How to Become a Professor After 12th: Career Guide, Courses, Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Top Colleges, Skills Required, Benefits, Salary

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Ahana Bhaduri

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Professors are PhD scholars or their equivalents who teach at various colleges and universities. They are experts who specialize in a variety of subjects and fields and often conduct research in their area of expertise. They also help in conducting research for students pursuing their PhD degrees. 

There are several important steps to becoming a Professor, including choosing the proper combination of subjects, preparing for and passing entrance exams, choosing the right school, and completing a degree. Depending on their title and major, there are different types of professors such as Assistant Professors, Heads of Department (HOD) and Associate Professors. Admission to PhD courses is based on entrance exams such as UGC NET and CSIR. Check: Professor Qualifications

After clearing the entrance exams, candidates must enter the GD/PI rounds for final selection in any PhD program. The average PhD course fee is between INR 20,000 and INR 1,50,000. The average Salary of a Professor is INR 5.11 LPA which can exceed INR 35 LPA depending on experience and type of institution. The monthly salary of a professor in India is between INR 40,000 – INR 90,000. Associate professors earn between INR 150,000 to INR 300,000 per month while assistant professors earn between INR 50,000 to INR 75,000 per month.

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How to Become a Professor After 12th: Quick Facts
Eligibility Criteria PhD in relevant subjects
Skills Required Patience, Teaching Skills, Research Knowledge
Starting Salary (INR) 5 LPA
Average Salary (INR) 7.50 LPA - 12 LPA
Highest Salary (INR) 20 LPA & above

Eligibility to Become a Professor after 12th 

The basic eligibility criteria required to become a Professor are listed below for your reference.

  • They must complete their PhD degrees in relevant subject followed by clearing NET, SET or GATE
  • Having 7-8 years of experience in teaching or research in the academic field.
  • In order to become a Professor candidates must be an Assistant professor in a University or college.

PhD Courses

One has to go through the following courses in order to be a professor of the respective field he/she chooses.

Parameters Under Graduation Post Graduation Doctorate
Duration 3 years 2 years 3-5 years
Eligibility Criteria 10+2 level graduation Post Graduation
Top Colleges Hindu College IIT IIT
Entrance Exams Conducted by college Conducted by university NET/CSIR
Average Course Fees (INR) 20000-50000 25000-60000 20000-150000
Average Salary (INR) INR 3 LPA INR 5 LPA INR 20 LPA

Entrance Exams

Name of the Exams Application Deadlines Exam Dates Result Declaration
IIT JAM September 5 – October 13, 2023 February 11, 2024 March 22, 2024
GATE August 31 – October 12, 2023 February 3, 4, 10 & 11, 2024 March 16, 2024
UGC NET December 2023 June 10 – 21, 2024 TBA

Top PhD Colleges

Here is the list of top colleges and universities that offer courses to become a Professor

Name of the Colleges Location Average Fees (INR)
JNU Delhi 1,391
IIT Bangalore 1,07.000
VIT Vellore 53,000
DIPSAR New Delhi 30,385
NIT Durgapur 64,100
BHU Benaras 10,000
Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi 15,000
Aligarh Muslim University Uttar Pradesh 10,000
Calcutta University Kolkata 14,000

Skills Required to Become a Professor after 12th 

Some of the most crucial skill sets that are essential to becoming a Professor are tabulated below for your reference,

Teaching Skills Creative Teaching Skills Presentation Skills
Writing Skills Patience Should be aware of writing research reports

Benefits of Becoming a Professor after 12th 

The benefits of becoming a Professor after 12th are listed below,

  • One of the good things about being a professor is that it is a respectable profession.
  • They enjoy many benefits and high salaries in this job. Teachers can take advantage of interacting with the next generation of good minds.
  • Teachers appreciate the benefits of stability, employment, high salaries, social relationships, and job security.
  • Teachers can be promoted to Senior Professors.
  • Teachers can be promoted to foreign universities.
  • In addition, they will travel to different parts of the world for research-based projects and journals.
  • They have many opportunities to visit various research institutes or attend conferences.

Salary of a Professor

Below given the salary of a Professor based on their relevant years of experience gained.

Designations Average Annual Salary (INR)
0 - 1 year 4.80 L
2 - 5 years 6 L
6 - 10 years 9.27 L
10 - 15 years 13 L
15 - 20 years 17 L
20 years and above 23 L & above

How to Become a Professor after 12th: FAQs

Ques: How long does it take to become a professor?

Ans: It takes about 6-8 years to become a professor after getting a degree and before becoming a professor.

Ques: Do professors have to do PhDs to work?

Ans: Yes, Professors must have a PhD degree, for being a Professor.

Ques: Is there an age limit to become a teacher?

Ans: No, there is no age limit. Candidates can choose to become a professor according to their preferences. They can either work as assistant professors and gain experience or work as researchers.

Ques: What is the Professor’s role?

