What is PhD: Full Form, Course Duration, Admission 2026, Colleges, Syllabus, Salary & Scope

PhD full form is Doctor of Philosophy. The Ph.D. coursework is compulsory for all the research scholars, as it provides fundamental knowledge about some basics of research methodology and thesis writing techniques. Every enrolled student needs to complete the same, alongside working on different research topics for which they need to submit a well-drafted thesis at the end of the course duration, backed by strong research findings. 

The PhD full form is Doctor of Philosophy. It is the highest level of degree earned after research work on a topic and submitting a thesis.

It takes approximately 3 to 5 years for the completion of a PhD degree. Students must have completed post-graduation in a relevant field with at least 55% marks or a 4-year bachelor's degree with at least 75% marks to be eligible for PhD admissions in India. Further, it is very important to give relevant entrance tests and appear for the interview round. 

know more about -

PhD Course

It's usually between 3 and 5 years. Other factors that play a role are individual capabilities and the university. Most of the time is allotted to research work, and if aspects like additional papers or book publications are involved, then the duration varies accordingly. The candidates need to prepare themselves for a long-term dedication to this doctoral course. 

know more about -

PhD Course

Some reasons why

• Your research skills and knowledge will help you contribute to the development of new products, processes, and solutions.
• You'll also get good salary packages at R&D management positions.
• You'll be able to advise policymakers and take part in decisions that impact society as a whole.
• You'll act as a bridge between academia and government.

know more about -

PhD Course

You can, but that completely depends on your research topic and institute. Some areas, like engineering,  have a more defined path and resources, helping you finish in four years. Humanities can be more flexible and research-driven in other case, making it taking longer than usual.

know more about -

PhD Course Admission

To get admission into PhD courses at popular Indian colleges you should start by checking the eligibility criteria for the PhD course and meet the same. PhD courses usually require you to have a master degree in a relevant field with at least 55% marks.

Then for the next step is to fill out the college application forms before the last date. Further, you should prepare well for the entrance tests either conducted by the university itself or other exam organizing bodies.

You also need to get a good score in the entrance test as In today's scenerio, the competition is high and the seats are limited for Ph.D Full Form is Doctor of Philosophy programs in most of the top colleges in India. Several popular PhD colleges also take an interview round after the exam results are out to assess your practical knowledge and understanding about the discipline. Once you clear all the rounds, you need to pay the PhD course fees after which you can start attending lectures.

The first step towards the PhD degree is to fill the application form for the desired colleges before the last date. You must have all the documents ready with you to be uploaded while filling out the online application form, as is the norm followed by a majority of the top universities at present. 

• A master's degree 
• Entrance Exam Scorecard Copy
• A Valid Identity Proof like a PAN card, Aadhar, Passport, etc.
• A well-drafted Statement of Purpose 
• Reserved Category Certificate 
• Migration and Character Certificates
• Recent Passport-Size Photos

The PhD admission process can take up to a few months because of the steps involved in the same. Every institution abides by certain admission guidelines set by the college committee to give admission to PhD courses in India.

Some basic steps include appearing for the entrance test, filling out the college application forms, waiting for exam results and college cutoff lists, the interview process and research proposal, shortlisting, and course fee payment.

There are a good number of PhD scholarships available for research scholars, given by the individual universities or funded by the government. There is a lot of value given to PhD students as they usually dive into the research and development arena, making them an asset for the country. Scholarships, fellowship programs, and other financial-aid for PhD scholars grant access to advanced-level research to every student irrespective of their financial background.

A few PhD scholarship options in India include Prime Minister Fellowship for Doctoral Research, Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Scholarship, ICHR Junior Research Fellowship, etc.

Know more about -

PhD Courses

Candidates who have cleared top entrance exams for doctorate courses like UGC NET,  GATE,  JEST,  CSIR NET, etc. are usually offered fellowships while pursuing a PhD course. Apart from this, universities such as IGNOU and Delhi University (DU) also offer fellowships to students pursuing full-time PhD courses with them.

know more about -

PhD Course Admission

The entrance exams for PhD courses are generally difficult to crack, given the research-oriented focus they demand, along with excellent subject knowledge and critical thinking abilities. Since the doctorate degree is the highest level of academic qualification, the entrance exam that is the entry point for the same is also challenging, demanding excellent preparation on your part.

