Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) is a higher-level Indian degree that is awarded to researchers who are contributing significantly at the workplace level. The degree is awarded to a small number of the best students from the top Indian institutions who have demonstrated they are the best in their specific area of profession. The program runs for 1 to 3 years, depending on research and institutional requirements.
For D.Sc., the applicant should have a PhD degree along with significant postdoctoral research experience. For higher studies, the applicant should have a collection of published papers in his/her hand, and eminent researchers thoroughly screen it. The degree is given by institutions like Banaras Hindu University (BHU), University of Delhi, and AIIMS for various streams of study, ranging from engineering, medical science, to environmental science.
A D.Sc. degree also provides entry to professional life in research institutions, academies, and pharma, IT, and biotech industries. A D.Sc. degree holder’s salary starts from INR 8 LPA.
- Doctor of Science Course Highlights
- What is a Doctor of Science course?
- Why pursue a Doctor of Science?
- Doctor of Science Admission Process 2025
- Doctor of Science Eligibility Criteria
- Doctor of Science Syllabus
- Doctor of Science Colleges in India
- Doctor of Science Future Scope
- Course Comparison: Doctor of Science vs PhD
- Doctor of Science Job Profiles and Salaries
- Doctor of Science FAQs
Doctor of Science Course Highlights
The table below highlights some of the key features of D.Sc. degree course:
Features | Details |
Level | Post Doctoral |
Duration | Minimum 1 year, up to 3 years |
Eligibility | PhD + 2-4 years of postdoctoral research experience |
Admission Process | Direct submission of thesis/research |
Average Fees | INR 8,000 - 1,50,000 per year |
Top Colleges | IISc Bangalore, BHU, JNU, DU |
Job Roles | Senior Scientist, University Professor, R&D Head, Policy Advisor |
Average Salary | INR 8,00,000 - 12,00,000 per year for freshers |
What is a Doctor of Science course?
Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) is a postgraduate research-focused academic degree that confirms one's quality work in a specific scientific or technical domain. It is typically sought after by researchers, scholars, and professionals who wish to become subject-matter specialists. The D.Sc. qualification is graded higher than a PhD and involves extensive published research work in order to qualify for submission.
Why pursue a Doctor of Science?
Some of the common reasons to pursue a D.Sc. course are:
- Professional Certification: A D.Sc. degree certifies one to be an expert and innovator in his or her profession.
- More Academic and Research Opportunities: It opens avenues for senior faculty, research honors, and collaborations with global institutions.
- Industry Need: The majority of research-driven industries and companies look for D.Sc. degree recipients for R&D and innovation leadership roles.
- Higher Potential Salary: With a D.Sc. degree, professionals can attract better paycheques and prestigious job titles.
Doctor of Science Admission Process 2025
There is no entrance test for admission into the D.Sc. program. Applicants are evaluated in terms of their research work. However, admission to a prestigious college requires:
Step 1: Application Form Submission – The applicants submit on the official webpage of the university.
Step 2: Research Portfolio Submission – The applicants submit a published research portfolio instead of a new thesis or new coursework.
Step 3: Expert Review & Evaluation – Internal and external experts evaluate the submitted research by a panel.
Step 4: Oral Defence (if needed) – Candidates of some universities are also required to orally defend their research work in the form of a viva-voce test or public seminar.
Doctor of Science Eligibility Criteria
To pursue a D.Sc. degree, candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- The applicants should have a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the same field.
- Minimum 2 to 4 years of research experience post-doctoral.
- The applicants should have a sound published paper history in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals.
- The quality of the research output should be sound in terms of contribution towards the generation of scientific knowledge.
