Ph.D Health Science: Admission 2025, Syllabus, Eligibility, Subjects, Colleges, Careers

• Updated on  Aug 11, 2025, by Hafsha Qureshi

Ph.D in Health Science is a full-time doctoral course that lasts three to five years and is specifically designed to teach students about the improvement and dissemination of common health care procedures in the healthcare field.

 

Students who have completed a master's degree in Health Science, Public Health, Applied Health Science, or an equivalent MSc degree in Science stream from any recognized university with a minimum of 55% marks are eligible to enroll for this Ph.D in Health Science course.

 

The typical annual tuition expense for this Ph.D Health Science course in India is between INR 10,000 and INR 2,000,000. In India, the average annual pay for a Ph.D Health Science degree holder ranges from INR 2,000,000 to INR 10,000,000.

 

They may also pursue a DSc (Doctor of Science) degree in the comparable field in the future. The Ph.D Health Science course seeks to improve the skills of Research Scientists, Biomedical Officers, Packaging Officers, Research Assistants, Patent Analysts, Biomechanics Engineers, and Clinical Engineers.

 

Table of Contents

  1. Ph.D. in Health Science Highlights
  2. What is a Ph.D. in Health Science?
  3. Why Study Ph.D. in Health Science?
  4. Who Should Study Ph.D. in Health Science?
  5. Eligibility Criteria for Ph.D. in Health Science
  6. Ph.D. in Health Science Entrance Exams 2025
  7. Ph.D. in Health Science Colleges in India
  8. Ph.D. in Health Science Admission Process 2025
  9. Ph.D. in Health Science Syllabus
  10. Ph.D Health Science VS Ph.D Public Health
  11. Ph.D. in Health Science Job Opportunities in India
  12. Ph.D. in Health Science FAQs

 

Ph.D. in Health Science Highlights

The table below provides a quick overview of Doctor of Philosophy in Health Science program in India:

Particulars

Details

Course Name

Ph.D Health Science

Course Level

Doctoral (Ph.D.)

Duration

3–5 years

Course Type

Full-Time, Part-Time

Admission Process

Entrance exam-based, followed by an interview

Eligibility Criteria

Master's degree in Health Science or related fields, with a minimum of 55% marks

Course Fees

INR 50,000–1,00,000 per year (varies by college)

Subjects Covered

Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, And Pathology

Top Colleges

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), University of Delhi, Banaras Hindu University (BHU)

Job Profiles

Pharmacist, Health Inspectors, Health Educators, Physiotherapist, Nurse, Physician Assistant, Health Inspector, Health Educators, Pharmacists, Nurses, Physiotherapist

Top Recruiters

Research Institutions, Pharma Companies, Government Health Departments, Academic Institutions, Community Health Services, Laboratories, Schools, Universities, Public Hospitals, Private Clinics

Average Salary

INR 6–12 LPA (Freshers)

 

INR 13–19 LPA (Freshers)

 

INR 21–36 LPA (Experienced)

 

What is a Ph.D. in Health Science?

PhD in Health Science course is a doctorate degree that trains students in a variety of areas, including Life Sciences, Medical Science, Clinical Engineering, Physiological Sciences, and more. The Ph.D Health Science course is ideal for those with a strong interest in natural sciences, public health education, clinical healthcare research, technology, and clinical engineering.

 

Ph.D Health Science course provides a broader understanding of the concepts of health planning, health information management, international health care, and more. The course provides in-depth knowledge of various health-care management methods, epidemiology concepts, their implications, productivity, and research principles. Aside from this, PhD in Health Science courses will teach students how to conduct accurate data analysis in clinical practice and give the necessary therapy for future study.

 

Why Study Ph.D. in Health Science?

The purpose of earning a PhD in Health Science will be determined by each individual's aspirations and goals. Some of the reasons to pursue this Ph.D Health Science course are listed below.

  • Prestigious Job Prospects: Research has shown that the need for Health Science graduates in the healthcare area is expanding on a daily basis.
  • Students with PhDs in Health Science can communicate directly with patients and assume prominent roles in the research sector.
  • Good Pay: There are numerous opportunities available for PhD degree holders in Health Science, such as Health Inspector, Health Educator, Lab Manager, and others.
  • Depending on their position in the Ph.D Health Science, they can earn between INR 3,00,000 and 7,00,000 each year.
  • Graduates who successfully complete this Ph.D Health Science course can work in the health industry, food inspection departments, healthcare panels, and other areas.

Also Read: Ph.D Paramedical

 

Who Should Study Ph.D. in Health Science?

