PhD Admission in India 2024: Dates, Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Admission Process, Top Colleges
PhD is the next step in the academic journey for students who are passionate about research. If you are considering PhD studies in India, then check out this article on PhD admission 2024 that talks about the admission process, entrance exam schedule and important dates for PhD admission!
PhD Admission in India 2024: PhD admission in India is determined by entrance exams such as the UGC, CSIR NET, IIT JAM, etc. Some universities also offer PhD admissions based on merit, followed by an in-person interview. For PhD admission at prestigious central universities like JNU, DU, etc., the National Test Agency (NTA) conducts the UGC NET entrance exam. UGC NET scores are accepted by most of the universities in India that offer PhD courses. To be eligible for PhD admission 2024 at top PhD colleges in India, applicants must have secured a minimum of 50% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA in their postgraduate degree. As a part of the PhD admission eligibility, a valid cut-off score in an entrance exam is also required.
Doctor of Philosophy or PhD course is the highest degree or doctorate awarded for research in a specific subject, lasting three to five years. It involves substantial research work and presentation of the thesis, which is to be accredited by fellow academicians. Candidates interested in PhD admission 2024 in India are required to give presentations on their research work, submit their progress reports, and defend their thesis in an open defence viva voice. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about PhD course eligibility, the admission process, top colleges and universities, popular entrance exams, and more.
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PhD Admission 2024: Latest Updates
All PhD admissions for the academic year 2024 have been completed. Here is a list of important dates and events that occurred for your convenience. Here are the latest updates on PhD admission 2024:
- The entrance exam for the RGUHS PhD programme is scheduled for April 19 and 20, 2024.
- VIT Vellore PhD admission is now accepting applications through April 25, 2024, based on VITREE.
- By July 29, 2024, register for the PhD programme at ICFAI Jaipur.
Application Deadline for PhD Admission 2024 in Top Colleges
The table below includes the top PhD colleges and their application dates for PhD admission 2024:
College | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
IIM Ahmedabad | October 03 – January 29, 2024 (Over) |
IIM Calcutta | November 01 – January 30, 2024 (Over) |
IIT Bombay (IITB) | September 12 – October 20, 2023 (Spring Session) (Over) |
Indian Institute of Science Bangalore | February 2024- April 2024 |
IIT Delhi | Open till October 31, 2023 (Over) |
IIT Madras | October 28, 2023 (Over) |
IIT Kharagpur | April 2024 |
IIT Kanpur | To be notified |
University of Delhi | June 2024 – July 2024 |
University of Hyderabad | December 30 – January 15, 2024 (Over) |
IIT Roorkee | November 28 – February 28, 2024 (Over) |
IIT Guwahati | January 02, 2024 (Over) |
IIT Jammu | September 26 – October 20, 2023 (Over) |
IIT Dhanbad | Open till October 30, 2023 (Over) |
IIM Mumbai | Open till January 31, 2024 (Over) |
IIM Amritsar | Open till February 15, 2024 (Over) |
IIM Bodh Gaya | Open till February 29, 2024 (Over) |
IIM Lucknow | Open till January 31, 2024 (Over) |
Eligibility Criteria for PhD Admission 2024
Students who intend to pursue PhD in India must meet the necessary PhD admission eligibility criteria required by their respective colleges. Listed below are the detailed PhD qualifications required for pursuing a PhD from India:
- Masters degree holders are eligible for PhD admission 2024 into the doctoral programme. Although, for some subjects, having a Master in Philosophy (MPhil) is one of the criteria for PhD admission eligibility. It must be noted by the candidates that in some Indian universities, for a Master's programme, a specific percentage (or equivalent CGPA) is required to satisfy a PhD course eligibility requirement.
- For admission into some reputable universities, a candidate must qualify for the all-India examination, like the National Eligibility Test for Lectureship (NET) conducted by NTA. Final-year students appearing in the qualifying degree examination can also apply although they must submit the attested copies of their qualifying degree certificates
- Admission is offered based on interview. Also, the interview may be supplemented with a written exam if needed.
- Candidates should have a valid Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) score to satisfy a PhD admission eligibility criteria in the field of engineering and technology. Also, candidates should have completed their degree in Masters of Technology (MTech / Masters in Engineering (ME) in any engineering branch to satisfy the PhD course eligibility in engineering.
