PhD IT is a research-based doctoral course of normally 3 years duration, but may be extended upto 5 years. PhD IT is one of the highest degrees offered in any university to any candidate who has completed post-graduation or masters in the respective field. To be eligible for PhD IT, the candidates must complete their Master's in Information Technology or Computer Science from a certified institute or university. This degree is specialized for candidates looking forward to launching an extensively active career in the field of information technology, software development, research and data science.
PhD IT imparts skills like programming knowledge, data processing, telecommunication, statistics, analytical problem-solving abilities, microsoft office practical working models, data analysis, presentation of information in graphical modalities and schematics.The admission to PhD IT is mostly granted on the basis of entrance exams. Some common entrance exams for this course include GATE, UGC-NET, CSIR-UGC-NET, etc.
Although, the course fees are variable depending on the specifications mentioned by the college; on an average the standard enrollment fees ranges from INR 40,000 to 4,00,000 per annum. PhD IT candidates may later on apply for posts for lectureship as an IT professor at a well known university after completion of PhD. They may also opt for senior positions in data analytics, as chief executives of Multinational companies and various startups, they may become founders of several new startups themselves, apart from being eligible to qualify for managerial posts in distinguished companies and technological units.
PhD IT Course Highlights
The major highlights for the PhD IT course are tabulated in the table given below.
| Course Name: | PhD IT |
| Full Form: | Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology |
| Stream: | Engineering |
| Level: | Doctorate |
| Duration: | 3-5 years |
| Examination type: | Thesis based |
| Eligibility: | The candidate must have completed masters or post-graduation in Computer science, data Science, Information Technology, electronics or business with a minimum aggregate of 55% aggregate marks. |
| Admission process: | Entrance Based |
| Course Fee: | INR 40,000 to 4,00,000 |
| Average salary: | INR 4,00,000 to 20,00,000 |
| Top recruiters: | Microsoft, Dell, Hp, Deloitte, Apple, Samsung, Reliance, Nokia, Philips, HCL, TCS, KPMG, Capgemini, ICICI, HDFC etc. |
| Job positions: | Marketing Specialist, Data Analyst, Database Designer, Chief Executive, Manager, System Analyst, Researchers, Professor, Lecturer, Coding Expert etc. |
PhD IT is one of the Specializations that most candidates opt for after completing masters in computer science, electronics and technology or business.
- It is one of the core branches of engineering centred around data Science, computer programming and statistical analytics.
- PhD IT happens to be a 3 year course generally by the end of which the candidate is expected to have completed his or her thesis.
- Although, the candidate may apply for SRF (Senior research fellowship) to extend the period for 2 more years and get more time for the completion of his or her research or to specialize further.
- PhD IT mainly deals with subjects like Programming, Website Management, Database Management, etc.
- It is a research based course. So, it will involve research in any one of the major domains of Information Technology.
- The candidates aspiring for a career as a data analyst, as a coding specialist, management consultant, looking forward to starting up a company on their own as an executive or join managerial positions in top tier firms may opt for this course.
Read about Top PhD IT Colleges in detail.
Why Should You Study PhD IT?
There are many good reasons to join a PhD IT course, some of which are discussed below.
- Students having completed undergraduate and postgraduate in IT may further apply for PhD to become experts in the field and go into the field of Research.
- People interested in positions as Professors in major universities throughout the globe and for Engineering institutions like BITS, IIT, IIIT etc spread across the country should definitely consider completing PhD IT.
- Candidates interested in working under allegiance with top software companies like Dell, hp, Samsung, Apple, Deloitte, Microsoft, HCL etc may opt for this degree.
- Candidates interested in working in industries and businesses like Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Accenture, angel broking, Indian Oil, Deutsche, HDFC, bajaj, TCS, KPMG, Goldman Sachs, whirlpool, mediatek, toshiba and in other government sector industries and banks and insurance companies may consider opting for PhD IT.
- Although the average starting salary offered varies depending on the company norms and protocols, it normally varies from 4,00,000 INR to 20,00,000 INR which is again subjective to changes depending on how well the candidate executes his or her own work and the job satisfaction met by the employee.
What is the Admission Process for PhD IT?
