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 |
|---|---|
| 28 Jan ' 26 - 22 Mar ' 26 | NPAT Registration Window (Phase - 1) ONGOING |
| 23 Feb ' 26 - 23 Mar ' 26 | JEST 2026 Application Window ONGOING |
| 02 Feb ' 26 - 31 Mar ' 26 | IPU CET 2026 Application Form Availability ONGOING |
| 10 Feb ' 26 - 31 Mar ' 26 | NPAT 2026 Exam Dates (Phase 1) ONGOING |
| 10 Nov ' 25 - 08 Apr ' 26 | KIITEE 2026 Registration - Phase 1 ONGOING |
| 23 Mar ' 26 - 26 May ' 26 | NPAT Registration Window (Phase - 2) |
| 01 Apr ' 26 - 02 Jun ' 26 | NPAT 2026 Exam Dates (Phase 2) |
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 23 Feb ' 26 - 26 Feb ' 26 | CUET 2026 Application Process (Re-opened) |
| Jan ' 26 | TIFR GS Final Answer |
| 03 Jan ' 26 - 04 Feb ' 26 | CUET 2026 Application Process |
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
Best Economics Universities in the World 2025
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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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
Mar 19, 2026
Student Forum
Answered 6 days ago
MIT School of Architecture accepts GATE scores for admission to PhD programme. MIT-ADT University also conducts PhD Entrance Test for admission. Aspirants must have scores in either of the accepted entrance exams. Candidates also need to meet the eligibility to get a seat in PhD programme. Selected
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 6 days ago
Aspirants with exceptional abilities and have passed graduation in relevant discipline with at least 60% aggregate with at least 15 years of professional experience after graduation in the related field can apply for PhD programme at MIT School of Architecture. However, there eligibility is subject
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered a week ago
Candidates applying toPhD programmes at IIIT Kota should have completed B.E./B.Tech./Equivalent and/or M.E./M.Tech./Equivalent should be in relevant
discipline. The “minimum specified” CGPA/marks implies a minimum of 6.0 on the
10-point scale (60% marks only where CGPA is not awarded) for M.Tech. and
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
You can sign up for our free Shiksha Abroad Counselling. After you sign up, our team of experts shall get in touch with you via mail/phone based on your shared contact details.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
The PhD programme at IISER Pune is a blend of classroom curriculum, mentoring under-graduate students along with a major research component. The research scholars are expected to complete at least 16 credits of coursework within the first two semesters followed by a comprehensive examination to asse
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The below are the Research programmes leading to PhD/MSc (Engg.) that are available in the following departments.
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Industrial Engineering And Management
- Chemical Engineering
- Master Of B
L
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Every fee component in the PhD fees charged National Law School of India University, Bangalore remains the same except for the tuition fees after the third year. The tuition fees after the third year is INR 15,000 per annum for the remaining duration for PhD at National Law School of India Universit
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
In order to apply for the National Law School of India University, Bangalore PhD admissions, candidates are required to provide digital copies of the following documents:
- Class 10th and Class 12th marksheet as well as passing certificate
- UG-level degree
- PG-level degree
- No objection certificate
- Scanned im
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, candidates who wish to apply for National Law School of India University, Bangalore PhD admissions can do so while waiting for their final year results. Such candidates will be offered provisional admissions if they manage to clear all admission rounds.
They will be granted final admission if th
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, the NLSAT-PhD registrations 2026 are still open for National Law School of India University, Bangalore PhD admissions. The registrations are scheduled to stay open until March 23, 2026. Candidates can apply until 11:59 pm on the aforementioned date to appear for the NLSAT-PhD 2026.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, the National Law School of India University, Bangalore PhD admissions are not open for the academic year 2026. The institute usually opens the PhD admissions from the month of July. However, there is no fixed date on which the PhD admissions will be opened by National Law School of India Univers
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, PhD admissions at National Law School of India University, Bangalore are not open for direct admissions. Candidates who wish to apply for PhD admissions at
NLSIU Bangalore must appear for the NLSAT-PhD in order to qualify for the PhD admissions.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, completing a post graduate level course is not a mandatory requirement to be eligible for National Law School of India University, Bangalore PhD admissions. Candidates who have cleared their UG level courses can aslo apply for the PhD admissions.
