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

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Swatantra Khandelwal

Content Curator | Updated 3+ months ago

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 3 – October 11, 2024 February 2, 2025 March 19, 2025 
GATE August 28 – October 7, 2024 February 1,2,15 &16, 2025 March 19, 2025
UGC NET March – April 2025 Second Week of June 2025 -

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. What is IIT BHU Phd admission 2024 process?

● Top Answer By Saksham Bhowmik on 01 Jul 24

Ans. IIT BHU offers Phd programs to students who have a knack for research and development. The minimum eligibility criteria to be eligible for admission in the PhD program is that you must have a master’s degree with a minimum percentage of 65% from any of the recognized institutes. The selection of the students for the course is done based on performance in the entrance exams. The entrance exams that are applicable for taking admission in the course are DST-INSPIRE fellowship or ICMRJRF, UGC- NET (JRF), GATE, CSIR NET (JRF), DBT-JRF and NET-LS . You can sit for any of these exams and qualify for admission to PhD programs at IIT BHU.Read more
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Ques. Which is the best place for a PhD, CSIR-IHBT or IIT Roorkee?

● Top Answer By Rupesh Yadav on 26 Jun 24

Ans. IIT Roorkee has some of the best ph.d program. The courses include: Ph.d in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering  Ph.D Chemical Engineering Ph.D Earth Sciences Ph.D Design Ph.D Hydro and Renewable Energy Ph.D Paper Technology Ph.D Electronics and Communication Engineering Ph.D Earthquake Engineering Ph.D Mathematics Ph.D Electrical Engineering Ph.D Hydrology Ph.D Physics Ph.D Architecture and Planning Ph.D Chemistry Ph.D Computer Science and Engineering Ph.D Biosciences and Bioengineering Ph.D Civil Engineering Ph.D Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Ph.D Polymer and Process Engineering Ph.D Water Resources Development and Management The eligibility criteria to take admission in this course is that you must have a B.Tech/M.tech or any equivalent master's degree that is related to the Ph.D program that you have chosen. The minimum duration of the course is 3 years and can be extended up to six years. Read more
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Ques. I got a PhD in IIT Tirupati. Is it worth it?

● Top Answer By Divya Shastri on 11 Jan 24

Ans. This answer is based on my experience of the current market. A Phd. from a top branded institute is good, but you’ll have to market yourself. The employers search for candidates who have clear goals. They will try to figure out why you choose a certain subject and college and your past achievements, among other things.  Try to have a look at the placement figures of IIT Tirupati for Phd., and consult the faculty members in this regard.  Brand name has its own value, but you must have a good grasp on your subject to clear interviews. This applies to any branch or college student. 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. What is the minimum GATE score to do a PhD in the IIT, Madras?

● Top Answer By Madhav Aneja on 17 Jul 23

Ans. First of all, there is no fixed GATE score that makes you eligible to do a Ph.D. at IIT Madras as the selection process comprises a number is criteria with the GATE score being just one of them. The students applying for a PhD program at IIT Madras, go through a rigorous admission process. To become eligible one needs to fulfill the following criteria Master's or a dual degree in the relevant disciplines with a CGPA of 6.5 or above. Candidates with BE/BTech degrees can apply directly for a Ph.D. (MS+PhD) in Engineering or Sciences after their Bachelor’s degree.  M.S scholars with CGPA>8.0 are eligible to upgrade to the Ph.D. program in the same department and receive a dual degree i.e. (MS+PhD)  I hope I made it clear!Read 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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Ques. I got an offer for an MTech at IIT Gandhinagar and for a direct Ph.D at IIT Patna. Which one shall I take?

● Top Answer By Sushmita Rajput on 22 Jun 23

Ans. I think IIT Gandhinagar MTech is a safer option to go with than a direct Ph.D. from IIT Patna. IIT Gandhinagar provides better learning experiences and opportunities to explore than IIT Patna. IIT Gandhinagar CSE faculty is exceptionally good and will help you if you are willing to do Ph.D. after MTech. Unlike PhD and MTech guarantees a degree within 2 years and so if you end up changing your mind later you will not have wasted 5-6 years. You can decide whether to do Ph.D. or not while pursuing your MTech and play safe.  The overall academic experience and campus life are better at IIT Gandhinagar than at IIT Patna. Be it the food, facilities, faculty, alumni, or placements, IIT Gandhinagar has it all.Read more
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Ques. Which is better, a PhD at Jadavpur University or at IIT Patna?

● Top Answer By Arnav Roy on 21 Jun 23

Ans. My friend had options of Ph.D. from JU, IIEST as well as IIT Patna and still chose IIT Patna. She claimed that IIT Patna had a better research culture and the professors get work published in very good journals, A/A* conferences, etc. The professors motivate the students for the same and this aspect attracted him the most. However, your personal preferences also come to play here. So consider the following points If you want to complete your Ph.D. quickly, JU will serve you better.  If you are ready to commit yourself to hard work and increase your publications gradually with your knowledge and time IIT Patna students get 2.5lacs per student to go to any conference at a tenure of 5 years. If you want to enjoy college life in addition to research work then JU is better. The college ambiance is great with a dynamic city life.  Choose IIT Patna for its research culture and not the IIT tag.Read more
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Ques. I have been studying for an MSc in chemistry from IIT Hyderabad, but my 12 marks are just 61.5%. Will I qualify for a PhD abroad?

● Top Answer By Divya Saraf on 20 May 23

Ans. For a PhD, class 12th marks are given considerably less importance given that your graduation and post-graduation grades are great. For a Ph.D. abroad, since you will be seeking direct admission into the university and not approaching a specific professor, your past academics matter a lot. Having good class 12 marks, graduation, and post-graduation marks will improve your chances of admission and it’s always better to play safe. In case of average marks, you have the option to write to a professor in Europe who is working in a field that aligns with your research project topic. If you share a common ground with any professor you can get admission by skipping the entire formal admission procedure although you might have to appear for some interviews that will evaluate your research caliber. Overall, my recommendation is to apply everywhere as long as money is not involved. In cases you are required to send documents or GRE scores you need to be careful.Read more
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