Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

Alva's Institute of Engineering and Technology (AIET), Mangalore, is a recognized VTU Research Centre offering Ph.D. guidance in Computer Science. The program is affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi, and is available in both full-time and part-time modes. Research areas include Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Educational Data Mining, Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks (MANETs), Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, and Optimization Algorithms. The program is popular for its experienced research guides, cutting-edge computing infrastructure, and active research culture with publications in IEEE and Springer journals.

Admissions to the Ph.D. program at AIET are conducted through VTU's centralized process. Candidates must qualify the VTU Eligibility Test for Research (VTU ETR), which is conducted once a year. The VTU ETR 2026 was held on January 5, 2026. The VTU ETR 2027 notification and dates are expected to be announced by VTU in late 2026 or early 2027; candidates should monitor the official VTU website (vtu.ac.in) for updates. Candidates with a valid GATE score or UGC/CSIR NET qualification are exempted from VTU ETR as per VTU regulations.

Key Points

AIET's Computer Science department is a recognized VTU Research Centre with two active research guides: Dr. S Mohideen Badhusha (MANETs, disaster management systems) and Dr. Manjunath Kotari (AI/ML, data analytics, IoT, blockchain, optimization).
Active research topics include video streaming for disaster management using MANETs, educational data mining for engineering education in Karnataka, IoT-based secure autonomous vehicles using blockchain, and non-convex optimization in machine learning.
Scholars have access to advanced computing labs, simulation tools, and high-performance computing resources on campus.
Publication support is provided for IEEE and Springer indexed journals, and scholars are encouraged to present at national and international conferences.
Both full-time and part-time Ph.D. options are available, making it accessible for working IT professionals and faculty members.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

AIET Ph.D. (CS) Fees

The Ph.D. program at AIET (VTU-affiliated) involves fees payable both to VTU and to the college. Based on available data, the annual fee for Ph.D. scholars at AIET is approximately Rs. 45,000 per year (college fee). VTU charges additional registration, examination, and thesis fees as per its regulations. The total annual outgo for a Ph.D. scholar is approximately Rs. 45,000 to Rs. 60,000 per year depending on the year of study and applicable VTU charges.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount
College Fee (Annual)	Rs. 45,000 per year
VTU Registration Fee (One-time)	As per VTU norms (approx. Rs. 15,000 - Rs. 30,000)
VTU Examination / Thesis Fee	As per VTU norms
Total Estimated Annual Fee	Rs. 45,000 - Rs. 60,000 per year

The college fee of Rs. 45,000 per year is the AIET component; VTU fees are additional and subject to revision.
Part-time scholars may have a different fee structure; candidates should confirm with the AIET research office.
Hostel accommodation is available on campus at approximately Rs. 45,000 per year (optional).
Fee structure is subject to revision by VTU and AIET for each academic year.
Candidates with GATE/UGC/CSIR NET qualification may be eligible for fellowships (JRF/SRF) from funding agencies, which can offset the fee.

AIET Ph.D. (CS) Admission 2026

Ph.D. admissions at AIET are governed by VTU regulations. Candidates must qualify the VTU ETR (Eligibility Test for Research) or hold a valid GATE/UGC/CSIR NET score. After qualifying the entrance, candidates apply to AIET, identify a research guide, and register with VTU. The admission process involves a research proposal presentation and interview with the research guide.

College-Specific Admission Dates

Event	Date
VTU ETR 2026 Exam	January 5, 2026
VTU ETR 2027 Notification	Expected late 2026 / early 2027 (check vtu.ac.in)
AIET Ph.D. Application (Rolling)	Open throughout the year (contact AIET research office)
Research Guide Identification and Proposal Submission	As per VTU schedule after ETR qualification
VTU Ph.D. Registration	As per VTU circular (check vtu.ac.in)

Entrance Exam Details

Exam	Details
VTU ETR (VTU Eligibility Test for Research)	Mandatory for Ph.D. admission at VTU-affiliated colleges; conducted once a year; MCQ-based; state-level exam
GATE (valid score)	Exempts candidates from VTU ETR; valid for 3 years from the year of qualification
UGC/CSIR NET (valid score)	Exempts candidates from VTU ETR; also makes candidates eligible for JRF fellowship

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree (M.E./M.Tech./M.Sc. in Computer Science or equivalent) from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks (55% for SC/ST candidates).
Candidates with a valid GATE score or UGC/CSIR NET qualification are exempted from VTU ETR.
Candidates must identify a recognized VTU research guide at AIET before applying for Ph.D. registration.

