can refer to the following table, highlighting key points of an FPM course in India.

Particulars
Course Details
FPM Course Level
Doctorate
FPM Course Eligibility Criteria
A master's degree from a UGC-approved university.
FPM Admission Criteria Entrance Exam-based
FPM Entrance Exams
GATE, CAT, UGC NET, XAT, GMAT, CSIR NET, MAT, CMAT, etc.
FPM Course Fees
INR 40,000 - INR 10 Lakh
Top FPM Colleges in India
IIM Lucknow, IIM Mumbai, XLRI Jamshedpur, IIM Indore, MDI Gurgaon, SP Jain Mumbai, IIM Raipur, etc. 
Average FPM Salary in India
INR 5.9 LPA
FPM Job Profiles
Assistant Professor, Management Executive, Relationship Manager, Financial Management Advisor, etc.
FPM Top Recruiters
HDFC Bank, HCL, Greytip Software, Britannia Industries, Reliance Brands Limited, AIM Technical and Management Services Pvt. Ltd.

Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.

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Q:   What is FPM course all about?
A:

FPM Course refers to a dual-degree program that combines a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD) or a Fellow Program in Management (FPM). It offers both practical business knowledge and research-oriented academic rigour. 

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Fellowship Programme in Management

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Q:   What is the full form of FPM?
A:

FPM full form is Fellow Programme in Management. It is a PhD-level course that prepares you to become a researcher or educator in the management field. It aims to make you capable of making significant contributions to management and influencing positive change in the Business world. 

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Fellowship Programme in Management

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Table of contents
  • FPM Course Eligibility Criteria and Admission Process 2026
  • Top FPM Entrance Exams 2026
  • FPM Course Syllabus
  • Best FPM Colleges in India
  • Popular Private FPM (Fellowship Programme in Management) Colleges in India
  • FPM Salary: Career Scope, Job Profiles & Top Recruiters
  • FAQs on FPM Course
  • Popular FPM (Fellowship Programme in Management) Specializations
View More

FPM Course Eligibility Criteria and Admission Process 2026

Admission to an FPM course requires you to fulfill the eligibility requirements of the college. These conditions can differ based on the college. For your reference, here are some basic FPM course eligibility requirements.

Eligibility Criteria
Details
Academic Qualification
  • A master's degree in a relevant discipline from a UGC-approved university with at least 60% marks.
  • OR, A bachelor's degree with a CA/ ICWA/ CS qualification.
  • OR, A BE/ BTech degree with a minimum of 2years work experience.
Entrance Exams
  • GATE, CAT, UGC NET, XAT, GMAT, CSIR NET, MAT, CMAT, etc., score.
Age Limit
  • No age limit.

Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.

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FPM Course Admission Process 2026

The admission process for the Fellowship Programme in Management (FPM) in India can differ based on the college. See the details on the FPM admission process in India below.

Steps Details
Fulfillment of Eligibility Criteria The first step is the fulfillment of the eligibility criteria given by the college.
Application Process Next, fill out the application form of the college/exam body. This may be done online or on paper, and pay the required application fees.
Entrance Exams If the course requires an entrance exam, appear for the exam and wait for the result. Some institutes, like IIMs and MDI, offer exemptions to PGP/MBA alumni from IIMs or other top-tier business schools.
Selection Process Shortlisted candidates are called for a PI round, which may include a presentation of the research proposal, a presentation (for JRF holders), or a Written Ability Test (WAT) /Research Aptitude Test (RAT). 

Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.

 

Q:   What is the eligibility criteria for FPM?
A:

Candidates can see the eligibility criteria for FPM below

  • For FPM, the candidate must have a Master's degree or its equivalent in any discipline with at least 55 per cent marks in aggregate (50 per cent for SC/ST candidates).
  • In Graduation or equivalent, the candidate must have obtained at leeast 60 per cent marks in aggregate (55 per cent for SC/ST candidates).
  • Candidates with five/four-year Integrated Master's degree programmes in any discipline, with at least 55 per cent marks in aggregate (50 per cent for SC/ST candidates), obtained after completing higher secondary schooling (Class 12) or equivalent can also apply for FPM.
  • Candidates with a BE/BTech degree or its equivalent with at least 60 per cent marks in aggregate (50 per cent for SC/ST candidates) with two years of relevant work experience are also eligible to apply.
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Q:   What is eligibility for FPM at IIM?
A:

The eligibility requirements for FPM course at IIMs are

  • Have a PG degree or a PG Diploma in any field with at least 55% marks. 
  • While not mandatory, most IIMs prefer students with relevant work experience.
  • Have a score in a test such as CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, and more.

