PhD in Economics: Course Fees, Admission 2026, Syllabus, Top Colleges, Career Scope

Akansha BishtSenior Executive
PhD in Economics is a doctoral course. The average PhD duration is 3 to 6 years. It is a research-based course concerned with the finite economic resources and their fair distribution. The curriculum includes a detailed research on a particular topic - a thesis.
One can form his/ her thesis in domains like Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, International Economics and Business Economics. The curriculum has subjects like Econometrics, Behavioral Economics, Public Economics, Economic Principles, International Economics etc.
A Doctor of Philosophy in Economics may be referred as the highest qualification in Economics. There are quite a few private as well government colleges offering this course in India. A PhD Economics Scholar can seek employment options in R&D, Education, Government, Consulting and more.
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PHD in Economics Course Details: Highlights
Refer to the table below for more PhD in Economics course highlights:
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| Course Name |
Ph.D in Economics |
| Course level |
Doctorate |
| Admission Procedure |
Merit and Entrance Based. |
| Entrance Exams |
|
| Course Fees |
INR 15,000 to INR 1.5 Lakh |
| Salary in India |
INR 8-15 LPA. |
| Job Profiles |
Professor, Financial Analyst, Investment Banker |
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- PhD in Economics Eligibility Criteria and Admission 2026
- PhD in Economics Entrance Exams 2026
- PhD Economics Syllabus 2026
- Best PhD in Economics Colleges in India
- Popular Private Ph.D. in Economics Colleges in India
- PhD in Economics Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters
- PhD Economics FAQs: 2025
- Popular Ph.D. in Economics Specializations
- Course Cutoffs
PhD in Economics Eligibility Criteria and Admission 2026
Refer to the table below for a quick overview of the PhD in Economics eligibility criteria:
| Criteria | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Academic Qualification |
Bachelor's degree 4 years, including 1 year of research in Economics or a relevant field from a recognized university or Master's degree in Economics or a relevant field from a recognized university.
|
| Minimum Marks |
Minimum 55% marks or equivalent CGPA in the Master's degree.
|
| Entrance Exams |
Many colleges require a valid score in national or university-level entrance exams like UGC NET, CSIR NET and GATE.
|
| Research Proposal |
Some colleges may require a research proposal outlining the intended research topic.
|
| Interview |
Shortlisted students often undergo an interview to assess their research aptitude and suitability for the program.
|
|
Age Limit |
No prescribed age limit. |
The above information is fetched from external sites and may vary.
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PhD in Economics Admission Process 2026
You can have a general overview of the PhD in Economics admission process below. These are the basic requirements. You need to fulfil them.
- Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements.
- Apply online by filling out the form.
- Take the entrance exam. (if applicable)
- Some colleges take merit-based admissions as well.
- Wait for the merit list and result.
- If selected, attend the counselling session.
- Appear for any additional rounds like PI or GD.
- Get the documents verified and pay the fee to secure the seat
The above information is fetched from external sites and may vary.
Know more about: PhD Admission 2026
Yes, Candidates with a valid GATE score can get direct admission to Doctoral programs in relevant branches of Engineering/ Technology/ Science/ Architecture/ Humanities, in the institutions supported by the MoE and other Government agencies.
Financial Assistance given for Ph.D. programs (Direct Ph.D. after B.E./B.Tech/M.Sc equivalent with a valid GATE score) is usually INR 37,000 per month for the first two years and INR 42,000 per month from the third to the fifth year.
Among lot of benefits for the same. Some are mentioned below;
You can get a CSIR NET JRF fellowship/Ph.D. Fellowship of INR 31,000 per month for 2 years as JRF followed by an INR 35,000 per month fellowship for 3 additional years.
Get opportunities to work in top Research Laboratories in positions like Junior Research Fellowship, Senior Research Fellowship, Project Associate, Research Associate, Project Fellow, and Senior Project Fellow are positions which you can apply for.
Numerous Public sectors companies like Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum, and ONGC, hire CSIR NET and GATE qualified every year for various posts with an average salary from INR 40,000 to INR 80,000 per month.