Further, the difficulty level of the exam also depends on the number of applicants, last years' results, and student feedback. You should work hard and practice previous year question papers to do well in the exam.

Well, the entrance exams for a PhD degree are seen to be highly competitive. With fewer seats available at top universities as opposed to the large number of applicants. Further, the success rate differs on the basis of the particular exam you're taking, the university you're eyeing, and the specialisation you're interested in.

In general, getting admission to PhD courses is no cakewalk and requires you to have a strong academic hold on the discipline, excellent research knowledge and potential, and a compelling research proposal.

know more about -

PhD Course Admission

A few universities such as the IITs, IISc Bangalore, JNU, BHU, etc. provide direct admissions for PhD courses in certain departments only for students with a high academic background, usually 8 CGPA or above. Such programs may in fact have their own pre-qualifications, particularly interviews and a detailed research proposal. 

know more about -

PhD Course Admission

You should start preparing at least 10 to 12 months in advance because the exam is generally considered challenging. It will require you to have thorough knowledge of the discipline and research potential.

Starting early will give you enough time to go through the maximum topics in the exam syllabus, plan a good revision strategy, and increase your chances of doing well and getting shortlisted for PhD admission.

know more about -

PhD Course Admission

To score good marks and rank in the PhD entrance test and grab a seat at a decent college. You can check out some basic tips for preparation that can be of help to you

• Go through the exam syllabus properly
• Prepare a weekly timetable
• Revise all the important and high-weightage topics thoroughly
• Take help from seniors and teachers

These basic pointers can surely help you do really well in the entrance test and pass with flying colors.

After admissions, the students will have to work on their research proposal along with their allotted supervisor/guide. Students will have to participate in seminars and research papers while preparing their thesis. The final thesis will have to be submitted as a hard copy as well as a soft copy. A viva-voce will be conducted where the students will have to defend their thesis.

Know more about -

PhD Syllabus

Well, as per the National Education Policy (NEP), you can take up PhD research in two subject areas following an interdisciplinary approach. But this idea has its own potential downsides that you must consider. There would be increasing work pressure, as dual specialisation at the doctorate level requires extensive research and time to invest, making it difficult to balance the two research areas.

Most importantly, a dual specialisation in a PhD can only be done after getting the approval from both departments with a clear research proposal for an interdisciplinary approach, which may not happen so easily. Hence, given the challenges, it gets difficult to do a dual specialisation in PhD in India and is not considered a great move.

Know more about - 

PhD Syllabus

The PhD in CSE full form is Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science and Engineering, a doctoral research degree that is considered as the highest level of academic qualification one can achieve. If you plan on pursuing a PhD in CSE degree course you will get introduced to advanced concepts related to computer hardware and software and networking applications.

The duration of the course spans 3 to 6 years, depending on your chosen topic and the institute where you're pursuing the doctorate program. You basically have to select a subject area for research purposes like AI & Cloud Computing, Networks and Security, etc., work under the supervision of the faculty supervisor allotted to you, and submit a detailed thesis at the end of the doctoral program, which is backed by authentic findings in order to get your degree completion certificate.

Know more about - 

PhD Courses

A Psychology course at the doctoral level is called PhD in Psychology, or Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology. The scientific study of psychology focuses on how the human mind works and how those processes affect behaviour in various situations. Psychologists study human behaviour both individually and in groups.

Psychologists are involved with the treatment of mental illnesses. They offer advice to clients in order to help them achieve emotional stability. They observe patient behaviour by using research procedures such as interviews and observing their actions. Attention, perception, personality, emotions, behaviour, relationship, subconscious, and intelligence are all areas of study in psychology. 

