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PhD [Doctor of Philosophy] 2025: Full Form, Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Syllabus, Duration

Waytoadmissions
Sukanta Das

Content Curator

Updated On - Oct 20,2024

The highest doctoral degree or doctorate conferred for research in a particular field is a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy). The PhD programme lasts three to five years. A master's degree or an MPhil with a minimum cumulative score of 55% is required for a PhD. PhD entrance tests are used to determine admission. The leading PhD entrance exams include NPAT, CSIR UGC NET, UGC NET, and IIT JAM. A applicant must have a valid GATE score if they want to pursue a PhD in engineering or technology. The twice-yearly national level PhD entry exam is called the CSIR UGC NET. The CSIR UGC NET exam 2025 registration period will soon open, and the exam is slated to take place in September. Visit sikshapedia.com for more information.

Full Form of Doctorate Courses PhD Admission PhD Specializations

In India, there are several PhD Scholarships offered to aid students in pursuing their degrees. Students can select from a wide variety of PhD Jobs after receiving their degrees, and they can make an average salary of INR 6–9 lakhs annually. Check: How to Become a Professor

Course Details of PhD

PhD Full Form Doctor of Philosophy
PhD Duration 4-6 Years
PhD Degree Requirements Coursework, Presentation, Submission of Progress Reports, Thesis
PhD Admission Entrance Exams/Direct Admission
PhD Specializations PhD Physics, PhD Computer Science, Phd Psychology, PhD History, PhD in Business Administration, PhD Engineering, Phd Economics, PhD Nursing 
Online PhD Program IGNOU, IISc Bangalore, Dr. BR Ambedkar Open University Hyderabad, Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University
Fully Funded PhD Programs Students need to clear UGC NET exam to get funded by the government
Top PhD Colleges IITs, IISc, Jadavpur University, Delhi University, JNU

Why Pursue PhD?

  • Students with a Ph.D. can begin or continue their research in a subject they are interested in.
  • It helps to increase work opportunities. It can open up a lot of job prospects. A Ph.D. is typically the main prerequisite for employment as a lecturer or university researcher.
  • The reduction in the tax incentive for businesses engaging in R&D by the Indian government is consistent with the findings of the last UNESCO Science Report (2015).
  • Over the years, the Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) in the nation has steadily increased, nearly tripling from INR 39,437.77 crore in 2007-08 to INR 1,13,825.03 crore in 2017-18. In 2018–19, it is projected to be INR 1,23,847.70 crore.
  • The majority of scientific and technical papers published in India are written by academic researchers.
  • Institutions of higher education and organisations engaged in research and development are crucial to the development of a country.
  • Foreign corporations are increasingly investing in R&D, making up as much as 16% of the private sector's R&D spending in 2019.
  • Indian researchers are publishing more often in peer-reviewed journals about cutting-edge technology, which is good.

Visit sikshapedia.com for more information.

What is PhD?

A PhD, or doctor of philosophy, deals with in-depth study on a particular subject. There are three models for PhD programmes: full-time, part-time, and online. The average PhD programme lasts three years, but it can take up to five or six years, depending on the subject.

PhD Full Form

Doctor of Philosophy, or PhD, is its full name. Philosophiae Doctor is the Latin phrase from which the abbreviation PhD is derived. The word philosophy has little to do with the subject of philosophy. The word philosophy, which is used in PhD, is a Greek word that means "lover of wisdom."

PhD Full Form – Doctor of Philosophy

PhD Duration

  • The three-year PhD programme can be extended. An average student takes 5-7 years to get their PhD.
  • The length of the PhD depends on a variety of elements, including understanding of the study field, research experience, supervisor knowledge, the relevance of the research, communication abilities, resource accessibility, and the amount of coursework.
  • Three years are the bare minimum for a PhD. The typical PhD programme at an IIT lasts 5-7 years, compared to 3-5 years at NIIT.

PhD vs Doctorate

Particulars PhD Doctorate
Objective The main goal is to make advancements in the field while constructing new knowledge and theories. The main goal is to advance the field by applying an existing body of knowledge, research and theory.
Result Students focus on securing a high academic position and conducting theoretical research. The focus is to practice in the field and advance to leadership positions or teaching in higher education institutions
Degree Requirements Masters Degree Master’s Degree
Student Focus Students seek theoretical Research Experience Students seek to solve practical problems in a particular field.

PhD Degree Requirements

The process or requirements for obtaining a PhD are known as the PhD Degree Requirements. Various nations have varied laws on this. The UGC's guidelines are followed by PhD students in India.

Coursework completion, the presentation of a research proposal or synopsis, the submission of progress reports, the delivery of a pre-submission presentation, and the oral defence of the thesis are all prerequisites for the PhD degree.

Also See: PhD Syllabus

Who should Pursue for a PhD?

