PhD: Full Form, Admission, Entrance Exam, Fees, Syllabus, Career Scope, Top Colleges

The PhD's full form is Doctor of Philosophy, which comes from the Latin Philosophiae Doctor. The highest degree or doctorate granted for research in a specific field is the Ph.D. PhD course duration is 3 – 5 years. PhD admissions require a master's degree with a minimum aggregate score of 55%.

PhD admission is based on PhD entrance exams. CSIR UGC NET, UGC NET, IIT JAM, and NPAT are the top PhD entrance exams. If a candidate wishes to pursue PhD in Engineering and Technology, then they must possess a valid GATE score. CSIR UGC NET is the national-level PhD entrance exam conducted twice a year. The registration procedure for the CSIR UGC NET exam will begin soon, and the exam is scheduled for December.

Course Highlights

PhD Full Form	Doctor of Philosophy
PhD Duration	4-6 Years
PhD Degree Requirements	Coursework, Presentation, Submission of Progress Reports, Thesis
PhD Admission	Entrance Exams/Direct Admission
PhD Specializations	PhD Physics, PhD Computer Science, Phd Psychology, PhD History, PhD in Business Administration, PhD Engineering, Phd Economics, PhD Nursing
Online PhD Program	IGNOU, IISc Bangalore, Dr. BR Ambedkar Open University Hyderabad, Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University
Fully Funded PhD Programs	Students need to clear UGC NET exam to get funded by the government
Top PhD Colleges	IITs, IISc, Jadavpur University, Delhi University, JNU

Why study PhD?

• Ph. D.s help students to start or continue their research in a field that they are passionate about. 
• It helps in improving employment prospects. It can unlock lots of career chances. If someone wants to become a University researcher or lecturer, then a Ph.D. degree is normally the main requirement.
• The tax incentive for companies conducting research and development has been reduced by the Indian government, in line with the conclusions of the 2015 UNESCO Science Report.
•  Organizations dedicated to research and development, as well as higher education institutions, are crucial to the development of a nation.

PhD Degree Requirements

PhD Degree requirements are the process or the prerequisites of getting the PhD Degree. This is different in different countries. Ph.D. in India follows the rules described by the UGC. 

Ph.D. Degree requirements include completion of coursework, presentation of a research proposal or synopsis, submission of progress reports, giving a pre-submission presentation, and then defending the thesis in an oral debating atmosphere.

PhD Admission Process

Ph.D. admission is based on enrollment to several universities. Universities accept the results of either national-level or university-level entrance exams. The top Ph.D. entrance exams are CSIR UGC NET, UGC NET, IIT JAM, and NPAT. If a candidate wishes to pursue PhD in Engineering and Technology, then they must possess a valid GATE score. As per the recent directives of the UGC, candidates who complete a four-year UG degree would be able to directly apply to pursue a PhD degree in their desired choice of program.

Ph.D. Eligibility

• Master's degree holder candidates are eligible for admission to doctoral programs. For some subjects, a Master's in Philosophy is needed to pursue a PhD.
• The students should have at least 50-55% of marks post-graduation.
• In some universities, admission is offered on the basis of interviews. It may be increased with a written exam.
• More importance is given to candidates who have work experience in the field of research.

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 Ph.D. program. At the end of the program, the student will have to submit an original research thesis on a particular topic. 

The research paper may include topics like:

• Introduction to the subject
• Research Design
• Research Foundation
• Quality Standards
• Measuring Structure and Size

Top PhD Colleges in India

College Name	Eligibility	Ranking	Fees
IISc Bangalore	PG	1	INR 35,200
IIT Madras	PG	2	INR 23,365
IIT Delhi	PG	3	INR 10,000
IIT Bombay	PG	4	INR 28,900 (consectional) INR 48,900 (non consectional)
IIT Kharagpur	PG	5	INR 5,000 (SAARC) INR 25,000 (NON SARC)
IIT Kanpur	PG	6	INR 24,250 (Regular) INR 49,759 (part time)
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research	PG	7	INR 5,000
IIT Roorke	PG	8	INR 26,400
AIIMS, New Delhi	PG	9	INR 4,125
VIT, Vellore	PG	10	INR 40,000
Homi Bhabha National Institute	PG	11	INR 10,000
IIT Hyderabad	PG	12	INR 59,500
Jadavpur University	PG	13	-
JNU Delhi	PG	14	INR 731
BHU Varanasi	PG	15	INR 4,236 (first year)
University of Delhi	PG	16	INR 6,761
Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research, Pune	PG	17	INR 58,800
Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research	PG	18	INR 14,000
Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi	PG	19	INR 15,000
IIT Dhanbad	PG	20	INR 61,450

Top PhD Government Colleges

College Name	Fees (INR)
JNU	1391
DIPSAR	30,385
NIT Durgapur	64,100
Jai Narayan Vyas University	10,000
BHU	10,000
Jamia Millia Islamia	15,000
Aligarh Muslim University	10,000
Calcutta University	14,000
Jadavpur University	12,000
Institute of Advanced Study in Education	3,116

Top PhD Private Colleges

College Name	Fees (INR)
VIT	53,000
Bombay College of Pharmacy	1,50,850
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education	25,000
IFHE Hyderabad	1,20,000
IIIT-B	1,07,000
Manipal Academy of Higher Education	59,000
PRIST University	30,000
DA-IICT	65,000
JRNRVU	30,000
BVIMSR	75,000

Job Profiles and Salaries

Job Position	Job Description	Average Salary in INR
Assistant Professor	For the most part, assistant professors are in charge of giving excellent lectures, seminars, and workshops to undergraduate and occasionally graduate students. They generate assignments, course syllabi, curriculum, mark examinations and assignments, and provide students helpful comments.	INR 7.5 LPA
Associate Professor	Apart from teaching, they conduct intellectual activities such as innovative research in their area of expertise, publishing study results in journals, conferences, and other pertinent venues and collaborating on research initiatives with coworkers, students, and outside partners.	INR 10 LPA
Professor	Apart from academic and research activities, they are engaged in attending departmental meetings, committee meetings, and meetings for academic governance, assisting in the creation of educational programs and curriculum and helping junior faculty members develop professionally and giving them advice.	INR 13 LPA
Research Associate	A research associate is often a professional who works closely with principle investigators, senior researchers, and scientists on research projects. Experimentation, data analysis, participation in research design, and aiding in the communication of research results are their main duties.	INR 7.5 LPA
Consultant	They are engaged in interacting with clients to comprehend their requirements, difficulties, and objectives. fostering trusting relationships with clients and serving as a valued advisor.	INR 8 LPA