PhD Philosophy: Eligibility, Salary, Colleges & Admission 2025

• Updated on  Aug 20, 2025, by Akangsha Das

The PhD Philosophy course offers a thorough study of the Philosophy of mind and consciousness. A PhD in Philosophy usually takes 3 - 6 years to complete, depending on the university, research topic, and whether you enrol as a full-time or part-time student.

 

The eligibility criteria for the PhD in Philosophy is that the candidate must hold a Master's degree in Philosophy or a related field with 50% marks. Admission to the course is based on the entrance exam scores. Students need to have a valid score in exams such as UGC NET/CSIR NET ,etc.

 

Some of the renowned colleges/institutes offering the Ph.D in Philosophy are Jawaharlal Nehru University, Banaras Hindu University, and Calcutta University.

 

The candidates who complete their PhD degree in Philosophy can find career opportunities in Research Institutes, Educational Institutes, NGOs, and Human Rights Organisations etc. PhD Philosophy students can be employed as University Professor/ Lecturer, Research Analyst, Philosophical Consultant, etc. The average starting salary package of a PhD Philosophy fresher is INR 5 LPA to INR 10 LPA.

 

Table of Contents
  1. PhD in Philosophy Highlights
  2. What is a Ph D in Philosophy?
  3. Why choose a Ph.D in Philosophy?
  4. PhD in Philosophy Eligibility
  5. Ph D in Philosophy Entrance Exams
  6. PhD in Philosophy Colleges in India
  7. PhD in Philosophy Admission Process
  8. PhD in Philosophy Syllabus
  9. Ph D in Philosophy Vs Ph D in Psychology Course Comparison
  10. PhD in Philosophy Job Profiles
  11. PhD in Philosophy FAQs

 

PhD in Philosophy Highlights

Given below are the highlights of the PhD Philosophy course:

Feature

Details

Course Name

Ph.D in Philosophy

Duration

3 - 6 years (Full-time/Part-time)

Eligibility

Master’s degree in Philosophy or a related field with at least 50% marks

Admission Process

Merit-based or Entrance Exam-based (varies by university)

Colleges

Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Calcutta University

Key Study Areas

Philosophy of Mind, Consciousness, Ethics, Logic, Metaphysics

Career Opportunities

Research Institutes, Universities, NGOs, Human Rights Organizations

Job Roles

Assistant Professor, Lecturer, Research Analyst, Philosophical Consultant

Average Salary

INR 5 LPA - 10 LPA (Starting salary for freshers)

 

What is a Ph D in Philosophy?

A Ph D in Philosophy is a doctoral programme that systematically studies Philosophy of mind and consciousness. The course deals with research-oriented methods of philosophy, its theoretical foundations, practical applications, and its relevance in contemporary intellectual and societal contexts. It has been planned to suit individuals seeking to contribute towards the academic, clinical, and practical field of Philosophy through investigation and innovation.

 

Why choose a Ph.D in Philosophy?

Given below are the benefits of choosing Philosophy PhD programs:

  • Enhances critical deep thinking and analytical skills.
  • Job opportunities in Research Institutes, Educational Institutes, NGOs, and Human Rights Organisations.
  • Philosophy and its impression are globally recognised, with career prospects in India and overseas.
  • Freshers are provided with INR 5-10 LPA, with immense scope for growth in various sectors.

 

PhD in Philosophy Eligibility

Students should have the following eligibility to take admission in the PhD Philosophy:

  • The candidates must have a master's degree in a related field such as M.A in Phiolosophy with a minimum of 55% marks from a recognized institute.
  • Candidates should have cleared entrance exams like CSIR-NET, UGC-NET, and CUET.

 

Ph D in Philosophy Entrance Exams

Admission to the Ph.D in Philosophy is based on the entrance exam scores. Given below are some entrance exams, in which student need to have a valid score.

Entrances

Registration Date (Tentative)

Exam Date (Tentative)

Application Fees

UGC NET 2026

April - May 2026

June 2026

General: INR 1,150

 

OBC-NCL/EWS: INR 600

 

SC/ST/PWD: INR 325

CSIR NET 2026

June 2026

July 2026

General/EWS: INR 1150

 

OBC-NCL: INR 600

 

SC/ST/PWD: INR 325

 

PhD in Philosophy Colleges in India

Given below is a list of PhD Philosophy colleges along with their location, accreditation, and rankings:

 

PhD in Philosophy Admission Process

The PhD Philosophy admission process is procedural as per the respective colleges’ selection criteria. For example, the PhD Philosophy admission process is as follows for SPPU, Pune:

 

Step 1: Start by visiting the official website of the SPPU Pune. Navigate to the academic section, and click on the PhD Philosophy page.

 

Step 2: The website will redirect you to the course page. Students can now fill out the application form by simply clicking on the “Apply Now” button.