  • A doctor of philosophy is unquestionably the best option for those who desire to pursue careers in academia or research.
  • This is a rare chance to broaden one's understanding of a subject they are passionate about. The person who want to pursue a doctorate in philosophy feels a great sense of pride and respect.
  • A comprehensive discussion with professors and former doctoral students who can advise you better is necessary to determine your suitability for the doctor of philosophy programme.
  • In order to gain a general understanding of what PhD degrees are like, students should investigate several Doctor of Philosophy programmes. Only after fully comprehending the framework should students determine whether to pursue a doctorate in philosophy.

Also See:

How to become an Associate professor? How to become a professor?

PhD Admission Process

Several universities must be enrolled in order to be admitted for a PhD. The outcomes of either national level or university level admission tests are accepted by universities. The CSIR UGC NET, UGC NET, IIT JAM, and NPAT are the top Ph.D. entry exams. A applicant must have a valid GATE score if they want to pursue a PhD in engineering or technology. According to current UGC guidelines, students who get a four-year UG degree will be permitted to apply directly to pursue a PhD degree in their preferred field of study.

PhD Eligibility

  • Those who hold a master's degree can enrol in doctoral programmes. A Masters in Philosophy may be required to pursue a PhD in several fields.
  • After graduation, the students should have a minimum GPA of 50–55 percent.
  • Some colleges base admission decisions on interviews. It could be enhanced by a written test.
  • Candidates with prior job experience in the field of research are given more preference.

UGC NET

The National Eligibility Test is administered by the National Educational Testing Bureau of the UGC to evaluate whether Indian citizens are qualified to serve as assistant professors, junior research fellows, and research professors in Indian universities and colleges.

CSIR-UGC NET Exam

In order to evaluate whether Indian citizens are eligible for Junior Research Fellowships and Lectureships/Assistant Professorships in Indian institutions and colleges, the CSIR UGC NET test is being administered.

Important Dates

Entrance Exam Registration Date Exam Date
CSIR UGC NET To be announced September 2025
UGC NET April – May , 2025 July  – July , 2025, and August  – August , 2025
IIT JAM September , 2025 – October , 2025 February , 2025
GPAT February – March , 2025 April , 2025
VITMEE March  – May , 2025 June  and June , 2025

Types of PhD Programms

There are 3 basic types of PhD Programmes in India. They include full time PhD, Part time PhD and Online PhD. 

Full-Time PhD

  • A typical Doctor of Philosophy programme is a full-time PhD. These programmes last anywhere from four to six years.
  • Compared to other options for earning a PhD, a full-time doctor of philosophy programme has the most expensive tuition.
  • The majority of candidates opt to enrol in a full-time PhD programme, including those who have received government or semi-government fellowships, institute research scholars with teaching assistance, and self-financed candidates.

Part Time PhD

  • PhD programmes can occasionally be completed part-time. The majority of Part-Time PhDs are awarded to candidates who are employed by reputable research organisations, academic institutions, and businesses that are ideally adjacent to the school.
  • Since part-time doctoral students must complete the same quantity of academic credits and other prerequisites as full-time students, a part-time PhD typically takes 7-8 years to accomplish.
  • A select few classes will be required of part-time PhD students.
  • Students pursuing part-time PhDs in philosophy are required to have at least one year of work experience and an employer's nod of approval.
  • Instead than focusing on individual research projects, part-time PhD programmes are primarily concerned with research for business development.

Online PhD

A doctor of philosophy is a degree that can be obtained by extensive study and research over the course of around four years. The prospects for a job are greatly boosted after completing an online PhD. A PhD degree may be a necessary certification for students or professionals interested in leadership, academia, consulting, research, and entrepreneurship.

Learn More: Online PhD Programmes

College Name Course Name Duration Fees
Manipal GlobalNXT University Ph.D. in Education 36 Months USD 4000/Year
UNICAF - Cours en français Ph.D. Business Administration - -
University of Stirling, UK Ph.D. in Applied Social Research 36-96 Months -
Manipal Academy of Higher Education Dubai Ph.D. in Education 3 Years USD 6150
Liberty University, USA Ph.D Strategic Leadership 30 Months USD 595
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) Ph.D in Management  3-4 Years USD 11,250
Institute of Lutheran Theology, USA Ph.D. 4-6 Years USD 700
IGNOU, New Delhi Ph.D.  4-5 Years INR 16,800
Indian Institute of Science Bangalore  Integrated Ph.D. 7 Years INR 16,000
Dr. B. R Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad Ph.D.  3 Years INR 16,000

Fully Funded PhD Programs

Students who want financial support for their doctoral studies must pass the NET exam. Regardless of the university, passing the NET Exam ensures a stipend from the Government of India. After passing NEET, the student receives INR 31,000 from the Central Government. Check: PhD Fellowships

