PhD Scope: Salary, Job Roles, Career after PhD

Vidhi JainContent Writer
PhD jobs in India are synonymous with excellent career prospects for students owing to the advanced knowledge and research expertise that they bring to the table, presenting excellent earning potential and skill enhancement opportunities. Jobs after PhD in India are available in academia, consulting, politics, writing, research and development, government organizations, and entrepreneurship.
Some top-paying jobs after PhD include University Professor, Policy Analyst, Research Scientist, Product Manager, Senior Consultant, Research Advisor, and Scientific Writer. The PhD salary in India varies widely on the basis of the specialization, experience, skill set, and company location.
Suggested Link for Career after PhD:
Career Opportunities after Pursuing PhD: Specializations, Entrance Exams
PhD Jobs in India: Top Profiles
Jobs after PhD present excellent earning potential and career advancement because of the research knowledge and analytical skills, making it a go-to course option for those crazy about research and possessing the academic curiosity to explore new facts.
This section discusses some of the popular PhD jobs, both in government and private sectors, that research scholars can look forward to in India.
Government PhD Jobs
Students can find a PhD vacancy in the government sector in the PSUs, MNCs, government departments, politics, and research institutions. This section throws light on some of the popular jobs after a PhD that research scholars can opt for in India along with the average salary packages offered by the top recruiters.
|
Govt Jobs after PhD |
Govt. PhD Jobs Description |
Average PhD Jobs Salary |
|---|---|---|
|
Research Scientist |
Conducts in-depth research on a particular topic to come up with fresh findings via research projects and experiments to contribute to the advancements in society. |
INR 10 LPA |
|
University Professor |
Prepares and delivers insightful lectures to students at the university to impart knowledge and enhance their learning experience. |
INR 15.7 LPA |
|
Research Advisor |
Oversees research projects, providing mentorship to fellow researchers regarding data analysis, insights, and making ethical decisions throughout the research journey. |
INR 5 LPA |
|
Policy Analyst |
Conducts detailed analysis of existing policies using research expertise, assessing their effectiveness and providing valuable inputs for betterment. |
INR 7 LPA |
|
Historian |
Responsible for diving into deep research about historic events, people, and ancient society to interpret the past and shape a better future via informed policy decisions. |
INR 7 LPA |
|
Economist |
Looks after the analysis of economic data to provide assistance in the formulation of economic policies to government organizations. |
INR 16.5 LPA |
Note- The information about average annual salaries is taken from Ambitionbox.com and may vary.
Useful Links for Jobs after PhD in India:
Engineering Jobs and Career Scope
Humanities and Social Science Career Scope
Private PhD Jobs
There is a plethora of PhD jobs available in the private sector for students, particularly in academia, consulting, healthcare, IT, writing, and entrepreneurship, with top recruiters offering healthy salary packages.
Students can check the table below to see the popular job options for a career after PhD, which they can opt for in India:
|
Private PhD Jobs in India |
Private PhD Jobs Description |
Average PhD Jobs Salary |
|---|---|---|
|
Subject Matter Expert |
Has expert knowledge in a particular subject area and offers guidance of all sorts regarding the same to fill in the knowledge gaps. |
INR 8.8 LPA |
|
Senior Consultant |
Offers expert advice to various organizations to implement effective strategies that can drive more business growth and profitability. |
INR 19 LPA |
|
Product Manager |
Plans and implements product strategies by delving into research and understanding user needs and involving cross-functional collaboration among teams to ensure commercial success. |
INR 22 LPA |
|
Data Analyst |
Leverages their strong research and analytical skills to analyze large datasets and extract meaningful findings to help businesses evolve. |
INR 6.5 LPA |
|
Entrepreneurial Consultant |
Provides assistance and expert guidance to small startups and businesses to enhance their operational functionality and profitability. |
INR 16.7 LPA |
|
Science Writer/Editor |
Research and write articles for professional scientific publications and journals showcasing research expertise and advanced knowledge in the respective field. |
INR 7.8 LPA |
Note- The information about average annual salaries is taken from Ambitionbox.com and may vary.
