The Department of Economics at USTM offers a Ph.D. program with research opportunities in various areas, including poverty and sustainable development, public policies in the context of economic growth, agro-industry, health economics, horticulture development, ecology, financial institutions, institutional credit and rural development, technology in agriculture, MSME trends, women empowerment, tourism industry, decentralization of powers, inclusive growth, ageing population, rural-urban migration, urban unemployment, agriculture marketing, privatization, eco-tourism, tea production and marketing, and corporate/contract farming.

The thrust areas of research include:

- Macroeconomics: National Income and Taxation Policies, Infrastructure & Urbanization, Balance of Payment & Economic Growth.
- Public Economics: Public Policy, Health Economics, Women Empowerment.
- Industrial Economics: Agro-industry, MSME Trends, Tourism.
- Agricultural Economics: Agricultural Marketing, Corporate and Contract Farming, Horticulture, Pisciculture.
- Demography: Ageing Population, Urban-Rural Migration.

The Ph.D. program aims to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in economics, preparing them for careers in academia, research, or policy-making. It also aims to contribute to the development of the economy of Assam and the region by addressing various economic issues and challenges.