Following are some of the best PhD scholarships in India that aid students in completing their doctoral studies:

Scholarship Name Institution
Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) MHRD, Government of India
CSIR-UGC JRF Fellowship Government of India
DBT-JRF Fellowship Government of India
FITM – AYUSH Research Fellowships Scheme Forum on Indian Traditional Medicine (FITM) and Ministry of Ayush
SAARC Agricultural PhD Scholarships SAAR Agricultural Centre
Swami Vivekananda Single Child Scholarship for Research in Social Science UGC
ESSO-NCESS Junior Research Fellowship ESSO- National Centre for Earth Science Studies
Vision India Foundation (VIF) Fellowship Vision India Foundation (VIF)
Burning Questions Fellowship Awards Tiny Beam Fund
Google PhD Scholarships Google
Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Scholarships Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund
ICHR Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)

PhD Courses

Students have the option of pursuing their preferred Doctor of Philosophy programme. Doctor of Philosophy degrees are offered in a variety of fields and disciplines. The following list includes all of the disciplines that are offered for doctoral study in each of the three streams. See: PhD Courses List

PhD Courses: Science Stream

The Science stream offers a variety of PhD programmes, including PhDs in Chemistry, Clinical Research, Science, Bioscience, Biotechnology, Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Environmental Science and Engineering, and more.

PhD Chemistry PhD Physics
PhD Mathematics PhD Biotechnology
PhD Zoology PhD Botany
PhD Computer Science PhD Microbiology
PhD Biochemistry PhD Environmental Science
PhD Geology PhD Home Science
PhD Life Science PhD Humanities
PhD electronics PhD Anthropology
PhD Yoga PhD Applied Chemistry
PhD Applied Mathematics PhD animal Nutrition

PhD Courses: Arts stream

Students are free to do independent research as part of this research-based course. This course covers the entire Arts stream as well as all of its subfields, such as History, English Literature, Political Science, etc.

PhD English PhD Economics
PhD History PhD hindi
PhD sociology PhD Political science
PhD Psychology PhD Geography
PhD Tamil PhD Sanskrit
PhD Library and Information Science PhD Social Work
PhD Philosophy PhD Humanities and social Science
PhD Music PhD Urdu
PhD Public Administration PhD Social Sciences
PhD in Arts PhD in fine Arts

PhD Courses: Medical stream

The major medical fields of neurology, epidemiology, genetics, and other clinical and non-clinical streams are all covered in Ph. D. courses in the medical stream. MD Biochemistry, MD Forensic Medicine, MD Anesthesiology, MD Pulmonary Medicine, PhD Physiology, MD Skin and VD, etc. are among the PhD programmes offered in the medical fields.

MD Biochemistry MD Forensic Medicine
MD anesthesiology MD Pulmonary Medicine
PhD Physiology MD Skin and VD
PhD Pathology MD TB and Chest
MD Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PhD Medicine
MD Homoeopathic Organon of Medicine PhD Radiology
MD Homeopathy PhD Psychiatry
PhD Hospital Management PhD Cardiology
MD Cardiology MD Neurology
PhD Immunology PhD Neuroscience

PhD Courses: Engineering Stream

After completing their B.Tech., candidates can apply for PhD programmes in engineering. A candidate can begin working as a project manager, electrical engineer, application engineer, research engineer, etc. after completing a PhD programme in engineering at organisations like Dell, Wipro, ABB, and DRDO.

PhD in Mechanical Engineering PhD in Computer Science and Engineering
PhD in Civil Engineering PhD in Electrical Engineering
PhD in Electronics and Communication Engineering PhD in Electrical and Electronics Engineering
PhD in Information Technology PhD in Chemical Engineering
PhD in Electronics and Telecommunication PhD in Bioinformatics
PhD in Computer Engineering PhD in Electronics Engineering
PhD in Food Technology PhD in Biomedical Engineering
PhD in Nanotechnology PhD in Environmental Engineering
PhD in Geotechnical Engineering PhD in Petroleum Engineering
PhD in Software Engineering M.Phil in Mechanical Engineering

PhD Courses: Management Stream

Accounting, Decision sciences (decision theory and decision analysis), Economics, Entrepreneurship, Ethics and legal studies, Finance, and Health Care Management are popular areas of concentration for management PhDs.

PhD in Management Studies PhD in Marketing
PhD in Business Administration PhD in Finance
PhD in HR Management PhD in Business Management
PhD in Operation Management Fellow Program in Management
M.Phil in Management Studies M.Phil in Management

PhD Courses: Pharmacy Stream

Pharm.D, PhD in Pharmacy, PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, PhD in Pharmacology, PhD in Pharmaceutics, PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, etc. are some of the PhD programmes offered in the Pharmacy stream. Following completion of a PhD in pharmacy, a variety of positions are open, including those in clinical research, clinical trials, regulatory affairs, drug safety, commercial development, and medical affairs.

