PhD Syllabus 2024: Subjects, Entrance Exam Syllabus, List of PhD Courses

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PhD full form is Doctor of Philosophy. It is a doctorate level course for students who have completed their master’s degree and want to pursue a research-based course in any field they are interested in.

The eligibility criteria for the PhD Course is basically completion of a master’s degree with at least 50% marks from a recognized institute. PhD Admissions are done based on scores obtained in CSIR UGC NET and other PhD entrance examinations. Know MorePhD Admission

The syllabus for PhD entrance exams includes common topics from 10+2, graduation and postgraduation level i.e. technology, life sciences, mathematics, sciences, and general aptitude. The subjects and topics included in PhD Syllabus vary based on the PhD Specialization and sub-stream one chooses. The subjects included in PhD Syllabus focus on the research and practical aspects of the subject, with a little focus on theoretical knowledge. CheckPhD Scholarships

List of Top PhD Courses

Given below are some doctorate level courses along with their sub-streams and specializations available:

Top PhD Courses Syllabus

Course Wise Syllabus

Syllabus of top PhD courses is mentioned below:

PhD in Science Syllabus

The Syllabus of Doctor of Philosophy in science is mentioned below. The course is for 3 years to 5 years. The given syllabus is semester wise. Each year contains 2 semesters.

Semester I Semester II
Component Object Model (COM) & interfaces in COM Vector and array processor
CORBA, JAVA, and object web Multiprocessor architecture
Computer architecture Pipeline architecture
Advanced computer algorithms Computer system design
Distributed COM Advanced software engineering
Dynamic programming Testing
Semester III Semester IV
Advanced database management systems Telecommunications systems, satellite systems, broadcast systems
Parallel and distributed databases, web databases Web engineering and software quality metrics
Backtracking, branch and bound Frequencies for radio transmission
Data mining Wireless network and communication
Data warehousing Wireless LAN
Semester V Semester VI
XML Primer, JSP, XLS, ASP Distributed file system
Distributed objects and remote innovation Transactions and concurrency control, replication
Advanced transaction processing Distributed systems
Building web agreement Medium access control

PhD in Management Studies Syllabus

The Syllabus of Doctor of Philosophy in management studies course is mentioned below. The course is for 3 years. The given syllabus is semester wise. Each year contains 2 semesters. There are 6 semesters.

Semester I Semester II
General management Elective I
- Information technology management
- Financial management
- Human resource management
- Operations management
Semester III Semester IV
Quantitative analysis Logistics
Research methodology Retail merchandising
Computer applications Marketing
Semester V Semester VI
Project work Dissertation
Review report -
Seminar -

PhD in Engineering and Technology Syllabus

The Syllabus of PhD in engineering and technology is given below. The course is for 5 years. The given syllabus is topic wise:

Foundations of computing
Parallel and distributed systems
Formal methods: Program correctness, Hoarier logic, Program semantics and model checking
Software systems
Final research

PhD in Legal Studies Syllabus

The Syllabus of PhD in legal studies is given below. The course is for 3 years. The given syllabus is course wise:

Course I Course II
Research processes Jurisprudence
Methods of investigations and tools for collection of data Constitutional law
Research methodology -
Course III Course IV
Seminars and presentation Seminars and presentation

PhD in Journalism And Mass Communication Syllabus

The Syllabus of PhD in journalism and mass communication is given below. The course is for 3 years. The given syllabus is subject wise which includes core subjects, elective subjects and other subjects:

Subject’s type Subjects Name
Core subjects Communication theory
Research Methodology I
Research Methodology II
Elective subjects Specialized and analytical journalism
Journalism studies
Other subjects Seminars
Theory and practices
Fieldwork

PhD in Pharmaceutics Syllabus

The Syllabus of PhD in pharmaceutics is given below. The course is for 3 years. The given syllabus is year wise. Each year contains 2 semesters.

