Content Writer at Collegedunia | Updated on - Jun 3, 2025
PhD admissions in India for 2025 will be largely governed by national-level entrance exams such as UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, and CUET-PhD, along with institution-specific tests. Every university is required by UGC to accept PhD admissions based on the outcomes of national entrance exams. However some universities still conduct their individual entrance exams. PhD admission to IGNOU can be done through NET or through the IGNOU Entrance Exam for PhD. Most of these exams are held annually, with the exception of NET, which is held twice every year.
The application period of the PhD differs between each university, but it lies in the range of April and July 2025. Its eligibility requires a Master's degree with at least 55% marks (50% for reserved categories) or a 4-year Bachelor’s with 75% marks, and most programs follow a 3 to 6-year research trajectory. Top universities which offer PhD admission are DU, JNU, IGNOU, and IISc Bangalore.
- PhD Admission 2025 Highlights
- PhD Admission 2025 Admission Dates
- PhD Admission 2025 Entrance Exams
- PhD Admission Eligibility Criteria
- PhD Admission Process 2025
- Top Government Universities for PhD Admission 2025
- Top Private Universities for PhD Admission 2025
- State PhD Admissions 2025
- PhD Admission: Top Colleges
- PhD Entrance Exam Pattern
- Can I Do a PhD without an Entrance Exam?
- PhD Admission 2025 FAQs
PhD Admission 2025 Highlights
The following are the key highlights of PhD Admission 2025:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Eligibility | Master's degree with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD); some institutions may require 60–65% marks depending on the program. |
| Minimum Duration | 3 years |
| Maximum Duration | 6 years (extensions possible under specific circumstances) |
| Program Modes | Full-time, Part-time, Distance/Online (for working professionals) |
| Entrance Exams | UGC NET, CSIR NET, GATE, JEST, GPAT, ICMR JRF, VITREE, university-specific tests |
| Application Mode | Predominantly online |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 20,000 – INR 2,00,000 (varies by institution and discipline) |
| Top Universities | IISc Bangalore, IITs (e.g., IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur), JNU, IISERs, VIT, Amity University |
| Selection Process | Entrance exam and/or interview; some accept direct admission via NET/JRF |
| Top Recruiters | Academic institutions, research labs, government agencies (e.g., DRDO, ISRO, CSIR), private R&D firms |
| Fellowship Opportunities | UGC JRF, CSIR Fellowship, DST-INSPIRE, institutional scholarships |
| Research Areas | Engineering, Sciences, Management, Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, Pharmacy, etc. |
| Skills Required | Analytical thinking, research methodology proficiency, effective communication, time management, technical skills relevant to the field |
| Career Opportunities | University Professor, Research Scientist, Industry Researcher, Consultant, Data Scientist, R&D Manager |
| Average Entry-Level Salary | INR 6 – INR 9 LPA |
| Average Mid-Level Salary | INR 10 – INR 15 LPA |
| Average Senior-Level Salary | INR 20 LPA and above |
| Application Deadlines | Vary by institution; for example, IIT Kharagpur's application ends on March 31, 2025; VITREE applications end on March 31, 2025 |
| Interview Dates | Vary by institution; for example, IIT Kharagpur interviews from May 12–20, 2025; VITREE interviews on May 10 & 11, 2025 |
| Result Declaration | Varies; for example, VITREE results on May 26, 2025 |
| Admission Commencement | Typically between July and August 2025, depending on the institution |
Video Review: What is a PhD? A Simple Guide in Hindi
This video covers all the information you want for a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy). It discusses who is eligible to pursue a PhD, the duration, expense, and advantages of doing so. The speaker also shares helpful info on getting government support through the JRF (Junior Research Fellowship), which gives you about INR 40,000 per month while you do your PhD.
Key Highlights from the Video:
- A PhD means doing deep research on a topic and becoming an expert in it.
- You can only do a PhD after finishing your Master's degree.
- The course usually takes 3 to 5 years, with a possible extension of 1 more year.