 

Step 3: Fill out the application form, provide your required information and pay the application fees, and submit the application form. The candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of their entrance exam scores. The student must have good scores in either UGC NET/CSIR NET.

 

Step 4: The Shortlisted candidate will be called for an interview round. Only the candidates who have valid score in the entrance examinations and in the interview will be selected.

 

Step 5: Finally, students need to submit the course fees. Once submitted, the confirmation letter/email will be released, which will include the commencement date.

 

PhD in Philosophy Syllabus

The PhD Philosophy is a 3-year postgraduate program that provides in-depth knowledge of Philosophical mind and consciousness, preparing students for a career in Philosophy for wellbeing. Given below is the PhD Philosophy syllabus at JNU, Delhi, for a 3-year program, but it might vary based on research areas:

Semester

Coursework / Research Focus

Semester 1

Compulsory Courses: Philosophy and Methods in Social Sciences, Approaches, Concepts, and Methods of Political Analysis, Optional Course 1 (Choose 1)

Semester 2

Compulsory Courses: Advanced Philosophy Topics (Choose 1), Optional Course 2 (Choose 1), Research Proposal Development

Semester 3

Independent Research, Seminar Presentations, Literature Review

Semester 4

Comprehensive Examinations, Dissertation Research

Semester 5

Dissertation Drafting, Feedback, and Revisions

Semester 6

Final Research Presentation, PhD Thesis Submission

 

Ph D in Philosophy Vs Ph D in Psychology Course Comparison

Given below is the detailed course comparison for the Ph D in Philosophy and the Ph D in Psychology for the students:

Aspect

Ph.D. in Philosophy

Ph.D. in Psychology

Course Overview

A research-based program focused on exploring fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, logic, and human thought.

A research-oriented program that studies human behavior, cognition, emotions, and mental processes through scientific methods.

Core Areas of Study

Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics, Aesthetics, Logic, Indian & Western Philosophy

Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, Neuropsychology

Duration

3 – 5 years

3 – 5 years

Eligibility

Master’s degree in Philosophy or related fields with at least 55% marks (5% relaxation for reserved categories).

Master’s degree in Psychology or related disciplines with at least 55% marks (relaxation as per norms).

Research Focus

Critical thinking, reasoning, moral philosophy, philosophical traditions, interdisciplinary studies with politics, religion, or literature.

Human behavior research, mental health studies, therapy methods, applied psychology in education, health, and industry.

Career Prospects

University Professor, Philosopher, Ethics Consultant, Researcher, Author, Policy Advisor

Clinical Psychologist, Academic Researcher, HR Specialist, Counselor, Neuropsychologist

Top Recruiters

Universities, Research Institutes, NGOs, Publishing Houses, Policy Think Tanks

Hospitals, Clinics, Educational Institutions, Corporates (HR/Behavioral Research), NGOs

Average Salary (India)

INR 4 – 8 LPA

INR 5 – 10 LPA

 

PhD in Philosophy Job Profiles

Given below is an overview of career opportunities and starting salary ranges for professionals post the completion of a PhD in Philosophy:

Job Profile

Job Description

Starting Annual Salary (INR)

Assistant Professor

Teach philosophy courses at the university level and engage in scholarly research.

7-10 LPA

Research Analyst

Conduct in-depth philosophical research, analyse data, and contribute to academic publications.

6- 8.5 LPA

Philosophical Consultant

Provide expert advice on ethical considerations and philosophical frameworks to organisations and individuals.

8-10 LPA

Public Policy Advisor

Advise governmental and non-governmental bodies on policy development, incorporating philosophical insights.

9-10 LPA

Writer / Author

Write and publish articles, books, or essays on philosophical topics for various media outlets.

5-8 LPA

Ethics Officer

Develop and oversee ethical guidelines and compliance programs within organisations.

7-9 LPA

 

PhD in Philosophy FAQs

Can a PhD in Philosophy be pursued in distance learning?

It is usually not common that universities offer part-time or distance learning courses in PhD Philosophy, as it requires constant practical training and research work. You are advised to call up some universities to learn about their respective mode of study.

What are the areas of research in a PhD in Philosophy?

Various areas of research while pursuing a PhD in Philosophy are Ethics, Metaphysics, Epistemology, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Science, Aesthetics, Logic, and so on.

Can I pursue a PhD in Philosophy without teaching experience?

Yes, teaching experience is not required for a PhD in Philosophy, but exposure to Philosophy research and practice will be beneficial. Research skills and academic qualifications are accorded top priority by most universities in the admission process.

Is there any scholarship for PhD Philosophy scholars in India?

Yes, some government and university bodies are awarding scholarships to PhD Philosophy students, such as UGC National Fellowship and other fellowships by certain universities as well as Philosophy research centres and private firms.

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