PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
PhD(Doctor of Philosophy) is a doctoral degree with an academic focus. A PhD course is usually of three years duration and candidates need to complete the course within a maximum time span of five to six years. However, the course duration may vary from one institute to the other. Aspirants need to possess a master’s degree to be eligible to pursue a PhD programme. Candidates can pursue a PhD programme in any stream. In a PhD course, aspirants need to select a topic or a subject and do in-depth research on it and answer any queries related to the topic/ subject.Â
Earlier, candidates could pursue PhD courses through the distance mode, however, as per a circular issued by UGC in 2017 it has been informed that a PhD course pursued through the distance education mode would no longer be recognised. Candidates who have cleared entrance exams like UGC NET, GATE, JEST, and the like are usually offered fellowships while pursuing a PhD course. Apart from this, universities such as IGNOU and Delhi University (DU) also offer fellowships to students pursuing full-time PhD courses with them.
PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) Course Highlights
Check key points related to Doctor of Philosophy(Ph.D)Â in the table below:
Particulars | Details |
---|---|
Course level | Doctorate |
Duration | 3 years and maximum upto 6 years |
Course Fee | Up to INR 6 lakh |
Entrance Exam | JEST, GATE, UGC NET, CSIR NET |
Average salary | INR 5 to 10 lakh |
Top Recruiters | Government Departments, Research Institutes, Academic Institutions, Colleges and Universities |
Job Positions | Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Research Advisor, Research Consultant |
All About PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
PhD which is also known as Doctor of Philosophy is a research degree which is pursued in furtherance of academic or research pursuits. The course can either be pursued in full-time or part-time mode but in no means can be pursued in distance mode. PhD is a professional degree which requires investment of time for primary and secondary research activities. Therefore before pursuing this course, one must understand the demands of the course. On completion of PhD, one can switch to better paying career options such as academics or research activities.Â
Why do PhD? (Doctor of Philosophy)
One can pursue PhD to fast-track their career and pursue varied options ranging from university teaching to consultancy and departmental research fellowship. The number of PhD enrolments are increasing every year, owing to part-time option available for working professionals. This makes PhD a very popular academic programme especially for those candidates who wish to become experts in a particular area of research. Some of the advantages of PhD are as follows:
- Better Salary
- Development of Research Skills
- Demonstrate expertise in relevant field
- Demonstrate Communication skills and leadership qualilties.
Full-Time Research Scholars
Type of Research Scholar | Details |
---|---|
Government/ Semi-Government Fellowship Recipients | PhD scholars who fall under this category are offered financial assistance under Government/ Semi-Government fellowship schemes. |
Institute research Scholars with Teaching Assistance | Aspirants falling under this category of PhD scholars are offered Institute Teaching Assistantships as specified by the MHRD. |
Indian self-financed Candidates | Candidates are offered a seat in doctoral programmes at institutes depending on their track record and experience. Such candidates are offered admission in PhD programmes offered by the institute by taking part in the standard admission process for PhD courses but such candidates do not receive any financial assistance from the institute. |
Foreign self-financed | Candidates are offered admission through the embassy of their respective country only after they get the necessary ‘no objection certificate’ from MHRD, Govt of India and other necessary approvals from India’s Ministry of External Affairs. |
Sponsored Candidates | Aspirants falling under this category of PhD scholars are sponsored by (recognised) Research and Development organisations to do full-time research at the concerned institute. |
Study Leave Candidates | Aspirants falling under this category are given study leave by Government institutes/ companies/ educational institutes for a time duration of less than three years to perform research work at the specified institute. A letter of leave provided by the candidate’s institute/ company is necessary to secure admission as a PhD scholar in this category. |
ICCR Awardees | Foreign candidates who are sponsored by their respective governments are awarded a seat in a PhD course under the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) award holders’ category if they have been awarded the scholarship by their government. |
Part- Time Research Scholars
Candidates who seek admission under part-time research scholars at an institute are offered admission under the below-mentioned categories:
- Research Assistants
- Institute staff/ Faculty
- Project Staff
- External Sponsored Candidates
Admission Process for PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
In order to secure admission in PhD or research programmes offered by the educational institute, aspirants need to go through the below-mentioned steps:
Step 1:Â Visit the official website of the educational institute and go through all the details of the PhD courses offered by the institute and select the area of research that the candidate wants to pursue.