Doctor of Science Syllabus
If you pursue a D.Sc. degree, your academic journey will not follow a traditional coursework-based syllabus like undergraduate or postgraduate programs. Instead, the focus will be on independent research, publications, and contributions to the field; at the same time, it can span across many fields of choice. However, for example, a D.Sc. in Data Science from a reputed university like BHU will have the following subjects:
Category | Subjects & Research Topics |
Mathematics & Statistics | Probability Theory, Statistical Modeling, Hypothesis Testing, Bayesian Inference, Time Series Analysis |
Machine Learning & AI | Supervised & Unsupervised Learning, Deep Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Neural Networks, Explainable AI (XAI) |
Big Data & Cloud Computing | Distributed Computing, Hadoop & Spark, Data Warehousing, Cloud-based Machine Learning |
Data Engineering | Data Pipeline Design, Data Cleaning & Preprocessing, Database Management, SQL & NoSQL Databases |
Natural Language Processing (NLP) | Text Mining, Sentiment Analysis, Chatbots, Speech Recognition, Transformer Models |
Computer Vision | Image Processing, Object Detection, Facial Recognition, Autonomous Systems |
Ethics & Bias in AI | Algorithmic Fairness, Data Privacy, Ethical AI, Responsible Data Science |
Domain-Specific Applications | Healthcare Analytics, Financial Data Science, Bioinformatics, Cybersecurity, Business Intelligence |
Doctor of Science Colleges in India
Here is a list of top colleges and universities in India that offer Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree:
NIRF Ranking | College/University | Location | Approx. Fee/Year |
2 (Overall) | IISc | Bangalore | INR 29,200 |
7 (Overall) | AIIMS | New Delhi | INR 1,000 |
11 (Overall) | BHU | Varanasi | INR 5,000 |
10 (Overall) | JNU | New Delhi | INR 2,500 |
17 (Overall) | Jadavpur University | Kolkata | INR 10,000 |
20 (Overall) | Anna University | Chennai | INR 15,000 |
26 (Overall) | Calcutta University | Kolkata | INR 6,000 |
6 (Overall) | IIT Kharagpur | Kharagpur | INR 26,000 |
Doctor of Science Future Scope
Even though Doctor of Science is considered to be one of the highest qualifications in India, following are some future prospects in the same:
- Academic Careers – Professors, deans, departmental heads in quality universities.
- Research & Development (R&D) Careers – ISRO, DRDO, CSIR, ICAR, Biocon, Serum Institute careers.
- Corporate & Industrial Careers – TCS, Infosys, Wipro, R&D, senior management jobs.
- Government & Policy Advice Careers – Science policymaking and advisory committee member.
Course Comparison: Doctor of Science vs PhD
Given below is a table comparing a PhD against D.Sc.-
Criteria | D.Sc. (Doctor of Science) | PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) |
Level | Postdoctoral Degree | Doctoral Degree |
Focus | Advanced research with a significant number of published papers | Original research and thesis submission |
Eligibility | PhD with at least 2-4 years of post-PhD research experience | Master’s degree (or equivalent) |
Research Requirement | Requires significant published research work in reputed journals | Extensive research leading to a dissertation |
Duration | 1-3 years | 3-6 years |
Recognition | Higher than a PhD, awarded for outstanding contributions in a specialized field | Considered the highest academic degree for research |
Admission Process | Direct submission of research work and thesis evaluation | Entrance exam (varies by institution), followed by coursework and research proposal approval |
Career Scope | Senior research roles, university leadership positions, policy advisory | Academia, research institutions, industry roles |
Common Job Roles | Senior Research Scientist, University Dean, Director of Research | Assistant Professor, Research Scientist, Industry Consultant |
Doctor of Science Job Profiles and Salaries
Provided below is a list of career opportunities that one can pursue as a fresher after the completion of D.Sc. degree. There is immense scope for growth based on skills and expertise.
Job Profile | Average Salary for freshers (INR/LPA) |
Senior Research Scientist | 10,00,000 |
University Professor/Dean | 12,00,000 |
Director of Research Institutes | 15,00,000 |
R&D Head in Corporate Sector | 18,00,000 |
Scientific Policy Advisor | 12,00,000 |
Industrial Consultant | 15,00,000 |
Government Researcher | 10,00,000 |
Doctor of Science FAQs
Is it possible to do a D.Sc. degree without a PhD?
No, the candidate needs to be a PhD holder to enroll for a Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) course. The candidates also need to possess heavy post-PhD research experience.
Is there any age limit to join a D.Sc. degree?
There is no age limit for pursuing a Doctor of Science, though the universities can insist on some years of post-PhD research experience.
Would foreign students' D.Sc. degree be recognized in India?
Yes, foreign students are also accepted by some Indian institutions for Doctor of Science if they are eligible and they have adequate research experience.
Is it necessary to have a D.Sc. degree to do course work?
No, the Doctor of Science is not an award requiring course work or examination.
What can one submit as research for an applicant for the D.Sc. degree?
Only highly influential original research papers published in highly ranked international-standard journals can be submitted for Doctor of Science .
Is application for Doctor of Science competitive?
Application for Doctor of Science is an extremely competitive very small number of candidates selected each year.
Are scholarships provided to candidates for Doctor of Science?
Yes, research fellowships and grants are sometimes offered for Doctor of Science by the government departments.