Relevant Link

Clinical Psychology

There are many Ph.D courses that you can go for in streams like 

• Engineering- CSE, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, ECE
• Science- Physics, Chemistry, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, Mathematics, Zoology
• Law- Law, Constitutional Law, Legal Studies
• Humanities- Economics, English Literature, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work
• Business and Management- Commerce, Business Administration, Marketing, Accounting and Financial Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management

know more about -

PhD Course Admission

The PhD syllabus for different colleges in India differs on the basis of the research topic that you've chosen and the university where you're pursuing the PhD qualification. Some basic elements included in the PhD syllabus structure include advanced coursework your selected subject area, fundamentals of research methodology, regular workshops and seminars, research proposal, phases of thesis work, and the final submission of the research thesis on the basis of which you will be given your doctorate degree.

You need to conduct field surveys and online research to come to a conclusion for your research question and the compile all of the data, backed by research findings to present in front of the college committee on the final thesis presentation day.

Know more about -

PhD Syllabus

Research Methodology is a very important aspect of the PhD coursework because it teaches you the basics of thesis writing and the multiple ways in which you can conduct your research for the best results. It covers different types of research approaches and methods to analyze and interpret the information in a way to reach some concrete conclusion. Different research methods are qualitative research where you read between the lines and collect information either through reading material or discussion with people, and quantitative methodology that deals with the collection of numerical data as a part of your research findings through interviews and sample collection.

You can also use a mixed approach for your research thesis. You should just make sure that your research has proper backing that is only possible with authentic data collected by you through either means.

Know more about -

PhD Syllabus

In most of the cases, the colleges make it compulsory for PhD scholars to take active part in the research workshops and seminars that take place either within the college setting or outside as it gives you an opportunity to learn something new, get in touch with other researchers, and know more about the research field in general across different disciplines. You can also get a chance to present your own research papers, hone your communication skills, and get some honest feedback from other scholars, which can help you improve and do better in the future.

Know more about -

PhD Syllabus

Well, the PhD degree requires you to complete some foundational coursework during the course duration, which includes the fundamentals of research methodology, literature review, workshops and seminars, and a final research thesis, leaving little to no scope for customization.

Having said that, you can customize the subjects based on your research topic. You can discuss with your allotted supervisors and choose a suitable research area based on which you will have to study the subjects apart from mandatory coursework.

Hope this cleared your doubt.

PhD course entails

Coursework 1-2 years- Further studies in the engineering specialty of your choice combined with courses that build up advanced research capabilities.

Research Proposal & Selection 1 year- Identifying a research question, method of data collection, and expected results within consultation with an advisor.

Dissertation Writing & Defense 1 year- You will also write a dissertation in which you will summarize your findings, The dissertation is a lengthy document that outlines the whole research process and impact. After that, you will have to defend your dissertation to a panel of professors and other professionals in the field.

There are approx 98 PhD government colleges in India. Some of the most sought-after colleges along with their course fee are given below

Note - The information is taken from the official site of the college.

There are around 284 Ph.D. private colleges in India. Some of the most popular colleges along with their PhD course fees are given below

Note - The information is taken from the official site of the college.

Hope this answers your query.

There are more than 400 PhD colleges in India. Where approx 284 are private, 98 are government, and 17 are public-private. 

Talking about the govt. PhD colleges, some popular student choices include the IITs and NITs, Delhi Technological University, Anna University, ICT Mumbai, Netaji Subhas University of Technology, and IIEST Shibpur.

know more about -

PhD Course

The college ranking can be a reason for choosing a PhD course. It shouldn't be the only one. You need to look for the college that is known for its research opportunities, supervisor expertise, and academic culture in particular. A doctorate degree is not a cakewalk and needs you to have complete dedication and passion for the research field to ensure future success. 

know more about -

PhD Course Admission

The PhD in CSE course leads to exciting earning opportunities for research scholars to work on a platter. You can enter into the fields of research and development and academia in particular as they offer the most suited job profiles to PhD students. Other industries such as IT advisory and consulting, healthcare, telecommunications, software development firms, etc. also actively hire PhD CSE students.
You can work as an Assistant Professor, Researcher, Data Scientist, AI and ML Engineer, Senior Software Developer, Computer Engineer, and many more profiles. The average PhD in CSE salary in India is also quite decent, between INR 6 LPA and INR 14 LPA. 

