Compare M.Phil and MS: eligibility, entrance exams, salaries, recruiters, and FAQs.
Based on salary, fees, return on fees, admission routes and career options. Figures are midpoints of the ranges reported across colleges.
MS graduates report a higher typical average salary (₹ 14.0 L vs ₹ 5.8 L for M.Phil).
M.Phil is the more affordable option (typical fees ₹ 4.3 L vs ₹ 97.5 L for MS). Government colleges bring it to about ₹ 2.3 L.
One year of average salary for M.Phil covers about 1.3× its average fees, compared with 0.1× for MS.
M.Phil admits via XAT, TANCET; MS admits via Neet PG, GATE and 5 more.
Comes out ahead on the most parameters in this comparison.
A good pick if its strengths match your priorities.
Match the choice to what matters most to you.
M.Phil leads on lower average fees (₹ 4.3 L) and better salary-to-fees ratio (1.3×). MS has the edge on higher average salary (₹ 14.0 L). Weigh these against your eligibility, preferred entrance exams and career interests.
IIT
IIT Bombay
Fees: ₹ 3.5 L
Salary: ₹ 17.9 L
Courses: 2
College
AIIMS Delhi
Fees: ₹ 3.0 K - ₹ 20.2 K
Salary: ₹ 22.0 L - ₹ 3.4 Cr
Courses: 3
College
Vardhman Mahavir Medical College
Fees: ₹ 1.6 L
Salary: -
Courses: 5
IIT
IIT Delhi
Fees: -
Salary: ₹ 17.0 L
Courses: 4
College
PGIMER Chandigarh
Fees: ₹ 7.1 K - ₹ 20.3 L
Salary: ₹ 18.0 L
Courses: 5
Key Metrics
Average Salary
₹ 2.5 L - ₹ 9.0 L
Median Salary
₹ 1.3 L - ₹ 14.4 L
Average Fees
₹ 1.8 K - ₹ 8.5 L
Top Recruiters
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Key Metrics
Average Salary
₹ 1.6 L - ₹ 26.5 L
Median Salary
₹ 81.5 K - ₹ 3.4 Cr
Average Fees
₹ 3.0 K - ₹ 1.9 Cr
Top Recruiters
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For M.Phil, the most frequently associated entrance exams (by programme–college hits) are: XAT, TANCET. Figures aggregate active college–programme mappings across all colleges for each course.
For MS, the most frequently associated entrance exams are: Neet PG, GATE, NEET, INI CET, NEET SS, PGIMER, IMU CET. Figures aggregate active college–programme mappings across all colleges for each course.
MS shows a higher midpoint within its salary span (₹1,63,000 – ₹26,46,000) than M.Phil (₹2,50,000 – ₹9,00,000).
M.Phil has a lower midpoint within its fees span (₹1,750 – ₹8,54,000) than MS (₹3,027 – ₹1,95,00,000).
The most common duration shown is 1 year for M.Phil and 3 years for MS.