Ans: In addition to lecturing and speaking, faculty members are responsible for monitoring, researching, record keeping, supervising students, and giving presentations, etc. to the students.

Ques: What is the salary of experienced professors?

Ans: Professors can earn up to 3,00,000 per month.

Ques: What are the different roles of teachers?

Ans: The different positions are Associate Professor, HOD, Researcher, Assistant Professor, and Professor.

Ques: Is a GATE required for a PhD degree?

Ans: Yes, the GATE or other equivalent exam is mandatory to pursue a Ph.D. for a teaching career.

Ques: What are the working conditions as a professor in a private institution?

Ans: Professor is considered the highest position with knowledge and skills. They should work among students in private and public schools.

Ph.D. : 43 answered questions

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Ques. Are master's degrees from IGNOU acceptable for admission into Ph.D courses in top universities?

● Top Answer By Anumita Mukharjee on 28 Apr 22

Ans. Yes, IGNOU is UGC approved, so masters degrees from IGNOU are acceptable for Ph.D. courses in top universities.  But to get admission you will have to meet the other eligibility criteria as well. The university will check your marks, rank, average, and age. As IGNOU is an open university, there is no age bar for learning any degree. Read more
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Ques. Is a Phd from IGNOU worth it/valuable?

● Top Answer By Srabani Guha on 24 Jul 23

Ans. Recently, UGC stated that only  Full-time Phd courses will be Valid and distance PhD is no more valid. The new full-time Ph.D. course will be delivered through the New Delhi main Campus of IGNOU. This change in itself has raised the worth and credibility of a Ph.D. from IGNOU. Here are a few Ph.D. programs offered in regular mode by IGNOU Ph.D. in Dairy Science and Technology Ph.D. in Gender and Development Studies Ph.D. in Women's Studies Ph.D. in Arabic Ph.D. in French Ph.D. in Distance Education Ph.D. in Translation Studies Moreover, IGNOU is the largest open university in the world, so the credibility of any degree from here cannot be doubted. What actually matters is the level of effort you put into research in the concerned field. Try to earn your degree and not just get one.Read more
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Ques. How is the Direct PhD program of IIT Madras?

● Top Answer By Arati Sinha on 29 Mar 23

Ans. If you are considering pursuing a Ph.D. at IIT-M, you might be interested in knowing about the similarities and differences between a regular Ph.D. and a direct Ph.D. Here's what you need to know: Selection Procedure: All Ph.D. candidates, whether applying for a regular or direct Ph.D., have to clear a written exam followed by an interview at the institute. Coursework: A regular Ph.D. scholar has to complete four courses, while a direct Ph.D. candidate has to complete eight courses. If you are interested in a dual degree (i.e., MS by research and Ph.D.), you will need to complete two extra courses. Comprehensive Exam: After completing the coursework (usually taking two semesters), every candidate has to undergo a comprehensive exam consisting of a written test and an interview. You will have two chances to clear the comprehensive exam. If you fail to clear the comprehensive exam, you can still obtain an MS degree and get placed or join the Ph.D. program later. The amount and quality of research work by both kinds of Ph.D. candidates are the same. Financial Assistance: A regular Ph.D. candidate is eligible for financial assistance once to attend any international conference outside India. A direct Ph.D. candidate is eligible for financial assistance twice to attend an international conference outside India. Both regular and direct Ph.D. candidates can attend any national/international conference within India once every semester with full financial assistance. Stipend: The stipend for regular Ph.D. candidates is up to five years. The stipend for direct Ph.D. candidates is up to six years. Pre-Post Doc Fellowship: If you submit your degree within 4.5 years for a regular Ph.D. or 5 years for a direct Ph.D., you are eligible for a pre-postdoc fellowship.Read more
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Ques. What is the value of a Ph.D. degree from IIT Bombay?

● Top Answer By Karuna Nair on 13 Mar 23

Ans. If you want to achieve self-satisfaction by gaining maximum knowledge about your research area, a Ph.D. could be a great way to do so. Consider coming to IIT Bombay if you are always enthusiastic about learning something new and doing something innovative. Your work will depend on your area and how far you can reach in the industry. For example, if your area is controlled, you can reach many consulting firms or industries that deal with automation problems. In fact, my lab deals with many industrial problems related to such issues. Your work will be recognized as an asset for IITB, and research is the foremost thing that every professor looks forward to. Apart from that, you can enjoy a good life as a Ph.D. student here, with the freedom to think in many directions and develop your research skills at your own pace. A Ph.D. degree from IIT Bombay is well-recognized. Many of the students, who are doing their Ph. D.s here in controls, are well settled abroad or in India, which proves the worth of this degree.Read more
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Ques. Why do some students in IIT Bombay leave high-paying jobs and join grad schools for PhD?

