Full-Time PhD Programs in India

Candidates pursuing Full-Time PhD Programs can attend regular classes and receive assistance from the faculty associated with the funding agency.

Minimum Educational Qualification for Admission in PhD Full-Time Program

1. Candidates who have qualified a Master’s Degree in the eligible discipline with not less than a second class or 60% aggregate score. The minimum score required usually varies between 55- 60%, depending upon the University.
2. Their Master’s Degree in the eligible discipline must have been awarded by any University approved/affiliated by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
3. Candidates must also hold a minimum of an upper second class Graduation Degree in aggregation of the qualifying examination.
   OR
   Five-year integrated Master’s Degree or equivalent in the relevant discipline with a good academic record.
4. B.Tech/ B.E Degree, in case applicable, with a minimum CGPA or equivalent score of 8.0 on the scale of 10.0 or with a valid GATE score.
5. With a Master’s and Bachelor’s Degree, some Universities seek for qualifying score in the national level examinations such as CAT/XAT/MAT/ATMA/CSIR/NET/JRF or equivalent international level examination such as GMAT/GRE or equivalent.
   In case of candidates with at least 5 years of relevant experience after the Master’s Degree, the requirement of the test score in any of the above examination may be waived off by the University’s Selection Committee.
6. An M.Phil or equivalent degree with minimum Final Grade Point Average (FGPA) of 6.0 on the 10 point scale awarded by a recognized University in India or abroad may also be considered as a minimum eligibility for a direct admission to the PhD Program.

Admission Procedure

Institutes/Universities offering full- time PhD Programs in India admits candidates under the following categories:

• REGULAR -A candidate under the Regular category works full-time for his/her PhD Degree. They can avail fellowship or assistanceship from the University.
• SPONSORED – Candidates who are sponsored by a recognised R&D organization, academic institution or government organization for conducting research in the University on full-time basis come under this category. No fellowship by the University is offered to such candidates. – Candidates who are sponsored by a recognised R&D organization, academic institution or government organization for conducting research in the University on full-time basis come under this category. No fellowship by the University is offered to such candidates.
• SELF-FINANCED – Candidates falling under this classification have the options to pursue Part-time or Full-time PhD Programs in India. No fellowship by the University is offered to such candidates.
• PROJECT-STAFF – Candidates working on a sponsored project will be categorised as Project-Staff. They can choose to work on Full-time or Part-time basis. At the time of admission, the remaining duration of the project should at least be one year.
• PART-TIME – Professionally employed person willing to pursue a PhD programme while continuing their service are listed as Part-time candidates. No fellowship by the University is offered to such candidates.

Step 1:

Admission process for any course usually initiates with the University-issued Application form. Notice for the same is uploaded at their official website and the University Notice Boards. Eligible candidates from any of the above listed categories, passing the minimum Educational Qualification can successfully submit their filled-in application form to the respective University, along with all the required documents. Aspiring candidates are advised to carefully read all the admission guidelines stated in the prospectus.

Step 2:

Some Institutes/Universities conduct an Entrance Examination for full-time PhD programs in India, based on which they select the suitable candidates. These entrance tests are specialisation-based, may or may not comprise subjective type questions. University representatives inform the applicants about the Entrance exam date, time and Location.

Step 3:

All the applicants shortlisted in the test are called for the next step that would comprise of the Personal Interview by the Selection Committee and/or the Head of the University.
A cumulative score is devised based on the Interview, Entrance test result, Scores in the Qualifying Degree examinations and/or the previous Work Experience.

Step 4:

An Admission offer will then be sent to the final selected list of applicants, which completes the Admission Process. A small number of applicants may be put on hold or waitlist by the University till the time selected candidates give their acceptance.