You can get an opportunities to join a top university as an Assistant Professor or guest lecturer.
5- CSIR NET qualification increases your CV Weightage/Helps in getting higher preferences in getting jobs.
Hope it helps!
Read more:
PhD in Economics Entrance Exams 2026
There are a few entrance exams for PhD. You can target these in order to get admission to a PhD in Economics in some of the top colleges in India.
Refer to the table below for details on the same.
|
PhD Economics Entrance Exam |
Entrance Exam Schedule |
|---|---|
|
GATE 2026 |
|
|
UGC NET 2026 |
The above information is fetched from external sites and may vary.
More to read on PhD Economics Entrance Exams:
Top 5 Toughest Exams in India: Check Complete Details Here
GATE 2026 Cutoff: Branch-Wise Cutoff for IITs, NITs, GFTIs
UGC NET Previous Year Question Papers with Solution: Download Free PDF
Important Exam Dates
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 10 Jun ' 26 - 22 Jun ' 26 | IPU CET 2026 Counselling Registration ONGOING |
| 01 Jul ' 26 | KIITEE 2026 Registration Last Date Phase 3 |
| 03 Jul ' 26 - 04 Jul ' 26 | KIITEE 2026 Exam Date Phase 3 |
| To Be Notified | PUBDET 2026 Counselling Notification |
| To Be Notified | PUBDET 2026 Counselling Seat Matrix |
| To Be Notified | PUBDET 2026 1st Round Seat Allotment |
| To Be Notified | PUBDET 2026 2nd Round Seat Allotment |
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 10 Feb ' 26 - 31 May ' 26 | NPAT 2026 Exam Dates |
| 28 Jan ' 26 - 26 May ' 26 | NPAT 2026 Registration |
| Jun ' 26 | YCMOU 2026 |
According to the latest NTA UGC NET Exam Pattern exam consist 2 papers. Although, it will be conducted without any break in the fixed time duration of 3 hours, which means exam is conducted in single session. Exam is totally computer based. There is no negative marking so attempting all questions is compulsory. Both papers consist only MCQs. Paper 1 consist 50 questions of total 100 marks in an hour whereas paper 2 consists 100 questions of total 200 marks in 2 hours. Paper 2 is based on subject questions opted by the candidate. Paper 1 is totally based on teaching / research aptitude, reasoning ability, comprehension and general awareness. Hope the information helps.
GATE papers have three major sections; General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics & Specific Subject. There are 65 questions asked for 100 marks in GATE exam.
General aptitude questions are asked for 15 marks, Engineering mathematics in some paper codes, 13 marks and the rest 72 marks from the chosen subject.
In some paper codes engineering mathematics will be excluded only 15 marks general aptitude questions and rest 85 marks will be of chosen subject.
PhD Economics Syllabus 2026
Refer to the table below for more details on the PhD Economics Syllabus. Note that the curriculum may vary slightly based on your research topic and specialization chosen.
|
PhD in Economics Syllabus |
|
|---|---|
|
Research Methodology in Economics |
Advanced Econometrics |
|
Topics in Development Economics |
Advanced Economic Theory |
|
Econometric Methods |
Topics in Financial Economics |
The above information is fetched from external sites and may vary.
More relevant links on PhD in Economics syllabus:
CSIR NET Syllabus 2026: Subject-wise Latest Syllabus PDF
CSIR NET Exam Pattern 2026: Subject-wise Pattern & Negative Marking
Yes, you can pursue PhD Economics in distance mode. There are over 100 colleges in India that offer the course in distance mode out of which 52 are government colleges, 42 are private-run and 39 are semi-government colleges. Most of these colleges accept UGC NET, CSIR NET and GATE exam score for admission to the course.
Anyone who wishes to pursue a promising career in academics or economic policy-making or the banking industry can pursue Economics.Those candidates who have pursued Mathematics are favoured for UG courses in Economics since Statistics is one of the major subjects offered both in UG and PG courses in Economics.Many candidates also aspire to join government services through UPSC CSE, or State PSCs or UPSC IES and Economics is a popular optional subject in these examinations. Students who possess Research, Analytical, and Statistical skills can be admitted to Economics courses.