Step 2:Â Candidates need to keep an eye out for any admission advertisement in newspapers or visit the official website of the university to fill out the application form for admission to the course of their choice. Usually the admission notification is released 4-5 months before the commencement of the course cycle.
Step 3:Â Next, candidates need to fill out and submit their application forms for the PhD course as per the schedule shared by the educational institute. Aspirants also need to ensure that they pay the application fee on time and submit all the required documents along with their application form for PhD admissions.
Step 4:Â Some educational institutes also specify that candidates need to submit a research proposal along with their application form. The application form along with the research proposal is submitted to the Research Unit of the educational institute where scrutiny of the application is conducted.
Step 5:Â After scrutiny of the PhD course application form is complete then most of the educational institutes shortlist the names of the candidates who need to appear for the entrance exam and other admission rounds that are conducted for shortlisting aspirants for admission in PhD programmes offered by them.
Step 6:Â Candidates who are selected for PhD programmes on the basis of the admission rounds are then assigned supervisors/ guides for their PhD research.
Eligibility Criteria for Doctor of Philosophy
Aspirants are eligible to pursue a PhD course only if they have completed their master’s degree in a similar course/ field/ stream in which they want to pursue a PhD. Some colleges also specify that candidates need to have completed an MPhil to pursue a PhD course offered by them.
Apart from this, many colleges state that candidates meet the eligibility criteria for PhD programmes offered by them if they have cleared UGC NET. Candidates who want to pursue a PhD in Engineering need to possess a valid GATE score.
Top Entrance Exams for PhD 2023
Candidates seeking admission to PhD programmes, in most cases, have to clear entrance exams like UGC NET, GATE, and JEST.Â
In addition to the above exams, here are some of the other popular PhD entrance exams:
Name of the Exam | Registration Details | Exam Dates |
---|---|---|
UGC NET June 2023 | Registration will start in April 2023 | Â 13th-22nd June 2023 |
CSIR NET 2023 | March-April 2023 | June 2023 |
GATE 2023 | Result to be announced in March | Scorecard available in March 2023 |
JEST 2023 | Application window closed | 11th March 2023 |
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 PhD programme. At the end of the program, the student will have to submit an original research thesis on a particular topic.Â
The research paper may include topics like:
- Introduction to the subject
- Research Design
- Research Foundation
- Quality Standards
- Measuring Structure and Size
Popular PhD Programmes
Some popular PhD programmes that candidates can pursue in different streams are listed below:
Popular PhD courses in Humanities | ||
---|---|---|
PhD in Humanities | PhD Economics | PhD Geography |
PhD in Social Work | PhD in English | PhD in Social Sciences |
PhD in Public and Economic Policy | PhD in Humanities & Social Sciences | PhD in Humanities and Life Sciences |
PhD in Psychology | PhD in Arts | PhD in International Relations and Politics |
PhD in Physiology | PhD in Public Policy | PhD in Literature |
Popular PhD Courses in Science | ||
PhD in Chemistry | PhD in Clinical Research | PhD in Science |
PhD in Bioscience | PhD in Bioinformatics | PhD Biotechnology |
PhD in Mathematical and Computational Sciences | PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering | PhD in Applied Chemistry & Polymer Technology |
PhD in Applied Sciences | PhD Zoology | PhD in Physics |
PhD in Basic and Applied Sciences | Phd in Mathematics | PhD in Zoology |
Popular PhD Courses in Commerce | ||
PhD in Commerce Management | PhD in Accounting and Financial Management | |
Popular PhD Courses in Engineering | ||
PhD in Engineering | PhD in Genetic Engineering | PhD in Civil Engineering |
PhD Program in Quantitative Techniques | PhD in Engineering and Technology | PhD Electronics & Communication Engineering |
PhD Computer Science Engineering | PhD in Electronics and Communication Engineering | PhD in Aeronautical and Automobile Engineering |
PhD in Information Technology | PhD in Ceramic Engineering | PhD in Production Engineering |
PhD in Marine Biotechnology | PhD in Chemical Engineering | PhD in Mechanical Engineering |
Popular PhD Courses in Business & Management | ||
PhD Business Administration | PhD in Management | PhD in Aviation Management |
PhD in Logistics and Supply Chain Management | PhD in Accounting and Financial Management | PhD in Marketing/ Brand Management |
PhD in Commerce | PhD in Commerce and Management | |
Popular PhD Courses in Law | ||
PhD in Law | PhD in Constitutional Law | PhD in Law and Governance |
PhD in Legal Studies | ||
Popular PhD Courses in Teaching & Education | ||
PhD in Education | PhD in Teaching |
PhD Course Structure
Steps that candidates need to follow when pursuing a PhD course in order to be conferred a PhD degree are listed below:
- Once candidates are selected for PhD courses offered at educational institutes they need to submit their Research Proposal along with their Research Topic.
