PhD: Admission 2025, Syllabus, Eligibility, Subjects, Colleges, Careers

PhD or Doctor of Philosophy is a doctoral degree, which is regarded as the highest level of educational qualification that anyone can possess. The course curriculum is research-oriented, requiring learners to conduct an intensive independent research in a particular subject resulting in a publishable thesis. The degree can be pursued in a variety of specializations, topics or subjects within Arts, Sciences, or Commerce disciplines.

A Ph.D course duration typically ranges between 3-6 years with the entire course fee ranging between INR 4,000 to INR 6,00,000. Amity University, IISER Pune, GD Goenka University, BITS Pilani, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University are some of the leading Indian colleges offering this course.

The course's eligibility criteria is majorly entrance-based, requiring candidates to pass the relevant entrance exam and meet the basic merit criteria with UGC NET, DUET, ICAR AICE JRF/SRF and CSIR NET being some of the widely accepted Ph.D entrance exams.The merit criteria requires them to have a minimum of 55%-60% aggregate in a PG Degree completed in a subject relevant to their Ph.D studies.

The candidates, after pursuing a Ph.D are highly demanded across multiple senior-level and lucrative job roles including Research Associate, Assistant Professor, Analyst, Senior Consultant, Strategy Expert, Senior Researcher and more, with entry-level salaries ranging from INR 4 – 20 LPA and experienced level salaries ranging from INR 35-60+ LPA.

PhD Highlights

The table below contains the major highlights of the 3-6 year Ph.D course:

What is a PhD?

A Doctor of Philosophy is a globally recognized doctoral degree program with duration lasting 3-6 years. The course curriculum is rigorous, empirical, and scholarly, curated with the goal of providing a rewarding learning experience by combining comprehensive and classroom learning with opportunities for intellectual involvement, networking and practical skill building.

The curriculum is normally spread over 3 years, with the first year focused entirely on completing the mandatory coursework and obtaining approval from the supervisor on the research topic and developing a research proposal. The second and third years are entirely focused on writing a thesis for the same, utilizing suitable data, references, and other evidences to defend their research findings and arguments.

In its most basic form, a PhD course requires learners to conduct original and significant research in a specific field or subject under the supervision of a supervisor. On the basis of that research, they are required to prepare a thesis and present the same in front of the board of examiners.

Also, read PhD in English Literature

Why Study PhD?

As the highest level of educational qualification that equips candidates with an advanced and specialized knowledge of all aspects of a particular discipline and prepares them for high-level positions with reputable organizations, a Ph.D can be considered a highly desirable course for a variety of reasons, including:

• Networking and scholarly opportunities: Being a doctoral degree, a PhD course provides multiple opportunities for intellectual engagement, allowing learners to work and interact with experienced faculty, industry professionals, and peers, enabling them to create networks that promote academic and professional success.
• Senior-Level Job Roles: A Doctor of Philosophy is the highest level of educational qualification, equipping learners with a high level of specialized knowledge, a research-oriented mindset, and an industry-relevant skill set, preparing them to take on senior-level job positions.
• Prestigious field of study: PhD as a doctoral degree is often regarded as a highly respected and valuable course of study and anyone who has completed their Ph.D is even qualified to put "Dr." before their names, adding to the prestige of this degree.

Who should study PhD?

As a highly specialized, advanced, and focused study of a certain discipline, a Doctor of Philosophy requires candidates to possess a highly detailed and research-oriented mindset with the capability of collecting and analyzing large-scale data and reports. Thus, pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy seems like an ideal option for someone who:

• Are PG degree holders with at least 55%-60% score in the same.
• Curious individuals with a passion for carrying out research and defend his/her arguments using proper evidence.
• Are working professionals looking to pursue advanced studies to move ahead in their professional careers?
• Are aspiring educators aiming to pursue professions as lecturers or professors.

