PhD Botany: Course Fees, Admission 2025, Syllabus, Top Colleges, Career Scope
PhD Botany is a research-based doctoral degree program where students study the principles of ecology, plant life and related disciplines. The duration is 3-6 years.
The eligibility is to have a PG degree in a relevant discipline. PhD Botany admission is majorly based on the entrance exam procedure. Some popular entrances are UGC NET, GATE, CSIR NET, and SET.
There are numerous PhD Botany colleges in India. Among them, Lovely Professional University, Ravenshaw University, Shoolini University, Fergusson College, SHUATS and Rabindranath Tagore University are some of the top options.
PhD Botany scholars can seek jobs in fields of Educational Institutions, Medical Labs, Food Companies, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Agriculture, etc. The average PhD in Botany salary in India is INR 1.5 - 6 LPA.
PhD Botany Course Details
Refer to the table for more details
|
Parameters |
Course Details |
|---|---|
|
PhD Botany Full Form |
Doctorate of Philosophy in Botany |
|
PhD Botany Course Level |
Doctorate |
|
PhD Botany Course Duration |
3 – 6 Years |
|
PhD Botany Admission Criteria |
Entrance exam-based |
| UGC NET, GATE, CSIR NET, and SET. | |
|
PhD Botany Colleges in India |
Lovely Professional University, Ravenshaw University, Shoolini University, and Rabindranath Tagore University. |
|
PhD Botany Course Fee |
INR 21,000 to INR 5.58 Lakh |
|
PhD Botany Jobs |
Taxonomist, Agronomist, Ecologist, Research Associate, Mycologist, Plant Breeder, etc. |
|
PhD in Botany Salary in India |
INR 1.5 - 6 LPA |
|
PhD Botany Top Recruiters |
Sun Pharma, Cipla, Dabur, Hindustan Unilever, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Fortis Healthcare, Apollo etc. |
Source- Multiple external/official sites
The Ph.D. in Botany prepares students for research, teaching, and publication in their field. In addition, it helps them develop critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as promotes professional ethics.
A Ph.D. in Botany can lead to a career in agriculture, food production, government agencies, and more. Those with a Ph.D. in botany are often hired in universities as professors to teach students the scientific aspects of their chosen field. There are many universities and colleges around the world that offer the program, and some of these offer online classes, allowing working professionals to complete the degree on their own.
The study of Botany offers a wide scope of future to its students in India as well as abroad.
Upon completion of the course, an individual may opt to go for higher studies or research field, or seeks a job at the subject
related opportunities. Many individuals, after pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Botany, can study MSc in Botany or MSc in Environmental Management for further studies.
One can study abroad as well for further studies due to bigger opportunities and many prestigious Institutions offering the
course study. A Botanist can also work as a field scientist or scientific assistant in both the public and private sectors. However, many environmental management-based companies are keener in recruiting students with this course degree.
- PhD Botany Eligibility Criteria
- PhD Botany Entrance Exams: Schedule 2025
- PhD Botany Syllabus 2025
- Best PhD Botany Colleges in India
- Popular Private PhD Botany Colleges in India
- PhD Botany Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters
- PhD Botany FAQs
- Course Cutoffs
PhD Botany Eligibility Criteria
Some of the general criteria you must fulfil are mentioned below-
PG in MSc Botany or any relevant area, and a UG such as BSc Botany.
A minimum 50% aggregate score
There is a 5% relaxation for reserved classes such as SC/ST/OBC (may vary).
No age limit prescribed as such.
Source- Multiple external/ official sites on web, info may vary
Read more
Everything about Ph.D. Admission 2025
PhD Botany Admission
- Conduct personal-level research and know the eligibility for the courses in your chosen college.
- Look out for whether the admission requires appearing in any entrance; if yes, then choose the exam accordingly.
- Register, prepare, and appear for the exams accepted/ conducted by the colleges and wait for the results.
- Apply to the universities/ colleges by filling out the application/ registration form.
- Check out the official websites for your score.
- Attend counselling sessions if shortlisted.
- Pay the fees and get your documents verified before you start with your classes.
