PhD Microbiology is a 5-year Doctorate programme in Biology domain. It is a research oriented course that involves experimentation, data collection, publication, presentation, coursework, thesis writing, and viva. The course offers the opportunity to conduct research in various areas like environmental microbiology, medical microbiology, industrial microbiology, and microbial genetics.
The PhD in Microbiology fee ranges between INR 50,000 to 1,00,000/ year for a private institution. For government colleges/universities, the course fee is somewhere between INR 5,000 to 10,000/ Year. PhD Microbiology Positions are based on one’s interest in the research industry or academia. One can work as a professor in a university and also conduct research in academic endeavours, while industry jobs are focused only on R&D.
- PhD in Microbiology Highlights
- Why Pursue PhD in Microbiology
- PhD in Microbiology Eligibility
- PhD in Microbiology Admission Process
- PhD in Microbiology Entrance Exam
- PhD in Microbiology Best Colleges in India
- PhD in Microbiology Syllabus
- PhD in Microbiology Fellowships
- PhD in Microbiology Positions & Salary
- PhD in Microbiology FAQs
PhD in Microbiology Highlights
Given below are some of the key highlights for the PhD Microbiology:
Particulars | Details |
Programme name | Doctor of Philosophy |
Duration | 3 to 5 years in general |
Eligibility | MSc in Biology with 55% or equivalent CGPA and Entrance exam qualification |
Admission | Based on entrance exam scores
Exams considered: NET, SET, GATE, and University-level exams |
Average Course Fee | Private institute: INR 50,000 - 1,00,000
Govt. Institute: INR 5,000-10,000 or Nil |
Top Recruiting areas | Research labs, Pharma/food/dairy Industries, Universities |
Top Job Profiles | Assistant Professor, Research Associate, Senior Research Fellow, Project Associate, Junior Scientist, etc. |
Why Pursue PhD in Microbiology
Pursuing PhD Microbiology ensures holistic development of the learner. It equips the aspirant with skills like analytical, observational, critical thinking, scientific writing, presenting, and managing multiple tasks in a limited timeframe.
- With PhD Microbiology, a learner acquires knowledge in the microbial world and also contributes to the existing literature.
- It offers a promising career as a scientist or academician.
- While pursuing a PhD, one can obtain a prestigious fellowship from the government agencies.
- It provides the opportunity to publish research papers and book chapters as an author.
- Such an authorship index credits additional benefits while applying for jobs in academia.
PhD in Microbiology Eligibility
To be eligible for PhD Microbiology, one must have completed MSc Microbiology or equivalent Life Science degree with at least 55% (second class).
- Candidates will be required to qualify an entrance exam either at national or state level.
- Also, there will be an interview round where candidates have to present their research interests/ideas to the committee.
- Candidates who clear the exam and interview will be selected for the programme.
PhD in Microbiology Admission Process
The admission to PhD in Microbiology is based on the entrance exam scores of the candidates. Some of the major exams considered by the university are CSIR NET, UGC NET, ICAR NET, GATE, DBT, SET, RET, etc. For your reference, given below is the step-by-step admission process followed at UPES.
Step 1: The candidate first needs to fill out the application form online through the official website of the UPES.
Step 2: Then, the candidate needs to appear for the UPES RET (Research Entrance Test) conducted by the University.
Step 3: The selected RET Candidates need to submit a 1000-word research proposal on phd@upes.ac.in
Step 4: The further selected candidates will be shared a link by the university, through which they can book interview slots. After booking up the slots, candidates need to appear for the interview round.
Step 5: The further selected candidates will be issued with offer letters, and they’ll need to submit the fees as per the date specified by the Institution. The institution will schedule an orientation program that the students need to attend.
PhD in Microbiology Entrance Exam
Given below are some of the entrance exams that are required for the PhD in Microbiology course. Let’s have a look at it:
Exam Name | Conducted By | Application Period (Tentative) | Exam Date (Tentative) | Application Fee (Tentative) |
UGC NET (Life Sciences) | NTA (National Testing Agency) | March–April 2026 | June 2026 | INR 1,100 (General), INR 550 (OBC),
INR 250 (SC/ST/PwD) |
CSIR NET (Life Sciences) | NTA (National Testing Agency) | March–April 2026 | June 2026 | INR 1,100 (General), INR 550 (OBC), INR 250 (SC/ST/PwD) |
LPUNEST 2025 | Lovely Professional University | May 8 - June 30, 2025 | July 11,13 2025 | INR 1,000 |
ICMR JRF | ICMR | May–June 2025 | July 2025 | INR 1,500 (General),
INR1,000 (SC/ST) |
PhD in Microbiology Best Colleges in India
There are many government and private universities that offer this course. Before taking admission, one should visit the college personally to ensure proper facilities, vacancies, and research approach of the institute.
College/University name | Ranking | Admission | Avg. Fee (INR) |
CHARUSAT | 22nd (institute category) | Entrance-Based | 2,00,000 |
Nirma University | 151-200 | Entrance-Based | 3,00,000 |
Gujarat University | 94th | Entrance-Based | 25,000 |
AIIMS | 1st (medical university) | Entrance-Based | 2,045 |
Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad University | 151-200 | Entrance-Based | 1,00,000 |
Banaras Hindu University | 11th (overall) | Entrance-Based | 50,000 |
University of Hyderabad | 25th (overall) | Merit+Interview | 50,000 |
SRM Institute of Technology | 21st (overall) | Merit + Interview | 2,00,000 |
PhD in Microbiology Syllabus
PhD in Microbiology is a research-based programme, there is no defined syllabus or curriculum for the course. But for your reference, provided below is the UGC listed syllabus for the Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences. As per the UGC guidelines, each aspirant must undertake coursework during 1st or 2nd year of PhD.
