NIT Sikkim PhD Admission 2023: Dates, Eligibility, Selection Criteria, Fees

NNIT Sikkim PhD Admission for the Even Semester 2023-2024 is ongoing, and the last day to apply for online applications is January 30, 2024. Candidates will be shortlisted based on merits and they will be selected for admission based on the entrance test and interview conducted by the institute. Candidates can apply for the program by visiting the official website of the institute. National Institute of Technology (NIT), Sikkim offers a full-time and part-time Ph.D program for the duration of 2 to 5 years for full-time candidates, in the field of Engineering and Humanities & Social Science. The course is offered in a total of 8 disciplines.​

Table of Content

NIT Sikkim PhD Departments

The Institute offers PhD programs in the following Departments/Disciplines: 

NIT Sikkim PhD Eligibility Criteria

NIT Sikkim's general eligibility requirements for admission to all departments/fields are shown below. The following eligibility conditions are the minimum required for eligibility. In accordance with institution regulations, departments are free to set any additional requirements besides the necessary norms:

For Ph.D. in Engineering/Technology​: 

• Bachelor (BE/B.Tech) and Master degree (ME/M.Tech) in relevant discipline of Engineering/Technology with minimum 60% marks or 6.5 CGPA in both OR
• Bachelor's degree (BE/B.Tech) in a relevant discipline of Engineering/ Technology from IITs / NITs / IIITs / other CFTIs with minimum 85% marks or 9.0 CGPA.

For Ph.D. in Basic Science and English:

• Master's degree in relevant discipline of Science/English with minimum 60% marks or 6.5 CGPA.

For SC/ST/PwD candidates:

• A relaxation of 5% marks or 0.5 CGPA will be considered.

NIT Sikkim PhD Admission

The selection criteria for admission to the Ph.D. program of the institute are based on the GATE or NET scores and further Interviews and written tests. Candidates can follow the steps below to apply for PhD courses at NIT Sikkim:

1. Visit the NIT Sikkim official website.
2. Download the application form available on the homepage.
3. Fill in the application form thoroughly. Any incomplete or wrong application form will not be considered by the institute.
4. Candidates are required to submit the signed application form along with all self-attested necessary documents.
5. Demand Draft of INR 500 (INR 100 for SC/ ST candidates) in favor of “Director, NIT Sikkim” payable at Ravangla must reach the following address: “Dean, Academic Affairs, National Institute of Technology Sikkim, Ravangla, South Sikkim - 737 139, Sikkim, India”
6. Candidates should mention the subject “Application for Admission in Ph.D. in (Department/Discipline), Programme category” on the envelope.
7. Additionally, the candidates are also requested to send an email on the official ID of the institute which shall have the scan copies of the filled application form along with the supporting documents, and demand draft.

Note:

• The first selection for admission to the Ph.D. program of NIT will be based on the marks obtained in GATE or NET or Written Test conducted by the Institute.
• The institute will display the list of shortlisted candidates along with their examination and interview schedule and venue on the NIT Sikkim official website.
• The final Selection of the candidates for the NIT Ph.D. program will be based on their GATE/ NET scores, performance in the written ability test, and personal interview.

Documents Required:

The candidates are required to furnish the following documents at the time of written examination and/or interview original for verification:

• Valid Photo-ID proof
• Marksheets and Degree Certificates of all qualifications/degrees starting from class 10th or equivalent
• Character Certificate issued by the Head of the Institution/Department last attended
• OBC/SC/ST/PDcertificate, if applicable
• Proof of Date of Birth
• Statement of Purpose indicating the area and type of research work proposed to be carried out
• GATE/NET qualification certificate
• Appearing Certificate from the Head of the Department/Institute for candidates appearing for the final examination of the qualifying degree
• Reprint of research publications (1st page only), if any
• Any other information related to eligibility
• Fellowship/Scholarship award certificate (for funded by other agencies, NET/CSIR/UGC, etc)
• No Objection Certificate from the employer for a one-semester residential stay at NIT Sikkim, otherwise application may be rejected (for part-time)
• Experience Certificate (for part-time only).