Read more-
If you're planning to pursue PhD in Botany, here are some skillset you need to possess, that'll help you not only throughout the program, but for career prospects as well.
- Data-handling skills such as recording, collating, and analyzing data using appropriate techniques and equipment.
- Written and communication skills.
- Presentation and oral communication skills such as presenting research findings and make presentations in a clear, succinct way.
- Project management skills, such as organizing and undertaking research projects, experiments, etc. (including budgeting, contingency planning, and time management).
- Good understanding of information technology.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Yes, there is no particular age criteria specified as such for you to enrol into a PhD Botany program. The basic requirements are to have a master's degree in botany from a recognised university. It is never too late to opt for a PhD program. If you have the desire to learn and grow in this field, you can surely opt for a PhD programme and make a fruitful career.
PhD Botany Entrance Exams: Schedule 2025
Admission to PhD Botany program is majorly based on entrance exams in India. Colleges conduct both university and national-level entrance tests for course admissions. Here are some popular PhD in Botany Entrance Exams that candidates can prepare for.
|
Entrance Exams |
Exam Dates |
Exam Schedule |
|---|---|---|
|
UGC NET 2025 |
2nd Week of June ’25 |
|
|
GATE 2025 |
1,2,15 & 16 Feb ‘25 |
|
|
CSIR NET 2025 |
28 Feb - 2 March ’25 |
|
|
SET 2025 |
5 May ’25 (Test 01) 11 May ‘25 (Test 02) |
Note: The information is sourced from the official body and may vary.
PhD Botany-related topics you may find useful:
How to prepare for top MSc entrance exams?
GATE 2025 Exam Pattern (OUT): Check Subject-wise Paper Pattern, Paper-wise Marking Scheme
NEST 2025 Registration to Begin This Month: Important Dates and Details
Important Exam Dates
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 10 Nov ' 25 | ICAR JRF SRF 2025 Counselling Round 4: Seat Allotment & Document Upload |
| 12 Nov ' 25 | ICAR JRF SRF 2025 Counselling Round 4: Document Verification |
| 12 Nov ' 25 | ICAR JRF SRF 2025 Counselling Round 4: re-submission of documents |
| 12 Nov ' 25 | ICAR JRF SRF 2025 Counselling Round 4: Document Verification by the Universities |
| 12 Nov ' 25 | ICAR JRF SRF 2025 Counselling Round 4: Seat Acceptance Fee deposition |
| 14 Nov ' 25 | ICAR JRF SRF 2025 Counselling Mop-Up: Registration, Counselling Fee & Choice filling |
| 16 Nov ' 25 | ICAR JRF SRF 2025 Counselling Mop-Up: Seat Allotment & Document Upload |
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 07 Nov ' 25 | ICAR JRF SRF 2025 Counselling Round 3: Seat Acceptance Fee deposition |
| 26 Oct ' 25 | TIFR GS 2026 Application deadline for completing REGISTRATION |
| 19 Oct ' 25 | TIFR GS 2026 Application deadline for choice of test center |
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.
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering has come a long way since its inception. The entrance test was first introduced in 1983 and was conducted offline (in pen and paper format) only for engineering and science streams. However, over the years, the pattern of the GATE examination has changed in several factors, such as the following -
Giving more emphasis on numerical ability and reasoning questions.
More case-based questions are included to understand the candidate’s ability and approach towards practical knowledge.
Changing the exam mode from offline to a computer-based test for faster evaluation, improved accuracy, and a more secure examination process.
Introducing more elaborated syllabi and disciplines to align with the industry demands and technological advancements.
Overall, the GATE has grown beyond being a gateway for postgraduate studies. It is now a recognised criterion for recruitment in over 50 PSUs, such as ONGC, IOCL, and NTPC. Candidate can check GATE exam pattern here: GATE 2025 Exam Pattern.