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Fellowship Programme in Management

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Top FPM Entrance Exams 2026

Admission to the FPM in India is based mainly on the entrance exam system. Some colleges accept national or state-level exam scores, others conduct their university-level tests. You can refer to the following table, highlighting some top Business & Management Studies Entrance Exams in Indiaconducted for FPM admission.

Entrance  Exams
Exam Schedule
CAT 2026
MAT 2026
CMAT 2026
XAT 2026
GATE 2026
UGC NET 2026
CSIR NET 2026

Note - The information is taken from the official website of the exam.

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Important Exam Dates

DatesUpcoming Exam Dates
20 May ' 26

TANCET final answer key release

19 May ' 26 - 21 May ' 26

MAH MBA CET 2026 Answer Key Download (Second Attempt)

ONGOING
28 Jan ' 26 - 26 May ' 26

NPAT 2026 Registration

ONGOING
10 Feb ' 26 - 31 May ' 26

NPAT 2026 Exam Dates

ONGOING
11 May ' 26 - 31 May ' 26

CUET UG 2026 Exam

ONGOING
23 May ' 26

Karnataka PGCET exam date (ME/MTech)

May ' 26

Release of TANCET provisional answer key

TENTATIVE
DatesPast Exam Dates
12 May ' 26

Publication of TANCET answer key

11 May ' 26

IPMAT Answer Key And Response Sheet 2026

11 May ' 26 - 12 May ' 26

IPMAT 2026 Objection Window

Q:   What is sectional cutoff in CAT exam?
A:

Sectional cut-off in the CAT exam refers to the section-wise percentiles required by the candidate to make it to the Personal Interview round of the IIMs or other top MBA colleges. The sectional cut-offs are lower than the overall cut-offs of any institute. To understand better, check the table below for sectional CAT cut-offs for IIM Ahmedabad:

Category

VARC percentile

DILR percentile

QA percentile

Overall percentile

General

70

70

70

80

NC-OBC-Transgender

65

65

65

75

SC

60

60

60

70

ST

50

50

50

60

PwD (General, NC-OBC-cum-transgender, SC)

60

60

60

70

PwD (ST)

50

50

50

60

For sectional cut-offs of all IIMs, check this article – IIM shortlist and selection criteria

Q:   Is CMAT easier than CAT?
A:

Yes, CMAT is much easier that CAT exam. Despite the fact that CMAT and CAT syllabus are same and that CMAT has two more sections than CAT the former is much easier than the latter. The CAT exam is usually of moderate to high difficulty level, whereas the CMAT exam is of easy to moderate difficulty level.

There are key differences between CMAT and CAT which make the former easier. There is no sectional time limit in CMAT so candidates do not face the pressure of completing a given section within certain time limit. In CAT there are 4-5 Reading Comprehension passages which are 500-600 words, and 12-14 question.

In CMAT there is usually, only one Reading Comprehension passage, having 4 questions. The Quantitative Aptitude questions of CMAT are also easier than CAT and so are Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation questions. It is easier to score high percentile in CMAT as the number of applicants is more than one Lacs less in CAT.

FPM Course Syllabus

The syllabus for an FPM course can be different for each specialization following the specific area of research and study. You can refer to the table given below to get an overview of the syllabus of FPM courses.

FPM Course Subjects Semester I
Research Methodology
Financial Cost and Accounting
Economic Development
-
FPM Course Subjects Semester II
Strategy in Financial Management
Security Analysis
Economics: Theory, Policies, and Applications
-
FPM Course Subjects Semester III
Financial Econometrics
Written Analysis and Cost Accounting
Public Expenditure and Financial Administration
-
FPM Course Subjects Semester IV
Financial Markets, Governance, and Institutes
Micro Finance
Fixed Income Securities
-
FPM Course Subjects Semester V
Corporate Restructuring
Advance Corporate Finance
FPM Course Subjects Semester VI
Data Collection and Dissemination
Fixed Income Securities

Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.