Relevant Links for PhD Jobs in India:
PhD Jobs: Industry-Wise Top Recruiters
There are many key work sectors that provide jobs after PhD, ensuring students have multiple career paths to explore. Here’s a table below providing the core employment areas where doctorate degree holders can find PhD jobs in India, along with the top recruiters in the respective work sector:
|
Academia |
|
|---|---|
|
Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) |
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore |
|
Central Universities (JNU, BHU, UoH, etc.) |
Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
|
Research & Development |
|
|
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) |
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) |
|
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) |
ISRO & DRDO |
|
Consulting |
|
|
McKinsey & Company India |
Deloitte India |
|
Boston Consulting Group (BCG) |
Infosys Limited |
|
Think Tanks |
|
|
Centre for Policy Research (CPR) |
Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) |
|
World Resources Institute (WRI) India |
Centre for Civil Society (CCS) |
Note- This information is sourced from multiple sources on the web. Hence, is subject to vary.
PhD Jobs: Best Colleges for Placements in India
Prominent colleges in India offer excellent placements and salaries for PhD jobs. With competitive salary packages and career prospects, these colleges are among the best choices for PhD degree holders seeking top placements. Let us have a look at some of the best colleges in India and the average placement packages for PhD students:
|
Name of College |
Average Package Offered |
|---|---|
|
INR 17.92 LPA |
|
|
INR 16.75 LPA |
|
|
INR 6 LPA – 10.8 LPA |
|
|
INR 7.5 LPA |
|
|
INR 6 LPA |
Note- This information is sourced from official website/ media reports/ NIRF website and may vary.
PhD Jobs FAQs
Q. What are the career options after completing a PhD degree?
A. A PhD degree can serve as a ladder to job roles at the senior level demanding research expertise and analytical knowledge, something that the doctoral students are known for. There is a plethora of career options to explore in both government and private sector enterprises across work sectors. Some popular PhD jobs in India are given here for students' reference:
- Research Scientist
- University Professor
- Policy Analyst
- Business Consultant
- Historian
- Economist
- Product Manager
- Scientific Writer
- Subject Matter Expert
Q. What is the average salary after a PhD degree in India?
A. The average salary offered after completion of PhD degree. Generally the salary ranges from Rs. 8-12 LPA. After sometine or with experience, it will increase over time.
Source: External site and may vary.
Q. Which industries hire professionals with a PhD degree?
A. Jobs after PhD can be explored in academia, research and development, politics, consulting, academic writing, government organizations, and entrepreneurship. Top recruiters across varied disciplines look for valuable research knowledge, analytical aptitude, a probelm-solving approach, and the hunger to do wonders while contributing something fresh and innovative to the field with specialized expertise gained over the years of PhD coursework and research projects.
Q. Can you list a few top recruiters for PhD jobs in India?
A. When it comes to making a successful career after PhD, numerous top recruiters can be looked out for in terms of high earning potential and research exposure. You can work in research and development organizations, university settings, PSUs, MNCs, EdTech companies, consulting firms, think tanks, and government agencies. A few top recruiters are given below:
- Academic units like IITs, IIMs, and Central Universities
- Research organizations like ICMR, ICAR, ISRO, DRDO, etc.
- Think tanks like CPR, ICWA, and WRI
- McKinsey & Company India
- BCG India
- Deloitte India
Q. Are there opportunities for government jobs after completing a PhD degree?
A. Yes, after the completion of a PhD degree, person can work as a professor at government universities with a good salary package. After PhD degre, student can use Dr. prefix in their name. After completing degree, they also work as a research scientist, scientific officer, etc.