PhD Botany Syllabus 2025
PhD Botany syllabus is generally divided into 6 semesters following the 3-year curriculum. However, students can take up to 6 years to complete the syllabus, as it involves extensive research, practicals, fieldwork, etc. Here is a general idea of PhD in Botany subjects for interested candidates.
|
PhD in Botany Subjects |
|
|---|---|
|
Research Methodology |
Plant Physiology |
|
Taxonomy, Biodiversity & Conservation |
Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry |
|
Research Proposal |
Applied Botany |
|
Recent Advances in Ecology |
Biotechnology and Human Welfare |
|
Recent advances in Plant Physiology |
Analytical Techniques and Computer Applications |
|
Trends in Biotechnology |
Plant Disease Management |
|
Recent advances in Mycology and Plant Pathology |
Mushroom Cultivation |
Note: The information is sourced from external sources and may vary.
PhD Botany topics students are interested in:
Popular Specializations
- Botany
121 Colleges
- Zoology
5 Colleges
- Chemistry
3 Colleges
- Mathematics
3 Colleges
- Physics
3 Colleges
- Biotechnology
2 Colleges
- Computer Science
2 Colleges
- Microbiology
2 Colleges
PhD in Botany course is available in 3 types:
- Full-Time PhD in Botany: PhD in Botany is a 3 to 6 years doctorate degree program. In the full-time learning mode, students have to attend regular classroom-based learning. They also need to submit all the assignments and projects and they need to appear for their exams on their institute campus.
Students can learn from their peers and also can solve issues with the faculty members which is the best thing in this mode of learning. - Part-Time PhD in Botany: A part-time course is designed for professionals who do not have the time to dedicate to a full-time course. Since it is a practical course, there is no Part-time option available.
- Distance PhD in Botany: A distance learning course is designed for students who do not have the time and proper financial background to pursue a full-time course. Since it is a practical course, there is no distance learning option available.
Here are some books related to PhD Botany you should read:
| Books | Authors |
|---|---|
| Plants Physiology | Eduardo Zeiger and Lincoln Taiz |
| Introductory Plant Biology | Stern |
| Introduction to Plant Physiology | Hopkins W.G and Huner P.A |
| Molecular Biology of the Cell | Bruce Alberts |
| Concepts of Genetics | Klug W.S., Cummings M.R., Spencer C.A |
Note: The information is sourced from external sites and may vary.
You need to have a strong base in biology and chemistry along with knowledge in plant ecosystem for pursuing a PhD in Botany course. Candidates who have a passion to study the core concepts of the plant biology in depth will easily be able to crack the fundamentals and score well in the subjects.
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering GATE 2025 notification has been released. No change in GATE 2025 syllabus has been announced by the IIT Roorkee. The GATE exam 2025 will be conducted in February 1, 2, 15 and 16, 2025 for 30 papers. The GATE application form 2025 has been released at the GOAPS portal on August 28, 2024. The last date to submit the application form with regular fees was October 3, 2024 and October 11, 2024 (with extended fees). Candidates can apply online to appear in GATE 2025 exam.
Best PhD Botany Colleges in India
There are approximately 111 PhD in Botany colleges in India, of which around 26 are private entities and 32 are government colleges. These colleges, along with good learning and research options, offer placement opportunities to PhD holders. Candidates can find the college details in the tables below:
Best Government Colleges for PhD Botany
Ravenshaw University, Vardhman Mahaveer Open University, SVU University, etc., are some of the best government colleges in India offering PhD in Botany degree program. Candidates can find some more similar options in the table below:
|
Best Government Colleges |
Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
|
INR 35,000 |
|
|
INR 1.15 Lakh |
Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body and may vary.
Best Private Colleges for PhD Botany
Lovely Professional University, Shoolini University, Rabindranath Tagore University, etc., are some of the best private colleges in India offering PhD in Botany degree program. Candidates can find some more similar options in the table below:
|
Best Private Colleges |
Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
|
INR 3 Lakh |
|
|
INR 1.03 Lakh |
|
|
INR 3 Lakh |
|
|
INR 3.15 Lakh |
|
|
INR 3.25 Lakh |
|
|
INR 3 Lakh |
|
|
INR 4.20 Lakh |
|
|
INR 5.58 Lakh |
|
|
INR 4.5 Lakh |
|
|
INR 4 Lakh |
Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body and may vary.