However, for PhD in Law, candidates must clear eit
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, NLSAT-PhD is a mandatory entrance exam for all candidates applying for the National Law School of India University, Bangalore PhD course. Before registering for the NLSAT-PhD, candidates should ensure their compliance with the set eligibility criteria. The registrations are done on the website
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, National Law School of India University, Bangalore does not offer any concession on the PhD course fees to any student. The fees for both PhD courses is the same at National Law School of India University, Bangalore.
Candidates who require financial assistance are required to apply for either st
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The total fees for the National Law School of India University, Bangalore PhD course will differ based on the duration of PhD pursued.
For three year PhD course, the National Law School of India University, Bangalore fees is INR 2.55 Lacs in 2026. However, the instalments will be different for candid
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Candidates can check the table below to know about the eligibility and selection process for applying to PhD programmes at Malla Reddy University:
Course | Common Eligibility | Selection Process |
|---|---|---|
PhD | Masters Degree or equivalent in the relevant field | NET/GATE |
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, vast majority of faculty members at IIM Ahmedabad hold a PhD from top tier Indian or international institutions. They are accomplished scholars and researchers.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
In terms of average package, AE branch students received the best average package of 31.4 LPA during PhD placements 2025. With respect to median package, CH and MA branch students received the highest median package of 25 LPA in 2025.
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
IIT Madras offers good placements to PhD students. The median package recorded during PhD placements 2025 for all branches was between 14.5 LPA and 25 LPA. The average package recorded was from 15 LPA to 31.4 LPA.
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi seat intake is 76. The college offers a three years PhD course at the Doctorate level. The duration of combined course is five years.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Aspirants must pass Master's degree in Engineering/Technology or a Master's degree by Research in Engineering /Technology to apply for PhD programme at IIT Jammu.
Candidates who have completed a four-year UG degree with GATE score or Master's degree in Science (with a good academic record) and a vali
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, IIT Hyderabad does accept UGC NET scores to decide admissions to the PhD courses. Several IIT Hyderabad departments also accept the GATE scores as well to decide the PhD admissions of candidates.
In addition to the aforementioned entrance exams, candidates are also required to fulfill the specif
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
IIT Hyderabad has six research verticals available for interdisciplinary PhD courses while the regular PhD is available in 19 different research verticals. Some of these research verticals include the following:
- PhD in Artificial Intelligence
- PhD in Biotechnology
- PhD in Civil Engineering
- PhD in Climate
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
IIT Hyderabad PhD admission fees is refundable for candidates who decide to cancel their admissions. The institute follows the UGC guidelines to offer refunds to such candidates.
The UGC guidelines provide for refunds to candidates who decide to cancel their admission within 30 days of the commenceme
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
IIT Hyderabad PhD tuition fees is INR 1 lakh for the academic year 2026. This component is charged on per semester basis at INR 10,000, each for all PhD courses. For external category students, the PhD course fees at IIT Hyderabad is INR 3.5 lakh.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
There is no mention of IIT Hyderabad offering PhD admissions to candidates who are yet to receive their final exam scorecard. Generally, PhD admissions are not offered to students who are still in their final year of the PG course.
Hence, candidates can assume that they can only apply for IIT Hyderab
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
IIT Hyderabad PhD admissions require candidates to present the following documents in both online and offline forms at the appropriate stage of the admission process:
- Class 10th and Class 12th passing certificate and marksheet
- UG course graduation degree
- PG course graduation degree
- GATE scorecard
- No obje
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
No, GATE registrations have been closed for IIT Hyderabad PhD admissions to the academic year 2026. However, GATE is not a mandatory entrance exam for all PhD admissions at IIT Hyderabad.
Thus, candidates can still apply for PhD courses at IIT Hyderabad into the departments which accept candidates wi
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
No, IIT Hyderabad PhD admissions are yet to be opened for the academic year 2026.
IIT Hyderabad's website claims that the admissions to regular PhD courses is scheduled to begin from the first week of the month of March.
Hence, candidates should go to the website of IIT Hyderabad during the month of
S
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!