- Average PhD fees range from INR 30,000 for 3 years to about INR 1.5 - 2 lakhs.
- Having a PhD is now compulsory for becoming an Assistant Professor in India.
- Government gives financial help through JRF—about INR 40,000 per month for 5 years.
- The speaker helps students prepare for the NET exam to qualify for JRF.
This video is great for students planning higher education and looking for detailed guidance on how to do a PhD in India.
PhD Admission 2025 Admission Dates
The following are the PhD Admission Dates 2025:
| Exam Name | Exam Date |
|---|---|
| UGC NET (June 2025) | June 21–30, 2025 |
| CSIR NET (June 2025) | June–July 2025 (tentative) |
| GATE 2025 | February 1, 2, 15 & 16, 2025 |
| ICMR JRF 2025 | July 2025 (tentative) |
| DBT BET 2025 | May 13, 2025 |
| ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) 2025 | July 3, 2025 |
| IIT JAM 2025 | February 2, 2025 |
| JNUEE (JNU PhD) 2025 | March 13–31, 2025 (via CUET-PG) |
| TIFR GS 2025 | December 8, 2024 |
| ISI Admission Test 2025 | May 11, 2025 |
PhD Admission 2025 Entrance Exams
There are various PhD entrance exams available in India, for admission to different subjects and universities.
National Level Entrance Exams
The National Level Exams in India that provide admission to PhD programs include UGC NET, CSIR NET, GATE etc. The following table provides information about the national level entrance exams in India.
| Exam Name | Purpose | Accepted By |
|---|---|---|
| UGC NET (Including JRF) | Eligibility for PhD, Assistant Professor, JRF | Central/State Universities, Colleges, HEIs |
| CSIR NET (JRF) | PhD & research fellowships in science streams | IITs, IISc, Research Institutes |
| GATE | PhD in Engineering/Sciences, Fellowships | IITs, IISc, NITs, IIITs, PSU Research Labs |
| ICMR JRF | PhD in Biomedical/Health Sciences | ICMR Institutes, Biomedical Research Institutes |
| DBT JRF (BET) | PhD in Biotechnology | DBT-supported research institutions |
| ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF(PhD) | PhD in Agriculture & Allied Sciences | ICAR Deemed Universities, Agricultural Institutes |
| IIT JAM (for Integrated PhD) | Integrated PhD (Science streams) | IISc, IITs (selected) |
Institute Level Entrance Exams
UGC has mandated that universities must accept PhD admissions based on national-level entrance exam scores. As a result, many universities have stopped conducting their own entrance exams. However, some universities still continue to hold their own entrance tests. These universities are listed below.
| Exam Name | Purpose | Institutes Conducting |
|---|---|---|
| IISc Entrance Test | PhD & Integrated PhD | Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore |
| IIT PhD Admission Tests | PhD Programs in Science, Tech, Management | All IITs (besides GATE/NET, also conduct interviews/tests) |
| JNUEE | PhD in Science, Arts, Social Sciences | Jawaharlal Nehru University |
| TIFR GS | PhD in Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics | Tata Institute of Fundamental Research |
| AIIMS PhD Entrance | PhD in Medical/Biomedical Sciences | AIIMS Delhi and other AIIMS |
| ISI Admission Test | PhD in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science | Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) |
| NBHM Doctoral Exam | PhD in Mathematics | NBHM-recognized universities and research centers |
PhD Admission Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for PhD admissions in 2025, candidates must fulfill the following criteria:
- Educational Qualification: A minimum of 55% on a master's degree (MA, MSc, MTech, MBA, or equivalent) (or 50% on SC/ST/OBC/PwD categories).
- Entrance Qualification: Students can appear for any of the following National-level exams like UGC-NET/UGC-CSIR-NET/GATE/CEED or other National Level Exams. Some institutions also conduct their own entrance tests, however as per UGC Guidelines, the NET scores can be used for admission to PhD programs in place of entrance exams conducted by universities.
- Work Experience: Relevant work experience may be necessary for PhD programs that are financed or offered part-time.
