Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

The Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering) program at Priyadarshini College of Engineering (PCE), Nagpur is a part-time doctoral research program affiliated with Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU). The program spans a minimum of 3 years and is designed for working professionals and academicians seeking to advance their research expertise in areas such as thermal engineering, manufacturing, design, robotics, and industrial engineering. PCE has been a recognized Ph.D. research center for Mechanical Engineering since 2005, with 9 active supervisors and 42 sanctioned seats. The program is offered in full-time campus mode and is popular among engineering faculty, industry professionals, and researchers in the Vidarbha region.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session have been completed. The provisional admission process concluded by July 10, 2026, following the PCE-PET examination held on April 29, 2026, and Research Advisory Committee (RAC) interviews in the third week of June 2026. For the 2027-28 session, the admission cycle is expected to begin around April 2027, based on the previous year's schedule. As of March 2027, 29 seats remain vacant in the Mechanical Engineering department for the 2026-27 session.

Key Points

PCE has been a recognized Ph.D. research center for Mechanical Engineering under RTMNU since 2005.
The program is offered in Part-Time mode, making it accessible to working professionals and faculty members.
9 qualified supervisors are available in the Mechanical Engineering department, with specializations spanning design, thermal, manufacturing, and industrial engineering.
Candidates who have not cleared the RTMNU PET are required to appear for the PCE-PET (college-level entrance test).
The program follows RTMNU Direction No. 38 of 2024 for all admission and research procedures.
As of 2026-27, 29 out of 42 sanctioned seats are vacant in the Mechanical Engineering department.

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Scholarships
FAQs

PCE Ph.D (Mechanical Engineering) Fees

The Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering) program at PCE Nagpur is one of the most affordable doctoral programs in the region. The total fee for the entire program duration is Rs. 50,000, which includes a one-time registration fee and annual tuition fees. The fee is payable over three years, with a higher first-year payment due to the registration component.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Year 1 (INR)	Year 2 (INR)	Year 3 (INR)	Total (INR)
Tuition Fee	10,000	10,000	10,000	30,000
Registration Fee	20,000	-	-	20,000
Yearly Total	30,000	10,000	10,000	50,000
Hostel Fee (Optional)	-	-	-	60,000 (Male) / 75,000 (Female) per year
Total Fees (without Hostel)				50,000

Hostel facility is optional and not mandatory for Ph.D. scholars.
Hostel fee is charged separately per year.
Fees are refundable as per university norms in case of cancellation before the academic session begins.
No EMI option is officially mentioned; fees are payable as per the schedule at the time of admission.
The above fee structure is applicable for the 2026-27 session and is subject to revision by RTMNU/PCE for subsequent years.

PCE Ph.D (Mechanical Engineering) Admission 2026

PCE Nagpur follows a structured admission process for its Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering) program under RTMNU Direction No. 38 of 2024. Admissions are conducted annually, typically beginning in April. Candidates must either hold a valid RTMNU PET qualification or appear for the PCE-PET examination. The 2026-27 admission cycle has been completed; the next cycle for 2027-28 is expected to commence around April 2027.

Important Dates

S.No.	Activity	Date
1	Display of Subject-wise Vacant Seats	April 9, 2026
2	Submission of Application Form to Respective Department	April 11 - April 21, 2026
3	Display of List of Eligible Candidates for PET Examination	April 21, 2026
4	Grievance/Objection on Eligibility	April 23, 2026
5	Display of Final List of Eligible Candidates for PET	April 24, 2026
6	PCE-PET Examination (for candidates who have not cleared RTMNU PET)	April 29, 2026
7	Display of Subject-wise Candidate List for Provisional Admission	May 3, 2026
8	RAC Interviews by Research Advisory Committee	June 2026 (3rd week)
9	Display of Merit List for Provisional Admission	Next day after RAC meeting
10	Last Date for Provisional Admission	July 10, 2026

GATE Exam Dates

Event	Date
GATE 2027 Registration Start	August 28, 2026
GATE 2027 Registration End	October 13, 2026
GATE 2027 Admit Card Release	January 13, 2027
GATE 2027 Examination	February 7, 8, 14, 15, 2027
GATE 2027 Answer Key Release	February 19, 2027
GATE 2027 Result Declaration	March 19, 2027

Note: GATE qualification is accepted as an alternative to PET for Ph.D. admission. Candidates with a valid GATE score may be exempted from the PCE-PET examination.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have completed a 2-year/4-semester Master's degree (M.E./M.Tech. or equivalent) with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/OBC non-creamy layer/Differently-Abled/EWS candidates).
Alternatively, candidates with a 4-year/8-semester B.Tech. degree with a minimum of 75% marks (70% for reserved categories) are also eligible to apply directly for Ph.D..
Candidates who have completed an M.Phil. program with at least 55% marks are also eligible.

Admission Process

Candidates must submit the application form to the respective department (Mechanical Engineering) within the notified dates.
Eligible candidates who have not cleared the RTMNU PET must appear for the PCE-PET examination conducted by the college.
Candidates who have cleared RTMNU PET or hold a valid GATE score are exempted from PCE-PET.
Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview by the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) as per RTMNU Direction No. 38 of 2024.
Final merit list is displayed, and provisional admission is granted based on RAC recommendations and seat availability.
Candidates must complete provisional admission formalities and fee payment by the last date notified.