PhD Eligibility Criteria

A Ph.D is a doctoral degree and the highest level of educational qualification that an individual can hold. As a result, the eligibility criteria for the same in the majority of Indian colleges is determined by a candidate’s performance in entrance exams, with barely one or two colleges using the merit criteria. The following is a full breakdown of the PhD eligibility conditions:

• The candidate must have a minimum of 55%-60% scores (varying as per the college requirements) in a 1-2 year postgraduate degree completed from a recognized board.
• The candidate must have completed a postgraduate degree in the relevant subject in which he/she intends to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy.
• Qualify the applicable entrance exam (UGC NET/ DUET/ ICAR AICE JRF/SRF/ CSIR NET/ GATE/ Amity’s Ph.D Entrance Test/ Goenka Aptitude Test for Admission)
• A personal interview round is also conducted in almost all the colleges to explore more about the candidate's educational qualifications, interests and passions.
• Some universities also accept graduates holding a 4-year bachelor's degree with a minimum of 75% score in the same.

PhD Entrance Exams 2025

In India, the majority of colleges only offer entrance-based admissions to Doctor of Philosophy programs, requiring interested candidates to pass the applicable university or state-level entrance exam in addition to meeting the basic merit criteria. The table below lists the most widely accepted and acknowledged PhD entrance exams in India and their important details:

PhD Colleges in India

This specialised doctoral degree program is offered by a variety of private and public colleges in India, each having its own set of specialisations within the course that may differ or be similar to one another. The leading colleges offering the Ph.D course in India are given below, along with course-specific major details:

PhD Admission Process 2025

In practically all Indian colleges, the Ph.D admission procedure is entirely online and can be completed in a few simple stages, provided that the candidate seeking admission possesses the necessary educational qualifications and scores to apply. The steps for admission to a PhD program at Amity University are as follows:

Step 1: The candidate must register or sign-up at the Amity University’s official admission portal. The link to the portal is https://portal.amity.edu/NewOnlineForm/Candidate/SignUp and the candidate can register by providing his/her name, email id and mobile number.

Step 2: Once the registration is complete, the candidate’s unique profile would be created on the Amity’s admission portal. Through this Id, he/she will be able to view the application form.

Step 3: The candidate can start filling out the application form and he/she must make sure to provide the accurate personal, educational and job history information in the same to avoid future complications.

Step 4: The candidate will then be required to upload scanned copies of the personal, educational and work experience documents asked in the form in the prescribed format as mentioned.

Step 5: The candidate must then pay the non refundable application fee costing INR 1,500 using Debit Card/Credit Card/ Net Banking. After successful payment of the fee, the candidate must click on “submit”.

Step 6: Regarding further steps, the candidate will receive updates via his/her profile on the admission portal. He/She must wait for the entrance exam notification to be released.

Step 7: Once the notification is released, the candidate must prepare and appear for the Amity’s Ph.D Entrance Test as per the schedule provided to him/her through his/her admission profile.

Step 8: If the candidate is able to qualify the exam, he/she is called in for a technical and personal interview round with the course’s faculty.

Step 9: Ultimately, on the basis of merit and entrance exam scores and their performance in the interview, candidates are shortlisted for the PhD program and provisional admission letters are sent to them through their admission profiles.

Step 10: After receiving the provisional offer letter, the candidate is required to pay the tuition fee for the first semester of the course and visit the college’s campus for physical verification of documents.

Step 11: If the verification is successful, the candidate receives a final admission letter confirming his/her admission in the Ph.D course.

Documents Required:

• 10th marksheet and passing certificate issued by the board.
• 12th marksheet and passing certificate issued by the board.
• School Leaving Certificate
• Bachelor’s Marksheet
• Bachelor’s Passing Certificate
• Master’s Marksheet
• Master’s Passing Certificate
• Provisional Certificate
• Coloured Passport Size Photographs
• Entrance Exam Admit Card
• Entrance Exam Scorecard
• Caste Certificate (If applicable)
• Identity Proof issued by the government (Aadhar Card/PAN Card/Passport, etc.)
• Work Experience documents

PhD Syllabus

A Doctor of Philosophy program provides a rigorous research-oriented curriculum that includes several practical skill development and training opportunities. The course lasts 3 years but can be extended to 6 years. At GD Goenka University, the entire Ph.D syllabus including semester-by-semester breakdown of the main topics covered is as follows:

PhD Job Opportunities in India

A 3-6 year Ph.D course enables learners to specialize in a particular subject and thereby gain expertise and proficiency in all facets of that discipline. Pursuing a PhD thus qualifies individuals for high-paying and significant job roles at prestigious organizations. The average salary and top recruiter details for the leading career prospects in this field are as follows:

PhD FAQs