● Top Answer By Advait Joshi on 23 Mar 23

Ans. It’s highly illogical to question why some students in IIT leave high-paying jobs and join graduate schools for Ph.D. This is because some people tend to do whatever makes them happy rather than following the sheep mentality. They don’t consider money as the only source of happiness. And they know that a high-paying job will rob them of mental peace due to a lot of responsibilities they might not even enjoy. So they choose a happier and simpler part which is pursuing a Ph.D. Another major reason why people may pursue a Ph.D. rather than working at a top company is their strong inclination to words academics, and they may not be satisfied with a bachelor's degree and crave higher studies in the form of PhD. Basically, the reason behind such a decision is subjective and depends solely On the particular individual, and cannot be objectified.  The common reason why people make such a decision is that they have more interest in studies and doing a job would hinder that passion. Doing a Ph.D. gives you opportunities to travel and enjoy life generally. That being said, it's not necessary that a Ph.D. is easy for everyone. It strictly depends upon one’s preferences and capabilities.Read more
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Ques. What is the placement scenario after PhD in IIT Bombay?

● Top Answer By Advait Joshi on 17 Mar 23

Ans. The placement scenario after PhD in IIT Bombay is generally poor, according to student feedback and departmental elections. Ph.D. students typically have very specific knowledge that may not be useful to companies, so they may not be recruited by BTech companies. There is no specific body that helps bring companies for Ph.D. students, resulting in a lack of job opportunities for graduates. Ph.D. graduates pursue two directions: Professor in a University or a specified job, but finding a job can be difficult without faculty contacts. The average salary for a Ph.D. student at IIT Bombay ranges from INR 3.4 Lakhs to INR 4.2 Lakhs per year .Read more
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Ques. Is a PhD from IGNOU valid?

● Top Answer By Pankaj Kumar on 18 Oct 22

Ans. PhD from IGNOU is as valuable as from any other university. The UGC has recently ruled that PhD from distance education is no longer valid. This is applicable to every university. PhD is valid only in regular mode. This can be both part-time or full-time. IGNOU offers both so yes PhD from IGNOU is valuable. In fact, it is more valuable than the same degree from Manipal or Lovely Professional University.  PhD from IGNOU is valuable because of the following reasons: Affordable fees  Both part-time and full-time available ( both approved by UGC) Easy distance education Can be pursued alongside a business or profession. What really matters is what you learn during your course and how you apply it.Read more
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Ques. What is the placement record of MSc applied statistics students of IIT Bombay?

● Top Answer By Poornima Sahoo on 18 Mar 23

Ans. The table below shows the key placement highlights of MSc applied statistics students of IIT Bombay. Particulars  Statistics  Median Salary INR 55.4 LPA Average Salary INR 17.9 LPA Placement Percentage 66.67% International Offers 58 Top Recruiters  Accenture | Analog Devices | Apple | CITI Bank | Google | Hindustan Unilever | HONEYWELL | IBM | ISRORead more
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Ques. How difficult is it to get a PhD from IISc Bangalore?

● Top Answer By Bidita Ghose on 14 Jul 23

Ans. Well, getting a Ph.D. from IISc is indeed difficult. In my opinion, the true meaning of a Ph.D. is investing your entire efforts, time, and knowledge in one specific region. In India though, Ph.D. is just considered a degree one can achieve by publishing some paper in some conference or journal. The quality of these papers is poor and substandard bringing down the sort of the degree.  However, IISc being a prestigious institute has managed to maintain the dignity and credibility of the degree so far. You need to prepare yourself for committing to hard work and high-level dedication. Know that your next 5-6 years will be spent proving and disproving every hypothesis possible and conducting infinite experiments. As a Ph.D. student, you will be publishing a few journals in top international forums and also writing your own thesis, which will culminate your entire work and present it before other researchers and professors of the institute. You will then be assessed thoroughly. Only after proving your point strongly and convincing them will you be able to get the degree.  During this whole time, you will face many struggles dealing with your PI and securing funds for your research work. But trust me the result will be worth the effort!Read more
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Ques. How good is doing a PhD in BITS Pilani compared to IITs?

● Top Answer By Advait Joshi on 27 Jun 23

Ans. The mentors and research facilities at IITs are much better than at BITS Pilani. However, the passing process is as much more difficult at IITs.  BITS Pilani, on the other hand, is flexible to incorporate the changing scenario and a PhD from BITS Pilani is much more industry relevant. One of my cousins had a bad experience at BITS Pilani during his Ph.D. in the Mechanical branch. According to him, a large number of Ph.D. students in BITS Pilani drop out because of the intense pressure for producing results. PhD students are burdened with numerous tasks including the evaluation work for B.Tech. The saving grace for Ph.D. at BITS is that under a guide, your Ph.D. will be completed in 3 years like an MS from IIT. Considering my cousin’s experience, you should consult the alumni at BITS Pilani before choosing the institution for pursuing your Ph.D. Otherwise, BITS Pilani is a reputable institution and its Ph.D. degree will hold great relevance. More so, if you get the right mentors and the right facilities, the name tag of an institution becomes secondary.Read more
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