There are many options after pursuing PhD

• Pursue research in universities, guiding future generations.
• Lead research teams in R&D labs, shaping new technologies.
• Some PhD holders move into consulting or found startups.

Reference Link

Career after PhD Degree

The average salary for PhD CSE scholars in the beginning is somewhere around INR 6 to 14 LPA. 

So, as you move forward in your career journey and get some years of experience, the salary at mid-senior level positions is somewhere between INR 14 LPA and INR 20 LPA. For senior-level positions, the recruiters are ready to offer above INR 20 LPA because of the expanding scope of CSE. So, you must focus on improving your skills and gaining experience as much as possible.

know more about -

PhD Course Career

The types of PhD full-time research scholars along with their details are here

Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.

know more about -

PhD Course 

Hi,

For PhD admissions, the students will have to apply at the official website of the institute they prefer. Some educational institutes also specify that candidates need to submit a research proposal along with their application form. The application form along with the research proposal is submitted at the Research Unit of the educational institute where scrutiny of the application is conducted. After scrutiny of the PhD course application form is complete then most of the educational institutes shortlist the names of the candidates who need to appear for the entrance exam and other admission rounds that are conducted for shortlisting aspirants for admission in PhD programmes offered by them.

Hope it resolves your query !

Hi,

No. A person with a PhD has completed his/her Doctorate of Philosophy while a doctor has completed his education in Medicine and works to help other people with their medical conditions.In a PhD course, aspirants need to select a topic or a subject and do in-depth research on it and answer any queries related to the topic/ subject. This is very different from a doctor who pursues MBBS or Medicine and caters to medical issues. 

Hope it clears your question !

Students can get fellowships by attempting and qualifying for entrance exams such as UGC-NET, GATE and more. Fellowships are provided through UGC or CSIR or through institutions which provide financial support to research scholars.  

Before going for a Ph.D. programme in any discipline, you must have the clarity in mind as to why are you pursuing the course in the first place. The PhD degree programme is the right fit for you only when you have the fire in the belly to do thorough research work on a particular topic, you are comfortable working independently on academic papers, and the doctorate degree perfectly suits your career goals.

You should do some self-introspection before taking the final call for PhD because it demands a long-term commitment of about 3 to 6 years, depending on the research topic and the discipline. If you're comfortable with all the uncertainty that the PhD degree often brings with it and are ready to put in the hard work, you should surely go ahead for the course.

Read more

What is a PhD degree? 

PhD Course Career

For a PhD degree, almost all of the colleges release online application forms to be filled out by the students for admission to the course. The registration window is open for at least 1 to 2 months so that most of the students can apply for PhD admission.

You must meet the minimum marks requirements, which is generally at least 55% in your PG degree, and have all the scanned copies of the documents ready with you to be uploaded while filling the form. You also have to pay the application fee for admission.

More on -

PhD Courses

Yes, almost all of the top PhD academic institutions ask you to present a well-defined research proposal as a part of the PhD admission process that includes an entrance exam, an interview, and a research proposal presentation. A solid PhD proposal can actually help you make it to the institute, as it gives an impression of your dedication and interest in the chosen research field, along with the level of mind preparedness.

A few colleges or course requirements may allow you to apply with a broad research idea and ask you to submit the well-drafted proposal later. It is less likely to happen, though. Rest; you can go to the college websites to confirm their admission requirements to enjoy a hassle-free process.

Know more about -

PhD Courses

Mostly, there is a usual marks relaxation of 5% if you belong to any of the reserved categories like SC/ST/OBC and have a valid certificate proof, a copy of which is to be submitted at the time of filling out the college application form and admission process. It is important to keep in mind that the criteria may change as per university guidelines.

Rest, you can check the official college websites for further information.

know more about -

PhD Course Admission

Well, yes. Almost every academic institution asks for an application fee to be paid at the time of filling out the Ph.D admission form, which may vary from one institution to another. The general application fee ranges between INR 500 and INR 3,000. The fee is usually lower for reserved category applicants.