Admission Process for PhD Admission 2024
The need for a PhD degree in India has increased in recent times because of the increasing career prospects and the growing requirement for higher specialisation. Applicants who want a PhD admission 2024 must consider the following points concerning the admission procedure as the admission is done based on merit and/or entrance exams.
- Admission into colleges/ universities in India is available for candidates in full-time and part-time programmes in various disciplines of engineering, arts, management, commerce, science, humanities, finance, law, medicine and IT.
- Candidates can choose to pursue their PhD either full-time or part-time. The minimum duration of PhD is two years wherein the course follows the semester system including theory and practical versions on the specialisation of a respective course.
- For PhD admission 2024, a Master's degree is required in India. Some universities in India offer seats to students having a minimum of 55% aggregate marks or equivalent.
- In some cases, doing an MPhil is a part of their PhD admission criteria to pursue courses offered by some universities.
- Admissions to a PhD programme is done through an entrance test at the university level or national level.
The admission procedure for both processes is described below.
| Merit-Based | Entrance-Based |
|---|---|
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Entrance Exams Required for PhD Admission 2024
The entrance exams for PhD courses conducted in India may vary university-wise. PhD admission in India is based on enrollment to several universities. Universities accept the results of either a national-level or a university-level entrance examination. The following section summarises the PhD admission 2024 entrance exam schedule. Mentioned below is the list of the top entrance exams for PhD in India:
Symbiosis Institute - PhD Entrance Exam | BITS Pilani - PhD Entrance Examination |
JNUEE Exam / JNU Direct PhD | |
UGC NET Exam | AIIMS College PhD Entrance Exam |
Osmania University PhD Entrance Exam | |
Vellore Institute of Technology Research Entrance Examination - VIITREE | GITAM University Vishakhapatnam PhD Admissions Test |
Kurukshetra University PhD Entrance Exam | PhD Entrance Exam of NMIMS University Mumbai |
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Delhi PhD Admission Test | Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi – PhD Admission Test |
Jamia Hamdard New Delhi PhD Admission Test | |
National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) PhD Entrance Exam | BARC PhD Admission Test |
Indian Veterinary Research Institute Bareilly PhD Admission Test | ISM Dhanbad PhD Admission Test |
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University Lucknow-PhD Admissions Test | University of Hyderabad PhD Entrance Exam |
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Graduate School Admission Entrance Test | NIMH College PG/PG Diploma/Superspeciality PhD online entrance test |
DBT JRF Biotech Entrance Test | GTU PhD Entrance Exam |
Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) | Symbiosis International PhD Entrance Test (PET) |
Top Entrance Exams Schedule for PhD Admission 2024
As discussed, PhD admission 2024 is primarily based on entrance exams. Applicants can select from several PhD specialisations, including mathematics, engineering, education, and engineering. The table below shows the exam schedules for India's most competitive PhD entrance exams.
Entrance Exam | Registration Date | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|
GATE | August 30 - October 12, 2023 (Extended) August 30 - October 20, 2023 (With a late fee) | February 3, 4, 10 and 11, 2024 |
IIT JAM | September 05 – October 25, 2023 (Extended) | February 11, 2024 |
UGC NET | March - April 2024 | June 10 – 21, 2024 |
VITREE | September 25 – November 30, 2023 (Jan Session) January 25 – April 25, 2024 (July Session) | December 10, 2023 (Jan Session) May 05, 2024 (July Session) |
IGNOU PhD Entrance | December 12 – January 03, 2023 | January 07, 2024 |
IPU PhD Entrance Test (PET) | March 2024 | June 2024 |
RGUHS Pre PhD Entrance | March 23 – April 01, 2024 | April 19 – 20, 2024 |
NIPER PhD Entrance Exam | April 2024 | June 2024 |
Top Universities in India for PhD Admission 2024
For PhD admissions, the majority of the universities/institutes conduct their entrance examinations and also consider the GATE/ NET scores. Here is a list of some of the popular universities in India offering PhD courses to the candidates:
CSIR Institute of Microbial Technology | |
Also Read:
| Top Government PhD Colleges in Maharashtra | List of Private PhD Colleges in Maharashtra |
| Calicut University PhD Admissions | Central University of Orissa PhD and MPhil Admissions |
Preparation Tips for PhD Admission
Here are some preparation tips for PhD entrance exams which students can use for reference:
- Students should gather past year PhD entrance exam question papers from reliable sources and study accordingly.
