PhD: Full Form, Admission, Entrance Exam, Fees, Syllabus, Career Scope, Top Colleges
Get Expert Guidance On Phd Admissions! Explore Top Universities, Eligibility Criteria, Application Process, And Deadline Info In One Place.
The PhD's full form is Doctor of Philosophy, which comes from the Latin Philosophiae Doctor. The highest degree or doctorate granted for research in a specific field is the Ph.D. PhD course duration is 3 – 5 years. PhD admissions require a master's degree with a minimum aggregate score of 55%.
PhD admission is based on PhD entrance exams. CSIR UGC NET, UGC NET, IIT JAM, and NPAT are the top PhD entrance exams. If a candidate wishes to pursue PhD in Engineering and Technology, then they must possess a valid GATE score. CSIR UGC NET is the national-level PhD entrance exam conducted twice a year. The registration procedure for the CSIR UGC NET exam will begin soon, and the exam is scheduled for December.
Course Highlights
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 study PhD?
- Ph. D.s help students to start or continue their research in a field that they are passionate about.
- It helps in improving employment prospects. It can unlock lots of career chances. If someone wants to become a University researcher or lecturer, then a Ph.D. degree is normally the main requirement.
- The tax incentive for companies conducting research and development has been reduced by the Indian government, in line with the conclusions of the 2015 UNESCO Science Report.
- Organizations dedicated to research and development, as well as higher education institutions, are crucial to the development of a nation.
PhD Degree Requirements
PhD Degree requirements are the process or the prerequisites of getting the PhD Degree. This is different in different countries. Ph.D. in India follows the rules described by the UGC.
Ph.D. Degree requirements include completion of coursework, presentation of a research proposal or synopsis, submission of progress reports, giving a pre-submission presentation, and then defending the thesis in an oral debating atmosphere.
PhD Admission Process
Ph.D. admission is based on enrollment to several universities. Universities accept the results of either national-level or university-level entrance exams. The top Ph.D. entrance exams are CSIR UGC NET, UGC NET, IIT JAM, and NPAT. If a candidate wishes to pursue PhD in Engineering and Technology, then they must possess a valid GATE score. As per the recent directives of the UGC, candidates who complete a four-year UG degree would be able to directly apply to pursue a PhD degree in their desired choice of program.
Ph.D. Eligibility
- Master's degree holder candidates are eligible for admission to doctoral programs. For some subjects, a Master's in Philosophy is needed to pursue a PhD.
- The students should have at least 50-55% of marks post-graduation.
- In some universities, admission is offered on the basis of interviews. It may be increased with a written exam.
- More importance is given to candidates who have work experience in the field of research.
Important Dates
Entrance Exam |
Registration Date |
Exam Date |
UGC NET (December Session) |
September 2023 |
December 6 to 22, 2023 |
CSIR NET (December Session) |
To be Announced |
To be Announced |
IPU PhD Entrance Test (PET) |
March – May, 2024 |
June, 2024 |
GATE |
August 31 – October 13, 2023 |
February 3, 4, 10, 11, 2024 |
VITMEE |
November 30, 2023 |
December 12, 2023 |
AIIMS PhD Entrance Exam |
To be Announced |
To be Announced |
VMOU PhD Entrance Exam |
To be Announced |
To be Announced |
NIPER PhD Entrance Exam |
To be Announced |
To be Announced |
Syllabus for PhD
The syllabus for the PhD program will depend on the subject opted for by the student. Note that the PhD program is available in almost all the major disciplines, including - Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Bio-Sciences, Clinical Research, Zoology, Applied Sciences, Economics, Social Work, Literature, Arts, Psychology, and Social Sciences.
The student will get around 3-5 years to complete their Ph.D. program. At the end of the program, the student will have to submit an original research thesis on a particular topic.
The research paper may include topics like:
- Introduction to the subject
- Research Design
- Research Foundation
- Quality Standards
- Measuring Structure and Size
Top PhD Colleges in India
College Name |
Eligibility |
Ranking |
Fees |
IISc Bangalore |
PG |
1 |
INR 35,200 |
IIT Madras |
PG |
2 |
INR 23,365 |
IIT Delhi |
PG |
3 |
INR 10,000 |
IIT Bombay |
PG |
4 |
INR 28,900 (consectional) INR 48,900 (non consectional) |
IIT Kharagpur |
PG |
5 |
INR 5,000 (SAARC) INR 25,000 (NON SARC) |
IIT Kanpur |
PG |
6 |
INR 24,250 (Regular) INR 49,759 (part time) |
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research |
PG |
7 |
INR 5,000 |
IIT Roorke |
PG |
8 |
INR 26,400 |
AIIMS, New Delhi |
PG |
9 |
INR 4,125 |
VIT, Vellore |
PG |
10 |
INR 40,000 |
Homi Bhabha National Institute |
PG |
11 |
INR 10,000 |
IIT Hyderabad |
PG |
12 |
INR 59,500 |
Jadavpur University |
PG |
13 |
- |
JNU Delhi |
PG |
14 |
INR 731 |
BHU Varanasi |
PG |
15 |
INR 4,236 (first year) |
University of Delhi |
PG |
16 |
INR 6,761 |
Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research, Pune |
PG |
17 |
INR 58,800 |
Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research |
PG |
18 |
INR 14,000 |
Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi |
PG |
19 |
INR 15,000 |
IIT Dhanbad |
PG |
20 |
INR 61,450 |
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 |
Job Profiles and Salaries
Job Position |
Job Description |
Average Salary in INR |
Assistant Professor |
For the most part, assistant professors are in charge of giving excellent lectures, seminars, and workshops to undergraduate and occasionally graduate students. They generate assignments, course syllabi, curriculum, mark examinations and assignments, and provide students helpful comments. |
INR 7.5 LPA |
Associate Professor |
Apart from teaching, they conduct intellectual activities such as innovative research in their area of expertise, publishing study results in journals, conferences, and other pertinent venues and collaborating on research initiatives with coworkers, students, and outside partners. |
INR 10 LPA |
Professor |
Apart from academic and research activities, they are engaged in attending departmental meetings, committee meetings, and meetings for academic governance, assisting in the creation of educational programs and curriculum and helping junior faculty members develop professionally and giving them advice. |
INR 13 LPA |
Research Associate |
A research associate is often a professional who works closely with principle investigators, senior researchers, and scientists on research projects. Experimentation, data analysis, participation in research design, and aiding in the communication of research results are their main duties. |
INR 7.5 LPA |
Consultant |
They are engaged in interacting with clients to comprehend their requirements, difficulties, and objectives. fostering trusting relationships with clients and serving as a valued advisor. |
INR 8 LPA |