- Then, candidates are allocated a research supervisor/ guide.
- After this candidates are provided details of the Course Work, evaluation methodology and teaching schedule by the Research Programme Coordinator/ Guide/ Supervisor.
- While performing research work most educational institutes require aspirants to submit six-month progress reports for their research work.
- Further, as a Research Student one needs to give at least two seminar presentations as part of their tenure as a Research Scholar and thereafter submit a Certificate in the prescribed format to the Research Unit.
- Next, PhD students need to publish at least one research paper in a peer-reviewed/refereed Journal and also submit a Certificate in the prescribed format to the Research Unit before they submit their PhD thesis.
- Before aspirants submit their thesis, their supervisor or guide will organise a Pre-submission Seminar. This seminar will be open to all. As part of this seminar a report will be submitted which will include suggestions for improvement and the supervisor would ensure that candidates incorporate all these suggestions in the final thesis.
- Candidates then need to incorporate all the changes and submit a summary of their thesis to their supervisor or guide at least 45 days before the submission of the thesis.
- Finally, candidates need to submit their thesis in hard copy as well as soft copy. This thesis will be examined by external experts. In case any expert suggests any modifications in the research paper submitted by the candidate then he/ she needs to re-submit a modified thesis.
- Next, a viva-voce is conducted wherein candidates can openly defend their thesis and present their points of view before a panel of experts.
- Candidates who complete all these steps to perfection would only be conferred a PhD degree.
Top Colleges for PhD
Before pursuing PhD, candidates must explore various options on the basis of availability of research facilities, research supervisor and fee structure. Private colleges charge around INR 1 lakh per annum whereas government colleges charge around INR 20,000- 30,000 per annum for Ph.D courses.Â
Top Government Colleges for PhD
Some of the popular government colleges for PhD are as follows:
Institute | Total Average Fees |
---|---|
University of Delhi, Delhi | INR 70,000 |
Calcutta University, Kolkata | INR 60,000 |
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi | INR 90,000 |
Lucknow University, Lucknow | INR 1 lakh |
Allahabad University, Allahabad | INR 70,000 |
Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi | INR 50,000 |
Delhi Technological University, Delhi | INR 2 lakh |
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay | INR 3 lakh |
National Law University, Delhi | INR 3.5 lakh |
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh | INR 80,000 |
Top Private Colleges for PhD
Some of the popular private colleges for pursuing PhD are as follows:
Institute | Total Average Fees |
---|---|
Amity University, Noida | INR 4 lakh |
Christ University, Bangalore | INR 1.2 lakh |
ICFAI University, Hyderabad | INR 5 lakh |
Symbiosis University, Pune | INR 1 lakh |
UPES Dehradun | INR 4 lakh |
Galgotias University, Greater Noida | INR 3 lakh |
Sharda University, Greater Noida | INR 3 lakh |
Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar | INR 3 lakh |
Siksha O Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar | INR 2 lakh |
KIIT University, Bhubaneswar | INR 2.5 lakh |
PhD Career Scope and Job Profiles
The job prospects after completion of the PhD program is bound to go up for all the major streams. Also, note that the PhD program gives the candidate a base in research, which in turn could open up more employment opportunities.Â
Here are some of the popular job roles for PhD holders:
- Teaching jobs
- Government jobs
- Economists
- Financial managers
- Work as consultants at corporate firms and companies
- Become a research associate
- Product manager
- Development writer
- Assistant Director, learning programs
- Program officer of Think Tanks, Foundations, etc.
- Copywriter
Average Salary Offered
Check below the list of PhD  jobs and the average salary offered to the respective job profiles. The salary data is according to the website Payscale.com.