- They must refer to the PhD entrance exam syllabus as per their specialisation.
- The entrance exam format varies depending on the conducting body; therefore, the aspirants must be informed of the structure to plan accordingly.
- They must cover all exam subjects at least one month before the exam.
- To relieve exam stress, the students must take advantage of the various mock tests available.
- Keeping up with current events is vital because they are essential for grades.
- Visiting the exam centre a day before the exam to avoid last-minute confusion about where the exam centre location is advised.
- Before the exam, students must get a good night's sleep.
Job Prospects After PhD in India
In today’s world, there is immense scope for candidates after they have completed their PhD. Gone are those days when the scope of PhD was limited to academia. After completing a PhD, one should track their potential and apply to jobs based on exact skills and expertise. Following are a few career options that candidates can choose after pursuing a PhD:
- Researcher
- Scientist
- Lecturer & Professor
- Author & Writer
- Journalist
- Editor & Critic
- Human Services/Social Worker
- Independent Consultant
- Philosophical Journalist
- Industrial R&D Lab professionals
- Senior Research Scientist
PhD is considered one of the most valued degrees not just in India but abroad as well. When it comes to your career graph, it can be a good qualification for the aspirants. Many colleges or universities offer this course for aspiring students, however, one should satisfy their respective PhD admission eligibility. With this, candidates will have in-depth knowledge and develop mastery over the subjects they have chosen for specialisation, which will be extremely useful for them in their careers.
Stay tuned to CollegeDekho for more such updates and information. Aspirants can also check out our QnA Zone to get their queries resolved by our experts. We wish good luck to all the candidates seeking PhD admission 2024 in India!
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FAQs
What does a PhD degree mean?
A PhD is an abbreviation for Doctor of Philosophy, which is the highest academic course level. The breadth of knowledge that a PhD bestows on its holders allows them to excel in research, analysis, and critical thinking to an extent that bachelor's or master's degrees cannot match.
Is a PhD required after a Masters degree?
Whether a PhD is required after a master's degree depends on a candidate’s interests in a particular specialisation. To be eligible to enrol in a PhD programme, candidates must hold a master's degree in good standing. A PhD course can be pursued by students in any field.
What is the easiest PhD to obtain?
The list of the top 10 easiest PhDs to obtain includes a PhD in Humanities, a PhD in Education, a PhD in Theology, a PhD in Business Administration, a PhD in Psychology, a PhD in Literature, a PhD in Criminal Justice, a PhD in Public Policy, a PhD in History, and a PhD in Sociology.
Can I finish my PhD in two years?
Yes, students can finish their PhD in two years. While a small percentage of exceptionally talented candidates can finish their PhDs in under 12 months, most applicants finish theirs in two years. The rarity and impressiveness of this cannot be overstated, but it is always possible. The secret to completing a PhD promptly is to have a solid academic background before you begin.
what is the PhD eligibility criteria?
In most cases, a two-year Master's OR MPhil degree in the relevant field from any accredited Indian or foreign university is the minimal requirement for admission to a PhD programme. She or he must have earned a master's degree or a grade equivalent with at least 55%.
what are the PhD qualification?
In most cases, a two-year Master's OR MPhil degree in the relevant field from any accredited Indian or foreign university is the minimal requirement for admission to a PhD programme. She or he must have earned a master's degree or a grade equivalent with at least 55%.
Can I get a PhD without a master's degree?
Yes. It is every so often possible to forego your master's programme and enrol directly in doctoral courses. You can choose to forego your PG degree by enrolling in a research programme after earning your bachelor's degree.
What is the average salary for a PhD?
A PhD is the highest educational qualification that can be obtained. A PhD candidate can expect to earn PhD salary between INR 6 and INR 12 lakhs per year.
What subjects can you get a PhD in?
A PhD programme allows you to specialise in a variety of fields. Chemistry Clinical Psychology Education Physics Electronics and Communications Engineering Educational Leadership and Administration are some of the popular doctorate level courses.
How long does it take to get a PhD?
A doctorate or PhD degree typically takes three years to complete. Candidates accepted into the programme have a maximum of 5 to 6 years to complete their research. However, the duration of the PhD programmes varies by institute.