PhD Admission Process 2025
There are some national-level examinations conducted for admission to PhD courses. The process to apply for a PhD in 2025 is as follows:
- Students must choose among the various exams available like UGC NET, CSIR NET, GATE, ICAR AICE, VITREE etc. on the basis of their field of study and eligibility.
- They must fill in the required application form with personal details, such as educational qualifications and contact details.
- They must upload all the required documents, like photograph, signature, identity/address proof, and educational documents.
- The application fee, as mentioned on the portal, must be paid in order to confirm the application.
- The admit card for the entrance exam must be downloaded from the portal.
Those who score more than 50% marks in the entrance exam will be eligible for the Interview Round. For the final selection at the university, a weightage of 70% will be given to the entrance examination and 30% will be given to the interview.
After assessing the examination and the interview, the university will give admission to a limited number of students to their PhD programme. Candidates with prior research experience are highly preferred.
Top Government Universities for PhD Admission 2025
Government universities are much in demand for PhD studies because of their low cost and high quality. Given below are some of the leading govt. universities for PhD in 2025.
| University | NIRF Rank 2024 (Research Institutions) |
Total Course Fees |
|---|---|---|
| IISc Bangalore | 1 | INR 75,600 |
| IIT Bombay | 4 | INR 2.2 Lakh |
| IIT Roorkee | 9 | INR 85,800 to 2.21 Lakh |
| IIT Guwahati | 10 | INR 1.74 Lakh |
| Delhi University (DU) | 14 | INR 21,390 |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) | 18 | INR 400 to 986 |
| IGNOU | - | INR 16,800 |
Top Private Universities for PhD Admission 2025
The following table shows the top private universities in India which offer PhD in 2025, along with their total fees for the course:
| University | NIRF Rank 2024 (Research Institutions) |
Total Course Fees |
|---|---|---|
| VIT Vellore | 13 | INR 1.33 Lakh |
| Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | 20 | INR 75,000 - 1.50 Lakh |
| MAHE | 23 | INR 59,000 to 25.5 Lakh |
| SRMIST | 24 | INR 40,000 to 10 Lakh |
| BITS Pilani | 26 | INR 1.84 Lakh to 3.4 Lakh |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore | 33 | INR 90,000 to 1.8 Lakh |
| KIIT Bhubneshwar | 46 | INR 2.25 Lakh |
*Note: The fee range depicts the variation in the duration of the PhD course.
State PhD Admissions 2025
In 2025, most states would use the UGC NET and the CSIR NET for PhD admission, adhering to the notification by UGC. Click on the following pages to know more about PhD admissions in specific states.
PhD Admission: Top Colleges
The following table provides a list of top colleges in Various Locations across India.
| Program Type | Location |
|---|---|
| Top PhD in Science Colleges in India | India |
| Best PhD in Management Colleges in India | India |
| Top M.Phil/PhD in Education Colleges in India | India |
| PhD in Engineering Colleges in India | India |
| Best PhD in Arts Colleges in India | India |
| Top PhD in Mass Communication Colleges | India |
| PhD in Education Colleges in Gurgaon | Gurgaon |
| PhD in Management Colleges in Gurgaon | Gurgaon |
| PhD in Education Colleges in Faridabad | Faridabad |
| Private PhD in Education Colleges in Delhi NCR | Delhi NCR |
| PhD in Science Colleges in Delhi NCR | Delhi NCR |
| PhD in Management Colleges in Noida | Noida |
| Top PhD in Education Colleges in Haryana | Haryana |
| Best PhD in Management Colleges in Haryana | Haryana |
| PhD in Science Colleges in Ghaziabad | Ghaziabad |
| M.Phil/PhD in Arts Colleges in Amroha | Amroha |
| Top M.Phil Universities Abroad | International |
PhD Entrance Exam Pattern
The entrance exams for PhD admissions in 2025 follow a similar pattern, set by the UGC. The exam pattern generally includes sections for:
- English & Communication Skills
- Research Methodology & Aptitude
- Logical Reasoning
- General Awareness
- Teaching Aptitude
- Subject-specific questions, for the specialisation chosen by the candidate.