Job Position | Average Salary |
---|---|
Assistant Professor | INR 7.5 LPA |
Associate Professor | INR 10 LPA |
Professor | INR 13 LPA |
Research Associate | INR 7.5 LPA |
Consultant | INR 8 LPA |
PhD Top Recruiters
Some of the top recruiters of PhDs in India along with the associated job profiles are listed below.
- Government jobs – Professors, Public Prosecutors, Computer Engineers, Researchers, etc.
- Private Educational Institutes – Professors, Researchers, Counselors, Administrators, etc.
- MNCs – Corporate Lawyers, Engineers, Counselors, Researchers, etc.Â
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on PhD
- How many years does it take to have a PhD?
- PhD courses take a maximum of five to six years. However, the duration may vary as per the institute where the students have applied. Aspirants are eligible to pursue a PhD course only if they have completed their master’s degree in a similar course/ field/ stream in which they want to pursue a PhD. Some colleges also specify that candidates need to have completed an MPhil to pursue a PhD course offered by them.
- Can I finish my PhD in four years?
- There is a possibility that a student can finish his/her PhD in four years, but that completely depends on the chosen degree and institute. Scholars who haveÂ
- Will I be paid for PhD?
- Yes. Most PhD degrees offer stipends to students. The amount varies as per the degree chosen by the candidates for the doctorate. Those who qualify for NET JRF( Junior Research Fellow) receive a stipend of INR 31,000/- per month from the University Grants Commission.Â
- What is a PhD course?
- PhD is the short form of Doctor of Philosophy and to be eligible, the students are required to have completed their Master’s degree.  Aspirants need to possess a valid master’s degree to be eligible to pursue a PhD programme. Candidates can pursue a PhD programme in any stream. In a PhD course, aspirants need to select a topic or a subject and do in-depth research on it and answer any queries related to the topic/ subject.Â
- What are the top entrance exam for PhD admissions?
- Candidates who have cleared entrance exams like UGC NET, GATE, JEST, and the like are usually offered fellowships while pursuing a PhD course. Apart from this, universities such as IGNOUand Delhi University (DU)also offer fellowships to students pursuing full-time PhD courses with them.
- How can I get a fellowship for PhD?
- Students can get fellowships by attempting and qualifying for entrance exams such as UGC-NET, GATE and more. Fellowships are provided through UGC or CSIR or through institutions which provide financial support to research scholars.Â
- What are the required skillset for PhD?
- Students should be dedicated and good at research for a PhD. Additionally; they should also be self-motivated and good at writing all the reports and thesis, that they will prepare. Any aspirant who wants to pursue a PhD in the subject/ field of their choice needs to have a lot of interest and passion for the topic at hand. A PhD requires aspirants to study a topic in-depth and so candidates need to possess the required skill-set and dedication along with being extremely hard working when pursuing a PhD. Apart from these skills, candidates should be good at performing research and collaborating on the findings of research conducted by them.Â
- How can I get PhD admission?
- For PhD admissions, the students will have to apply at the official website of the institute they prefer. Some educational institutes also specify that candidates need to submit a research proposal along with their application form. The application form along with the research proposal is submitted at the Research Unit of the educational institute where scrutiny of the application is conducted. After scrutiny of the PhD course application form is complete then most of the educational institutes shortlist the names of the candidates who need to appear for the entrance exam and other admission rounds that are conducted for shortlisting aspirants for admission in PhD programmes offered by them.
- How is the course flow of PhD?
- After admissions, the students will have to work on their research proposal along with their allotted supervisor/guide. Students will have to participate in seminars and research papers while preparing their thesis. The final thesis will have to be submitted as a hard copy as well as a soft copy. A viva-voce will be conducted where the students will have to defend their thesis.
- Is a person with PhD a doctor?
- No. A person with a PhD has completed his/her Doctorate of Philosophy while a doctor has completed his education in Medicine and works to help other people with their medical conditions. In a PhD course, aspirants need to select a topic or a subject and do in-depth research on it and answer any queries related to the topic/ subject. This is very different from a doctor who pursues MBBS or Medicine and caters to medical issues.Â
- Do I need MPhil to apply for PhD?
- Most of the colleges accept students with a Master’s degree for a PhD. However, some institutes may require MPhil for PhD admissions. Aspirants are eligible to pursue a PhD course only if they have completed their master’s degree in a similar course/ field/ stream in which they want to pursue a PhD. Some colleges also specify that candidates need to have completed an MPhil to pursue a PhD course offered by them.