Year I Year II Year III
Biochemistry of Medicine Phytopharmaceuticals and pharmacognosy Project work
Physiology and Human Anatomy Pharmaceutical microbiology -
Pharmaceutics Community pharmacy -
Pharmaceutical organic chemistry Pharmacotherapeutics - I -
Biology / remedial mathematics Pathophysiology -
Pharmaceutics Pharmacology - I -

PhD in Veterinary Surgery & Radiology Syllabus

The Syllabus of PhD in Veterinary Surgery and Radiology is given below. The course is for 3 years. The given syllabus is year wise. Each year contains 2 semesters.

Year I Year II Year III
Anesthesia of wild and Laboratory Animal Small animal soft tissue surgery (thoracic and cardiovascular) PhD Thesis Research
Advances in diagnostic imaging techniques Neurosurgery Doctoral Seminar I
Advances in Anesthesiology Body electrolyte and fluid therapy Doctoral Seminar II
Clinical surgical practice - I Clinical surgical practice - II Clinical surgical practice - III

PhD in Economics Syllabus

The Syllabus of Doctor of Philosophy in Economics course is given below. The course is for 3 years. The given syllabus is paper wise. There are 4 papers with the elective exam.

Paper I (Research) Paper-II (Development Economics) Paper III (Financial Studies) Paper IV (mandatory)
Introduction to research methodology Rural development Overview of financial markets Thesis presentation
Data collection and organization Poverty and inequality Hedging strategies with financial markets Comprehensive Viva-voce
Econometric methods Labour and migration Modelling the behavior of asset prices -
Advanced econometric methods Governance and the political economy of development Trading strategies in financial markets -
Topics in mathematical economics International trade and development Role of financial intermediaries -
Advanced economic theory Urbanization and development Interest rate derivatives -
Probability distribution and testing of hypothesis Economics of the computer and information science Macroeconomics consequences of financial imperfections -
Advanced microeconomics theory Health and education - -
Advanced macroeconomics theory Environment and development - -
- Industrial economics - -
- The political economy of development - -
- International macroeconomics - -

Electives

Advanced economic theory
Public finance
Development of economics
Theory of economic growth and technical progress
Agrarian development
Economics of education and development
Economics of energy
International trade and finance
Economics of planning
Welfare economics

PhD in Philosophy Syllabus

The Syllabus of Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy course is given below. The course is for 3 years to 6 years. The given syllabus is paper-wise. There are 4 papers including elective exams.

Paper I (Research) Paper-II (optional)
Literature survey Theory of knowledge
Data collection and organization Advanced course in logic
Introduction to research methodology Advanced course in formal methods
Principles of thesis preparation Advanced course in philosophy of science
Research tools and studies Philosophy of statistics
- Philosophy of the computer and information science
- Decision theory
- Value theory
- Philosophy of mathematics
- Philosophical aesthetics
- Philosophy of language
- Art technology
- Political philosophy
- Environment philosophy
- Philosophy of social sciences
- Critical reading in philosophical texts
Paper III Elective (Indian Philosophical studies) Paper IV Elective (western Philosophical studies)
Ishvara Krishna – Samkhya Karika Plato
Nagarjuna – Mulamadhyamakakarika A treatise of Human Nature Book
Carvaka – Lokayata Logical Atomism
Early Buddhism Kant- Critique of Pure Reason
Vaisesika Sutra Wittgenstein – Philosophical investigations
Sankara’s Commentary on first four Sutra Freedom and resentment and other essays
Jaina – Pancastikayasara Some main problems of philosophy
The first and last freedom How to do things with words
The Nyaya Theory of knowledge Concept of minds
A new perspective in Indian Philosophy Chapters Being and nothingness
Reason and tradition in Indian thought Being and time
Paper V (Mandatory)
Thesis presentation
Comprehensive viva voce

PhD in Commerce And Management Syllabus

The Syllabus of Doctor of Philosophy in commerce and management is given below. The course is for 3 years. 