Read More: NIT Sikkim Admission

NIT Sikkim PhD Course Details

NIT Sikkim offers full-time and part-time Ph.D. in the fields of Engineering, Humanities & Natural Sciences. Admission in the Ph.D program at NIT Sikkim is offered in below mentioned three categories:

Full-Time Research Fellows

• Institute Research Fellow: In this category candidates are eligible for financial assistanship/fellowship from NIT Sikkim in the form of teaching or research assistantships. The fellowship shall be awarded to PhD candidates on a semester-to-semester basis as per the rules and regulations of the Institute/ Ministry of Education (MoE). Such candidates are expected to devote at least eight hours per week towards duty includingtutorial/laboratory class works, laboratory development etc. or any other job as assigned by the Department/Institute time to time. The renewal of fellowship is dependent on the satisfactory academic performance of the candidate and discharge of duties as assigned to him/her by the department or Institute. Fellowship will be as per the Institute/MoE norms and may depend on the qualification of the candidate. A research fellow awarded fellowship shall not be eligible to receive any other salary, stipend, emoluments, scholarship, fellowship, etc. during the tenure of the award.
• Research Scholars with External Assistantship: Candidates getting fellowship/ scholarship/ assistantship from Govt./ Semi Govt./ Autonomous/ Private/ other organizations.
• Self-financed Candidates: This category refers to students with no fellowship/ scholarship/ assistantship from the Institute or otherwise.

Part-Time Research Scholars

Research Fellow registered under collaborative research programme between NIT Sikkim and other Universities / Institutes / R&D organisations in India or abroad: Candidates from Govt./ Semi Govt./Autonomous/ Private/ other organizations or self-sponsored in India or abroad, which are well-equipped with the necessary research and library facilities and interested in collaborative research work with NIT Sikkim, OR Faculty members working at NIT Sikkim, may be considered for admission to PhD programme at NIT Sikkim under this category.

• One semester residential requirement: All the candidates admitted under this category must fulfil one semester (i.e., must stay six (06) months) residential requirement at the Institute to complete their necessary course works and will not receive any financial support from the NIT Sikkim in any form.The requirement of Institute supervisor is mandatory in this category, and the external supervisor from his/her Institute /R&D organization is optional and subject to the approval of the SPGB or equivalent committee.
• Experience:

1. An employee should have a minimum TWO years working experience.
2. A member of the non-academic staff of the Institute who satisfies eligibility qualifications may be considered for admission to Ph.D. program on part time basis provided s/he has been given administrative clearance by the Director of the Institute and possesses minimum 3 years of relevant working experience in the Institute.

• Candidates,who wish to apply under this category, are required to route their applications through their organization clearly stating that, their Organizations/Institutes are equipped with the necessary research and library facilities. The candidate is in employment with the sponsoring organization at the time of admission/ enrollment.

Course Duration:

NIT Sikkim PhD duration and the time for submission of the thesis are counted from the date of enrolment. The period to complete the PhD Programme is normally two to five years for full-time candidates from the time of enrolment. However the candidate may be given an additional time of two years without fellowship by the approval of Dean Academic. The request for such extension may be considered as per the institute PhD rules. If the scholar fails to submit the thesis by the deadline of the final extension, his/her registration stands cancelled.For part-time candidates, PhD thesis has to be submitted within 7 years of enrollment with extensions, if any. Further request for the extension can be considered and approved by the Senate only.

Prescribed Coursework: The entire Ph.D. program of NIT Sikkim is divided into a minimum of 4 semesters of 6 months each.

• The first semester will include elective subjects and compulsory courses.
• From the next semesters, the students have to register for comprehensive examinations, teaching work, OPEN Seminars, thesis work, and Synopsis.
• The Ph.D. program consists of several components, starting from enrollment to the award of the doctoral degree. Several components are:
  • The course works and other formalities
  • Comprehensive Examination
  • Research Work Registration
  • Successful recommendation for the State of Art
  • Dissertation/Thesis Submission
  • Final Submission
  • Seminar
  • Award of Degree

NIT Sikkim PhD Fee Structure

 Mentioned below is the detailed fee structure of the Ph.D. program for full-time scholars offered by NIT Sikkim:

The candidates belonging to the SC/ST category will be exempted from paying the tuition fees. Additionally, all students are required to make a Caution Deposit of INR 3,000 during the admission which will be refunded after the completion of the Ph.D program.

NIT Sikkim PhD Scholarships

NIT Sikkim supports full-time Ph.D. students in terms of tuition fees and stipends as long as they maintain good academic standing. To get full financial assistance, a student is required to put in 20 hours of work per week. Fellowship will be as per the Institute/ MHRD norms and may depend on the qualification of the candidate. To qualify for the Institute Fellowship:

• GATE / NET(LS or JRF) qualifying certificate is mandatory.
• Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in the appropriate discipline from an institute of national importance/ UGC/AICTE-approved University/ Institution is mandatory. 

NIT Sikkim PhD Research Project

National Institute of Technology (NIT) Sikkim invites Ph.D. students to apply for a research-funded project every year. This year, students were invited for the post under the project titled “Innovative and Sustainable Decision Support System for Drinking Water Security in Indian Himalayan,” which was sponsored by The National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.