Most of the universities follow the system of an entrance exam for admission to PhD IT, few of the colleges might have a round of personal interview also. Few colleges allow admission through a merit basis. The general admission process is discussed below.
- Most of the colleges take in candidates who have a good score in UGC recognized entrance exams, or National Level tests like UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR-NET, etc.
- In the cases of merit-based admission, once the application is processed, the result is usually declared based on the marks scored in the qualifying exams.
- In the case of entrance exams, admission is based on the candidate’s performance in the entrance exam. This is calculated on completion of the entrance exam.
- In both the cases, there will be a personal interview round for final selection to PhD IT course. In this round, the candidate will have to describe his research proposal to the panel. If the panel gets satisfied, then the candidate will be granted admission to the course.
What is the Eligibility Criteria for Admission to PhD IT course?
The candidates must satisfy the below given eligibility criteria for admission to PhD IT course.
- The candidate must have completed his or her post graduation or masters in computer science or Information Technology or electronics and communication or business with a minimum aggregate of 55% or more.
- The minimum percentage required in the Post graduate degree for admission into PhD differs depending on the college and the category of the candidate to which he or she belongs.
- There is a 5% relaxation for scheduled caste or scheduled Tribes or other backward classes or physically handicapped individuals.
- These individuals are required to appear for common entrance examinations for junior research fellowships conducted by National boards or the respective colleges like GATE JRF, CSIR NET JRF, UGC NET JRF, TIFR etc.
Also, check the eligibility criteria for GATE exam.
Which are the Popular Entrance Exams for Admission to PhD IT Course?
Some of the popular Entrance Exams for Admission to PhD IT course are discussed below.
| Entrance Exam | Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| IIT JAM | Check IIT JAM Exam Dates |
| VITMEE | Check VITMEE Exam Dates |
| UGC NET | To be Announced |
How to Prepare for PhD IT Entrance Exams?
Some of the important tips that will help you prepare effectively for the PhD IT Entrance exam are discussed below.
- Try to complete the entire syllabus of the entrance exam at least 1 month before the exam date. This will help you get ample time for revision.
- Be thorough with the syllabus and important topics to cover so that no topic is left out.
- Practice as many sample papers as you can. Try to solve them within a stipulated time period in the exam environment.
- After solving the sample papers, check your scores and note them down. This will help you in tracking your daily progress and recognising the areas for improvement.
- For performing better in the general knowledge section, read newspapers daily.
Click here to go through GATE Sample Papers
How to get Admission in Top PhD IT Colleges?
To get admission in Top PhD IT Colleges, the candidates should keep in mind the following things.
- The candidates must fill the application form correctly, because incorrect application may lead to cancellation of the candidature.
- The candidates must try to score good marks in the entrance exams, as top colleges generally have cutoffs above 90%.
- Update yourself with the latest trends in Information Technology so that you can impress the interviewers easily.
- Work well on your research idea so that you can explain it properly.
- Work on your communication skills as it plays a huge role in cracking the personal interview round.
Check the cutoffs for GATE Exam.
Which Subjects are Taught in the PhD IT Course?
The PhD is a 3 year course with the examination pattern being based on the subjects appeared in each paper which has to be appeared at the conclusion of the course.
| Paper I | Paper II |
|---|---|
| Theories in IT Research | E-commerce Strategy |
| Sociotechnical Perspective of IT | Managing IT Projects |
| Managing Virtual Systems and Global Information Technology | Information System Analysis and Design |
| Research Management | Data Mining and Business Intelligence |
| Research Methods and Techniques | Statistics |
| Thesis Writing | Communication Skills |
Which are the Top Colleges for PhD IT?