Note: This figure is just a rough estimation, and you must go to the official college websites to get accurate information about their respective application fees.

A majority of the colleges and universities in India offer PhD admission on the basis of valid entrance exam scores like UGC NET, CSIR NET, or GATE. There might be a few colleges that allow for direct admission to PhD (Full Form: Doctor of Philosophy) programs, given you have an excellent score in your post-graduation and some prior research experience. Having said that, it is always better if you give the entrance tests and score excellent marks and rank in the exam to be able to grab a seat for the doctorate degree course.

know more about -

PhD Course Admission

This requires a lot of self-introspection at your end regarding your core research interest, passion, and future plans. Pursuing a PhD degree needs to have long-term commitment and the zeal to come up with something fresh and original as a contribution to the existing repertoire of knowledge.
Look for and read about various specialisation options and their future career options, take help from experts from your preferred field by reaching out to them via social media platforms and online professional community groups, and think about your strengths and shortcomings to come to make an informed decision.

Know more about -

PhD Degree

This depends on your interests and future goals. If you are really inclined towards the research field or want to explore the professional side of academia, you will enjoy the PhD course ride as it gives you advanced-level knowledge of your chosen research area and prepares you for a fulfilling career in research and the academic domain.

Read more: All about PhD Degree

There is no fixed number of published research papers during the PhD course duration. Every institution has their own requirements. Generally speaking, a minimum of 2 to 3 research papers is to be published by every research scholar during the time span.

Know more -

PhD Courses

There isn't a predetermined parameter as such for assigning supervisors to PhD students at most of the popular colleges and universities in India. Sometimes students themselves look for the ones whose expertise aligns well with their research topic, or the supervisor is appointed by the department based on the available research faculty, keeping in mind the workload and subject matter expertise of the professor. So, it usually varies from one college to another.

Know more -

PhD Courses

Yes, of course. Cross-departmental collaboration goes a long way and can turn out to be extremely promising for your PhD academic ride, as you get to build strong networks, gain fresh research perspectives, have more scope for research and resource access, and come up with a comprehensive thesis at the end of the PhD course duration, supported by original research findings.

Know more about -

PhD Courses

Academic writing is the driving force for success in PhD courses as it is key factor by which doctorate scholars can actually contribute something authentic to the established pool of academic knowledge through dissertations and scholarly publications. It is important to establish a strong publication record via excellent academic writing to get hold of academic positions at universities and research career advancement in general. 

If you wish to opt for the PhD in CSE course you should have a master's degree in Computer Science Engineering or a related discipline with at least 55 to 60% marks. Also, you must appear for and clear relevant PhD in CSE entrance exams conducted every year. Some colleges also take GD/PI after the entrance results.
Plus, you should always go to the official websites of the universities you're targeting to check their specific criteria. 

The minimum duration for PhD in Psychology course is 3 years. In some colleges it is completed in four years. Those who have had an interest in psychology since a young age should take the course to fulfill their desire. It is advantageous for a candidate obtaining a PhD in Psychology to have someone in their family who is an expert in a particular subject.

A doctorate degree requires a lot of hard work and patience. One must be very curious to learn new things and come up with new findings to successfully complete the PhD program.

Click to learn 

Psychology courses

The syllabus for PhD in Psychology entrance exam is given below.

• General Aptitude: This section tests logical reasoning, numerical ability, and analytical skills. Psychology Topics.
• Research Methodology
• Psychological Theories
• Cognitive Psychology
• Clinical and Counseling Psychology
• Behavioral Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Developmental Psychology

Current Trends in Psychology: Topics related to the latest developments in psychological research and practices.

Following are the steps of Ph.D. CSE admission through entrance exam scores.
Fill out the college application form
It is very important for you to fill out the application form for PhD in Computer Science Engineering at your preferred college within the given time frame so that you can sit for the entrance test. No matter if the institute conducts the exam on an individual level or takes into consideration the national/state-level exam scores, filling the application form for admission is compulsory.
Appear for the entrance test
The dates for the entrance test are released by the universities or the exam organizing bodies shortly after the application or registration deadline. You should work hard for the exam and get a good score because the competition is usually high for this program.
Appear for an interview (if required)
The entrance exam for PhD courses is normally followed by an interview round. But, it depends on the college offering the doctoral program. Some colleges conduct interviews for the students who clear the entrance test, either a personal interview or a technical one to check your practical aptitude.
Admission to the college
Once you clear all the rounds of the admission process, you will be allowed to take the admission.