Pharm.D PhD in Pharmacy
PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD in Pharmacology
PhD in Pharmaceutics PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry
PhD in Medicinal Chemistry M.Phil in Pharmaceutics

PhD Courses: Commerce Stream

PhD in Commerce, PhD in Statistics, PhD in Commerce and Management, PhD in Accountancy, PhD in Business Economics, PhD in Banking and Finance, and M.Phil in Commerce are courses connected to PhD commerce streams. Work chances exist in government finance sectors like Reserve Bank of India and State Bank of India as an E-Commerce Executive, Accounts Executive, Consultant, etc.

PhD in Commerce PhD in Statistics
PhD in Commerce and Management PhD in Accountancy
PhD in Business Economics PhD in Banking and Finance
M.Phil in Commerce -

PhD Courses: Agriculture stream

The agriculture stream of doctoral programmes offers programmes including PhDs in agriculture, agronomy, genetics and plant breeding, horticulture, and agricultural economics. Plant pathology PhD. Candidates for the PhD in Agriculture will learn how to grow food, fibre, and fuel.

PhD in Agriculture PhD in Agronomy
PhD in Genetics and Plant Breeding PhD in Horticulture
PhD in Agricultural Economics PhD in Plant Pathology

PhD Courses: Law

Doctor of Law (LL.D.), PhD in Legal Studies, and M.Phil in Law are all PhD programmes linked to law. The PhD in Law programme offers a wide range of options for students to select from. Attorney, Deputy Program Manager, Administrative Coordinator, Legal Manager, Legal Counsel, Legal Consultant, and Legal Affairs Manager are intriguing job profiles that draw PhD in Law graduates.

PhD in Law Doctor of Law (LL.D.)
PhD in Legal Studies M.Phil in Law

Visit sikshapedia.com for more information.

Top PhD Colleges in India

QS India University Rankings 2025 College Name Fees (INR)
1 Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) 58,200
2 Indian Institute of Science 35,200
3 Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) 42,900
4 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) 19,670
5 Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT-KGP) 50,000
6 Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) 64,050
7 University of Delhi -
8 University of Hyderabad 8,980
9 Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR) 28,500
10 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) 18,150

Top PhD Government Colleges

College Name Fees (INR)
JNU 1391
DIPSAR 30,385
NIT Durgapur 64,100
Jai Narayan Vyas University 10,000
BHU 10,000
Jamia Millia Islamia 15,000
Aligarh Muslim University 10,000
Calcutta University 14,000
Jadavpur University 12,000
Institute of Advanced Study in Education 3,116

Top PhD Private Colleges

College Name Fees (INR)
VIT 53,000
Bombay College of Pharmacy 1,50,850
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education 25,000
IFHE Hyderabad 1,20,000
IIIT-B 1,07,000
Manipal Academy of Higher Education 59,000
PRIST University 30,000
DA-IICT 65,000
JRNRVU 30,000
BVIMSR 75,000

Top PhD Colleges in Mumbai

College Name Fees (INR)
Bombay College of Pharmacy 1,50,850
VJTI 81,500
Jai Hind College 23,377
RICS SBE 2,50,000
Marine Engineering and Research Institute 40,000
Dr Ambedkar College of Commerce and Economics 14,920
JRNRVU 30,000
PRIST University 30,000
DA-IICT 65,000
BVIMSR 75,000

Top PhD Colleges in Chennai

College Name Fees (INR)
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education 25,000
Anna University 14,900
Sri Ramachandra Medical College 25,000
IRS 14,900
JRNRVU 30,000

Top PhD Colleges in Bangalore

College Name Fees (INR)
IIIT-B 1,07,000
BBBC&S 56,000
South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies 36,000
BMS School of Architecture 25,000
The University of Trans-disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology  35,000

Top PhD Colleges in Delhi

College Name Fees (INR)
IIT-Delhi 1,91,000
National Law University 1,18,000
Faculty of Management Studies 52,400
IIFT 4,00,000
DIPSAR 20,500
NSIT 1,71,000
NIT Delhi 1,10,000
Jamia Hamdard 1,28,000
USICT 3,00,000
JIMS 80,000

Top PhD Colleges in Kolkata

College Name Fees (INR)
University of Calcutta 25,000
Jadavpur University 24,000
Techno India University 65,000
Adamas University 2,14,000
Presidency University 2,24,000
Aliah University 1,68,000
JIS University 4,50,000
Amity University 5,30,000
Rabindra Bharati University 70,000
Kalyani University 53,000

PhD in India

The top universities in India offer the country's top doctor of philosophy programmes. IITs provide excellent opportunities for scientific and technical research. Visit sikshapedia.com for more information.

