PhD in Philosophy: Admission 2025, Eligibility, Entrance Exam, Salary, Career Scope

Updated on May 10, 2025

Akangsha Das

PhD Philosophy typically takes 3 - 6 years to complete, depending on the university, research topic, and whether you enroll as a full-time or part-time student. PhD Philosophy course offers a thorough study of the Philosophy of mind and consciousness. Applicants with a Master's degree in Philosophy or a related course with 50% marks can pursue a PhD Philosophy. PhD Philosophy admission is either merit or entrance exam based, depending on the college. A few of the PhD Philosophy colleges include BHU and Calcutta University.

PhD Philosophy graduates have the opportunity to 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.

PhD in Philosophy Course Highlights

Given below are the highlights of PhD Philosophy course:

Feature	Details
Course Name	PhD 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	University Professor, Lecturer, Research Analyst, Philosophical Consultant
Average Salary	INR 5 LPA - INR 10 LPA (Starting salary for freshers)

What is a PhD in Philosophy?

PhD Philosophy is a doctoral programme that offers systematic study of Philosophy of mind and consciousness. The course deals with research-oriented methods of philosophy, delving into 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 PhD in Philosophy?

Given below are the benefits of choosing a PhD in Philosophy:

Enhances critical deep thinking and analytical skills.
Job opportunities in Research Institutes, Educational Institutes, NGOs and Human Rights Organisations.
Philosophy and its impression is globally recognized, 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

To fulfil the PhD Philosophy eligibility, the students must have completed Masters in Philosophy or related field from a recognized university. Entrance exams are conducted by most institutes during PhD Philosophy admissions. The institutes and their requirements determine the students' selection criteria.

PhD in Philosophy Admission Process

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

Application Form Submission: Offline/online application form submission to the desired college.
Merit-Based Selection: Direct admission on merit is provided by some colleges.
Release of list of selected students on the official college website.

Apart from that, colleges such as BHU and JNU conduct entrance tests for PhD Philosophy admissions. Below is the list of entrance tests for PhD Philosophy admissions:

Entrance Exam	Conducting Body	Application Deadline	Exam Date
UGC NET session 1, 2025	National Testing Agency (NTA)	Dec 11, 2024	Jan 3 - 7, 2025
JNUEE	Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)	Mar 31, 2025	June 1, 2025
DUET	University of Delhi (DU)	Mar 22, 2025	May 2025 (tentative)
BHU RET	Banaras Hindu University (BHU)	20 Mar, 2025	25 Mar, 2025

PhD in Philosophy Colleges in India

Given below is a list of PhD Philosophy colleges along with their location and course fees:

College Name	Location	Annual Fees (INR)
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)	New Delhi	5,000
University of Delhi (DU)	New Delhi	10,000
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)	Varanasi	8,000
University of Calcutta	Kolkata	15,000
Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)	Mumbai	60,000
Jadavpur University	Kolkata	12,000
University of Hyderabad	Hyderabad	25,000

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 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

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 Philosophy:

Job Profile	Job Description	Starting Annual Salary (INR)
University Professor	Teach philosophy courses at the university level and engage in scholarly research.	7,00,000 – 10,00,000
Research Analyst	Conduct in-depth philosophical research, analyze data, and contribute to academic publications.	6,00,000 – 8,50,000
Philosophical Consultant	Provide expert advice on ethical considerations and philosophical frameworks to organizations and individuals.	8,00,000 – 10,00,000
Public Policy Advisor	Advise governmental and non-governmental bodies on policy development, incorporating philosophical insights.	9,00,000 – 10,00,000
Writer / Author	Write and publish articles, books, or essays on philosophical topics for various media outlets.	5,00,000 – 8,00,000
Ethics Officer	Develop and oversee ethical guidelines and compliance programs within organizations.	7,00,000 – 9,00,000

PhD in Philosophy Future Scope

Upon the completion of a PhD in Philosophy, students can follow the below given career paths:

One can pursue a DSc in Philosophy for further in-depth knowledge in this field.
Certification courses such as Public Policy or Philosophical Counselling can also be done for upskilling.
Some colleges offer post-doctoral research in Philosophy and related fields that can help with specialisation.

PhD in Philosophy FAQs

Can PhD in Philosophy be done by distance learning?

It is usually not seen 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 centers and private firms.

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