A Ph.D. in Health Science is intended for those who are genuinely committed to improving healthcare via research, education, and policymaking.

  • Ph.D Health Science is appropriate for those who have studied or worked in health-related professions such as medicine, public health, biology, nursing, or pharmacy.
  • Ph D in Health Science program is ideal for students who want to investigate complicated health challenges, contribute to evidence-based healthcare practices, and drive innovation in medical and public health research.
  • Professionals interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Health Science should have a strong background in research procedures, as this degree focuses on critical analysis and scientific investigation.
  • The Ph.D Health Science program is designed for those who want to become healthcare leaders, whether they work in research institutions, universities, or healthcare organizations.
  • Ph.D Health Science is also a fantastic fit for people who are interested in improving public health policy, studying epidemiology, and helping to develop new medical technology or cures.

 

Eligibility Criteria for Ph.D. in Health Science

The following are the common Doctor of Philosophy in Health Science eligibility criteria that candidates must meet in order to be admitted to a college that offers this course:

  • Interested candidates must have a Master's degree in Health Science, Public Health, Applied Health Science, or an equivalent postgraduate study in a science field from a recognized university.
  • Students who have completed their MSc final year exams are also eligible for this PhD program.
  • The qualifying aggregate score for an MSc degree is at least 55%.

 

Ph.D. in Health Science Entrance Exams 2025

To be admitted to a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Science program, candidates must pass an admission exam administered by the UGC, the state, or a university. Here is a list of some admission tests relevant for PhD in Health Science:

Exam Name

Application Date

Exam Date

Application Fee

Cutoff Percentile

AIIMS PhD Entrance Exam

January - February 2026

February 2026

INR 2,000 (Gen), INR 1,600 (SC/ST/EWS)

Cutoff is 50% (35 marks out of 70)

UGC NET June 2026

April – May 2026

June 2026

INR 1,150 (Gen), INR 600 (OBC/EWS), INR 325 (SC/ST/PwD)

Typically around 55-60 percentile

CSIR UGC NET June 2026

June 2026

July 2026

INR 1,000 (Gen), INR 500 (SC/ST/PwD)

JRF Cutoff: ~99% (Gen), Assistant Prof: ~92% (Gen), PhD Admission: ~92.5% (Gen)

Sharda University PhD Entrance

April – July 2026

July 2026

INR 1,500

Institute specific; moderately competitive

IISER Pune PhD Admission

May - June 2026

July 2026

Varies by program

Cutoffs usually between 50-70 percentile

IISER Mohali PhD Admission

April 2026

July 2026

INR 1,000 (Gen), INR 500 (SC/ST/PwD)

Cutoffs usually between 50-70 percentile

IISER Bhopal PhD Admission

June – July 2025

August 2025

INR 1,000 (Gen), INR 500 (SC/ST/PwD)

Cutoffs usually between 50-70 percentile

IISER Kolkata PhD Admission

April 2025 (Exact N/A)

August 2025

INR 200 (Gen), INR 100 (SC/ST/PwD)

Cutoffs usually between 50-70 percentile

InStem PhD Program

March 2026

August 2025

Varies

Competitive, varies by exam and program

BBAU PhD Admission

July 2025

August 2025

Varies

Institute specific

Jamia Millia Islamia PhD Admission

Jan 2025 (Exact N/A)

July 2025

INR 1,000 (Gen), INR 500 (SC/ST/PwD)

Around 50-65 percentile

 

Ph.D. in Health Science Colleges in India

Here are the top colleges that offer a PhD in Health Science for your consideration. The list of Ph.D Health Science colleges shows the entrance process, location, and the average fee charged for this course:

College Name

Location

Total Fees (Approx.)

NIRF Ranking (Medical)

Entrance Exams

Cutoff Details

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)

New Delhi, Delhi

INR 10,000 – INR 50,000

1

AIIMS PhD Entrance Exam

Minimum qualifying score of 35/70 marks (50%) across categories

Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER)

Chandigarh

INR 20,000 – INR 60,000

2

PGIMER PhD Entrance Exam, CSIR-UGC NET

-

Christian Medical College (CMC)

Vellore, Tamil Nadu

INR 50,000 – INR 1,00,000

3

CMC PhD Entrance Test

-

National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS)

Bengaluru, Karnataka

INR 30,000 – INR 70,000

4

UGC NET, CSIR NET, GATE Life Sciences

Usually requires above 70 percentile

Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER)

Puducherry, Puducherry

INR 25,000 – INR 75,000

5

JIPMER Entrance Exam, National Level Exams

-

Banaras Hindu University (BHU)

