Ph.D Environmental Engineering: Admission 2025, Eligibility, Fees, Colleges, Syllabus, Careers

PhD Environmental Engineering is a 3-6 year doctoral degree program aimed to provide advanced theoretical knowledge and industry-relevant skill development opportunities in the field of Environmental Engineering. During the course study, learners conduct independent research and gain technical expertise in areas such as wastewater engineering, pollution control, environmental systems and sustainability, hazardous waste management and more.

The course's basic eligibility requirements state that the candidates must hold a master's degree in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering or a related discipline with a minimum aggregate of 50%-55%. They must also pass the relevant entrance exam, like UGC NET, UGC-CSIR NET, or GATE and must appear for a personal interview or a presentation round with the course's faculty.

The average course fee of a PhD in Environmental Engineering in India ranges between INR 1,50,000 - INR 3,00,000. The course duration is 3 years but can be extended to a maximum of 6, also, owing to its highly technical curriculum, which requires well-established infrastructural facilities, the course is only offered at a few Indian universities, including Gandhinagar University and Pandit Deendayal Energy University.

Some of the leading PhD Environmental Engineering jobs include Assistant Professor (Environmental Engineering), Environmental Policy Analyst, Environmental Project Director, Environmental Engineer, and more. Entry-level salaries for such positions range from INR 6-11 LPA and experienced level ranges from INR 20-40 LPA.

Ph.D Environmental Engineering Highlights

Major highlights of the PhD in Environmental Engineering course in India is presented in the table below:

What is Ph.D Environmental Engineering?

PhD Environmental Engineering or Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Engineering, is a 3-6 year doctoral degree program with an interdisciplinary and research-oriented curriculum. The curriculum requires learners to complete mandatory course work in research methodology and Environmental Engineering in the initial semesters and conduct an original, comprehensive, and rigorous research project under the supervision of a supervisor in the final ones.

The comprehensive and technical course study is designed to provide students with the information and practical skills they need to develop or discover large-scale solutions to widespread environmental hazards to human health and various other living beings.

Environmental Chemistry, Water and Wastewater Treatment (Physical, Chemical, and Biological Processes), Environmental Microbiology, and Atmospheric Processes are some of the key areas of study covered by the program. Furthermore, the curriculum emphasizes experiential learning and networking through hands-on workshops, research assistantships, fieldwork and environmental surveys, and industrial partnerships over mere classroom learning.

Why Study Ph.D Environmental Engineering?

A PhD in Environmental Engineering, due to its technical and interdisciplinary curriculum, provides learners with a highly industry-relevant skill set and qualifies them for leadership and even senior level roles in the industry. Some of the significant reasons to pursue this course also include:

• Industry relevant skill development and expertise: The course curriculum utilizes a variety of practical learning opportunities, such as Research Assistantships, Fieldwork and Environmental Surveys, and Industrial Partnerships, to help learners develop industry relevant skills, such as technical problem solving, scientific communication, advanced analytical skills, and more.
• Global relevance and work opportunities: PhD Environmental Engineering studies are globally recognized and accepted, allowing degree holders to explore international work opportunities in biotechnology, data science, public health, and environmental economics fields. They even have the opportunity to work with organizations such as the UN, World Health Organization, and the World Bank.
• Networking opportunities: As a doctoral degree, the course provides several opportunities to learners for connecting and networking with experienced teachers and industry professionals through academic conferences and seminars, exchange programs, and industrial collaborations.

Who should study Ph.D Environmental Engineering?

The PhD program in Environmental Engineering is designed for learners who wish to investigate and explore the many aspects of environmental engineering and its real-world applications. This type of study is quite technical in nature and is best suited for those who:

• Holds a PG degree in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline with an aggregate score of at least 50%-55%.
• Passionate environmentalists who desire to help develop innovative solutions to existing and emerging environmental concerns.
• Individuals who possess a solid foundation of various technical subjects, like, Mathematics, Chemistry, Fluid Mechanics, and Environmental processes.
• Tech enthusiasts who can easily adapt to modern digital tools and softwares for data analysis and modeling.
• Are enthusiastic researchers looking to undertake innovative research in a variety of environmental engineering issues such as water and wastewater treatment, pollution management, and more.
• Are working professionals in the environment engineering field looking to rise to senior and leadership positions through advanced qualifications.
• Individuals who are focused, attentive, and disciplined and are capable of studying for long periods of time.