IIT Bombay PhD

The minimum necessary for applying is 60% overall in the master's degree, and the candidate is chosen based on their performance on the GATECEED, and UGC-NET exams. A GATE score of at least 660 must be legitimate. A PhD costs INR 1.83 lakh in total.

Candidates must have a master's degree and pass one of the following exams at IIT Bombay: CEEDGATE, or UGC-NET. Browse the specialities and costs for PhD programmes at IIT Bombay in the table below.

Specializations Average Fees
Financial Studies INR 58,200
Economics
Intellectual Property Rights Law
Computer Science and Engineering
Design
Biotechnology
Physics
Chemistry
Mathematics
Civil Engineering
Technology and Development
Technology Management
Strategy
Climate Studies
Educational Technology
Operations Management
Energy Science and Engineering
International Business
Industrial Engineering
Regulatory and Policy Studies
HR Management
Nano Science and Technology
Aerospace Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Material Science
Earth Science
Quantitative Techniques
Marketing
Information Technology
Instrumentation and Control
Electrical Engineering
Urban Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Environmental Science and Engineering
Natural Resources

IIT Madras PhD

The candidate must hold a Master's degree by research in engineering or technology from a centrally funded technical institute with a solid academic record, or a 5-year dual degree in engineering or 5-year BS+MS dual degree from the same institution.GATE scores are not required for applicants with undergraduate degrees from CFTIs.

Specializations Average Fees
Computer Science INR 19,670
Biotechnology
Science and Humanities
Mathematics
Management Studies
Physics
Chemical Engineering
Biomedical Sciences
Engineering Design
Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering
Management
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Climate and Ocean Science
Applied Mathematics
Fluid Mechanics
Aerospace Engineering
Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science

IIT Indore PhD

Candidates must submit an online application via their official website. A selection committee interviews candidates who have applied for admission to PhD programmes, and the mere submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the programme. A master's degree in the relevant department of engineering or technology and a GATE certificate are the minimal educational requirements.

Specializations Annual Average Fees
Psychology INR 78,800
Economics
Physics
Chemistry
English
Computer Science and Engineering
Materials Engineering
Mathematics
Electrical Engineering
Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering
Philosophy
Astronomy
Mechanical Engineering
Sociology
Material Science 

IIT Bhubaneswar PhD

Minimum 55% grades or 6.0 CGPA (on a 10-point scale) in a Master's degree in a relevant field are required for admission to the IIT Bhubaneswar Ph.D. programme. For all other exams with a valid GATE result, a provisional certificate or a minimum of 60% marks or 6.5 CGPA (on a 10-point scale) are required. The applicant must be qualified for the UGC-NET (JRF and LS).

See: IIT Bhubaneswar PhD 

Specializations Annual Average Fees
Psychology INR 43,568
English
Electrical Engineering
Mathematics
Bio-Sciences
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electronics and Communication Engineering
Physics
Chemistry
Geological Sciences
Earth Science
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
Climate and Ocean Science

IISC Bangalore PhD

M Sc or an equivalent degree in Physical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, or Chemical Sciences, BE/ B Tech or an equivalent degree in any subject, or graduates of 4-year Bachelor of Science programmes, is the minimum requirement for IISC Bangalore's PhD Science programme. Without the need for any additional National Entrance Tests, graduates of any degree with a minimum four-year duration and a minimum CGPA of 8.0 are qualified to apply to the normal Ph. D. programme.

Specializations Average Fees
Ecological Sciences INR 31,000 to INR 35,000
Biochemistry
Molecular Reproduction; Development and Genetics
Microbiology and Cell Biology
Neuroscience
Molecular Biophysics
Materials Research
Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Mathematics
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Solid State and Structural Chemistry
Physics
High Energy Physics
Electrical Engineering
Computer Science and Automation
Electronic Systems Engineering
Electrical Communication Engineering
Computational Data Sciences
Aerospace Engineering
Nanoscience and Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Civil Engineering
Earth Sciences
Materials Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Centre for Product Design and Manufacturing
Sustainable Technology
Instrumentation and Applied Physics
Management Studies
Energy
Biosystems Science and Engineering
Mathematical Sciences
Water Research
Nanoscience and Engineering
Climate Change
Cyber Physical Systems
Brain and Artificial Intelligence

IIT Hyderabad PhD

A Masters degree is required for entrance to the Ph.D. programme in engineering departments. With a good GATE score, candidates can apply for a direct PhD after earning a B. Tech. or B. E. Students are accepted into the PhD programme at IITH twice a year. For the first two years and the next three years, the institute offers a monthly stipend of INR 31,000 and INR 35,000, respectively.

