Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

Ph.D. (Computer Engineering) at Amrutvahini College of Engineering (AVCOE), Sangamner is a full-time/part-time doctoral research programme affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Pune. The PhD in Computer Engineering at AVCOE was approved by SPPU from the academic year 2026-27, making it a newly established research programme. The Department of Computer Engineering, established in 1986, is NBA-accredited (four times) and has a strong research culture with multiple PhD-qualified faculty members specializing in areas such as Cloud Computing, Machine Learning, Data Mining, Network Security, IoT, Big Data, and Software Engineering. The programme is ideal for candidates seeking to pursue advanced research in computer engineering under experienced SPPU-recognized research guides. The duration of the PhD programme is a minimum of 3 years (full-time) or 4 years (part-time).

Admissions to the PhD programme are conducted by SPPU through a centralized process. Candidates must qualify the SPPU PhD Entrance Test (PET) or be exempted from PET (if they hold valid GATE/NET/JRF/SET scores). The most recent SPPU PhD admission round (2026) had applications from September 1-10, 2026. The next round for 2027 is expected to be announced by SPPU on their official website (unipune.ac.in).

Key Points

The PhD in Computer Engineering at AVCOE was approved by SPPU from 2026-27, making it a newly established research centre.
The department has multiple SPPU-recognized PhD research guides with expertise in Cloud Computing, Machine Learning, Data Mining, Network Security, IoT, and Big Data Analytics.
The department has an NVIDIA GPU Teaching Centre with workstations and IoT-based Jetson boards, a Cloud Computing Centre of Excellence (with ESDS Software), and a Red Hat Academy, providing state-of-the-art research infrastructure.
Faculty members have published research in Scopus-indexed and SCI journals, filed patents, and received grants including BCUD Aspire Project grants from SPPU.
The department has won Smart India Hackathon (SIH) prizes five consecutive times, reflecting a strong culture of innovation and applied research.
AVCOE's Computer Engineering department has collaborations with Sumago, NetLeap, Cognifront, Manasvi, and Eaglebyte Nashik for internships and research through dedicated Centres of Excellence.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

AVCOE Ph.D. (Computer Engineering) Fees

The PhD fees at AVCOE are as per SPPU norms. The application fee for SPPU PhD PET is Rs. 1,000 for General category and Rs. 800 for Reserved category candidates. The course fees for the PhD programme at SPPU-affiliated research centres are approximately Rs. 15,000 per semester for part-time candidates and Rs. 20,000 per semester for full-time candidates (as per SPPU fee structure). Candidates should verify the exact fee structure from AVCOE and SPPU at the time of admission.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
SPPU PhD PET Application Fee (General)	1,000
SPPU PhD PET Application Fee (Reserved)	800
Course Fee per Semester (Part-Time)	~15,000
Course Fee per Semester (Full-Time)	~20,000
Exam Fee (per semester)	1,000
DRC Fee	500
Thesis Submission Fee	5,000

Fees are as per SPPU norms and are subject to revision.
Candidates should verify the exact fee structure from AVCOE's PhD admission office and SPPU's official website at the time of admission.
No hostel facility or financial support is guaranteed with PhD admission; the university has independent procedures for scholarships and fellowships.

AVCOE Ph.D. (Computer Engineering) Admission 2026

PhD admissions at AVCOE are conducted through SPPU's centralized PhD admission process. Candidates must qualify the SPPU PhD Entrance Test (PET) or be exempted from PET based on valid GATE/NET/JRF/SET scores. The selection is based on PET score (70% weightage) and performance in interview/viva-voce (30% weightage). For PET-exempted candidates, selection is based solely on interview/viva-voce performance. The PhD in Computer Engineering at AVCOE was approved from 2026-27, and the first batch of admissions is expected to be processed through SPPU's admission rounds.

SPPU PhD Admission Dates

Event	Date
SPPU PhD Application Form (2026 Round)	September 1 - 10, 2026
SPPU PhD Interview/Viva-Voce	To be notified by SPPU/Research Centre
Next Round Application (2027)	To be announced by SPPU (unipune.ac.in)

Entrance Exam Exemption Criteria

Exam/Criteria	Details	Remarks
SPPU PhD PET	Conducted by SPPU; PET score valid for admission	Required if not exempted
GATE (Valid Score)	Valid GATE score exempts from PET	Exemption from PET
UGC-NET/JRF/SRF	Valid NET/JRF/SRF score exempts from PET	Exemption from PET
SET/CSIR-NET/ICMR/DBT/DST	Valid score exempts from PET	Exemption from PET
M.Phil. Degree	M.Phil. from recognized university exempts from PET	Exemption from PET

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree (ME/M.Tech/MCA or equivalent) in Computer Engineering or a related discipline with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for reserved category candidates of Maharashtra State).
Candidates with a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor's degree with Research/Honors under NEP 2020 with a minimum of 75% marks are also eligible (70% for reserved category).
Candidates must qualify SPPU PhD PET or be exempted from PET as per SPPU norms (valid GATE/NET/JRF/SET scores).