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

INR 10,000 – INR 40,000

6

BHU Entrance Exam, CSIR-UGC NET

50-70 percentile cutoff based on year and category

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

INR 60,000 – INR 1,50,000

7

Amrita University PhD Entrance

-

Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal

Manipal, Karnataka

INR 1,00,000 – INR 2,00,000

8

KMC PhD Entrance, National Exams (NEET, CSIR NET)

-

Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences

Rohtak, Haryana

INR 10,000 - 30,000

9

University-level Entrance Exams

-

Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences

Chennai, Tamil Nadu

INR 25,000 - 35,000

10

Saveetha Institute Entrance Exam

-

Click to know about MS Biotechnology course

 

Ph.D. in Health Science Admission Process 2025

The admission procedure for Ph.D. Health Science program at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for the academic year 2025-26 is as follows:

 

Step 1: Visit the official AIIMS website and provide personal, academic, and contact information. This will allow you to access the Ph.D Health Science application portal and begin the application process.

 

Step 2: Log into your account and complete the online application form. Ensure that all information is accurate and comprehensive. Upload any relevant papers, such as your educational credentials, identity verification, and other certificates, according to the rules.

 

Step 3: Following the application submission, AIIMS will publish the date of Ph.D Health Science admission exam.

 

Step 4: AIIMS will reveal the results. Candidates who meet the required cutoff will be considered for the next phase, which typically involves an interview to assess their research interests and academic background further.

 

Step 5: The shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview. During this step, participants will be assessed based on their research abilities and motivation to pursue a Ph.D. in Health Science. At the same time, original documents such as mark sheets, transfer certificates, and category certificates will be validated.

 

Step 6: After the interview and document verification are completed, successful candidates will be prompted to pay the Ph.D Health Science program fee.

 

Step 7: After the fee has been confirmed, candidates will receive an official admission letter confirming their enrollment in the Ph.D. Program. Health Science program for the upcoming academic session.

 

Documents Required:

  • Educational Mark Sheets (Undergraduate/Postgraduate)
  • Transfer Certificate from the last attended institution
  • Character Certificate from the previous institution attended
  • Category Certificate (If applicable, SC/ST/OBC)
  • Passport-sized Photographs (As per the prescribed format)Government-issued ID Proof (Aadhar card, Passport, or any other valid ID)
  • AIIMS Entrance Exam Admit Card and Scorecard
  • Statement of Purpose (If required by the institution)

 

Ph.D. in Health Science Syllabus

The syllabus for the Doctor of Philosophy in Health Science discipline may fluctuate between colleges/universities, although the contents often remain consistent throughout the study term. Ph.D Health Science lasts between three and five years, and the syllabus is divided into numerous papers covering topics connected to Health Science. The Ph.D Health Science coursework will include the following papers:

Semester I

Semester II

Core Courses:

Elective Courses:

Advanced Research Methodology

Specialization in Clinical Research, Public Health, or Molecular Biology

Biostatistics

Specialized topic based on the research area

Epidemiology

In-depth study in areas like pharmacology, microbiology, etc.

Bioethics and Scientific Writing

Literature Review & Systematic Review:

Research Proposal Development

Conducting literature reviews related to the research topic

Preparation of a comprehensive research proposal

Organizing findings into systematic reviews

Comprehensive Examination

Data Collection & Analysis:

Examination on core subjects and research methodology

Initiation of data collection using statistical tools

 

Analyzing and interpreting preliminary results

Semester III

Semester IV

Research Work:

Thesis Writing:

Ongoing data collection and analysis

Drafting the Ph.D. thesis

Applying advanced research methods for data analysis

Integrating research findings and analysis

Regular meetings with research advisor

Pre-Submission Seminar:

Mid-Term Evaluation

Presentation of findings to the academic committee for feedback

Progress presentation to the Doctoral Committee

-

Continued Literature Review

Final Thesis Drafting:

Expanding the review based on evolving research

Finalizing chapters of the thesis for submission

Semester V

Semester VI

Final Thesis Submission

Publication & Dissemination:

Final preparation and submission of the Ph.D. thesis

Preparation of papers for peer-reviewed journals

Viva Voce Examination

Presentation of findings at academic conferences

Oral defense of the thesis

Publication of research results in peer-reviewed journals

Completion of Research Paper

-

 

Ph.D Health Science VS Ph.D Public Health

Mentioned below is the comparison between a Ph.D. in Health Science and a Ph.D. in Public Health