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News & Updates
Oct 30, 2025
Student Forum
Answered 2 weeks ago
If you are planning to pursue a PhD at Lovely Professional University (LPU), here's a simple guide to help you:
First, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria. You need a Master's degree in a relevant field with a good academic record—usually a minimum of 55% marks or equivalent CGPA, as per the
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 4 weeks ago
Biosciences students at Chandigarh University are guided effectively for pursuing higher studies like M.Sc. and Ph.D. Programs are designed to prepare students with strong research skills, analytical abilities, and scientific writing expertise. Faculty mentors assist students in selecting appropriat
R
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a month ago
Of course, you can. In fact, a master's degree is the first basic requirement for a PhD aspirant. No matter which subject you choose, a relevant master's degree from a UGC-approved university will be required to pursue a PhD.
For instance, if you have completed your MA in Psychology, then you can pu
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Candidates who have complete master's degree or PG Diploma or its equivalent in any discipline with first-class or BTech/4-year degree with 6.5 CGPA or equivalent are eligible to apply for PhD programme at IIM Amritsar.
Aspirants with any professional qualification such as CA/ ICWA/ CS/CFA- Level-II
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 months ago
The application fee for PhD admission at Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University is INR 1000 for general and OBC category. The fee is INR 500 for SC/ST/Category 1 candidates. Late application fee is INR 500.
h
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
The minimum eligibility for four year UG students applying for PhD at Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University is having a minimum 75% of aggregate marks in UG. Along with this candidates must attempt the entrance conducted by the university and the counselling sessions conducted hence.
h
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
The minimum eligibility for PhD at Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University is that the candidate must hold a 2 year PG degree and 3 year UG degree/ 1 year PG degree and 4 year UG degree. For students having a four year UG degree and directly applying for PhD, the minimum eligibility is having 75
h
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
The word count of a Statement of Purpose for a PhD should be typically between 800 and 1,500. However, it is important to check the SOP guidelines for every university you apply to, because requirements can differ. For example, Oxford requests 1,500 words, while MIT asks for a 2-page maximum. Alway
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, you can. Here are some college options you can consider for a Part time PhD in Psychology in India:
| Part-time PhD in Psychology Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Amity University Noida | INR 3.02 Lakh |
| Amity University Mumbai | INR 1.89 Lakh |
| Amity University Lucknow | INR 2.43 Lakh |
| Karnavati University Ahmedabad | INR 3.3 Lakh |
| Sigma University | INR 2.8 Lakh |
Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.
G
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 months ago
See, earlier, the conventional path to apply for an RCI licensure was the MPhil, which has been phased out. So now, what you can do is to search for the institutes that are RCI-approved. They will provide the training and professional courses in fields related to rehabilitation and special education
M
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 months ago
Here are options for the best University for PhD in Psychology in India:
| PhD in Psychology Universities | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Parul University Noida | INR 3 Lacs - 16 Lakh |
| Christ University Bangalore | NA |
| Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University | NA |
| Lovely Professional University | INR 3 Lakh |
| Parul University | INR 3 Lakh |
Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.
I
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, a few college options are available for a PhD in Psychology in Delhi:
| PhD in Psychology Colleges in Delhi | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University Delhi | NA |
| Jamia Millia Islamia | NA |
| IIT Delhi | NA |
Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.
