Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering) at Amrutvahini College of Engineering (AVCOE), Sangamner is a full-time research programme affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Pune. The programme spans a minimum of 3 years and up to 6 years, with research focus areas including design engineering, manufacturing engineering, thermal engineering, materials science, tribology, and industrial engineering. The Mechanical Engineering department at AVCOE is one of the oldest and most established departments, offering BE, ME (Design Engineering), and PhD programmes. The department has an intake of 120 students at the UG level and 6 students at the ME level, and the PhD research centre is well-supported with state-of-the-art laboratories and experienced faculty. Admissions are guide-wise with no fixed seat intake, and the programme is popular among both fresh ME graduates and working professionals in the manufacturing and automotive sectors.

Admission for the 2026 batch is currently open. Applications for SPPU PhD 2026 started on February 10, 2026, with a last date of April 30, 2026. The SPPU PhD Entrance Test (PET) is scheduled for May 17, 2026, with results expected on May 25, 2026. Interviews at AVCOE will be conducted between June 10 and June 30, 2026, and the final selected candidates list will be published by July 15, 2026. Last date for admission confirmation is July 31, 2026.

Key Points

The Mechanical Engineering department at AVCOE was established in 1983 and is one of the founding departments of the college, with a strong legacy in research and industry collaboration.
The department has an active PhD research centre with faculty publishing in SCI/Scopus-indexed journals and receiving grants from AICTE and DST.
Research areas include design engineering, manufacturing processes, thermal systems, tribology, composite materials, and sustainable manufacturing.
Candidates with valid GATE/NET/JRF/SET scores are exempted from the SPPU PhD Entrance Test (PET).
The department has strong industry connections with companies like Tata Technologies, Sulzer, and other manufacturing firms, which benefit research scholars.
Faculty members have received multiple awards including Best Paper Awards at international conferences and recognition from The Institution of Engineers (India).

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

AVCOE Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering) Fees

The PhD programme at AVCOE is affiliated to SPPU, and fees are governed by the university's prescribed structure. The course fee per semester for full-time PhD students is Rs. 10,000, amounting to Rs. 20,000 per year. Over a minimum 3-year duration, the total course fee comes to approximately Rs. 60,000. Additional one-time charges include registration fee, security deposit, and thesis/viva fees payable at respective stages. The overall financial commitment for a full-time PhD at AVCOE is modest and accessible.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Entrance Exam Fee (PET)	1,500
Registration Fee (one-time)	1,000
Security Deposit (one-time, refundable)	2,000
Course Fee per Semester (Full-Time)	10,000
Total Course Fee (6 semesters / 3 years minimum)	60,000
Exam Fee (per semester)	1,000
DRC Fee	500
Thesis Submission Fee	5,000
Extension Fee (if applicable)	2,000
Viva Fee	3,000
Total Fees (minimum 3-year full-time, excluding extension)	~74,000

Security deposit of Rs. 2,000 is refundable upon completion of the programme.
Extension fee of Rs. 2,000 is applicable only if the student exceeds the minimum duration.
Hostel facility is available at AVCOE at Rs. 30,000 per year (optional, not mandatory for PhD students).
Fees are payable via NEFT/RTGS/IMPS/Cash Deposit/Bank Gateway as per SPPU guidelines.
No EMI option is officially mentioned; fees are payable semester-wise.

AVCOE Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering) Admission 2026

Admissions to the PhD (Mechanical Engineering) programme at AVCOE are conducted through SPPU's centralized PhD admission process. Candidates must qualify the SPPU PhD Entrance Test (PET) or be exempted via valid GATE/NET/JRF/SET scores. After the entrance test, shortlisted candidates appear for an interview at AVCOE, following which guides are allotted based on research area alignment. The 2026 admission cycle is currently active with applications open until April 30, 2026.

AVCOE PhD Mechanical Engineering Admission Dates

Event	Date
SPPU PhD Application Start	February 10, 2026
SPPU PhD Application Last Date	April 30, 2026
SPPU PhD Entrance Test (PET)	May 17, 2026
PET Result Declaration	May 25, 2026
Interview at AVCOE	June 10 - June 30, 2026
Final Selected Candidates List	July 15, 2026
Last Date for Admission Confirmation	July 31, 2026

Mandatory Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Exam Date	Result Date	Remarks
GATE 2026	Feb 7, 8, 14, 15, 2026	March 19, 2026	Valid GATE score exempts from PET
SPPU PET 2026	May 17, 2026	May 25, 2026	Mandatory if no valid GATE/NET/JRF/SET score

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must hold a Master's Degree (ME/M.Tech or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering or a relevant discipline with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for reserved category candidates of Maharashtra State).
Candidates with a valid GATE/NET/JRF/SET/SRF score or an M.Phil degree are exempted from the SPPU PhD Entrance Test (PET).
Candidates must identify a research area and a potential guide at AVCOE's Mechanical Engineering department before the interview stage.