Admission Process

Qualify VTU ETR or hold a valid GATE/UGC/CSIR NET score.
Contact AIET's research office to identify an available research guide in Computer Science.
Submit a research proposal and attend an interview with the prospective guide.
Apply for VTU Ph.D. registration through the VTU online portal (vtu.ac.in) with all required documents.
Complete the mandatory Ph.D. coursework as prescribed by VTU (typically in the first year).
Submit progress reports as per VTU regulations throughout the research period.

AIET Ph.D. (CS) Scholarships 2026

Ph.D. scholars at AIET can avail fellowships and financial support from national funding agencies. GATE/UGC/CSIR NET qualified scholars are eligible for JRF/SRF fellowships, which provide a monthly stipend and cover research expenses. For Computer Science scholars, GATE in CS/IT is the most common route to fellowship eligibility.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount
CSIR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	CSIR NET qualified candidates	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)
UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	UGC NET qualified candidates	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)
GATE Scholarship (for Ph.D.)	Valid GATE (CS/IT) score holders enrolled in full-time Ph.D.	Rs. 12,400/month (as per AICTE norms)
DST-INSPIRE Fellowship	Ph.D. scholars in science and technology	Rs. 31,000/month + Rs. 20,000 annual contingency
SC/ST Scholarship (Government of Karnataka)	SC/ST category Ph.D. scholars	As per government norms

GATE in Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) is the most relevant entrance for fellowship eligibility for Ph.D. Computer Science scholars.
JRF/SRF fellowships from CSIR and UGC are among the most prestigious and financially rewarding for Ph.D. scholars.
DST-INSPIRE fellowship is available for scholars who have secured admission to a Ph.D. program in science and technology.
Scholars should apply for fellowships through the respective national portals (csirnet.nta.nic.in, ugcnet.nta.nic.in, dst.gov.in) within the prescribed deadlines.
Fellowship amounts are subject to revision by the respective funding agencies.

AIET Ph.D. (CS) FAQs

Ques. Who are the research guides for Ph.D. in Computer Science at AIET, and what are their specializations?

Ans. AIET has two recognized VTU research guides in Computer Science. Dr. S Mohideen Badhusha (Ph.D. 2016, recognized since 2018) specializes in Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks (MANETs) and disaster management systems. Dr. Manjunath Kotari (Ph.D. 2017, recognized since 2019) has a broader research portfolio covering AI/ML, data analytics, educational data mining, IoT, blockchain, and non-convex optimization. Dr. Kotari currently guides four active Ph.D. scholars. Candidates should contact the AIET research office to confirm guide availability.

Ques. What are the active research topics being pursued by Ph.D. scholars in Computer Science at AIET?

Ans. Active research topics at AIET's Computer Science department include: (1) Video streaming framework for disaster management using MANETs, (2) Data analytics and machine learning for educational data mining in Karnataka engineering education, (3) Dynamic multipath route discovery and route shortening protocol for MANETs, (4) Efficient methods for non-convex optimization in machine learning, and (5) IoT-based secure autonomous vehicles using blockchain technology. These topics reflect current industry and academic trends in AI, networking, and security.

Ques. Is Ph.D. in Computer Science at AIET suitable for IT professionals working in the industry?

Ans. Yes, AIET offers part-time Ph.D. under VTU regulations, which is specifically designed for working professionals including IT engineers, software developers, and data scientists. Part-time scholars can continue their jobs while pursuing research, with a minimum campus presence as prescribed by VTU. The research topics at AIET (AI/ML, IoT, blockchain, optimization) are highly relevant to industry professionals, making it easier to align research with real-world work experience.

Ques. What computing infrastructure is available for Ph.D. Computer Science scholars at AIET?

Ans. AIET provides access to advanced computing labs, simulation tools, and high-performance computing resources for Ph.D. scholars. The digital library provides access to IEEE, ScienceDirect, and Springer databases. The college also has GPU clusters (shared with the ECE department) for AI/ML research. Scholars working on IoT and blockchain research have access to dedicated lab setups and simulation environments.

Ques. How does AIET support Ph.D. Computer Science scholars in publishing research papers?

Ans. AIET actively supports scholars in publishing in IEEE and Springer indexed journals. Research guides provide mentorship on paper writing, journal selection, and conference presentations. The college encourages scholars to present at national and international conferences, and provides financial support for conference participation. The Ph.D. guidance page highlights that scholars have published in top-tier journals and presented at global conferences.

Ques. What is the difference between Ph.D. in Computer Science and Ph.D. in Information Science and Engineering at AIET?

Ans. Both programs are offered at AIET under VTU. Ph.D. in Computer Science focuses on core CS topics like AI/ML, data analytics, MANETs, IoT, and blockchain. Ph.D. in Information Science and Engineering (ISE) emphasizes cloud computing, networking, and software engineering. The choice depends on the candidate's research interest and the availability of a guide in the specific area. Candidates should contact the AIET research office to understand the current guide availability and active research topics in both departments before deciding.