As one of the oldest research and training institutes in Economics in the country, research in the socio-economic dimensions of the Indian society is one of the primary activities of the Institute. In tune with the institutional vision and mission, the Institute offers a research programme leading to the Ph. D degree in Economics, Population Studies, Agricultural Economics, Law & Economics, Public Policy, Sociology and Sustainable Development. The Ph. D programme is applied in nature and students are encouraged to choose research topics that have relevance to the socio-economic problems of the present day society.

Admission to the Ph. D. programme is granted through an All India Entrance Examination, comprising written test and interview. Students admitted to the Ph.D. programme are required to undertake coursework for one semester which will be treated as pre-Ph.D. preparation.

The Ph. D. programme at the Institute is highly coveted and alumni of the Institute are leading academics and experts with the government/corporate sector, and international organizations.