PhD Botany topics you may find useful:
Botany Applications open. Apply Now
More than 100 colleges in India offer PhD in Botany and its related disciplines. Among them, some top rated universities include Lovely Professional University and Shoolini University. The average course fee of these colleges ranges between INR 3 - 6 Lakh.
Yes, here are some college options for PhD Botany under INR 1 Lacs fee, you can consider:
| PhD Botany Colleges | Course Fee |
|---|---|
| Ravenshaw University | INR 35,000 |
| NIMS Institute of Medical and Allied Sciences | INR 90,000 |
| IFTM University | INR 21,000 |
Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body and may vary.
There are more than 100 colleges in India which are widely known for their PhD in Botany programs. Out of these, approximately 32 colleges are government bodies and 26 are private institutions. These colleges have the top faculty members from all over the country who offer correct guidance and mentorship to the candidates and help them kickstart their careers.
A very few colleges offer Online Botany courses such as KSOU Mysore and Andhra University Online. Their course fee ranges around INR 50,000 - 60,000. Interested students can click here to find some top Botany Online Courses & Certifications.
Popular Private PhD Botany Colleges in India
Botany Applications open. Apply Now
Botany Applications open. Apply Now
PhD Botany Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters
PhD Botany Scholars can foresee their career future in numerous industries such as Agriculture, Biotechnology, Pharmacy, Medicine, Clinical Research, Food Processing, and more. They can go for both government and private job sectors. Candidates can take a look at some popular job profiles and PhD in Botany salary details from the table below:
|
Job Profiles |
Job Description |
Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
|
Lab Technician |
As the name suggests, their job is to work in the laboratories and perform scientific experiments for research purposes. |
INR 6.5 - 8.3 LPA |
|
Agronomist |
They advise farmers on how to improve crop yields and manage their land. |
INR 5.2 LPA |
|
Environmental Scientist |
They study the relationship between organisms and their environment, and their role in society. |
INR 3.3 LPA |
|
Research Associate |
They analyze data, conduct research, write reports, provide technical support, and more. |
INR 4.7 LPA |
|
Mycologist |
They study the properties of fungi such as yeast and mould. |
INR 11.9 LPA |
|
Plant Breeder |
They research and improve plant characteristics to meet market demands and consumer needs. |
INR 5 LPA |
Note: The salary information is sourced from Ambitionbox.com.
PhD Botany topics you may find helpful:
Scope of Horticulture in India
PhD Botany Top Recruiters
Countless companies from numerous industries hire PhD Botany scholars for multiple job roles. Here are some examples of top recruiters for PhD Botany Scholars.
|
PhD Botany Top Recruiters |
|
|---|---|
|
Swami Vivekanand Subharti University |
Max Healthcare |
|
Fortis Healthcare |
Nagarjuna Agri Tech Ltd. |
|
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. |
Ajanta Soya Ltd. |
|
Cipla Ltd. |
Nestle India Ltd. |
|
Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd. |
Britannia Industries Ltd. |
Note: The information is sourced from external sources and may vary.
PhD Botany topics students find interesting:
It is difficult to decide an average PhD in Botany salary as PhD Botany Scholars opt for a variety of career paths and every job profile attracts different salary package based on the employer, geographical location of the company, relevant experience and skillset of the candidate, and more. However, an average salary of a Botanist is INR 5.7 LPA in India.
Botany students can opt for roles such as Research Scientists, Plant Biotechnologists, or Environmental Consultants. They may also work in the Agriculture sector as Crop Scientists or Plant Breeders, in Conservation as Wildlife Biologists, or in Academia as Lecturers. Other options include working with botanical gardens, in pharmaceuticals for drug development, or in environmental NGOs focusing on sustainability. Opportunities in government agencies for forest management or natural resource management are also popular.
PhD Botany FAQs
Candidates can refer to this section for PhD Botany FAQs.
There are many tips that students must note when deciding to pursue a Diploma in Mechatronics degree. Some important preparation tips are listed below to ensure that the students crack the course and pass the exams without any hurdles.
- Improve Vocabulary: Students need to communicate efficiently such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing which will help them to prosper in every work they do. Steady progress will help them reach their desired goals in their career.
- Read and Practice More: Students should do more research work to indulge in this course more deeply and they should try different experiments in botanical science.