L
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 months ago
For a PhD in Psychology at IGNOU, you'll need to have a:
- Master's degree in Psychology (For example, MA in Psychology)
- The degree must be UGC-recognized
- With a minimum of 55% aggregate score
- 5% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/PwD/EWS categories
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Of course, it is. For the past few years, mental health has been a significantly growing concern, and people have started considering it as a big deal, leading to the growing demand for Psychology professionals. Meanwhile, a doctoral degree is the highest form of education, and if you plan to invest
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 months ago
Including speciality, contractual and permanent faculty members at Indo Global Group of Colleges, there are a total of 22 PhD holders across various departments. Furthermore, IGGC features 100+ faculty members with MBA and M.Tech backgrounds. With a total of over 250 Faculty members, Indo Global Gro
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Only a few scholars enrolled on a PhD in third countries, who are selected by the Euroculture Erasmus Mundus Consortium, are eligible to contribute to this joint programme. Therefore, requests generated only through the officially established channels are considered, and no unsolicited requests for
R
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 months ago
Candidates who have passed a master's degree with 55% aggregate (50% aggregate for SC/ ST/ OBC/ Differently-abled and other categories of candidates as per the policy of Government of Maharashtra) or Grade- B in the UGC 7-point scale can apply for PhD programme at Sri Balaji University Pune. Besides
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 months ago
Candidates are selected for the PhD course at Himachal Pradesh National Law University, based on their scores in the HPNLU Entrance Test/ UGC-NET/ JRF. Candidates must appear for any of these exams and achieve a valid aggregate in the same to take admission in the PhD course at Himachal Pradesh Nati
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
According to the official portal, university PhD students who have qualified both ACUET and the final selection interview are eligible for grant-in-aid (?20,000 per month + HRA or hostel facility) offered through the 'ACU Ph.D. Scholarship' Program, applicable to both Indian and Foreign Nationals. A
h
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Following specialisations are offered in the PhD programme at Adichunchanagiri University:
- PhD Civil engineering / Mechanical Engineering/ Electronics & Communication engineering/ Computer Science & Engg/ Mathematics
- PhD Anatomy/ Physiology/ Medical Biochemistry/ Microbiology/ Community Medicine/ Path
h
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Al Falah University offers a doctorate programme for students who are eligible for the same. The common eligibility is a second class master degree with not less than 55% marks of a university or a grade 'B' in the UGC 7- point scale. Alternatively, the candidate must complete M.Phil course work wit
h
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Plaksha University offers admission to PhD programme based on entrance exam scores of the candidates. The university prefers aspirants with scores in CSIR NET-JRF, DBT-JRF, UGC-NET-JRF, GATE, IIT JAM, etc. Such shortlisted aspirants are exempted from appearing for the written test conducted by Plaks
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 months ago
Joining NLU Kochi (NUALS) - The National University of Advanced Legal Studies for PhD course is generally considered a good option. Candidates must consider factors such as infrastructure, faculty experience, hostel and mess facilities, curriculum, etc. while taking admission. They can apply online
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
NLU Kochi (NUALS) - The National University of Advanced Legal Studies accepts the UGC NET or the Departmental Admission Test (DAT) which is conducted by the university itself for admission in the PhD course. Candidates must ensure fulfilling the eligibility criteria required for admission in the cou
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 months ago
Including specialty, contractual and permanent faculty members at NPGC Lucknow there are a total of 21 PhD holders in the Arts department, 6 in Commerce department, 15 in the Science department, 6 in Management department, 1 in the Computer Science department, 1 in the Journalism and Mass Communicat
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Including speciality, contractual and permanent faculty members at Bhaskar Engineering College in Telangana, there are a total of 7 PhD holders across various departments. Furthermore, Bhaskar Engineering College features 71 faculty members with Master's backgrounds from various streams. With a tota
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Including specialty, contractual and permanent faculty members at St Edmunds College Shillong there are a total of 38 PhD holders across various departments. Furthermore, St Edmunds College features 67 faculty members with Master's backgrounds from various streams. With a total of 105 Faculty member
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, Motherhood University conducts a Research Aptitude Test or RAT for admission to PhD programme. Candidates can apply for RAT on the official website of the university. Aspirants who have copleted 1-year or 2-year master's degree with at least 55% aggregate can apply for the test. Those who have
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 months ago
Joining PhD course at RV College of Architecture is generally considered a decent option. Candidates must consider factors like infrastructure, faculty experience, hostel and mess facilities, curriculum, etc. while taking admission. They can apply online or offline for admission at RV College of Arc
S
Contributor-Level 10
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