Know more about -

CSE Course Admission

Here are some tips for you to prepare for the PhD in CSE entrance exams:

• You should know the examination format very well as it will keep you ahead of others. The pattern may differ on the basis of the exam you're taking, either it is at the national-level or taken by the university itself. Mostly, the question paper is divided into two basic parts: one part contains general research aptitude questions while the other part asks you to answer some subject-specific questions.
• Give more importance to the sections which are important from the exam point of view. For that, you need to prepare a list of important topics from the syllabus and give special attention to those sections.
• The more you revise, the better you will score in the entrance test. You should start your revision at least 2 to 3 months before the actual exam date.

Know more about -

PhD Courses

There are many technical and soft skills that PhD in CSE scholars need to have to succeed in their careers. It is not necessary that one acquires these skills in a classroom setting rather they are learned through experience.

So, students must always be on their toes to learn new skills and gain as much experience as possible. Some of the important skills in general include:

• Academic Ability
• Time Management
• Good Research Aptitude
• Open-mindedness and Curiosity to Learn
• Patience
• Excellent knowledge of Computers
• Passion and Dedication for the Field

This depends on your interest and passion for the field of computer and technology and everybody will have different viewpoints regarding the same. The syllabus that you find tough might be very easy to understand for the other person, who has a lot of learning potential and interest for computer technology, hardware and software system applications. For example, you may find Computational Algebra and Data Structures very tough because of the high mathematical aptitude and analytical approach that it deals with. But, for some other person, it might be easy to study.

Having said that, going for a PhD in any discipline has to be a very conscious decision as it takes up a lot of your time and energy. You should be very sure about your future plans and have a strong research aptitude to be able to get through the entire doctoral course duration.

Know more -

PhD Syllabus

The duration of PhD in Finance is the same as other PhD courses, i.e. three years and an extension of up to two years is given to candidates by most of the universities. Candidates can complete the course within five years. The course can either be pursued in full-time or part-time mode but by no means can be pursued in distance mode. PhD is a professional degree that requires investment of time for primary and secondary research activities.

Know more about -

PhD Courses

Here are some core subjects covered under PhD in CSE course.

• Computer Architecture
• Computational Algebra and Coding Theory
• Artificial Intelligence and Cloud Computing
• Database and Information Systems
• Data Structures and Algorithms
• Research Methodology
• Final Thesis

You have to conduct detailed research on any chosen topic and present the research findings in the form of your thesis at the end of the course duration to get your PhD degree completion certificate.

Within the scientific and technological fields, Bioinformatics is a very well-liked discipline. Bioinformatics deals with the proper storage of biological data so that the data can be retrieved as and when required. These data consist of genetic information, protein sequences, nucleic acids, etc.

To properly understand biological information, the scientific fields of Mathematics, Computer Science, Statistics, and Engineering are all included in Bioinformatics. They play a very important role in biomedical research. Candidates willing to pursue a PhD in Bioinformatics must possess good analytical and communication skills, along with computer and technology understanding.

Know more -

PhD Courses

Look, if you are very passionate about research and innovation in the field of construction and infrastructure building, you should definitely consider going for a PhD degree in this field, as it will give you an opportunity to delve deeper into the subject area and come up with some fresh ideas focusing on environmental safety and sustainability.

Looking at the other side of the coin, you can obviously consider going for a job after pursuing M.Tech because the degree course will prepare you for the job market and instill a sense of practical approach and a business-oriented mindset in you owing to the coursework structure. You can start earning right after your master's degree with really good salary packages being offered by recruiters.

All of it depends on your interest areas, dedication, and future career goals. You must analyze your strengths and passions and then choose the right path for yourself.

Know more -

PhD