- Have Intrinsic Knowledge and Interest in Subjects: Having intrinsic knowledge about the subject and having the same interest will keep the student motivated to learn more than what's in the syllabus.
Zoology is the scientific study of animals, covering a wide range of species from microscopic organisms to complex vertebrates. It encompasses areas like animal behaviour, physiology, anatomy, genetics, evolution, and ecology.
Botany is the scientific study of plants, including algae, fungi, mosses, ferns, gymnosperms, and flowering plants. It covers plant Anatomy, Physiology, Taxonomy, Ecology, Genetics, and evolution.
Candidates can check the table below to see the comparison between the two courses.
Parameters | Botany | Zoology |
|---|---|---|
Course Level | UG, PG, PhD, Diploma | UG, PG, PhD |
Course Duration | 2-3 years | 2-3 years |
Course Fee | INR 1,500 - INR 5.3 Lakh | INR 2,000 - INR 3 Lakh |
Entrance Exams | CUET, CPGET, CUET PG, etc. | CUET, CPGET, CUET PG, URAT PG, etc. |
Popular Colleges | Banaras Hindu University, Delhi University, Calcutta University, Aligarh Muslim University, etc. | Banaras Hindu University, Delhi University, Calcutta University, Aligarh Muslim University, etc. |
Job Profiles | Ecologist, Plant Breeder, Horticulturist, Plant Physiologist, etc. | Zoologist, conservationist, wildlife biologist, wildlife educator, etc. |
Average Salary | INR 1.4 LPA - INR 8.2 LPA | INR 4 LPA - INR 5 LPA |
Top Recruiters | Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, Forest Service, Nature Conservancy, Seed Company, Horticulture Companies, etc. | Indian Forest Service (IFS), Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), etc. |
With every discovery through research by experts in Botany science, paves a way to new learning subjects or topics in the course of Botany. Every year new plant species are discovered, and the coming years the discovery Subject is included in the course. In short, this course covers the latest update topics and trends over the years as per the changes and discoveries made.
Botany Science will be interlinked to environmental management in the coming years for better understanding and knowledge, since the subjects are interrelated, both focusing on living organisms and their environmental impacts.
With in-depth knowledge in Botany, one can serve to be an environmentalist, catering to plants and their needs to control climate change and risk management of environmental conditions. Research is being conducted on a variety of topics in Botany courses for the discovery of more plant species and how we can save our environmental problems with the help of generating more plants for our future generations.
In botany, you can choose to explore different species of plants from fungi, algae, pteridophytes, etc.. You can explore its diversity and learn about its pros and cons. But in Agriculture, you can explore the crops and their variety and discover new species which can be helpful to farmers and the crop can survive in different conditions or tough conditions like heatwaves, drought and so on. You learn about soil and its type and you can help farmers in Agriculture centres to show them, how much fertile their soil is, etc.
The factors that influenced GATE 2025 cutoff are:
- Number of Applicants: higher number of students applying for a specific branch leads to a more competitive environment.
- GATE Exam Difficulty: If the exam is considered tougher, the cutoff might be lower to account for the challenges faced by students.
- Total Available Seats: Fewer seats translate to a stricter cutoff.
- Category of Applicant: Reservation policies are considered when setting cutoffs. There might be separate cutoffs for different categories.
- Previous Year's Cutoff Trends: Admission authorities often consider the previous year's cutoffs as a reference point, with adjustments based on the factors mentioned above.
Course Cutoffs
News & Updates
Student Forum
Answered 4 weeks ago
Msc subjects after BSc Botany with high demand include Biotechnology, Microbiology, Environmental Science and Genetics. These fields offer great research, industry and govt. job opportunities.
R
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 4 weeks ago
The best MSc courses after BSc Botany include MSc in Botany, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Environmental Science, Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Bioinformatics, and Food Technology.
R
Contributor-Level 8
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PhD in Botany is a 3 to 6 years doctoral degree programme in which you'll do an in-depth study and research around plants, including their structure, growth, reproduction, physiology, ecology, evolution, and interactions with the environment. Under this program, along with classroom study, students get to write thesis, do field work, internships, attend seminars, and more.