TCET Mumbai Ph.D Information Technology: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. Yes, TCET's PhD Research Centre in Information Technology is formally recognized by the University of Mumbai (UOM). Upon successful completion of the programme, scholars receive the Ph.D. (Technology) degree from the University of Mumbai, which is a UGC-recognized degree. The research centre was formally approved from AY 2026-27, though TCET has been conducting PhD research since 2018 under UOM recognition, with 9 PhDs already awarded. The degree carries the same value as a PhD from any other UOM-affiliated institution.

Ans. The active research areas at TCET's IT PhD centre include Cybersecurity, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain Technology, IoT, and Data Science. There are 4 University-recognized research guides: Dr. B.K. Mishra (Principal), Dr. Rajesh Bansode (Cybersecurity, ICT), Dr. Zahir Aalam (ICT, Machine Learning, Data Science), and Dr. Sangeeta Vhatkar (AI/ML, ICT, Blockchain). Candidates should review the research topics of current and past scholars under each guide and align their research interest accordingly before applying. The personal interview at TCET is the key step where research alignment is assessed.

Ans. The PhD IT programme at TCET is listed as full-time. However, University of Mumbai PhD regulations allow working professionals to pursue PhD under certain conditions, subject to a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer and approval by the university. The minimum duration for part-time PhD scholars is typically extended compared to full-time scholars. Candidates who are working professionals should clarify the part-time option directly with TCET's PhD coordinator and the University of Mumbai before applying, as the availability of part-time registration depends on UOM's current ordinance.

Ans. The annual fee at TCET is Rs. 75,000 per year. For a minimum 3-year programme (including coursework), the total college fee would be approximately Rs. 2,25,000. In addition, the University of Mumbai charges a registration fee (approximately Rs. 2,000) and semester fees (approximately Rs. 18,000 per semester for full-time scholars) as per UOM norms. Scholars who receive UGC-JRF, CSIR-JRF, GATE, or DST-INSPIRE fellowships can offset a significant portion of these costs. The total out-of-pocket cost depends on the duration of the programme and any fellowship support received.

Ans. As of November 2025, TCET's PhD IT centre has a total intake of 20 seats, with 16 scholars currently pursuing their PhD and 4 seats vacant. Admission is conducted as per the University of Mumbai's PhD admission schedule, which is announced on the UOM website (mu.ac.in). Candidates must appear for the University of Mumbai PET (PhD Entrance Test) or submit a valid GATE score, followed by a personal interview at TCET. Interested candidates should fill the Pre-PhD Admission Form on the TCET website and monitor both the TCET and UOM websites for the latest admission notification.

Ans. A PhD in Information Technology from TCET (University of Mumbai) opens doors to academic positions (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor) in engineering colleges and universities, research scientist roles in government R&D organizations (DRDO, ISRO, SAMEER, C-DAC), and senior technical roles in industry (AI/ML Research Scientist, Cybersecurity Researcher, Data Science Lead). TCET's collaboration with SAMEER and its strong industry network provides PhD scholars with research project opportunities and industry exposure. Scholars who publish in reputed journals and conferences during their PhD significantly enhance their academic and industry career prospects.