It is important to pay attention to all the areas of the paper in order to secure admission to a high-ranking university.
Video Review: PhD Admissions in India Are Evolving – Here’s What You Should Know
In this video, Aditi from JRF Adda walks viewers through the changing situation of PhD admissions in India. Since 2023, a significant policy change requires students to clear the UGC NET exam to be eligible for PhD programs. Aditi explores how this rule is actually playing out in universities like Delhi and Allahabad, raising important concerns about fairness and ongoing confusion. Her key advice? Focus hard on your NET prep.
Highlights from the Discussion:
- In 2023, the UGC made it mandatory to pass the NET for PhD eligibility across India.
- Many institutions in South India first opposed the change, therefore not all institutions immediately embraced it.
- Both Delhi University and Allahabad University have recently started choosing PhD applicants only on the basis of their NET scores.
- Interviews now emphasize the research proposal and the SOP, making those documents even more critical.
- That said, there’s still a lot of inconsistency; some students report that rules aren’t fully enforced yet.
- Candidates with JRF status are at an advantage, since their stipend comes from the central government.
- Those who qualify NET without JRF don’t get the same financial support.
- The “PhD only” category remains a grey area, leaving many applicants uncertain.
- Aditi urges aspirants to prioritize UGC NET prep—aiming for JRF if possible.
- She also mentions plans to feature professors soon, to share more ground-level insights.
Can I Do a PhD without an Entrance Exam?
Yes, it is possible to pursue a PhD in 2025 without any entrance exam. While most admissions are done on the basis of an entrance exam, some universities accept students with good academic performance and high quality of research publications.
Aspiring students must send their research proposal or abstract to the university for consideration. If the university approves, it may decide to invite the student for an interview. Such cases are not common, and the student must show exceptional research aptitude to be admitted to a PhD course without an entrance exam.
PhD Admission 2025 FAQs
Ques. What is the eligibility criteria for PhD admission in 2025?
Ans. To apply for a PhD in 2025, candidates must have a Master’s degree in a relevant field with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates). Some institutions may also require candidates to qualify in an entrance exam like UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, or GATE.
Ques. When will PhD admissions for 2025 start in India?
Ans. PhD admissions in India for the 2025 session generally begin between April and July 2025. Exact dates vary by university, so it’s important to regularly check official university websites.
Ques. Do I need to clear an entrance exam for PhD admission in 2025?
Ans. Yes, most universities require candidates to either clear a university-level entrance test or have valid scores in national exams such as UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, or JEST.
Ques. Is interview mandatory after the entrance exam for PhD?
Ans. Yes, almost all universities conduct an interview or research proposal presentation after the entrance exam to finalize PhD admissions.
Ques. What is the entrance exam for PhD Admission at DU, JNU, BHU?
Ans. Before 2024, separate entrance exams were conducted for PhD admissions to universities like DU, JNU, BHU, and BBAU. But since 2024, most of these individual exams have been discontinued, as the UGC has declared that UGC NET and CSIR NET will be accepted for PhD admission from 2024-2025.
Ques. What is the admission process for PhD in Indian Universities?
Ans. For PhD admission in Indian universities you need to apply for a relevant entrance exam and then attend the interview conducted by the University.
Ques. What is the average duration of doing a PhD course in India?
Ans. The average duration of a PhD course in India is 3-5 years. Some students may complete their research early, and some students may also receive an extension in time.
Ques. What is the process and eligibility of a PhD from Delhi University?
Ans. To get PhD admission at DU, students must appear for the NET exam in their relevant field of study. DU provides PhD admission based on the NET percentile.
Ques. How do I get a PhD admission except the NET entrance exam?
Ans. While the NET entrance exam is the most widely used method for PhD admission in India, you can also take admission through other exams like the IGNOU Entrance Exam, VITREE, GATE, and RGUHS Entrance Exam, depending on your field of study.
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