PCE Ph.D (Mechanical Engineering) Scholarships 2026

Ph.D. scholars at PCE Nagpur can avail of government-funded scholarships and fellowships. While the college does not offer exclusive institutional scholarships for Ph.D. students, scholars may benefit from national-level fellowship schemes. The most relevant scholarship for Ph.D. scholars in engineering is the GATE-based fellowship, which provides a monthly stipend to full-time scholars. Additionally, government post-matric scholarships are available for reserved category students.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount	Remarks
GATE Scholarship / MHRD Fellowship	Valid GATE score; enrolled in full-time Ph.D. program at AICTE-approved institute	Rs. 12,400/month (JRF); Rs. 14,000/month (SRF after 2 years)	Applicable primarily for full-time scholars; PCE offers part-time Ph.D. - check eligibility with the institute
NSP (PM-USP) Yojana	80% in qualifying exam; parental income up to Rs. 4.5 Lakhs; AICTE-recognized program	Rs. 82,000 per annum	For UG/PG; Ph.D. scholars should verify eligibility
Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST/OBC)	Reserved category students; income criteria as per state norms	Varies by category and state	Administered by Maharashtra Social Welfare Department
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF)	SC/ST candidates pursuing Ph.D.	Rs. 31,000/month (JRF); Rs. 35,000/month (SRF)	Administered by UGC; apply separately through UGC portal

Since PCE offers Ph.D. in Part-Time mode, GATE-based MHRD fellowship (which requires full-time enrollment) may not be directly applicable.
Scholars should confirm with the R&D Cell at PCE.
Application deadlines for national fellowships vary; candidates should check the respective official portals (UGC, NSP) for current deadlines.
Reserved category students should apply for post-matric scholarships through the Maharashtra Scholarship Portal (mahaeschol.maharashtra.gov.in).

PCE Ph.D (Mechanical Engineering) FAQs

Ques. Is the Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering) at PCE Nagpur a full-time or part-time program?

Ans. The Ph.D. program at PCE Nagpur is offered in Part-Time mode only. This means candidates can pursue their doctoral research while continuing their employment or academic positions. The minimum duration of the program is 3 years as per RTMNU norms.

Ques. What is the PCE-PET examination, and who needs to appear for it?

Ans. PCE-PET (Priyadarshini College of Engineering - Ph.D. Entrance Test) is a college-level entrance examination conducted for candidates who have not cleared the RTMNU PET (Ph.D. Entrance Test). Candidates who hold a valid RTMNU PET qualification or a valid GATE score are exempted from appearing in the PCE-PET. The exam tests research aptitude and subject knowledge in the relevant engineering discipline.

Ques. How many supervisors are available in the Mechanical Engineering department, and what are their research areas?

Ans. As of 2026-27, there are 9 Ph.D. supervisors in the Mechanical Engineering department at PCE Nagpur. Their research areas include manufacturing engineering, thermal engineering, mechanical design, industrial engineering, and robotics. The total sanctioned intake is 42 seats, with 29 seats currently vacant. Candidates can contact the department coordinator Dr. P.S. Chaudhari (pschaudharipatil@gmail.com) for supervisor-specific details.

Ques. Can I pursue the Ph.D. at PCE Nagpur if I have only a B.Tech. degree (without M.Tech.)?

Ans. Yes, candidates with a 4-year B.Tech. degree with a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate (70% for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Differently-Abled candidates) are eligible to apply directly for Ph.D. admission as per RTMNU Direction No. 38 of 2024. This is a relatively new provision and allows meritorious B.Tech. graduates to pursue doctoral research directly.

Ques. What is the total fee for the Ph.D. program, and are there any hidden charges?

Ans. The total fee for the Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering) program at PCE Nagpur is Rs. 50,000 for the entire program duration (minimum 3 years). This includes a one-time registration fee of Rs. 20,000 (paid in Year 1) and an annual tuition fee of Rs. 10,000 per year. Hostel accommodation is optional and charged separately at Rs. 60,000/year (male) or Rs. 75,000/year (female). There are no other mandatory charges beyond the stated fee structure.

Ques. When will the next Ph.D. admission cycle for 2027-28 begin at PCE Nagpur?

Ans. Based on the 2026-27 admission schedule, the next Ph.D. admission cycle for 2027-28 is expected to begin around April 2027, with the display of vacant seats and notification for the PCE-PET examination. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official PCE Nagpur website (pcenagpur.edu.in) and the Ph.D. Research Center page for the latest notifications and schedule updates.

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PCE Nagpur Ph.D Mechanical Engineering: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Table of Contents

PCE Ph.D (Mechanical Engineering) Fees

Fee Structure

PCE Ph.D (Mechanical Engineering) Admission 2026

Important Dates

GATE Exam Dates

Eligibility Criteria

Admission Process

PCE Ph.D (Mechanical Engineering) Scholarships 2026

Scholarship Details

PCE Ph.D (Mechanical Engineering) FAQs

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