N.S. Ramaswamy Pre-doctoral Fellowship welcomes 12 fellows in the 8th cohort at IIMB
From past learning to future research, fellows are rethinking their path at NSR Pre-doc
9 July, 2025: In the eighth incoming batch, twelve students – ten women and two men were welcomed as part of the N.S. Ramaswamy Pre-doctoral Fellowship (NSR Pre-doc) programme at IIMB on 9 July 2025. Since its inception in 2018, the programme has seen 64 fellows graduate, of whom 51 have enrolled in PhD programmes at institutions worldwide. The programme is named after Prof. N.S. Ramaswamy, the first Director and one of the founding figures of IIM Bangalore, whose legacy of academic excellence and inclusivity continues to shape its values.
The 2025-26 batch of the NSR Pre-doctoral Fellowship comprises 12 students working across eight areas of specialization.
The twelve NSR Pre-doc Fellows will pursue their studies in areas such as Decision Sciences, OB&HRM, Economics, Information Systems, Finance & Accounting, Public Policy, Strategy, and Marketing.
Welcome Address
The welcome address was delivered by Prof. Anil B Suraj, Chairperson of the NSR Pre-doc Fellowship. He emphasized that the programme’s core objective is to prepare motivated individuals for doctoral studies in management. Describing the NSR Pre-doc as a mentor-driven, one-year apprenticeship-style fellowship, Prof. Suraj underlined its commitment to increasing social diversity in Indian management academia.
He also marked a milestone moment by sharing the achievement of Muhammed Sadiq T, a fellow from the 2018–19 batch, who recently defended his doctoral thesis at IIT Madras and will soon be awarded his PhD. He is the first NSR Pre-doc alumnus to complete a doctoral degree, making this a proud milestone for IIMB’s fully funded research initiative.
Key Speakers
IIMB Director Prof. Rishikesha T Krishnan, in his keynote address, encouraged the fellows to make the most of their time at IIMB by exploring their academic interests, engaging in campus events, and using the institute's research resources like the library.
He also highlighted the importance of building strong networks with mentors, faculty, and PhD students and urged the cohort to plan their journey thoughtfully, drawing inspiration from previous fellows who have successfully pursued doctoral studies.
He reminded the fellows to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity, urging them to produce original research papers and represent both their families and the institution with pride, especially at a time when India faces serious concerns around plagiarism.
Prof. Mukta Kulkarni, Dean of Programmes, emphasized the importance of cultivating curiosity as a core research trait. “Research is all about idea generation. Look beyond your courses, in conversations, in daily life, and remain curious. That’s the truest indicator of success in academia,” she said.
Prof. Reshma Chirayil Chandrasekharan, from the Decision Sciences area and IIMB Young Faculty Research Chair, urged fellows to invest in building networks during their time at IIMB. “Engage with mentors, PhD scholars, and peers. These connections are not only supportive but often pivotal to shaping your academic journey,” she advised.
The event also featured the release of the NSR Pre-doctoral Fellowship Manual of Policies and Procedures, a compact guidebook outlining the programme's academic structure, expectations, and support resources.
One of the incoming fellows reflected on the early impact of the programme, saying, “Building on what I’ve learned during my bachelor’s and master’s, the NSR Pre-doc is already making me rethink and focus my perspectives. It’s helping me approach research with greater clarity and purpose.”
Click here for photo gallery
N.S. Ramaswamy Pre-doctoral Fellowship welcomes 12 fellows in the 8th cohort at IIMB
From past learning to future research, fellows are rethinking their path at NSR Pre-doc
9 July, 2025: In the eighth incoming batch, twelve students – ten women and two men were welcomed as part of the N.S. Ramaswamy Pre-doctoral Fellowship (NSR Pre-doc) programme at IIMB on 9 July 2025. Since its inception in 2018, the programme has seen 64 fellows graduate, of whom 51 have enrolled in PhD programmes at institutions worldwide. The programme is named after Prof. N.S. Ramaswamy, the first Director and one of the founding figures of IIM Bangalore, whose legacy of academic excellence and inclusivity continues to shape its values.
The 2025-26 batch of the NSR Pre-doctoral Fellowship comprises 12 students working across eight areas of specialization.
The twelve NSR Pre-doc Fellows will pursue their studies in areas such as Decision Sciences, OB&HRM, Economics, Information Systems, Finance & Accounting, Public Policy, Strategy, and Marketing.
Welcome Address
The welcome address was delivered by Prof. Anil B Suraj, Chairperson of the NSR Pre-doc Fellowship. He emphasized that the programme’s core objective is to prepare motivated individuals for doctoral studies in management. Describing the NSR Pre-doc as a mentor-driven, one-year apprenticeship-style fellowship, Prof. Suraj underlined its commitment to increasing social diversity in Indian management academia.
He also marked a milestone moment by sharing the achievement of Muhammed Sadiq T, a fellow from the 2018–19 batch, who recently defended his doctoral thesis at IIT Madras and will soon be awarded his PhD. He is the first NSR Pre-doc alumnus to complete a doctoral degree, making this a proud milestone for IIMB’s fully funded research initiative.
Key Speakers
IIMB Director Prof. Rishikesha T Krishnan, in his keynote address, encouraged the fellows to make the most of their time at IIMB by exploring their academic interests, engaging in campus events, and using the institute's research resources like the library.
He also highlighted the importance of building strong networks with mentors, faculty, and PhD students and urged the cohort to plan their journey thoughtfully, drawing inspiration from previous fellows who have successfully pursued doctoral studies.
He reminded the fellows to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity, urging them to produce original research papers and represent both their families and the institution with pride, especially at a time when India faces serious concerns around plagiarism.
Prof. Mukta Kulkarni, Dean of Programmes, emphasized the importance of cultivating curiosity as a core research trait. “Research is all about idea generation. Look beyond your courses, in conversations, in daily life, and remain curious. That’s the truest indicator of success in academia,” she said.
Prof. Reshma Chirayil Chandrasekharan, from the Decision Sciences area and IIMB Young Faculty Research Chair, urged fellows to invest in building networks during their time at IIMB. “Engage with mentors, PhD scholars, and peers. These connections are not only supportive but often pivotal to shaping your academic journey,” she advised.
The event also featured the release of the NSR Pre-doctoral Fellowship Manual of Policies and Procedures, a compact guidebook outlining the programme's academic structure, expectations, and support resources.
One of the incoming fellows reflected on the early impact of the programme, saying, “Building on what I’ve learned during my bachelor’s and master’s, the NSR Pre-doc is already making me rethink and focus my perspectives. It’s helping me approach research with greater clarity and purpose.”
Click here for photo gallery