Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

Excel Engineering College (EEC), Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, is an autonomous institution affiliated with Anna University, Chennai, approved by AICTE, and accredited Grade A+ by NAAC (2025). The Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering is a full-time or part-time research programme offered through the college's recognized research department under Anna University's Centre for Research framework. The programme spans a minimum of 2 years (full-time) or 3 years (part-time) and a maximum of 6 years. It is designed for candidates seeking to conduct advanced research in areas such as thermal engineering, manufacturing, materials science, robotics, fluid mechanics, and related disciplines. The programme is particularly sought after by working faculty of engineering colleges (part-time category) and fresh postgraduates aiming for academic or industrial research careers.

Admissions for the July 2026 session were open from March 9 to March 28, 2026, and the last date to submit the hard copy of the application was April 4, 2026. The application window for the July 2026 session is now closed. The next session (January 2027) is expected to open around September-October 2026, based on the previous year's schedule. Candidates are advised to monitor the Anna University Centre for Research website (cfr.annauniv.edu) for the next notification.

Key Points

The Ph.D. programme is offered under Anna University's Centre for Research framework; Excel Engineering College is a recognized research department for Mechanical Engineering.
Two modes are available: Full-time (minimum 2 years) and Part-time (minimum 3 years), with a maximum duration of 6 years for both.
Candidates with a valid GATE score or UGC-NET qualification are exempted from the written entrance test conducted by Anna University.
The selection process involves a written test (70% weightage) and an interview (30% weightage); candidates must score at least 50% in the written test to qualify for the interview.
Part-time scholars (external) include teaching faculty of self-financing engineering colleges, industry professionals, and R&D personnel working within Tamil Nadu.
The Mechanical Engineering department is headed by Dr. Natarajan N and is supported by well-equipped laboratories for thermal, manufacturing, and materials research.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

EEC Ph.D. ME Fees

The Ph.D. programme fees at Excel Engineering College are governed by Anna University's fee structure for affiliated research centres, with an additional college-level fee component. The total fees payable to Anna University at the time of admission are Rs. 13,500 (one-time fee + caution deposit), plus a per-semester fee of Rs. 17,000 payable every semester until thesis submission. The college-level fees (tuition and other charges) are estimated at Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 per year based on available data from third-party sources. The caution deposit of Rs. 10,000 is refundable upon completion of the programme.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Admission Fee (one-time, Anna University)	3,000
Regulations Book (one-time, Anna University)	500
Caution Deposit (refundable, Anna University)	10,000
Per Semester Fee - Enrolment Fee	1,000
Per Semester Fee - Tuition Fee	1,500
Per Semester Fee - University Library Fee	500
Per Semester Fee - Development Fee	2,000
Per Semester Fee - Research Coordination Fee	12,000
Per Semester Fee Total (Anna University, per semester)	17,000
College-level Fees (per year, estimated)	50,000 - 1,00,000
Total Fees (Anna University only, 4 semesters/2 years full-time)	81,500
Total Fees (Anna University only, 6 semesters/3 years part-time)	1,15,500

The caution deposit of Rs. 10,000 is refundable at the end of the programme.
Tuition fee is exempted for Tamil Nadu SC/ST candidates (full-time) and differently-abled persons (disability score above 40%).
50% fee concession on per-semester fees is applicable to permanent/temporary teaching and non-teaching employees of University Departments, Government Engineering Colleges, Government-aided Engineering Colleges, and Constituent Colleges.
College-level fees are indicative and subject to change; candidates should confirm directly with Excel Engineering College at the time of admission.
No EMI option is officially mentioned; fees are payable semester-wise.

EEC Ph.D. ME Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering) programme at Excel Engineering College are conducted through Anna University's Centre for Research, which issues notifications twice a year (January and July sessions). The selection is based on a written entrance test and interview, with exemption for GATE/NET qualified candidates. The July 2026 session application window has closed; the next intake is expected around September-October 2026 for the January 2027 session.

College/University Admission Dates

Event	Date
Online Application Start Date (July 2026 Session)	March 9, 2026
Online Application Closure Date (July 2026 Session)	March 28, 2026
Last Date to Submit Hard Copy of Application	April 4, 2026
Written Test / Interview (Tentative)	May - June 2026
Programme Commencement (Tentative)	July 2026

Entrance Exam Details

Exam	Relevance	Details
Anna University PhD Written Test	Mandatory (unless GATE/NET qualified)	Conducted by Anna University Centre for Entrance Examinations; 2-hour test with 25% Research Methodology (Part I) and 75% Core Subject (Part II); minimum 50% to qualify
GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)	Exemption from written test	Valid GATE score in Mechanical Engineering (ME) exempts candidate from written test; GATE marks used in place of written test score
UGC-NET	Exemption from written test	Valid UGC-NET qualification exempts candidate from written test

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must hold an M.E./M.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering or a relevant branch from a recognized university with a minimum of 55% marks or CGPA of 5.5 on a 10-point scale.
SC/ST/Persons with Disability (disability score above 40%) candidates require a minimum of 50% marks or CGPA of 5.0.
PG qualification acquired through distance mode, weekend mode, or work-integrated programme is not eligible for the Ph.D. programme.

