PhD Courses 2025 | Fees, Duration,& Eligibility

PhD Course: The PhD program can be completed in 3 to 6 years after the submission of the thesis. To pursue a PhD, students must have completed their master’s degree in the related field from a recognized university. Generally, a minimum of 55% or more marks are required to get admission to PhD programs. In addition, students have to pass an entrance examination like CSIR NET, UGC NET, GATE, JEST, GPAT, or others conducted by the universities. The fees of the course can be between INR 50,000 to INR 1,50,000, depending on the university. People who have achieved the JRF rank in UGC NET, CSIR NET, or other tests can receive a fellowship from the government. The admission is currently open with the last date being 9 August 2025*.

PhD Course Highlighted Table: 

PhD Course Eligibility Criteria: 

To be eligible for a PhD program in any field, Candidates should have passed their postgraduate degree in the relevant discipline from a recognized university. Commonly, to get admission to a PhD course, a minimum of 55% marks is required. Furthermore, you may have to pass an entrance examination such as UGC or CSIR NET, SET, GATE, JEST, or GPAT. Many reputed universities conduct their entrance examination for PhD admission. Passing an entrance exam with good marks can provide you with a fellowship for pursuing a PhD program.

PhD Course Admission Process 2025: 

To get admission to a PhD course, students have to apply for the national-level entrance exam or the university-level entrance examination first. After successful completion of the application, students have to appear for the entrance exam. After passing the entrance exam, students will apply through the university website online. Here are some of the steps involved in the process : 

1. Visit the university website and register.

2. Fill up the application form carefully.

3. Upload a scanned copy of the documents such as photographs, signature, marksheets and certificates, transfer certificate, and others.

4. Submit the application form and wait for the university to confirm your candidature.

5. You may have to appear for an interview. 

6. Pay the admission fee.

7. Some universities may require an entrance exam (if applicable). Candidates should research exam availability before applying for the course.

PhD Course Name List

A PhD is a postgraduate academic degree. PhD programs are offered in various disciplines in many universities, including the Sciences, Engineering, the Arts, Social Sciences, Humanities, and more. To opt for a specific PhD postgraduate degree depends on students' pursuit, individual interests, and their career goals. Here are some popular PhD courses with their specific disciplines:

• Science: Students can pursue a PhD in various science fields, like PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Environmental Science, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, and so on.

PhD Course Duration

A PhD program generally takes 3 to 6 years in duration to complete the course in India. It depends on the field of study, institution, and Individual choice. The full-time program typically takes around 3-5 years, while a part-time course might take 4-7 years to complete the program.

Top Universities for PhD Courses: 

Top universities for a PhD program depend on the discipline you are applying for. For science and tech disciplines such as physics, mathematics, chemistry, or engineering disciplines, IITs, NITs, IISc Bangalore, and others are top priorities. Whereas, for a PhD in management, IIMs are preferred. Here is a list of universities offering a PhD in different disciplines : 

• Indian Institute of Science, IISc

• Indian Institute of Technology, IIT

• Jawaharlal Nehru University, JNU

• Banaras Hindu University, BHU

• All India institute of medical sciences, AIIMS

• Indian Institute of Management, IIM

• Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, TIFR

• Jamia Millia Islamia, JMI 

Why Pursue a PhD?

Pursuing a PhD course leads to advanced knowledge in a specific field. There are several reasons for pursuing a PhD course. Here are some of the most important reasons to pursue a PhD : 

• Pursuing a PhD provides you with deep knowledge in the field.

• Pursuing a PhD can boost your career opportunities, as many opportunities open up after completion of a PhD.

• After a PhD, Candidates develop expert-level skills in the field.

• The course also fulfills your desires if gaining knowledge in your field is your passion.

• During the course, you gain transferable skills.

• After doing a PhD, you get a chance to make contributions to your subject.

Specializations in PhD Courses: 

There are numerous specializations available in the fields of science and technology, humanities, social sciences, business studies, and law. Here is a list of some popular specializations available in PhD courses:

Job Opportunities After PhD Courses: 

Pursuing a PhD opens up doors for many job opportunities in the field of research and academia. Many PhD holders start their careers as lecturers or professors and start delivering lectures in universities or colleges. Besides that, Candidates can pursue their careers as a postdoctoral researcher, research scientist, Industry R&D, Management consultant, Technical Consultant, and many more. Here are some promising career options after completing a PhD:

• University Professor and Lecturer: A PhD graduate can opt for a professor or lecturer role. They can become faculty members at any university or college.

• Consultant: This job role provides expert advice and solutions to organizations, corporations, and agencies based on research and analysis.