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Q:   What is the syllabus of FPM course?
A:

The Syllabus for a Fellowship Program in Management (FPM) varies by institution to institution. The programme structure is designed to develop academic researchers and thought leaders of the highest global standards who are keen to address real-life business problems through their research. The Common Subjects includes:

  • Marketing Management
  • Operations Management
  • Organizational Behaviour & Human Resource Management
  • Financial Management
  • Business Analytics
  • Economic Environment and Policy
  • Information Technology Management
  • Strategy
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • Business Communication 
Q:   Is the CAT syllabus difficult?
A:

Yes CAT syllabus is difficult to crack if you do not have enough time. There are three subjects in CAT- VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. Most of candidates find RC passages tough to crack. In Quants, Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry pose significant challenge during preparation. In DILR, Reasoning questions often turnout to be tricky and confusion. 

Best FPM Colleges in India

Around 78 Business and Management colleges in India provide admission to the FPM courses. These colleges include both government and private bodies. You can refer to the following table for some top colleges for full-time FPM courses.

Best Government FPM Colleges in India

There are only around 10 FPM government colleges in India providing a full-time course. You can find some top options among them, with fees and other details.

Best Government Colleges Course Fees
Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India INR 2.08 Lakh
IIM Raipur INR 5.53 Lakh
IIM Indore INR 9.8 Lakh

Note - The information is taken from the official website of the exam.

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Best Private FPM Colleges in India

In India, many private institutions offer high-quality programs in FPM or related fields. You can check some of the top private colleges known for their management programs in the table below.

Best Private Colleges Course Fees
Goa Institute of Management INR 40,000
Rajagiri Business School INR 50,000
MDI Gurgaon INR 1.34 Lakh
FORE School of Management INR 3.1 Lakh
Birla Institute of Management Technology INR 3.2 Lakh
Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management INR 4.4 Lakh
IMI Delhi INR 4.5 Lakh
Jagan Institute of Management Studies, Rohini INR 4.85 Lakh
IMI Bhubaneswar INR 6 Lakh
XLRI Xavier School of Management INR 7.5 Lakh

Note - The information is taken from the official website of the exam.

 

11 Courses
1.32 L - 35 L
20.05 - 34.59 LPA
22 Courses
4.5 L - 26.5 L
32.61 - 33.1 LPA
4 K - 66 K
3.5

#1 NIRF

7.95 L - 13.39 L
4.2

#1 NIRF

Business & Management Studies Applications open. Apply Now

20 K
16 LPA

#1 NIRF

7.6 L - 28 L
24.76 - 27.5 LPA
Q:   What is FPM programme at MICA?
A:

Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) is a two-year residential course offered by MICA Ahmedabad. There are a total of eight seats are available for eligible students. Candidates can pursue FPM in following specialisations:

  • Management
  • Communication
  • Marketing
  • Media and Entertainment
  • Digital Marketing

The selection to this course is based on the following three parameters:

  1. Telephonic screening interview and Performance in FPM Admission Test
  2. Pas academic performance from Class 12 onwards
  3. Professional work/research experience in media and communication
Q:   What is the fees for FPM course at IIM Lucknow?
A:

There are multiple components included in the total course fee such as tuition fee, caution deposit, etc. The total tuition fee for IIM Lucknow FPM & EFPM course range between INR 5 Lacs and INR 7.5 lakh. This fee is taken from an unofficial source. Hence, is indicative.

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Fellowship Programme in Management

Popular Private FPM (Fellowship Programme in Management) Colleges in India

60 K - 4.5 L
15 LPA

Business & Management Studies Applications open. Apply Now

12.05 L
4.1

Business & Management Studies Applications open. Apply Now

2.1 L

Business & Management Studies Applications open. Apply Now

9 Courses
3.5 L - 8 L
3.8

Business & Management Studies Applications open. Apply Now

5.9 K - 7.6 L
4.5
5.73 L - 20.66 L
3.7

Business & Management Studies Applications open. Apply Now

FPM Salary: Career Scope, Job Profiles & Top Recruiters

FPM is a course sought by candidates planning to make a career in the finance sector of finance. Managing finances is a skill that will help candidates keep an account of their expenses, which allow to calculate a budget easily.