Specializations Annual Average Fees
Biotechnology INR 25,095
Civil Engineering
Computer Science and Engineering
Mathematics
Liberal Arts
Biomedical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Physics
Chemistry
Chemical Engineering
Design
Entrepreneurship
Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science

VTU PhD

Both online and offline applications are accepted for the VTU Ph.D. programme. The needed 6.5 CGPA is the minimal requirement for eligibility. Selection will be based on prior performance and work history. The program's admission is merit-based. Karnataka state candidates must pay a yearly fee of INR 7,970 while those from other states must pay INR 19,470. See: PhD in VTU

Specialization Annual Average Fees
Civil Engineering INR 74,100
Biotechnology
Architecture
Computer Science and Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Nano-technology
Mechanical Engineering
Research Methodology
Physics
Chemistry
Physical Education
Mathematics
Chemical Engineering
Library and Information Science
Textile Technology
Polymer Science and Technology

Bangalore University PhD

The results of the entrance exam administered by the university and the performance in the interview are used to determine admission. Candidates who have passed the CSIR NET, UGC NET, SLET, KSET, GATE, JRF, or have an M.S. degree from an approved institution are eligible to take the test if they receive at least 50% of the possible points out of 100. Phil. degree are not required to take the Ph. D. entrance exam.

Specializations Total Course Fees
Commerce INR 44,000
English
Sericulture
Computer Science and Engineering
Management Studies
Foreign Language
Geology
Electronic Science
Applied Genetics
Rural Development
Botany
Law
Kannada
Home Science
Life Science
Sociology
Speech and Hearing
Microbiology
Geography
Sanskrit
Physical Education
Communication System
Electrical Engineering
History
Chemistry
Education
Biological Sciences
Economics
Biochemistry
Environmental Science
Computer Science
Hindi

Amity University PhD

Two times a year, in January and July, Amity University accepts applications for admission to its Ph. D. programmes. The admission application must only be completed and submitted online. A Master's or M.Phil degree in the relevant discipline with a minimum GPA of 55% is necessary for admission to a Ph.D. programme from any authorised Indian or foreign university. According to the PhD Guidelines of the UGC, qualified candidates will be required to participate in a selection process that entails a PET (Ph.D. Entrance Test) and an interview round.

Specializations Specializations Specializations
Hospital Administration Finance Renewable Energy
Hospitality Anthropology Architecture and Planning
Psychology Forensic Science International Relation
Law Chemistry Cellular and Molecular Oncology
Commerce English Virology
Mass Communication Pharmaceutical Sciences Radiation Biology
Ecological Sciences Computer Science and Engineering Immunology
Bioinformatics Materials and Devices Rural Management 
Natural Resources Special Education Fashion Management
Polymer Science and Technology Biosensors Defence and Strategic Studies
Remote Sensing Physical Education Horticulture
Travel and Tourism Management Physiotherapy Physiology
Economics Mechanical and Automation Engineering Microbial Technology
History Neuroscience Nuclear Science and Technology
Education Environmental Science Statistics
Fine Arts Food Technology Stem Cell
Clinical Psychology Mathematics Renewable Energy
Public Health Electrical Engineering Geoinformatics and Remote Sensing
Food and Nutrition Sociology Climate Change and Ecological Studies
Management Studies Political Science Aerospace Engineering
Competitive Intelligence Physical and Molecular Science Physics
Wildlife Sciences Agriculture Solar Energy
Microbial Biotechnology Natural Product Studies Information Technology

JNU PhD

In order to apply for the programme, candidates must first download the application form from Jawaharlal Nehru University's official website. Degree holders who have earned at least a 55 percent grade point average (or comparable grade point average) are eligible for enrollment. A national entrance exam and an interview are required for admission. The government provides a stipend of Rs. 28,000 a month to JNU Ph.D. research students.

Specialization Specialization
English Environmental Science
Economics History (Medieval and Modern)
Geography Molecular Medicine
Philosophy International Politics
Life Science Persian
Law and Governance Kannada
International Trade and Development Canadian Studies
Hindi Tamil
Physical Science Science Policy
Arts Political Science
Ancient History Latin American Studies
Computer Systems Cinema Studies
Sanskrit Women Studies
Diplomacy and Disarmament Comparative Politics
Korean Media Studies
Japanese Chemical Sciences
Spanish Mathematical Studies
Social System French
West Asian Studies North East India Studies
German South Asian Studies
Russian Social Sciences
Management of Informal Sector Chinese Studies
Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy African Studies
Biotechnology International Legal Studies
Urdu Political Geography
Linguistics Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
Population Studies International Organisation
Nano Science and Technology Arabic
Discrimination and Ecxclusion Studies -

DU PhD

Candidates must have earned a Master's degree or M. Phil in the relevant subjects from Delhi University or another institution of higher learning with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 55% in order to be admitted to the Ph.D. programme. The university itself administers the entrance exam (DUET), which results in the shortlisting of candidates for the interview, and this is how students are admitted to the programme.

