AIT offers a six-year, full-time Ph.D Mechanical Engineering through the VTU Eligibility Test for Research. The Mechanical Engineering research centre has 20 scholars and works under Visvesvaraya Technological University. The college has NAAC A+ and AICTE approval, and Collegedunia lists it at #276 in Engineering ranking 2026. The full fee without hostel is INR 2.36 Lakhs, paid over the research period. You apply through VTU ETR and then face the interview. A score near 55 keeps you in the call range. The latest campus average pay used for cost checks is INR 6.5 LPA.
The total fees with hostel is INR 10.76 Lakhs while the fees without hostel is INR 2.36 Lakhs. The tuition fee is INR 2.16 Lakhs. You pay the research fee every year across the six-year registration window. VTU fixes the research fee heads. Hostel and living cost are separate and matter only if you stay near campus.
| Fee head | Amount | How it is charged |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee | INR 2.16 Lakhs | INR 36,000 a year, 6 years |
| Registration fee | INR 20,400 | One time |
| Caution deposit | INR 10,000 | One time, refundable |
| Hostel and living | INR 8.40 Lakhs | INR 1.40 Lakhs a year, 6 years |
| Total, no hostel | INR 2.36 Lakhs | Full course |
| Total with hostel | INR 10.76 Lakhs | Full course |
The application form closed on 25 Sep 2026. The VTU ETR test date is still not fixed, and research work is expected to start in Jan 2027. Keep the application print, fee receipt and research papers ready for the interview.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| VTU ETR notification and form start | 31 Aug 2026 to 1 Sep 2026 | Over |
| VTU ETR registration, last date to apply | 25 Sep 2026 | Over |
| Hall ticket download | Oct 2026 | Tentative |
| VTU ETR exam | Nov 2026 | Tentative |
| VTU ETR result | Nov 2026 | Tentative |
| Research interview | Dec 2026 | Tentative |
| Seat acceptance fee, last date | Dec 2026 | Tentative |
| Physical reporting and document check | Jan 2027 | Tentative |
| Classes start | Jan 2027 | Tentative |
You need a master's degree with 55% marks; reserved categories need 50%. You also need VTU ETR unless NET, GATE or an equal test exempts you. If your marks are lower, the research centre cannot send your file forward.
| Requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| Degree | Master's degree or equal professional degree |
| Marks | 55% for General, 50% for reserved categories |
| Exam | VTU ETR, unless exempt through NET or GATE |
| Age | No upper age limit for normal Ph.D admission |
VTU takes the form, holds ETR and sends qualified students to the interview. You then meet the research centre with your papers. If you miss the fee date after selection, you lose the research seat.
| Step | What you do |
|---|---|
| 1. Apply on VTU portal | Fill the ETR form and pay the application fee |
| 2. Write VTU ETR | Take the research test unless you have an exemption |
| 3. Attend interview | Show your research topic and guide fit |
| 4. Pay fee | Pay the research registration fee by the last date |
| 5. Report | Bring degree papers for document check |
The General call range starts near 55 in VTU ETR and the reserved call range starts near 50. These are working score ranges for the interview step. A higher score helps, but the final decision also reads your research topic.
| Category | Score range | Round and year |
|---|---|---|
| General | 55 and above | VTU ETR, 2026 |
| OBC-NCL | 52 and above | VTU ETR, 2026 |
| SC | 50 and above | VTU ETR, 2026 |
| ST | 50 and above | VTU ETR, 2026 |
| EWS | 52 and above | VTU ETR, 2026 |
The latest campus average pay used here is INR 6.5 LPA and the placement share is 75%. The highest published package is INR 19.75 LPA. Ph.D students usually use the degree for teaching, research labs and core engineering roles.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average pay | INR 6.5 LPA, latest published campus average |
| Median pay | Not published |
| Highest offer | INR 19.75 LPA |
| Batch placed | 75% |
| Recruiters | Core engineering, teaching and research roles |
Four schemes can cut the fee by INR 40,000 to INR 2.36 Lakhs over the course. The SC and ST post-matric route gives the biggest waiver here. Most schemes need an income paper and renewal after each year.
| Scholarship | Who can get it | Amount or waiver |
|---|---|---|
| SC and ST post-matric scholarship | SC or ST, family income below INR 2.5 Lakhs a year | INR 1.96 Lakhs over the course |
| Central Sector Scheme | Any category, family income up to INR 8 Lakhs a year | INR 40,000 over the course |
| EWS tuition waiver | EWS certificate, family income up to INR 8 Lakhs a year | INR 1.50 Lakhs over the course |
| OBC post-matric scholarship | OBC-NCL, family income below INR 2.5 Lakhs a year | INR 1 Lakh over the course |
The college stands #276 in Collegedunia's Engineering ranking and has NAAC A+. The Mechanical research centre lists 20 scholars. Collegedunia ranks on fees, placements and reviews, while NAAC reads the college data and visit report.
| Ranking body | Year | Rank or grade |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Engineering ranking | 2026 | #276 |
| NAAC | latest grade | A+ |
| Research centre | latest list | 20 Mechanical scholars |
Year 1 covers coursework and research method, while later years focus on review, lab work, papers and thesis writing. You work with a guide from the research centre. The final thesis goes to VTU for evaluation.
| Year | What you study |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Coursework, research method and guide plan |
| Year 2 | Literature review, lab work and progress report |
| Year 3 to Year 5 | Experiments, papers and thesis chapters |
| Year 6 | Thesis submission and viva work |
The hostel and living estimate is INR 1.40 Lakhs a year, and the centre lists 20 Mechanical scholars. Bengaluru gives lab access, vendors and core engineering offices. Research scholars who need labs often stay near campus. Check room rules with the hostel office before you pay.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Campus | Bengaluru campus with Mechanical labs |
| Hostel and living | INR 1.40 Lakhs a year estimate |
| Research centre | Mechanical Engineering has 20 scholars |
| City access | Bengaluru has core engineering vendors and labs |
This course suits students who want research work in Mechanical Engineering and can stay patient with a long degree.
These are the official 2026 dates. Tap 2028 Session for expected dates of the next batch.
Source: VTU ETR notification and extension circular. Confirm on the official site before you act.
This is the full 6-year cost, not one year. Turn on the toggle to add hostel and living cost.
Source: VTU fee notification and AIT fee page. Confirm on the official site before you act.
Pick your category and route. The cutoff ranges are research call scores for this course.
The interview matters after the test. Use the score range as a call guide, then check whether an AIT guide fits your topic.
Answer two questions to see what you can claim. Confirm the final amount with the college.
Each chip below says which answer blocked the scheme.
Tap a college to see it next to Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology. The cream box marks the better number in each row: lower fees, higher pay, an easier cutoff.
Fees and pay can change. Check each college site before you decide.
Straight answers to what students ask before they decide.
This page is AI assisted and human verified.
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