The top colleges for PhD IT are listed in the table given below.
| College Name | Location | Admission Process | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Technology, Madras | Chennai | Entrance Exam Based | INR 19,670 |
| Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore | Bangalore | Entrance Exam Based | INR 35,200 |
| Indian Institute of Technology | Delhi | Through GATE | INR 42,000 |
| Indian Institute of Technology | Bombay | Entrance Exam Based | INR 73,000 |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi | Delhi | Entrance Exam Based | INR 1,391 |
| University of Hyderabad | Hyderabad | Entrance Exam Based | INR 11,210 |
| Delhi University | Delhi | Entrance Exam Based | INR 25,000 |
| National Institute of Technology | Surathkal | Entrance Exam Based | INR 69,505 |
| National Institute of Technology | Warangal | Entrance Exam Based | INR 47,000 |
| Amity University | Noida | Entrance Exam Based | INR 1,00,000 |
Source: College Websites
PhD IT College Comparison
The top two colleges offering PhD IT courses in India are compared below on the basis of parameters like Ranking, Fees, Salary, etc.
| Parameters | IIT Madras | IISc Bangalore |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | Indian Institute of Technology, Madras is a premier technical institution in our country. Currently, it is the best educational institution in our nation, as ranked by multiple ranking agencies including NIRF. It mainly concentrates on offering top quality Engineering and Technical courses, but it also offers Management and Social Science courses to its students. | Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore is the best destination to study research based Basic Science courses in India. It offers unique courses in Basic Science and Engineering subjects which mainly focuses on research based and experiential learning from day 1. It is consistently ranked under top 3 best educational institutions in our country by multiple agencies. |
| Location | Chennai | Bangalore |
| NIRF Overall Ranking 2021 | 1 | 2 |
| Admission Process | Entrance Based | Entrance Based |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 19,670 | INR 35,200 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 18,68,000 | INR 15,00,000 |
| Top Recruiters | Intel, Microsoft, TCS, Mastercard, Flipkart, Axis Bank, etc. | Adobe, Lanco, Siemens, LAVA, ERA, Tech Mahindra, etc. |
Source: College Websites
Course Comparison: PhD IT vs PhD Computer Science
PhD IT and PhD Computer Science are two important doctoral courses in the field of Computer Science Engineering. The two courses are compared in the table below.
| Parameters | PhD IT | PhD Computer Science |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | The PhD IT course deals with all the domains of the Information Technology field. It includes Data Analysis, Database Management, Operating Systems, etc. | PhD Computer Science includes all the aspects of Computer Science including Information Technology and Data Science. Along with that, it also includes Computer Architecture, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, etc. |
| Admission Process | Entrance Based | Entrance Based |
| Eligibility Criteria | The candidate must have completed masters or post-graduation in Computer science, data Science, Information Technology, electronics or business with a minimum aggregate of 55% aggregate marks. | The candidate must have completed masters or post-graduation in Computer science, data Science, Information Technology, electronics or business with a minimum aggregate of 55% aggregate marks. |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 40,000 to 4,00,000 | INR 31,810 to 3,34,000 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 4,00,000 to 20,00,000 | INR 4,00,000 to 15,00,000 |
| Job Positions | Marketing Specialist, Data Analyst, Database Designer, Chief Executive, Manager, System Analyst, Researchers, Professor, Lecturer, Coding Expert etc. | Software Developer, Website Designer, Data Analyst, Testing Engineer, Front End Developer, Back End Developer, Etc. |
| Top Recruiters | Microsoft, Dell, Hp, Deloitte, Apple, Samsung, Reliance, Nokia, Philips, HCL, TCS, KPMG, Capgemini, ICICI, HDFC etc. | Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, Flipkart, Accenture, Infosys, Dell, Apple, Capgemini, TCS, Wipro, Intel, etc. |
Source: College Websites
Which Jobs are Available for PhD IT Candidates?
The various job options available for PhD IT candidates are discussed below.
- Any candidate having completed PhD in Information technology is eligible to join any reputed university or institute as a lecturer or professor.
- This course inculcates more interest in the candidate to pursue Research on an extensive basis thereby, becoming a data scientist.
- Various multinational companies, banks, insurance companies, major businesses, startups, firms both from the government sector as well as the private sector provide jobs to PhD IT Candidates.
- Few of these top software companies and brands include Microsoft, apple, Samsung, Reliance, Nokia, HCL, Hp, Dell, Deloitte, TCS, Capgemini and other industries like Wipro, Philips, Whirlpool, Hindustan, Indian Oil, Infosys, KPMG, PwC, EY, Goldman Sachs etc.