Streams Streams
Commerce German
Business Administration Dermatology
Pharmacology Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing
History Electronics and Communication
Political Science Anaesthesiology
Resource Management and Design Application Pediatrics
Fabric and Apparel Science Business Economics
English Urdu
Physical Education Russian
Education Sanskrit
Philosophy Punjabi
Anthropology Manufacturing Process and Automation Engineering
Economics Persian
Physical Education Electronics
Library and Information Science African Studies
Psychology Radiology
Home Science French/ Italian/ German/ Hispanic studies
Surgery Human Development and Childhood Studies
Botany Buddhist Studies
Social Work Pulmonary Medicine
Geology Biophysics
Microbiology Pathology
Chemistry Instrumentation and Control
Hindi Music
Operational Research Plant Molecular Biology
Medicine Adult Continuing Education and Extension
Sociology Environment Studies
Linguistics Arabic
Genetics Biochemistry
Community Medicine Computer Science
Pulmonary Medicine Financial Studies
Statistics Physiology
Biomedical Sciences Medicinal Microbiology
Applied Science and Humanities -

Mumbai University PhD

Candidates may also enrol in Mumbai University's PhD programme. It is a prominent public university that offers a three-year PhD programme. Candidates must hold a master's or M.Phil degree with a minimum of 55% overall from an accredited university. Additionally, candidates must have current GATE, UGC, SET, JRF ICAR, and CSIR scores.

Specializations Annual Average Fees
Life Science INR 21,720
Commerce
English
Education
African Studies
Marathi
Sociology
Library and Information Science
Linguistics
Philosophy
Sanskrit
Urdu
Music
Physics
Persian
Kannada
French
Arabic
Biotechnology
History
Politics
Chemistry
Statistics
Geography
Sindhi
Russian
Computer Science
Pali and Prakrit
German

IIT Kharagpur PhD

One of India's top IITs, IIT Kharagpur is also one of the best colleges in the entire country. It was ranked fifth by the NIRF in both 2025 and 2026. There are 17 PhD programmes available at IIT Kharagpur. A minimum postgraduate CGPA of 6.5 or an overall grade point average of 60% is required to be eligible to pursue a doctorate at IIT Kharagpur.

Specializations Average Annual Fees
Science INR 50,000
Humanities and Social Science
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering and Technology
Management Studies
Working Professionals
Quality Improvement Programme
Social Sciences
Architecture and Planning
Rubber Technology
Rural Development
Mechanical Engineering
Earth Science
Structural Engineering
Architecture
Chemical Sciences
Electrical Communication Engineering

PhD Abroad

According to the QS World University Rankings, the top universities in the world that provide the best Ph.D. programmes are ranked. For the purpose of comparing and contrasting the universities, the rankings for both 2025 and 2025 are supplied.

Visit sikshapedia.com for more information.

Universities 2025 2025
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 1 1
Stanford University 2 2
Harvard University 3 3
California Institute of Technology - Caltech 4 5
University of Oxford 5 4
ETH Zurich - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology 6 6
University of Cambridge 7 7
Imperial College London 8 9
University of Chicago 9 10
University College London (UCL) 10 8

Harvard PhD

One of the top educational institutions in the world is Harvard University. Millions of applicants focused on getting accepted to this university to pursue their desired degrees. It provides a wide range of programmes in addition to doctoral courses with 8 distinct specialities. This institute charges an average course price of about INR 38 lakhs for PhD programmes.

The institution also provides full-time and part-time research programmes. The GRE or GMAT is a requirement for admission to this college. The following are the topics that applicants at this college can research: - 

  • Computer Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Neuroscience
  • Business Administration
  • Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • Statistics
  • Data Science
  • Computational Science and Engineering.

MIT PhD 

A top university in the globe is MIT, or Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It is a private university, and 82% of its graduates find work. According to US News, it rose to third place among National Universities in 2025. MIT is a well regarded university offering PhD programmes. There are a total of 29 unique research programmes available. For doctoral programmes at MIT, the typical course cost is about 21 lakhs. To qualify, each student must submit their GRE entrance exam results.

