The Pre-Doctoral Programme represents the ISB's mission to do top quality research commensurate with its global ranking. This programme is the first attempt in the country to train aspiring researchers and prepare them for admission into established doctoral programmes in business around the world, primarily in the USA and Europe. The programme begins in September 2008. The major fields offered are Accounting, Financial Economics, Information Systems, and Operations Management. Pre-doctoral candidates, upon successful completion of the programme, are expected to pursue a doctoral degree in a leading institute.