Ph.D. process in India, step-by-step guide

PhD Process in India

Understanding PhD

PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy, and it is also understood as the ultimate in academic achievement. PhD is basically done to acquire expertise in a specific field. By doing PhD in a specific field, you can ensure expert knowledge in a niche wherein you can have some conclusive results that can be used by others who want some knowledge of that field.

The Ph.D. is an academically focused doctoral degree. Ph.D. programs typically last three years, and candidates must complete the course within a maximum of five to six years. However, the course duration may vary as per the institution’s protocols. Applicants must hold a master’s Degree to get admission to the doctoral program.

How to get a Ph.D. in India

Deciding to pursue a Ph.D. is a big step, and applying can feel long. To make you understand the Ph.D. process in India, we have put together a simple step-by-step guide to the Ph.D. application process. Applying for a Ph.D. has never been easier, with essential tips and links to more information.

Candidates can complete the Ph.D. program in any stream. Ph.D. programs require applicants to choose a topic or subject, research it thoroughly, and answer all questions related to the topic/subject.

Candidates who pass entrance examinations such as UGC NET, GATE, JEST, and other relevant exams usually get scholarships while pursuing their doctoral studies. Universities like IGNOU and the University of Delhi (DU) also offer scholarships for students to pursue a full-time Ph.D.

Time Span to complete the PhD

A Ph.D. course in India generally takes 3 years, and the maximum time that one can get the Ph.D. done is 5 to 6 years. The aspirants need to select a topic of their choice and then carry out in-depth research in that field. However, the time can vary from one institute to another. Some of the institutes can allow you more flexibility in the number of years in which you can complete your PhD. However, the minimum time is 3 years to complete a PhD course in India.

Ph.D. courses in India

Some of the Ph.D. courses offered in India are:

Science

Soil science and agriculture chemistry
Yoga
Physical Chemistry
Remote Sensing
Geoinformatics

Medical

Medical Physics
Paramedical
Physiotherapy

Arts

Fine Arts
English
Economics
History
Hindi
Sociology

Engineering

Information technology
Computer Engineering
Electronics Engineering

Management

Tourism
Finance
Strategy

The Eligibility to do Ph.D. in India

Master’s degree holders are eligible for admission to doctoral programs. A Master’s in Philosophy can also be a criterion to pursue a Ph.D. in a few topics.
The college students must have a minimum of 55% of post-graduation marks. In specific disciplines and for specific candidates, these criteria can be relaxed. The candidates can check the relevant universities where they aspire to take admission.
In a few universities, admission is based on interviews, which can be supplemented by a written exam.

Normally, as an eligibility criterion, A Master’s degree or M.Phil from an accredited university is required to pursue a PhD program, and the minimum required postgraduate marks should be 55%. This minimum mark criterion is applicable to all disciplines except for certain disciplines like Engineering and Technology in specific universities.

Usually, each university can have its unique entrance tests with possible exemptions for candidates who have successfully cleared exams, such as mentioned below:

UGC NET, CSIR / ICAR (ASRB), ICAR-AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) / GPAT / ICMR / GATE / DST – INSPIRE

One-year Ph.D. programs in India

To start with, it can be safely said that it is rare. Usually, 3 years is the minimum for completing a PhD degree, and some even go up to 7 years to complete it. However, for a select group of candidates, it is possible to complete their PhDs in just 2 years. In rare cases, students can also complete their PhD in just 1 year. It’s a rare possibility. A strong academic background and academic achievements are important to achieve this.

Students also need to be aware of certain scams by certain private universities that offer 1 year PhD programs. Some even offer PhD admission with gaps in your qualifications. You may just be wasting your time and may not be able to achieve your aim with such degrees. One-year programs are rare, and only a select few with outstanding academic achievements can go for them.

Can candidates pursuing PhD get fellowships?

The answer is yes and no. Candidates who have completed their postgraduate programs with a minimum of 55% in a relevant field and have completed entrance exams for PhD such as GATE, UGC NET, CSIR NET, JEST, and other recognized exams are eligible for fellowships. However, UGC NET scores are important and are now accepted as criteria for admission to PhD.

Can PhD be done by distant mode in India:

The answer is no. It was possible before 2017, but a PhD degree pursued through distance education is not recognized after 2017. You can check the UGC website for confirmation.

Which are the top colleges for pursuing PhD programs in India?

There are several good colleges.

Some of the good colleges are Banaras Hindu University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Banaras Hindu University, Aligarh Muslim Uiversity, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), New Delhi, University of Calcutta, SUV College of Sciences Tirupati, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Information Technology & Biotechnology (RGIITB), Pune, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata. Institute of Law, Nirma University (IOL-NU), Ahmedabad.

Value of PhD in India

Ph.D. provides many job opportunities in India in private and non-private sectors. Candidates can search various options available to them. PhD holders can make a great career in an academic field; apart from that, they can take up Research and Development roles in government and private organizations. Most PhD applicants go for lectureships or opt for a research firm. Certain candidates can go for research in reputed research organizations in the government or private sector.

Ph.D. fees in India

Often, the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Course fees fluctuate from one university to the other. Some universities, especially private universities, can charge a higher fee than government universities. Applicants may compare the fee structure at the time of admission. They can consult the college of their choice for the fee. Ph.D. Course Fees vary from Rs. 100000 to Rs. 5, 00,000 based on the chosen university and specialization.

One has to be prepared to pay up to 4 to 5 lakhs while pursuing a PhD degree from a private university. As said. most of the private universities will charge much higher, and the chances of scholarships are also pretty low.

Are Scholarships available for PhD?

The answer is yes and no. Some government institutions, such as CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) and UGC (University Grants Commission), offer scholarships in specific disciplines.

How to select the topic for Ph.D. thesis writing?

Choose a subject that interests you. Determine what assets you have available, such as time, money, and people, and pick a topic that is only occasionally resource-intensive.

Read a lot about your chosen subject

To write well, you must first read a lot more than that. Find a theoretical foundation to help your subject matter. Do a few studies to discover theories that match your subject perfectly. Ideally, know the format of the report and the thesis before you begin writing.

Look for a gap wherein you may make a difference.

Be positive when you are genuinely providing something new to the discipline. You cannot alternate the sector with one dissertation, so recognition is at the crux of what you need to discover and upload something new to the discipline.

Let yourself shift gears.

The subject you begin with frequently derives from your unique plan because it evolves. So, do not be afraid of shifting.

How can editing and proofreading service providers assist in getting your Ph.D. done?

Writing a PhD dissertation takes a lot of effort and time. When someone puts a lot of effort and time into something, it is natural to want the final version to be bug-free. Putting all the commas and colons in the right place can be even more of a headache, so it is best to turn to an online dissertation editing service.

We value your time and understand the seriousness of final editing and proofreading before submitting your manuscript. You do not want to get a bad grade just because your sentence patterns, spelling, or grammar do not meet the requirements. An editing service will assist your entire process of writing a thesis, from selecting the topic and writing the proper format to submitting a bug-free report.

Final Verdict

Graduating with a Ph.D. is a big career decision, so take calculated steps. This blog will help you to explore easy ways to get a PhD in India. We wish you luck!