FPM Average Salary in India

Candidates can grab job opportunities in both the government and private sectors for FPM courses. A few popular job profiles available for FPM are as follows.

Job Profiles
Job Description
Average Salary
Management Executive
Management executives are leaders within a company who design and implement systems for management improvement.
INR 4.3 LPA
Relationship Manager
A relationship manager builds and maintains relationships with clients or customers for a company.
INR 4.9 LPA
Management Representative
A management representative is a professional who supervises on behalf of senior management. They may also be called a quality manager. 
INR 5 LPA

Note - The salary is taken from Ambitionbox.com

Suggested FPM Career Topics -

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Difference Between Scholarship and Fellowship

PhD Scope: Salary, Job Roles, Career after PhD

Career Opportunities after Pursuing a PhD

Top FPM Recruiters

In FPM in India, several top recruiters hire professionals for various roles in finance, accounting, investment, and related fields. Some of the top recruiters across different sectors are here. Take a look

Fellow Programme in Management Top Recruiters
HDFC Bank
HCL
Greytip Software
Britannia Industries
Reliance Brands Limited
AIM Technical and Management Services Pvt. Ltd.

Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.

 

Q:   Can I do FPM after MBA?
A:

You can pursue FPM after your MBA. Many students choose to pursue doctoral studies like FPM after gaining some practical experience and obtaining an MBA for several reasons.

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Fellowship Programme in Management

Q:   Is FPM better than an MBA?
A:

FPM is a doctoral-level programme that emphasizes theoretical frameworks and advanced research methodologies and contributes to the generation of new knowledge in the field of management.

Whereas MBA programs are more practical and application-oriented and cover a wide range of business disciplines such as finance, marketing, operations, strategy, and leadership. MBA graduates are prepared for managerial roles in various industries, emphasizing problem-solving, decision-making, and leadership skills required in the corporate world.

Candidates can check the table below to see the comparison between the two.

Details

FPM

MBA

Course Level

Doctorate

PG

Course Duration

3 years

2 years

Course Fee

INR 40,000 - INR 7.87 L

INR 2 Lacs - INR 27 Lacs and above

Admission Criteria

Merit-Based/Entrance-Based

Entrance Exam + Group Discussion + Personal Interview

Entrance Exams

CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT and ATMA

CAT, CMAT, XAT, MAH MBA CET, etc.

Popular Colleges

IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, XLRI Xavier School of Management, etc.

IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, Indore, IIM Kozhikode, etc. 

Job Profiles

Management Executive, Relationship Manager, Financial Management Advisor, etc.

Finance Manager, Marketing Manager, Sales Manager, Human Resources Manager, etc.

Average Salary

INR 2.4 LPA - INR 13.8 LPA

INR 5 LPA - INR 25 LPA

Top Recruiters

HDFC Bank, HCL, Greytip Software, Britannia Industries, Reliance Brands Limited, AIM Technical and Management Services Pvt. Ltd.

Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey, Bain & Co, Morgan Stanley, Citibank, JP Morgan Chase, Amazon, Facebook, Google, Adobe, etc.

Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.

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Fellowship Programme in Management

FAQs on FPM Course

Here are some important questions related to FPM Course in India.

Q:   Is FPM equivalent to Ph.D?
A:

An FPM is equivalent to a PhD in Management

FPM programs offered by various business schools and management institutes are essentially doctoral-level programs that confer a PhD degree upon completion.

Q:   What is the difference between PGDM and FPM?
A:

PGDM is suitable for those seeking practical management skills for corporate careers. FPM on the other hand is ideal for those interested in in-depth research, academia, and scholarly contributions to the field of Business Management.

See the table below for the comparison

Details

FPM

PGDM

Course Level

Doctorate

PG

Course Duration

3 years

2 years

Course Fee

INR 40,000 - INR 7.87 L

INR 3 Lacs to INR 15 lakh

Admission Criteria

Merit-Based/Entrance-Based

MBA Entrance Examination and Group Discussion and/or Personal Interview

Entrance Exams

CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT and ATMA

CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, SNAP etc.