Admission Process

Check SPPU's official website (unipune.ac.in) for PhD admission notifications and vacant positions at AVCOE's Computer Engineering research centre.
Fill the online application form on the SPPU PhD portal (bcud.unipune.ac.in/phd_entrance/applicant/login.aspx) within the stipulated deadline.
Upload required documents including Master's degree marksheet, caste certificate (if applicable), and exemption certificate (if applicable).
Appear for SPPU PhD PET (if not exempted) and obtain a valid score.
Attend the interview/viva-voce conducted by the approved panel at AVCOE's Computer Engineering department.
Final selection is based on PET score (70%) and interview performance (30%), or solely on interview performance for PET-exempted candidates.
Admission is confirmed after verification of original documents and approval by SPPU's Research and Recognition Committee (RRC).

AVCOE Ph.D. (Computer Engineering) Scholarships 2026

PhD scholars at AVCOE can avail of various fellowships and scholarships from national funding agencies. SPPU also provides research grants through its BCUD (Board of College and University Development) Aspire Project scheme. Candidates with valid JRF/SRF fellowships from UGC/CSIR/DBT/DST can continue to receive their fellowship amounts during their PhD at AVCOE.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship/Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount	Offered By
UGC-JRF Fellowship	Qualified UGC-NET with JRF	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF), Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	UGC
CSIR-JRF Fellowship	Qualified CSIR-NET with JRF	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF), Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	CSIR
DST INSPIRE Fellowship	Qualified candidates in science and technology	Rs. 31,000/month + HRA	DST, Govt. of India
GATE Scholarship (M.Tech route)	Valid GATE score (for full-time PhD)	Rs. 12,400/month	AICTE/MHRD
SPPU BCUD Aspire Project Grant	Faculty-led research projects	Variable (project-based)	SPPU BCUD
SC/ST Research Fellowship	SC/ST PhD scholars	As per Govt. norms	Govt. of Maharashtra / Central Govt.

JRF/SRF fellowship amounts are as per UGC/CSIR norms and are subject to revision.
GATE scholarship is applicable only for full-time PhD scholars who have been admitted through GATE score.
Candidates must apply separately for national fellowships through the respective funding agencies.
SPPU BCUD Aspire Project grants are available to faculty members; PhD scholars working on such projects may receive project-based stipends.

AVCOE Ph.D Computer Engineering Ranking

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AVCOE Ph.D. (Computer Engineering) FAQs

Ques. Is the PhD in Computer Engineering at AVCOE a new programme?

Ans. Yes, the PhD in Computer Engineering at AVCOE was approved by Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) from the academic year 2026-27. This is a newly established research centre, and the first batch of PhD admissions is being processed through SPPU's centralized admission rounds.

Ques. Who are the PhD research guides available in Computer Engineering at AVCOE?

Ans. The Computer Engineering department at AVCOE has multiple SPPU-recognized PhD research guides. Key faculty members with PhD qualifications include Dr. S. K. Sonkar (Cloud Computing, Network Security), Dr. M. A. Wakchaure (Data Mining, Business Intelligence), Dr. D. R. Patil (Machine Learning, Software Engineering), Dr. G. D. Puri (Big Data, Privacy Preservation), Dr. S. B. Bhonde (Machine Learning, NLP), and others. Candidates should contact the department directly to confirm the availability of guides in their research area.

Ques. What is the process to apply for PhD in Computer Engineering at AVCOE?

Ans. Candidates must apply through SPPU's centralized PhD admission process. They need to fill the online application form on the SPPU PhD portal (bcud.unipune.ac.in), qualify the SPPU PhD PET (or be exempted with valid GATE/NET/JRF/SET scores), and attend the interview/viva-voce at AVCOE. Admission notifications are published on SPPU's official website (unipune.ac.in).

Ques. Can working professionals pursue PhD in Computer Engineering at AVCOE?

Ans. Yes, SPPU offers both full-time and part-time PhD programmes. Working professionals can pursue the PhD on a part-time basis, with a minimum duration of 4 years. They must fulfill the same eligibility and admission criteria as full-time candidates.

Ques. What research infrastructure is available for PhD scholars in Computer Engineering at AVCOE?

Ans. PhD scholars have access to the NVIDIA GPU Teaching Centre with workstations and IoT-based Jetson boards for parallel and concurrent programming, the Cloud Computing Centre of Excellence (with ESDS Software), the Red Hat Academy, and well-equipped software and hardware laboratories. The department also has collaborations with industry partners for research and internship opportunities.

Ques. Is there any financial support available for PhD scholars at AVCOE?

Ans. PhD scholars with valid JRF/SRF fellowships from UGC/CSIR/DBT/DST can continue to receive their fellowship amounts. Candidates with valid GATE scores may be eligible for GATE scholarships. SPPU's BCUD Aspire Project grants are available for faculty-led research projects, and PhD scholars working on such projects may receive project-based stipends. SC/ST candidates can avail of government research fellowships as per applicable norms.