General Bacteriology – Theme A (1) | |
History of Microbiology | Antibacterial substances and drug resistance |
Microscopy | Nomenclature and classification of microorganisms |
Biosafety, including universal containment | Normal flora of the human body |
Physical and biological containment | Growth & nutrition of bacteria |
Sterilization and disinfection | Bacterial metabolism |
Morphology of bacteria and other microorganisms | Bacterial toxins |
Normal flora of the human body | Bacteriocins |
Bacterial metabolism | Microbiology of the hospital environment |
Bacterial toxins | Host-parasite relationship |
Microbiology of the hospital environment | Nosocomial infection |
Immunology – Theme B (2) | |
Components of the immune system | Hypersensitivity |
Innate and acquired immunity | Cytokines |
Cells & organs involved in immune response | Immunodeficiency |
Antigens | Vaccines and immunotherapy |
Immunoglobulins | Immunological techniques |
Antigen & antibody reactions | - |
Cell-mediated immunity | - |
Complement in health and disease | - |
Clinical Microbiology & Recent Advances – Theme C (3) | |
Epidemiology & infectious diseases | Quality control in Microbiology |
Hospital-acquired infections | Quality Assurance in Microbiology |
Management of hospital waste | Quantitative techniques in Microbiology |
Investigation of an infectious outbreak | Immunological diagnosis of infectious diseases |
Infections of various organs and systems | Virological diagnosis of outbreaks |
Respiratory tract infections | Lab diagnosis of protozoal infections (Malaria) |
Bio-safety precautions in Microbiology | Lab diagnosis of Helminthic infections (Filaria) |
Urinary tract infections | Lab diagnosis of superficial fungal infections |
Central nervous system infections | Lab diagnosis of Deep fungal infections |
Congenital infections | Emerging & Reemerging Infectious Diseases |
Reproductive tract infection | Haemorrhagic fever etc. |
Gastrointestinal infection | Opportunistic infections |
Hepatitis infections | Sexually transmitted diseases |
Pyrexia of unknown origin | Vaccines (Newer) |
Infections of eye, ear & nose | Automation in Microbiology |
Endocarditis infection | Statistical analysis & research methodology |
- | Monocular techniques in Microbiology |
The flow of PhD Microbiology is as follows.
Coursework>Assessment>Literature review>Experimentation & data collection>Presentations>Viva Defense>Thesis Submission
PhD in Microbiology Fellowships
Students can avail fellowship from various government schemes. Eligibility and selection process vary among the different schemes. In general, it includes 60% at 10+2 level, submitting an application with SOP or Research Project/Proposal, Funding requirements/Details if have funding, and Work Plan.
Some of the popular fellowship schemes are mentioned below.
- Single Girl Child Fellowship (for female candidates)
- Lady Tata Memorial
- ICMR JRF
- SHODH
- DST JRF
- PMFDR
- CSIR NET/JRF
- University-level fellowship
- DST-WISE Fellowship (for female candidates)
Clearing CSIR NET JRF exam directly makes you eligible for fellowship for 5 years.
PhD in Microbiology Positions & Salary
PhD Microbiology ensures a stable career in the research and development industry as well as cedemics.
- Assistant Professor: Teaches in university/college and conducts research in the microbiology domain. They generally earn INR 4 to 7 LPA. They further may be promoted to Associate Professor, Professor, HoD, Principal, and Dean.
- Research Associate: They work with research projects funded by government agencies or in private industries. Their job is to manage procurement, design the study, analyse the data, and write the papers. Average salary of research associates ranges between INR 3 to 5 LPA, depending on the type of industry.
- Senior Research Fellow: They work on research projects run by universities. They do experimentation work and data analysis along with writing and publishing. SRF earns around INR 4 to 5 LPA.
- Scientists: They work in government or private laboratories. Their job is to design experiments, provide solutions, develop various methods, strategies, products, etc, for human and environmental welfare. They earn up to INR 20 LPA, depending on the job role and type of industry they work in.
PhD in Microbiology FAQs
Is it mandatory to have a research paper for PhD Microbiology admission?
No, paper publication is not mandatory for admission. However, some universities ask for at least 2 publications in order to complete PhD.
Qualifying NET required for PhD Microbiology admission?
No, one can qualify another entrance exam like SET or GATE and apply for PhD Microbiology. Those having no such qualification can qualify the university-level entrance test.
How many semesters are there in PhD?
As such there is no fixed time span for the course. It generally takes 3 to 5 years to complete a PhD. In some cases, it may last for 6 years.
How can I apply for a PhD Fellowship?
To apply for a PhD Fellowship, one has to go through the eligibility criteria and selection process of a particular scheme/agency. After that, if suitable, one has to fill the application form and submit the research proposal with all requirements, work plan, and future prospects. Based on the potential of research and eligibility of the candidate, the agency will grant the fellowship.