Admission Process:

Apply online on the SPPU PhD portal at http://app1.unipune.ac.in/phd/default.htm after the university notification.
Appear for the SPPU PhD Entrance Test (PET) or submit proof of GATE/NET/JRF/SET exemption.
Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview at AVCOE conducted by a university-approved panel.
Guide allotment is done based on the candidate's research area and guide availability.
Final selected list is published by SPPU, after which the candidate completes the admission formalities at AVCOE.
Submit all required documents including Master's degree marksheets, SSC/HSC certificates, caste certificate (if applicable), and migration certificate.

AVCOE Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering) Scholarships 2026

PhD students at AVCOE can avail of several government-funded fellowships and scholarships. Candidates with valid GATE/NET/JRF scores are eligible for national-level fellowships that provide monthly stipends. AICTE and DST also offer research fellowships for eligible candidates enrolled in approved research centres. AVCOE, being an AICTE-approved institution with an active Mechanical Engineering research centre, facilitates access to these schemes for its PhD scholars.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount	Offered By
CSIR-UGC JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	NET/JRF qualified candidates	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF), Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	CSIR / UGC
GATE Scholarship (for full-time PhD)	Valid GATE score	Rs. 12,400/month (AICTE norms)	AICTE / Institute
DST INSPIRE Fellowship	Top 1% in qualifying exam or NET/GATE	Rs. 31,000/month + Rs. 20,000/year contingency	DST, Govt. of India
PMRF (Prime Minister's Research Fellowship)	IIT/NIT/CFTI graduates with strong academic record	Rs. 70,000 - 80,000/month	Ministry of Education
AICTE Doctoral Fellowship	Enrolled in AICTE-approved PhD centre	As per AICTE norms	AICTE

CSIR-UGC JRF and DST INSPIRE fellowships require separate applications and are not automatically granted upon PhD admission.
GATE scholarship eligibility and amount are subject to AICTE guidelines and institute policy; candidates should confirm with AVCOE's administration.
PMRF is highly competitive and primarily targets graduates from premier institutions.
Application deadlines for each fellowship vary; candidates should check the respective official portals for current cycle dates.

AVCOE Ph.D Mechanical Engineering Ranking

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#210 out of 218 in Top Private Colleges in India 2021

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AVCOE Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering) FAQs

Ques. What research areas are available for PhD in Mechanical Engineering at AVCOE?

Ans. The Mechanical Engineering department at AVCOE has active research in design engineering, manufacturing processes, thermal engineering, tribology, composite materials, sustainable manufacturing, and industrial engineering. Faculty members have published in SCI/Scopus-indexed journals and have received grants from AICTE and DST for R&D projects.

Ques. Is the PhD in Mechanical Engineering at AVCOE a full-time or part-time programme?

Ans. AVCOE offers the PhD in Mechanical Engineering as a full-time programme under SPPU. Part-time options may be available for working professionals subject to SPPU regulations and guide availability. Working candidates must submit an NOC from their employer and meet minimum attendance requirements.

Ques. Do I need to appear for the SPPU PET if I have a valid GATE score?

Ans. No. Candidates with a valid GATE score (or NET/JRF/SET/SRF from apex bodies like CSIR/UGC/ICMR/DBT/DST) are exempted from the SPPU PhD Entrance Test (PET). However, they still need to appear for the personal interview at AVCOE.

Ques. How many PhD seats are available in Mechanical Engineering at AVCOE?

Ans. AVCOE does not publish a fixed seat intake for PhD admissions. Seats are guide-wise and depend on the number of vacancies with each approved research guide in the Mechanical Engineering department. Candidates should check the SPPU guide-wise vacancy list published at the time of admission notification or contact the department directly.

Ques. What is the minimum duration to complete the PhD at AVCOE?

Ans. The minimum duration for a full-time PhD under SPPU is 3 years. The maximum permissible duration is 6 years. Extension beyond 6 years requires special approval and attracts an extension fee.

Ques. Does AVCOE's Mechanical Engineering department have industry-sponsored research projects?

Ans. Yes, the Mechanical Engineering department at AVCOE has received research grants from AICTE and has collaborated with industry partners. The department has strong ties with manufacturing companies in the Pune-Nashik industrial corridor, which benefits research scholars in terms of industry-relevant problem statements and potential funding opportunities.