Admission Process:

Visit the Anna University Centre for Research website (cfr.annauniv.edu) and check for the latest notification.
Identify a recognized supervisor from the recognized research department at Excel Engineering College (Mechanical Engineering department).
Fill in the online application form with supervisor approval and pay the registration fee (Rs. 1,000 + 18% GST for General category; Rs. 600 + GST for Tamil Nadu SC/ST).
Submit the hard copy of the application to the Centre for Research, Anna University, by the specified deadline.
Appear for the written test (unless GATE/NET qualified) and interview.
Selected candidates receive an admission order and complete the admission formalities by paying the prescribed fees.
Part-time candidates must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer in the prescribed format.

EEC Ph.D. ME Scholarships 2026

Excel Engineering College and Anna University offer several scholarship and fellowship opportunities for Ph.D. scholars in Mechanical Engineering. The Tamil Nadu Government Research Fellowship and the Chief Minister's Research Fellowship Scheme for Differently Abled Ph.D. Scholars are available for eligible candidates. National-level fellowships such as UGC-JRF, CSIR-JRF, and DST-INSPIRE are also applicable for full-time scholars. The AICTE-QIP fellowship is particularly relevant for teaching faculty of engineering colleges pursuing full-time Ph.D. programmes.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
Tamil Nadu Government Research Fellowship	Full-time Ph.D. scholars enrolled at Anna University affiliated colleges	As per government notification (varies by year)
Chief Minister's Research Fellowship for Differently Abled	Ph.D. scholars with disability score above 40%	As per government notification
UGC-JRF / CSIR-JRF	Candidates who qualify UGC-NET/CSIR-NET with JRF	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)
DST-INSPIRE Fellowship	Top 1% in qualifying exam or national-level merit	Rs. 31,000/month + Rs. 20,000/year contingency grant
AICTE-QIP (Quality Improvement Programme)	Teaching faculty of AICTE-approved engineering colleges	Full-time fellowship with stipend as per AICTE norms
Post Matric Scholarship for Minorities	Minority community students with family income below Rs. 2 lakh/year	As per NSP portal (scholarships.gov.in)

Candidates are advised to apply for national fellowships (UGC-JRF, CSIR-JRF, DST-INSPIRE) before or alongside Ph.D. admission to secure funding.
AICTE-QIP is exclusively for full-time Ph.D. candidates who are teaching faculty at AICTE-approved institutions.
Fellowship amounts are subject to revision by the respective funding agencies.
Applications for government scholarships are typically made through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).

Excel Engineering College Namakkal Ph.D Mechanical Engineering Ranking

Indiatoday Ranking

#228 out of 269 in India 2025

#34th in Tamil Nadu

The Week Ranking

#121 out of 286 in India 2025

#18th in Tamil Nadu

Outlook Ranking

#164 out of 200 in Top Private Colleges in India 2025

TOI Ranking

#125 out of 175 in India 2025

#15th in Tamil Nadu

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EEC Ph.D. ME FAQs

Ques. Is Excel Engineering College a recognized research centre under Anna University for Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering?

Ans. Yes, Excel Engineering College's Department of Mechanical Engineering is a recognized research department under Anna University, Chennai. Candidates must verify the current recognition status on the Anna University Centre for Research website (cfr.annauniv.edu) before applying, as recognition is subject to periodic renewal.

Ques. Can a working professional in the manufacturing or automotive industry pursue a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Excel Engineering College?

Ans. Yes. The part-time Ph.D. option is available for candidates working in industrial units, R&D departments, national laboratories, and registered public or private companies within Tamil Nadu. Part-time scholars must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer, and the minimum duration is 3 years.

Ques. I have a valid GATE score in Mechanical Engineering. Do I still need to appear for the Anna University written test?

Ans. No. Candidates with a valid GATE score in Mechanical Engineering (ME) are exempted from the written entrance test conducted by Anna University. Your GATE marks will be used in place of the written test score for the selection process. You will still need to appear for the interview (30% weightage).

Ques. What are the research specializations available under Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering at Excel Engineering College?

Ans. The Mechanical Engineering department at Excel Engineering College, headed by Dr. Natarajan N, supports research in areas including thermal engineering, manufacturing technology, materials science, fluid mechanics, robotics, and industrial engineering. Candidates are advised to contact the department directly or check the list of recognized supervisors on the Anna University Centre for Research website to identify a supervisor whose research interests align with their own.

Ques. What is the total cost of pursuing a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Excel Engineering College?

Ans. The total cost includes Anna University fees (Rs. 81,500 for 2 years full-time or Rs. 1,15,500 for 3 years part-time, excluding the refundable caution deposit of Rs. 10,000) plus college-level fees estimated at Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 per year. Candidates should confirm the exact college-level fee structure directly with the college's admissions office.

Ques. How does the Ph.D. admission process differ for sponsored candidates (e.g., AICTE-QIP)?

Ans. Candidates sponsored by AICTE under the Quality Improvement Programme (QIP) must apply under the full-time category only, in specializations as notified in AICTE guidelines. They must be formally relieved from their duty and avail leave for the minimum duration of the programme. QIP candidates are also exempted from the written test and receive a stipend as per AICTE norms. They should apply through the AICTE-QIP portal and simultaneously apply to Anna University's Centre for Research.