Ph.D. Admission in Top Universities & Institutes

PhD is a highest level degree in any education field. A PhD course is as a rule 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 differ from one institute to the other. Aspirants need to have a postgraduate degree to be qualified to pursue a PhD program.

Candidates can pursue a PhD program in any stream. In a PhD course aspirants need to choose a topic or a subject and do top to bottom research on it and answer all questions related with the research topic/subject.

Prior, candidates could pursue PhD course through the distance mode, however, according to the circular issued by UGC in 2017 it has been informed that a PhD course pursued through the distance education mode would at this point not be recognised.

Candidates who have cleared entrance tests like UGC NET, GATE, JEST and the likes are normally offered fellowships while pursuing a PhD course. Aside from this, top universities like IGNOU and Delhi University (DU) also offer fellowships to students pursuing full time PhD courses with them.

Some well known PhD programs that candidates can pursue in various streams are listed below:

Any aspirant who wants to pursue a PhD in the subject/field of their choice needs to have a lot of interest and energy for the topic. A PhD expects aspirants to concentrate on a topic top to bottom thus candidates need to have the necessary range of skills, dedication or devotion along with being very dedicated while pursuing a PhD. Aside from these skills, candidates should be great at performing research and collaborating the findings of research conducted by them.

A PhD also expects aspirants to be quick and great with presenting their thoughts and findings thus a prerequisite candidates be knowconductedgeable with written communication and have great writing skills.

Eligibility Criteria for PhD Admission in India

• Aspirants are qualified to pursue a PhD course only if they have completed their postgraduate degree in a relevant subject/field/stream in which they need to pursue a PhD. Some Indian Universities and Colleges also determine that candidates need to have completed a MPhil to pursue a PhD course offered by them.
• Aside from this, numerous top level universities state that applicants meet the qualification measures for PhD programs offered by them if they have cleared UGC NET. Candidates who want to pursue a PhD in Engineering need to have a substantial GATE score.

There are various categories of PhD applicants. Some of the types of PhD candidates are listed below:

Full Time Research Scholars

• Government/Semi Government Fellowship Recipients
• PhD researchers who fall under this class 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 Assistantship as indicated by the MHRD.

Self-financed Candidates (Indian/Foreign)

• Indian self-financed candidates are offered a seat in doctoral programmes offered at institutes relying upon their track record history and experience. Such candidates are offered admission in PhD programs offered by the institute by participating in the ordinary admission process for PhD courses however such applicants get no financial assistance from the institute.
• Foreign self-financed candidates are offered admission through the embassy of their respective country solely after they get the important 'no objection certificate' from MHRD, Govt of India and other essential endorsements from India's Ministry of External Affairs.

Sponsored Candidates

• Candidates falling under this category of PhD scholars are financed by (recognised) Research and Development associations to do full time research at the concerned institute or University.

Study Leave Candidates

• Aspirants falling under this class are given study leave by Government organizations/companies/educational institutes for a period span of under three years to carry out research work at the specified institute. A letter of leave given by the candidate's institute/ company is important to get admission as a PhD researcher in this class.

ICCR Awardees

• Foreign candidates who are financed by their respective government are granted a seat in a PhD course under Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) award holders' category if they have been granted the scholarship by their government.

Part Time Research Scholars

Candidates who look for admission under part time research scholars at the university are offered admission under the below mentioned categories:

• Research Assistants
• Institute staff/ Faculty
• Project Staff
• External Sponsored Candidates

PhD Admission Process

To get admission in PhD or research programs offered by the educational institute, aspirants need to go through the below mentioned steps:

Step 1: Visit the official site of the instructive organization and go through every one of the subtleties of the PhD courses offered by the establishment and select the area of exploration that the up-and-comer needs to pursue.

Step 2: Candidates need to look out for any admission advertisement in newspapers, magazine or visit the official site of the university to fill the application form for admission in the course of their choice. Generally the admission notification is released 4-5 months before the commencement of the course cycle.

Step 3: Next, applicants need to fill and submit their application forms for the PhD course according to the timetable shared by the educational institute. Candidates also need to ensure that they pay the application fee on time and submit every one of the expected documents along with their application form for PhD admissions.

Step 4: Some educational institutes also determine 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 Department of the educational institute where research of the application is conducted.

Step 5: After research of the PhD course application form is completed then a large portion of the educational institutes shortlist the names of the candidates who need to appear for the entrance test and other admission rounds that are conducted for shortlisting aspirants for admission in PhD programs offered by them.

Step 6: Candidates who are selected for PhD programs based on the admission rounds are then alloted research supervisors/guides for their PhD research.

Ph.D. Course Duration

• The Duration of the Ph.D. course is a minimum of 3 Years from the enrollment or registration date, for external candidates (Part Time PhD) the course duration is 3 years. Candidates need to complete the course within a maximum period of five to six years. But, the course duration may contrast from one institute to the next. Candidates are required to hold a postgraduate degree to be qualified to look for a Ph.D. Program. However, the doctor of philosophy course follows the semester system including both theory and practical versions on the respective specialization course.