Know more about -
Best PhD in Economics Colleges in India
There are more than 170 PhD in Economics colleges in India. We have tried to jot down some of the most popular colleges offering PhD in Economics in India.
Best Government PhD in Economics Colleges in India
Refer to the table below for some of the Best Government PhD in Economics Colleges in India and their fees.
|
Best Government Colleges |
Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
| PSG College of Arts and Science - PSGCAS | INR 13.86 K |
| IIT Kanpur - Indian Institute of Technology | INR 48.55 K |
| Guru Nanak Dev University | INR 1 L |
| Harcourt Butler Technical University, Kanpur | INR 1.87 L |
| Madurai Kamaraj University - MKU | INR 15 K |
| South Asian University (SAU) | INR 5.26 L - 10.52 L |
| Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Kolkata | INR 4.7 L |
The above information is fetched from external sites and may vary.
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Best Economics Institutes in Delhi/NCR
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Delhi University Vs Delhi School of Economics
Best Private PhD in Economics Colleges in India
Refer to the table below for some of the Best private PhD in Economics Colleges in India and their fees.
|
Best Private Colleges |
Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
|
INR 2.25 L |
|
|
INR 3 L |
|
|
INR 3.6 L |
|
| MIT-WPU |
INR 3 L |
| FLAME University |
INR 90 K |
| Amity University, Mumbai |
INR 1.92 L |
|
INR 3 L |
|
| VIT Vellore |
INR 1 L |
| Woxsen University |
INR 1 L |
| BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus |
INR 1.65 L |
| NIMS School of Humanities and Social Sciences |
INR 6 L |
The above information is fetched from external sites and may vary.
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Humanities & Social Sciences Applications open till Jun 30, 2026. Apply Now
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Humanities & Social Sciences Applications open till Jun 30, 2026. Apply Now
Humanities & Social Sciences Applications open. Apply Now
PhD in Economics Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters
Usually, this course is ideal for those who wish to become a lecturer. People who wish to make a career as a professor or researcher also opt for it. This section shall give you a broad overview of the career opportunities one can look forward to after attaining a doctoral in Economics.
Top PhD in Economics Job Profiles
Here are some of the top job profiles one can aspire to work in after the completion of his/ her PhD in Economics, along with the average salary package.
|
Job Profiles |
Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
|
Economist |
INR 5.1 LPA |
|
Lecturer |
INR 4.4 LPA
|
|
Consultant |
INR 14.4 LPA |
|
Professor |
INR 16.8 LPA |
|
Advisor |
INR 5 LPA |
|
Accountant |
INR 3.4 LPA |
|
Investment Analysis |
INR 13 LPA |
The above information is fetched from external sites and may vary.
PhD in Economics Top Recruiters
Some of the top Recruiters for PhD in Economics are mentioned in the table below:
| Top Recruiters for PhD in Economics | |
|---|---|
| Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited | Future Group |
| Grasim Honda Two-Wheelers | Bank of India |
| Microsoft | BSNL |
| Mahindra Engineering | Flipkart |
| Cognizant | Infosys |
| Reliance Industries Limited | Reliance |
| JCB | Tata Power |
The above information is fetched from external sites and may vary.
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Candidates with any education background can apply for RBI Grade B exam for general post. Passed from a recognized Indian or foreign University or institute with a minimum of 60% mark can apply.
Economics is one of the most sought-after courses. There are several reasons why candidates should choose to pursue a PhD Economics course. Some of these reasons have been listed below:
A PhD degree in economics opens up many job opportunities in the business, corporate, and government sectors.
The study of economics is directly applicable to the real world. A PhD in Economics will help the student navigate their own finances and they will learn to manage it.
All MNCs and bigger companies hire candidates with an in-depth knowledge of Economics, to predict the market and help the company grow efficiently. These companies offer high salaries and other perks in return for their service.
Candidates who have completed PhD Economics can serve the nation through service as policy-makers, financial analysts, economic advisors, etc. for the government.
Economics skills apply across industries and roles. PhD Economics graduates are also hired by public and private banks and other commercial companies.