The PhD specializations offered in MIT are - 

Physics Mathematics
Computational Science and Engineering Doctor of Medicine
Brain and Cognitive Sciences Nuclear Science and Engineering
Economics Political Science
Finance Marketing
Information Technology Biological Engineering
Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship And Strategic Management Operations Research
Accounting Social and Engineering Systems
Transportation Work And Employment Research
Economic Sociology Medical Engineering and Medical Physics
Science, Technology and Society Organization Studies
Anthropology Biomedical Engineering
Linguistics Civil and Environmental Engineering
Polymers and Soft Matter Statistics
History

Oxford PhD 

According to the QS World Ranking and numerous other agencies, Oxford University is also one of the greatest universities in the world. Many experts also consider it to be the top university in the entire world. With a 15% admittance rate, it is a public research university. Oxford University boasts 45% of its students from other countries, making it worthwhile to pursue a PhD there. There are 17 research programmes available, which are listed below:

Computer Science Law
Molecular and Cellular Medicine Modern Statistics and Statistical Machine Learning
Medical Sciences Finance
Surgical Sciences Management
Health Data Science Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics
Condensed Matter Physics Social Data Science
Geography and the Environment Mathematics of Random Systems - Analysis, Modelling and Algorithms
Statistics Engineering Science
Economics

Stanford PhD 

One of the most prestigious research institutions in the world is Stanford University, located in the state of California in the United States. When it comes to pursuing research programmes at this university, it ranks among the top 5 colleges in the world. It has earned a lot of recognition for its research programmes. Candidates at Stanford University have access to about 60 PhD courses. These specialities are available:

Materials Science and Engineering Applied Physics
Immunology Organizational Behavior
Operations Information and Technology Cancer Biology
Aeronautics and Astronautics Management Science and Engineering
Chemical and Systems Biology Economic Analysis and Policy
Bioengineering Microbiology and Immunology
Computer Science Finance
Marketing Neurosciences
Mathematics Biology
Biochemistry Genetics
Religious Studies International Comparative Education
Health Policy Geological Sciences
Communication Biomedical Informatics
Political Science History
Physics Earth System Science
Mechanical Engineering Psychology
Political Economics Doctor of Medicine
Economics Theater and Performance Studies
Molecular and Cellular Physiology Electrical Engineering
Chemistry Chemical Engineering
Social Sciences, Humanities, and Interdisciplinary Policy Studies in Education (SHIPS) Developmental Biology
Epidemiology and Clinical Research Civil and Environmental Engineering
Sociology Philosophy
Art History Linguistics
Geophysics Accounting
Statistics Music
English Anthropology
Biophysics French
Classics Comparative Literature
German Studies Computational and Mathematical Engineering
East Asian Languages and Cultures Energy Resources Engineering
Iberian and Latin American Cultures Italian
Modern Thought and Literature Slavic Languages and Literature
Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Structural Biology

Cambridge PhD 

Many bright students from throughout the world come to Cambridge University to complete their PhDs there. With a respectable acceptance rate of 16%, it is a private university. There are 9,000 international students enrolled at this institute each year.

For admission to Cambridge University's research programmes, applicants must pass the GMAT or GRE entrance exams. It is conceivably the best university to study for a PhD. Here, candidates have access to 66 different doctoral programmes. Look below at the specialties that are provided.

Engineering Computer Science
Law Surgery
Biotechnology Business
Physics Pharmacology
Chemistry Genetics
Biological Science - EBI Architecture
Biostatistics Plant Sciences
Medicine Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics
Chemical Engineering Physiology, Development and Neuroscience
Sociology Criminology
Astronomy Oncology
Medical Science (CIMR) Veterinary Medicine
Obstetrics and Gynaecology Biological Anthropology
Earth Sciences Materials Science and Metallurgy
Radiology Automated Chemical Synthesis Enabled by Digital Molecular Technologies
Economics Nuclear Energy Futures
Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics Development Studies
History Land Economy
Film and Screen Studies Politics and International Studies
Theology and Religious Studies Haematology
Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic Antarctic Studies
Archaeology Public Health and Primary Care
Paediatrics Computation, Cognition and Language
Geography Pathology
Clinical Biochemistry Philosophy
Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Psychiatry
Psychology History and Philosophy of Science
History of Art Education
American Literature Music
Classics Linguistics - Theoretical and Applied Linguistics
Multi-disciplinary Gender Studies French
Latin American Studies Slavonic Studies
Polar Studies Mathematics of Information (CDT)

PhD Jobs

Students who pursue a PhD can select from a variety of PhD Jobs. Following completion of a PhD, some of the most sought-after career options are listed below. Visit sikshapedia.com for more information.

How to Become a Professor How to Become an Associate Professor
Job Profile Job Description Average Salary 
University Professor A professor helps the students and guides them with their studies, researches etc. Their main role is to teach academic and vocational subjects INR 6-10 LPA
Market Research Analyst A Market Research Analyst will have the competence of gathering and analysing large amounts of data and comprehending the findings in a comprehensive way. INR 9-12 LPA
Start-Up Mentors They provide their perspective on the direction that a startup may take and they also advise on new ideas INR 6 LPA
Authors Authors holding a PhD degree write about the subject that interests readers and which they have done their specializations and researches INR 9 LPA