Job Profiles

Management Executive, Relationship Manager, Financial Management Advisor, etc.

HR Recruiters, Sales Manager, Public Relations Manager, Research Analyst etc.

Average Salary

INR 2.4 LPA - INR 13.8 LPA

INR 5 LPA to INR 15 LPA

Top Recruiters

HDFC Bank, HCL, Greytip Software, Britannia Industries, Reliance Brands Limited, AIM Technical and Management Services Pvt. Ltd.

HDFC Bank, Dell, Myntra, Amazon, Lifestyle etc.

Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.

Know more about -

Fellowship Programme in Management

Q:   What is the FPM course of IIM Lucknow?
A:

Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow offer Fellow Programme in Management (FPM). It is a full-time residential programme to be completed in four years and six months. Candidates wanting to pursue this course must meet the minimum eligibility requirements. Moreover, the selection is done based on merit in CAT/GATE/GRE/GMAT or JRF/SRF (UGC/CSIR/ICAR) followed by a personal interview round. 

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Fellowship Programme in Management

Q:   Is FPM a good course?
A:

Pursuing an FPM can be an excellent choice with a passion for research, academia, and in-depth exploration of management theories. 

Why FPM can be a valuable course -

  • Research Focus
  • Academic Rigour
  • Career in Academia
  • Specialized Knowledge

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Fellowship Programme in Management

Q:   What is the eligibility for FPM at FORE School of Management?
A:

Candidates need to pass a master’s degree or its equivalent in Engineering and Technology/ Management/ Economics/ Social of Science/ Biological Science/ Pure Science/ Commerce/ Humanities with first-class score to apply for FORE School of Management FPM programme. 

Those appearing for their final examination in their respective discipline can also apply. Such students, if shortlisted, shall be provisionally admitted, provided they fulfill all requirements in obtaining their master’s degree before September of the admission year.

Q:   What is the latest cutoff information for FPM at MICA?
A:

Minimum cut off for 2026 FPM ( fellow problem in management)at MICA is 55%, candidate are eligible after completing (10+2) three-year course. MICA Ahmedabad offers admission on the basis of entrance test. Like GMAT/ XAT, CAT, MICAT  Application fee for FPM-C is INR 2,500.

Popular FPM (Fellowship Programme in Management) Specializations

Following are the most popular FPM (Fellowship Programme in Management) Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

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Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered a week ago

Check below the eligibility for taking admission in FPM at Ramaiah Institute of Management:

Master's Degree or equivalent in Engineering and Technology/ Management/ Economics/ Social Sciences/ commerce with First class (60%) Shall Considered for admission to Fellow Program and relaxation of 5% for OB

...Read more

R

Raj Priya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) recognizes the FPM as equivalent to the PhD programme (of a recognised University in India). So, yes FPM at Ramaiah Institute of Management is equivalent to PhD.

R

Raj Priya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

 Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida provides monthly stipend to full-time FPM scholars. Students with JRF/ CAT percentile of 85 and above get INR 40,000 in first and second year. They get INR 45,000 in third and fourth  year.

Students with institutional fellowship/ month-others get INR 30,000 as

...Read more

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered 3 weeks ago

Candidates must pass PG degree of a university or equivalent with first class in Engineering & Technology, Management, Economics, Social Science, Commerce can apply for FPM programme at Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida. Those appearing for their final year examination can also apply.

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered a month ago

Aspirants have to pay a non-refundable application fees to apply for FPM at ISB Hyderabad. Candidates need to pay INR 5,000 to apply for this courses. Aspirants can pay the fees via any of the online payment modes.

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered a month ago

ISB Hyderabad provides financial aid to students in the form of scholarship. All FPM students are offered tuition fee waiver. Students also get help in living expenses in the form of monthly scholarship of INR 65,000 per month. In case of on-campus accommodation, students get additional stipend of I

...Read more

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered 2 months ago

Ramaiah Institute of Management accepts entarnces exams such as CAT conducted by IIMs/GATE/GRE/GMAT/UGC-NET or JRF/CSIR or NET-UGC, JRF-UGC/CSIR or SET scores of up to last three years. College considers valid score of any of these exams for FPM course.

R

Raj Priya

Contributor-Level 10