Ph.D Environmental Engineering Eligibility Criteria

PhD Environmental Engineering eligibility criteria is entrance-based, and candidates must satisfy the fundamental eligibility requirements to be able to apply for the same. A detailed breakdown of this eligibility criteria is as follows:

• Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field from a recognized university.
• They must have a minimum of 50%-55% score in the same. Generally, candidates belonging to reserved categories receive a 5% merit concession over those in unreserved categories.
• Candidates are also required to qualify the relevant entrance exam, such as,UGC NET, UGC-CSIR NET, GATE, SLET or ICMR JRF.
• Some institutions/colleges also accept candidates with a minimum of 75% score in a 4-year bachelor’s degree completed in Engineering field from a recognized university.
• A personal interview or a research proposal presentation is also held as the final step of the admission process.

Ph.D Environmental Engineering Entrance Exams 2025

All candidates interested in applying for the PhD in Environmental Engineering course must first pass the relevant university or state level entrance exam. Such tests often cover essential concepts in environmental science and engineering, such as water and wastewater treatment, air pollution, and environmental chemistry. A list of some of the most commonly accepted exams is provided below:

Also read about PhD Civil Engineering

Ph.D Environmental Engineering Colleges in India

Listed below are some of the leading colleges offering the PhD Environmental Engineering course in India, along with the essential course specific details:

Click to know more about PhD in Environmental Science

Ph.D Environmental Engineering Admission Process 2025

The admission procedure for PhD Environmental Engineering often follows the same basic steps at every Indian college that offers it. This procedure generally requires candidates to pass an entrance exam and actively participate in a structured counselling process and a step-by-step guide to the same at Gandhinagar University is provided below for reference:

Step 1: The candidate must apply for the course via the university’s admission portal. The link to the portal is https://admission.gandhinagaruni.ac.in/ph-d-admissions/ and the candidate can start by registering on this portal.

Step 2: Provide basic details, including name, phone number and email address and click on "register". Make sure to provide the correct email address as all the admission related updates would be shared on the registered email only.

Step 3: Once the registration is complete, the candidate's unique profile will be created on the Gandhi University’s admission portal and he/she can use it to fill the PhD Environmental Engineering application form.

Step 4: To fill-out the application form, candidates must provide personal, academic, and work experience (if any) details as requested in the same. They are also required to upload the scanned copies of the requested documents.

Step 5: Candidates who have passed any of the following exams: UGC NET, UGC-CSIR NET, SLET, or GATE must also upload their scorecards and are exempted to appear for the Gandhi University's university-level entrance exam for PhD Environmental Engineering course. Others must sit for the same.

Step 6: Candidates are then asked to pay INR 1,000 via an online QR Code payment system that is exclusively attached to the application form.

Step 7: They must check all the information provided by them and must submit the form to the university. In addition, they must submit the printed application form, self-attested copies of all documents, and payment proof to the university's office.

Step 8: Candidates who have chosen to sit for the university level entrance exam will receive updates via email, and they must appear for the same on the exact date and time assigned to them.

Step 9: If the candidate achieves the required scores in the university level entrance exam or has done so in other state level entrance exams, he/she is shortlisted for the next round.

Step 10: The following step is a research proposal presentation, in which candidates must present their research proposal and describe their research interests and topic before an expert committee appointed by the Gandhinagar University.

Step 11: The university then shortlists candidates based on a combination of bachelor's and entrance exam results, as well as their performance during the research project presentation. The shortlisted candidates receive a provisional admission letter.

Step 12: They are then required to pay the first semester course fee to confirm a seat in the course and receive a final admission letter.

Documents Required:

• 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 (If applicable)

Ph.D Environmental Engineering Syllabus

The PhD Environmental Engineering program duration lasts between 3 to 6 years, with a highly technical syllabus that is divided into 6 semesters.The majority of colleges, including Pandit Deendayal Energy University, follow a UGC-approved and prescribed PhD Environmental Engineering syllabus, which is as follows:

Ph.D Environmental Engineering Job Opportunities in India

Following this doctoral study, learners will gain relevant skills in Advanced Quantitative Analysis, Technical Communication, Project Leadership, and Critical Problem Solving and will be able to find jobs in diverse industries. Some of the most sought-after job positions in this subject of study include:

Ph.D Environmental Engineering Vs PhD Earth Sciences Comparison

Refer the table below for a detailed comparison between a PhD in Environmental Engineering and a PhD in Earth Sciences degree:

Ph.D Environmental Engineering FAQs