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. in Mathematics since 2013. The program is affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi, and is available in both full-time and part-time modes. Research areas include Finsler Geometry, Graph Theory (graph energy, domination parameters, graph labeling), and Numerical Analysis. The department has received a research grant of Rs. 4 Lakhs from VGST (Vision Group on Science and Technology), Government of Karnataka, for the project "Medical Image Analysis using Riemann and Finsler Geometry." The program is popular for its specialized research in pure and applied mathematics, with 9+ international publications and a dedicated research culture.

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 2025 was held on January 5, 2025. The VTU ETR 2026 notification and dates are expected to be announced by VTU in late 2025 or early 2026; 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 Mathematics department is a recognized VTU Research Centre since 2013, with three research guides: Dr. Aveesh S.T. (Finsler Geometry), Dr. Prameela Kolake (Graph Theory), and Dr. Prashanthi K.S. (Numerical Analysis).
The department has received a VGST research grant of Rs. 4 Lakhs for the project "Medical Image Analysis using Riemann and Finsler Geometry," reflecting applied mathematics research with real-world impact.
Active Ph.D. research topics include Finsler Geometry applications, graph energy and induced complementation, maximin degree domination in graphs, neighborhood contraction in graphs, and graph labeling.
The department has 9+ international publications and organizes national-level workshops on mathematical tools like Maxima and Sage Math.
Both full-time and part-time Ph.D. options are available, making it accessible for Mathematics faculty members and working professionals.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

AIET Ph.D. Mathematics 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.

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AIET Ph.D. Mathematics 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 2025 Exam	January 5, 2025
VTU ETR 2026 Notification	Expected late 2025 / early 2026 (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.Sc. Mathematics 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 Mathematics department to identify an available research guide.
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. Mathematics Scholarships 2026

Ph.D. scholars at AIET can avail fellowships and financial support from national funding agencies. CSIR NET in Mathematical Sciences is the most relevant fellowship for Mathematics Ph.D. scholars. GATE/UGC/CSIR NET qualified scholars are eligible for JRF/SRF fellowships providing a monthly stipend.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount
CSIR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) - Mathematical Sciences	CSIR NET qualified candidates in Mathematical Sciences	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 (MA) 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
VGST Research Grant	Faculty/scholars working on VGST-approved projects	Project-based (AIET received Rs. 4 Lakhs)
SC/ST Scholarship (Government of Karnataka)	SC/ST category Ph.D. scholars	As per government norms

CSIR NET Mathematical Sciences is the most relevant fellowship for Ph.D. Mathematics scholars; it is conducted twice a year (June and December).
VGST (Vision Group on Science and Technology), Government of Karnataka, provides research grants for applied mathematics projects; AIET has already received one such grant.
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. Mathematics FAQs

Ques. Who are the research guides for Ph.D. in Mathematics at AIET, and what are their research areas?

Ans. AIET has three recognized VTU research guides in Mathematics. Dr. Aveesh S.T. (Ph.D. 2009-10, recognized since 2014-15) specializes in Finsler Geometry and its applications, including medical image analysis. Dr. Prameela Kolake (Ph.D. 2014-15, recognized since 2017-18) works in Graph Theory, specifically graph energy, induced complementation, domination parameters, and graph labeling. Dr. Prashanthi K.S. (Ph.D. 2018-19, recognized since 2022-23) specializes in Numerical Analysis. Candidates should contact the department to confirm guide availability.

Ques. What is Finsler Geometry, and why is it a research area at AIET Mathematics?

Ans. Finsler Geometry is a generalization of Riemannian Geometry that studies spaces where the notion of distance depends on both position and direction. It has applications in physics, biology, and image processing. At AIET, Dr. Aveesh S.T. has received a VGST research grant of Rs. 4 Lakhs for the project "Medical Image Analysis using Riemann and Finsler Geometry," which applies these geometric concepts to analyze medical images. This makes AIET's Mathematics Ph.D. program unique in the Mangalore region for this specialized research area.

Ques. What are the active Graph Theory research topics at AIET Mathematics?

Ans. Dr. Prameela Kolake currently guides four active Ph.D. scholars in Graph Theory. Active research topics include: (1) Graph Energy and Other Aspects of Induced Complementation in Graphs, (2) New Aspects of Maximin Degree Domination Parameters in Graphs, (3) Graph Energy and Neighborhood Contraction in Graphs, and (4) A Study on Labelings of Graphs using Different Vertex and Induced Edge Functions. These topics are in the area of algebraic graph theory and combinatorics, which are active research areas globally.

Ques. Is Ph.D. in Mathematics at AIET suitable for Mathematics lecturers from degree colleges?

Ans. Yes, AIET offers part-time Ph.D. under VTU regulations, which is specifically designed for working professionals including Mathematics lecturers from degree colleges and pre-university colleges. Part-time scholars can continue their teaching while pursuing research, with a minimum campus presence as prescribed by VTU. The research duration for part-time scholars is typically 4-8 years. This is a popular option for Mathematics faculty members in the Mangalore-Moodbidri region who wish to upgrade their qualifications.

Ques. What is the CSIR NET Mathematical Sciences exam, and how does it help for Ph.D. admission at AIET?

Ans. CSIR NET Mathematical Sciences is a national-level exam conducted by CSIR-UGC twice a year (June and December) for admission to Ph.D. programs and for JRF/SRF fellowships in mathematical sciences. Qualifying CSIR NET exempts candidates from the VTU ETR exam for Ph.D. admission at AIET. CSIR JRF holders receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 37,000 (JRF) or Rs. 42,000 (SRF), making it highly beneficial for full-time Ph.D. scholars. GATE in Mathematics (MA) is also accepted.

Ques. Has AIET's Mathematics department received any external research funding?

Ans. Yes, AIET's Mathematics department has received a research grant of Rs. 4 Lakhs from VGST (Vision Group on Science and Technology), Government of Karnataka, for the project "Medical Image Analysis using Riemann and Finsler Geometry" by Dr. Aveesh S.T. This is a significant achievement for a Mathematics department at an engineering college, reflecting the applied nature of the research. Scholars working on such funded projects may receive project fellowships in addition to their regular stipend.