A PhD enhances one's career prospects and serves as a gateway to a career in academia.
PhD Economics FAQs: 2025
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to PhD Economics:
Economics is a social science as it explains how our individual choices effect society by using a price mechanism. As consumers we like cheap prices, because we can buy more things that we like. And we decide on what we buy by looking at the prices and seeing what products we want. When given a price an individual is given the choice to buy or not, it is their decision to make. Economics studies the variables that effect the decision of multiple individuals. This includes the price and the alternative products available to buy. If there aren't any choices to make then we all do the same thing and there are no decisions to study and no need for economics.
This is for the candidates who want to do PhD research or become Assistant professor. However, other career options can be PSUs jobs as well.
The candidates who do not want to join any PSU can take up other options like online tutor, open their own coaching centres, guest faculty, consultant, Lab Trainer, IP lead, Author, Editor, Executive, Program Executive, etc.
For conclusion we can say that the candidates qualifying for the UGC NET exam can take up any job they want or start their ow business after clearing one of the most the toughest exams in India.
Course Cutoffs
News & Updates
Apr 28, 2026
Jun 19, 2026
Student Forum
Answered 3 days ago
Indus University conducts a Research Aptitude Test to select candidates for admission in PhD course. Aspirants with UGC-NET/ CSIR/ MPhil are exempted from the entrance exam. Shortlisted candidates also need to pass a personal interview for final selection. The university also conducts academic/ rese
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 3 days ago
The PhD programme at UPES Dehradun is regarded for its industry-aligned curriculum, modern infrastructure & strong multidisciplinary approach. It is particularly recognised in specialised fields like engineering, computer Science & business offering scholars access to labs & global collaboration opp
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Dwarkadas J. Sanghvi College of Engineering PhD total tuition fees is INR 2.56 lakh. The fee structure includes many components. The total fee may differ at the time of payment due to the variables of the fee structure.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
To get a seat in Dwarkadas J. Sanghvi College of Engineering PhD programme, students must meet the eligibility and selection requirement. To be eligible, students must have a post-graduation degree in relevant stream from a recognised university. Candidates are shortlisted for the PhD programme base
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Aspirants must pay INR 2,000 to apply for PhD course at Sister Nivedita University. Candidates can pay the fees via any of the online payment modes. Asirants must keep the fee receipt with them.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered a week ago
KJ Somaiya School of Engineering PhD tuition fees is INR 1.5 lakh. The fee structure includes many components. The total fee may differ at the time of payment due to the variables of the fee structure.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
To get admission in KJ Somaiya School of Engineering PhD course, students must fulfil the eligibility. To be eligible, students must have a valid PG degree. The final selection is based on UGC NET, written test and personal interview.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
To get admisison in PhD at IIIT Manipur, students must meet the eligibility and selection requirement. To be eligible, aspirants must hold a master's degree in the relevant field. The final selection is based on GATE/ UGC NET. However, the institute may conduct written test for IIIT Manipur PhD admi
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
NIT Trichy conducts a written test and/ or interview for admission in PhD course. Candidates with UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE scores can also get admission in PhD. Apirants can fill out the application form for PhD on the institute's website.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered a week ago
The minimum duration of the PhD programme at IIIT Ranchi (excluding dropped
semester (s)/maternity leave) is three years (36 months) from the date of joining. The maximum period for completing the PhD programme is seven years (excluding maternity leave) from the date of admission.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Candidates wishing to take admission in full-time sponsored research scholar PhD at IIIT Ranchi should have completed ME/MTech or equivalent with at least 60% aggregate score/ 6.0 CPI. SC/ST/ PwD candidates will be given a relaxation of 5 % marks. Along with this, applicants should have any if the
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
PhD admission at IIIT Ranchi is ongoing for the academic session 2026. The last date of submission of application form is June 30, 2026. Candidates have to submit application form online through the admission portal of IIIT Ranchi.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
NIT Patna PhD admission is entrance-based. Students are selected through a Screening Test + Interview basis. During the screening test, CAT/ GATE/ IIT JAM/ UGC NET/ JEST score are also considered. Any student not clearing the PI round will be disqualified.