Feature

Ph.D. in Health Science

Ph.D. in Public Health

Full Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Health Science

Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health

Primary Focus

Study of health and disease from a biomedical, clinical, and rehabilitation perspective

Focus on population health, policy, epidemiology, and health systems

Scope of Study

Covers clinical practice, rehabilitation, health promotion, and biomedical research

Covers public health policy, epidemiology, global health, and biostatistics

Duration

3–6 years

3–6 years

Eligibility

Master’s in Health Science, Nursing, Allied Health, or similar

Master’s in Public Health (MPH), Medicine, Social Sciences

Research Areas

Clinical outcomes, health tech, rehab sciences, health behavior

Disease prevention, health equity, policy evaluation, epidemiology

Career Opportunities

Clinical researcher, academician, health educator, healthcare analyst

Epidemiologist, public health policy advisor, global health researcher

 

Ph.D. in Health Science Job Opportunities in India

After successfully completing a PhD in Health Science, students are eligible for prime job possibilities offered by some of India's most reputable health organizations, including the Public Health Foundation of India, government and private hospitals, healthcare units, and more.

 

Students can also obtain positions in various government and local authority food inspection divisions. The table below depicts some of the most frequent Ph.D Health Science job descriptions and career prospects after completing the degree.

Job Title

Top Recruiters / Institutions

Experience Level

Average Salary (INR LPA)

Associate Professor

AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER, CMC Vellore

2–5 years

INR 6–12

Research Scientist

ICMR, Tata Memorial Centre, NIMHANS

2–5 years

INR 8–15

Medical Science Liaison

Novartis, Takeda, Sanofi

4–8 years

INR 12–20

Public Health Consultant

Public Health Foundation of India, CHD Group

3–7 years

INR 10–18

Clinical Research Coordinator

CROs, Pharmaceutical Companies

1–3 years

INR 5–10

Biostatistician

Research Institutes, Pharmaceutical Companies

3–6 years

INR 8–14

Medical Writer

Cactus Communications, Elsevier, Thermo Fisher

2–5 years

INR 6–12

Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Pharmaceutical Companies, Regulatory Agencies

3–6 years

INR 8–15

Healthcare Data Analyst

Healthcare IT Companies, Research Institutes

2–5 years

INR 6–10

Policy Analyst (Health Systems)

Institute of Public Health Bengaluru, IIM Udaipur

3–6 years

INR 8–14

 

Ph.D. in Health Science FAQs

What is the required qualification for a Ph D in health science?

Candidates for a Ph.D. in Health Sciences often hold a master's degree in a health-related subject such as Public Health, Clinical Research, Nursing, or Medicine. Some universities may also consider candidates with a relevant undergraduate degree if they have research experience or skills in adjacent fields. Entrance tests and interviews may also be necessary for admission to some universities.

What is the salary after a Ph.D. in Health Sciences?

The pay of a Ph.D. Health Sciences varies according to role, experience, and location. The average annual salary is between INR 6 lakh and INR 12 lakh. Senior professionals like Research Scientist, Medical Science Liaison, or Policy Analyst can earn greater pay, ranging from INR 12 lakh to INR 20 lakh annually. Salaries at urban institutions and organizations are often higher.

What is the highest-paying job for a Ph.D. health sciences?

The highest-paying position in Ph.D. Health Sciences is usually that of a Medical Science Liaison or Clinical Research Director. These professions can earn up to INR 20 lakh annually, depending on the organization and experience. Pharmaceutical regulatory affairs specialists, as well as senior-level research scientists, can earn significant wages. Positions in international organizations or high-profile healthcare institutes frequently provide competitive remuneration packages.

Can I pursue a Ph.D. in Health Sciences without passing the NEET?

Yes, you can get a Ph.D. in Health Sciences without taking NEET. NEET is primarily used for medical degree entrance (MBBS/BDS). Institutions typically require a master's degree in a health-related discipline for a Ph.D. in Health Sciences, and admittance is determined by entrance examinations or interviews tailored to the program. Various universities have their own tests, although NEET is not required for these degrees.

What is the pay for a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Science after MBBS?

After completing a Ph.D. in Health Sciences post-MBBS, salaries might vary greatly depending on the function and company. The average annual pay ranges from INR 8 lakh to INR 15 lakh. Medical professionals with a Ph.D. in Clinical Research or Biomedical Sciences may find positions in university research, hospitals, or pharmaceutical businesses, with incomes ranging up to INR 20 lakh per year.

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ExamDec 1, 2024
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Design
ExamJan 19, 2025
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