PhD Course Structure

Steps that candidates need to follow while pursuing a PhD course in order to be conferred a PhD degree are listed below:

• Whenever applicants are selected for PhD courses offered at educational institutes they need to submit their Research Proposal along with their Research Topic.
• Then, at that point, candidates are allocated a research supervisor/guide.
• After this candidates are provided details of the Course Work, evaluation methodology and the teaching schedule by the Research Program Coordinator/Guide/Supervisor.
• While performing research work most educational institutes expect Aspirants to submit six month progress reports for their research work.
• Further, as need may arise to give something like two seminar presentations part of their tenure as a Research Scholar and thereafter submit a Certificate in the prescribed format to the Research Department of the University or Institute.
• Then, PhD students need to publish something like one research paper in a peer reviewed/refereed Journal and furthermore submit a Certificate in the endorsed format to the Research Department before they submit their PhD thesis.
• Before Aspirants submit their thesis, their research supervisor or guide will put together a Pre-submission Seminar. This seminar will be open to all research scholars. As a component of this seminar a report will be submitted which will include suggestions for further improvement, development and the research supervisor would ensure that candidates incorporate this suggestions in the final thesis or dissertation.
• Candidates then need to incorporate each and every one of the changes and submit a summary of their thesis to their research supervisor or guide at least 45 days before the submission of the thesis.
• At long last, applicants need to submit their thesis in printed version as well as soft copy. This thesis will be analyzed by external experts. In the event that any modifications in the research paper submitted by the candidate then he/she needs to re-submit a modified thesis.
• Then, a viva-voce is conducted wherein candidates can straightforwardly defend their thesis and submit their perspective before a panel of specialists.
• Candidates who complete this these steps to perfection would just be given a PhD degree.

Fee Structure for Doctor of Philosophy

Frequently, the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Course Fees differ from one institute to the next. Some of the universities charge more from the students and some charge less according to the govt standards. However, candidates need to follow the Institute's fee guidelines while counselling. On normal Ph.D. Course Fees range from Rs. 4000 to Rs. 14,00,000 based on the selected Institute and specialization. Besides, the universities give direct seats to the candidates by keeping a separate fee structure that reaches from Rs 20,000 to 30,000 every year.

Why Study PhD Course?

PhD or Doctor of Philosophy is commonly a 3 to 5-year course that whenever selected by students who have completed their master’s examinations and want to seek after their studies. By enrolling in a PhD course, the students get drawn in with an environment and atmosphere where they will get to expound and learn in brief about a specific discipline.

There are so many specializations accessible in the Ph.D. course. Any student with any area of interest can opt for this course willingly. A Phd degree is viewed as the most highest level degree in the field of education, with more knowledge, experience, skills and abilities. By choosing a Ph.D. degree, students can make their way towards major areas of strength for a encouraging career.

In their course curriculum, PhD students will get the valuable chance to make a prosperous career in the field they to choose as best for them. Since the doctorate course is thought of as the most elevated level of degree that a student can achieve in their career, students will get bunches of chances to engage in a task prospect that will help them in carrying a positive change to an errand.

Benefits of pursuing PhD course?

Aspirants who may want to work in academic or scientific studies should undertake a Doctor of Philosophy degree.

• By opting the PhD course, students will get the chance to pursue their passion and have an impact on the manner in which others check it out. They will prepare their mindset, skills and abilities for the difficulties that they need to look during their professional career.
• To determine whether you are qualified to seek a Ph.D. Course, the individual should take part in profound discussions with teachers, educators and past Ph.D. researchers who can give good advice.
• Students should investigate various Doctor of Philosophy projects to acquire a sensible overview of what Doctor of Philosophy degree courses comprise of. Just after students have gotten a handle on the whole system, they intend to proceed with a Doctor of Philosophy.

PhD Entrance Exam

Ph.D. admittance depends on enrolment to several institutions, and academic institutions regard the result of a nationwide or a university entrance exam. The details about some significant Ph.D. entrance exams are given as:

• UGC NET: UGC NET test is a national level test conducted by the UGC for PhD admission, and students who clear their test get the potential chance to pursue a PhD course at a perceived institution. This test is conducted by the NA at the national level and is viewed as the criteria for admission by various top level institutions.
• VIT MEE: The Vellore Institute of Technology Master's Entrance Examination (VITMEE) is an educational establishment aptitude test for admittance to integrated Ph.D. courses and other PG programmes like M-Tech and MCA. The Vellore Institute of Science and Technology Master’s Entrance Examination is held one time per year and is basically for enrollment to VIT foundations. The time allotted to students is 2 hours, and the test mode is online.
• GPAT: Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test or GPAT is an annual nationwide aptitude test for enrolment to masters in Pharmacy and other equivalent coursework, for example, Incorporated Ph.D.. The National Testing Agency controls the GPAT (NTA). This test is given totally web-based, and the assessment last 180 minutes and is worth 500 points.

PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus

The syllabus for Ph.D. Entrance test includes topics from 12th class, Graduation, and Post-Graduation degree levels, like general aptitude, english, sciences, mathematics, life sciences, and technology.