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, NIT Patna PhD admission is open now. The institute has posted the admission notice for its PhD course. Students must go to official site and apply before the last date of July 20, 2026. Admission to the programme is entrance-based.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
IIM Kashipur PhD cutoff changes depending on the entrance test. Students can check the table below to know the category and exam-wise PhD cutoff:
| Qualifying Exam | General | NC-OBC/ EWS | SC/ ST/ DAP |
|---|---|---|---|
| GMAT | 610 | 580 | 550 |
| CAT | 85%ile | 80%ile | 60%ile |
| GRE | 310 | 295 | 275 |
| GATE | 95%ile | 90%ile | 75%ile |
| IIMB | 85%ile | 80%ile | 60%ile |
| UGC/ CSIR-JRF | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified |
U
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
The PhD programme at UPES Dehradun is regarded for its focus on interdisciplinary applied research, industry-aligned curriculum & strong infrastructure. It is a good choice for students aiming for R&D roles, consulting, teaching positions in the fields like engineering, computer Science & management
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
PhD is offered at doctorate level at NIT Mizoram. PhD is offered in various specialisations. The specialisations are given below:
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Computer Science Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics And Communication Engineering
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Economics
- Engli
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
NIT Mizoram PhD admission is entrance-based. The eligibility to apply for PhD at NIT Mizoram is a master's degree in relevant stream from a recognised university. The final selection is done on the basis of GATE/ UGC NET /Written Test/ Merit, followed by personal interview.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
To get admission in NIT Sikkim PhD, students must fulfil the eligibility and selection requirement to get admission. The eligibility is to have a master's degree I relevant field from a recognised university. PhD admission is done on the basis of GATE/ NET.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Candidates need to pay a non-refundable application fees to apply for PhD course at IIIT Kalyani. The application fees for PhD is INR 500 (INR 300 for SC/ ST/ PwD candidates).
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 weeks ago
Madras University is a reputed university for its courses including PhD. There are almost some 78 departments in the University and each department offers PhD. Madras University offers a full-time PhD programme in various disciplines at the Doctorate level. Students can also pursue a part-time PhD a
P
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 weeks ago
Candidates wishing to take admission in PhD at IIT Guwahati have to appear in a written test followed by personal interview.
Check below the test pattern for written test at IIT Guwahati for PhD admission:
Mathematical Foundations:
Propositional and First order logic. Sets, relations, functions, parti
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology PhD fees is INR 2.1 lakh. Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology PhD fee structure includes other components. The total fee may differ at the time of payment due to the variables of the fee structure.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology PhD admission is both merit and entrance-based. The applicant should hold a post-graduation degree with 60% to be eligible. The final selection is based on academic scores, SMEAT and personal interview.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
IIT Ropar PhD admissions are now closed for all departments. The institute has already released merit lists of shortlisted students. Students can check the official notices posted at the website to know more about the programme.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Students have to meet the IIT Ropar PhD eligibility to get admission in the programme. The basic eligibility is to complete PG degree in relevant field with a minimum aggregate of 60%. A valid entrance score (GATE / CSIR NET/ UGC NET or DBT) followed by personal interview is the required for final s
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
The total tuition fee of PhD at NIT Meghalaya is INR 69,500. This number is taken from the official sources of colleges. It can change. Candidates need to pay the course fee to confirm admission.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Candidates need to pay INR 500 to apply for PhD course at NIT Goa. The application fees is INR 300 for SC/ ST/ PwD. Aspirants can pay the fees via any of the online payment modes.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 weeks ago
PhD in Mechanical Engineering at IIITDM Jabalpur emphasises modern, design-centric & computational methodologies over traditional heavy industry due to the institute's core mandate in IT & Manufacturing. Curriculum integrates mechanical systems with computer-aided design, smart materials & automatio
R
Contributor-Level 10
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Here's the way I see it. Economics is the study of patterns in production & consumption to predict future economic trends.
You're likely to study various economic theories, econometrics, applied economics, & various economies of the world and how they interact.
Read more: All about Economics
Hope it helps!