- Apart from that banks like HDFC and ICICI also recruit PhD IT candidates from all major institutes of India.
- Salary expectations vary depending on the position of the recruiter and the job profile of the employee. But on an average, the initial salary might range from INR 4,00,000 to 20,00,000 per annum.
Some of the popular job profiles are listed below.
| Job Positions | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Professor/Lecturer | A professor or lecturer is basically incharge of imparting basic information technology knowledge and problem solving concepts to the younger generation of enthusiasts planning to excel in the field of computer science and technology. They are also tasked with the work of formulating questions during examinations and invigilating. | INR 5,00,000 |
| Data Analyst | Data analysts are experts tasked with the job of collating existing data, rearranging them systematically, correlating with past data accumulated, deriving logical solutions in mathematical format so as to produce the final generalised report and the necessary plan of action to improve the future statistical plans and sales. | INR 6,00,000 |
| Project Manager | Project managers are tasked with the classic job to coordinate the work of their subordinates, chalk out a plan for the project, organise meetings, allocate work etc so as to produce the desired results most effectively. | INR 7,00,000 |
| Intelligence Expert | The Intelligence expert looks after the AI projects of a company, supervises them, and advises on how to improve their performance. | INR 8,00,000 |
| Database Designer | Database Designer is responsible for creating and designing databases, uploading, downloading, and mining the data, and protecting them. | INR 5,00,000 |
| System Administrator | The system administrator is an important position in any IT sector company. System Administrators are responsible for maintaining and managing the performance of main systems of an IT service. | INR 6,50,000 |
| Testing Engineer | The testing engineer is responsible for testing the software and their performances, and also the codes associated with them. | INR 5,50,000 |
Source: Payscale
What is the Future Scope After PhD IT?
Numerous opportunities are available for a candidate after completing PhD IT, some of which are discussed below.
- The PhD IT candidates may opt for further research in the field of Information Technology and data science and become a scientist in the future.
- In the academic field, the PhD candidate may opt for the position of a professor, assistant professor or a lecturer in reputed institutions like IIT, NIT, BITS and other engineering institutions throughout India.
- Coaching institutions all over India hire PhD candidates for teaching posts for preparing their students for Engineering entrances be it UG or PG.
- Post completion of PhD, the candidates can go on publishing his or her own articles and thesis.
- They may also author books on information technology, statistics, data Science and programming which help the future students and engineering aspirants to gain more profound knowledge in the field of computer programing and data analytics.
PhD IT: FAQs
Ques. What is the eligibility criteria for admission into PhD courses?
Ans. The minimum eligibility criteria for a candidate to qualify for PhD in Information Technology requires for the candidate to have finished masters in Technology or post graduation in the field of computer science or Information Technology and communications or machine learning or data Science or business with a minimum aggregate of 55% or more for general category students. There is a 5% relaxation of candidates belonging to Scheduled castes, scheduled Tribes or other backward classes.
Ques. What is the average starting salary for an employee having completed PhD in Information Technology?
Ans. The average initial stipend received by any IT specialist after having completed PhD IT happens to lie within the range of INR 4,00,000 to INR 20,00,000 per annum which is again subjective to changes as deemed by the employer and the work efficiency of the employee and the years of experience.
Ques. What is the average tuition fee for a PhD in Information Technology?
Ans. In private colleges, the range of tuition fees for PhD IT spans from INR 15,180 to a maximum of INR 7,50,000 per annum.
In colleges belonging to the public sector or run by the government, the fee structure ranges from a minimum of INR 23,000 to a maximum of INR 3,59,000 per annum.
Ques. What Entrance Exams are accepted in the IITs for admission to PhD IT?
Ans. Most of the IITs grant admission to PhD IT either on the basis of GATE exam or on the basis of their own entrance exams conducted by the colleges themselves.
Ques. Is prior research experience compulsory for admission to PhD IT course?
Ans. It depends on the criteria set by the college, but in most cases, it is not compulsory. However, candidates with prior research experience are always given preference at the time of admission.
Ques. Is PhD IT better than PhD Computer Science?
Ans. Both courses have their own demands, but generally, Jobs are available for both PhD IT and PhD Computer Science candidates with almost similar payscale.
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