Creative thinking and design innovation
Fundamentals of management in business
Research methodology
Organizational behaviour
Human resource and business ethics
Principles of management
Marketing and operations management
Project work
Dissertation/ seminar

PhD in English Literature Syllabus

The Syllabus of Doctor of Philosophy in English literature course is given below. The course is for 3 years to 5 years. 

Medieval literature
Women’s literature
African – American literature
Colonial and post-colonial literature
English poetry
Prose fiction
Lesbians, Gay and bisexual literature
Renaissance literature
Literary criticism and theory
Literature in the 12th century
Dramatic literature

PhD Syllabus: Recommended Books

Books recommended for PhD, along with their authors are mentioned below:

Books Author
Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approach John W. Creswell
Good work if you can get it Jason Brennan
The new PhD Leonard Cassuto
The elements of confusion Hm…. YeoYs Exams
The dissertation is loading please wait YeoYs Exams
I can’t come I am working on my dissertation YeoYs Exams
What stars are made of the life of Cecilia Payne- Gaposchkin Donovan Moore
The portable PhD M. Patrick Gallagher PhD
PhD in progress Jauhar PhD Journals
Miss Ms Mrs Doctor Smitten Notebooks

PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus

The entrance exams for PhD course depend on the PhD specialization chosen by the students. Admission for engineering PhD courses are based on GATE exam.

PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Psychology

Subjects Details
Emergence of Psychology
  • Psychological thought in some major Eastern Systems
  • Western
  • Essential aspects of knowledge paradigms
Research Methodology and Statistics
  • Research: Meaning, Purpose, and Dimensions
  • Paradigms of research
  • Statistics in Psychology
  • Correlational Analysis
  • Special Correlation Methods
  • Regression
  • Factor analysis
  • Experimental Designs
Psychological testing
  • Types of tests
  • Test construction
  • Test standardization
  • Areas of testing
  • Attitude scales
  • Applications of psychological testing in various settings
Biological basis of behavior
  • Sensory systems
  • Neurons
  • The Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems
  • Methods of Physiological Psychology
  • Muscular and Glandular system
  • Biological basis of Motivation
  • Biological basis of emotion
  • Biological basis of emotion
Attention, Perception, Learning, Memory and Forgetting
  • Forms of attention, Models of attention
  • Approaches to the Study of Perception:
  • Perceptual Organization
  • Signal detection theory
  • Fundamental theories
  • Classical Conditioning
  • Instrumental learning
  • Reinforcement
  • Cognitive approaches in learning
  • Recent trends in learning
  • Memory processes
  • Stages of memory

PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Sociology

Subjects Details
Sociological Theory
  • Classical Sociological Traditions
  • Structure- Functionalism and Structuralism
  • Hermeneutic and Interpretative Traditions
  • Post Modernism, Post Structuralism and Post Colonialism
  • Indian Thinkers
Research Methodology and Methods
  • Conceptualizing Social Reality
  • Formulating Research Design
  • Quantitative and Qualitative Methods
  • Techniques
Basic Concepts and Institutions
  • Sociological Concepts
  • Social Institutions
  • Social Stratification
  • Social Change and Processes
Rural and Urban Transformations
  • Rural and Peasant Society
  • Urban Society
State, Politics and Development
  • Political Processes in India
  • Social Movements and Protests
Economy and Society
  • Exchange, Gift , Capital, Labour and Market Mode of Production Debates
  • Property and Property Relations
  • State and Market: Welfarism and Neoliberalism
  • Models of Economic Development
  • Poverty and Exclusion
  • Factory and Industry Systems
Environment and Society
  • Social and Cultural Ecology: Diverse Forms Technological Change,
  • Agriculture and Biodiversity
  • Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Ethno-Medicine
  • Gender and Environment
  • Forest Policies, Adivasis and Exclusion Ecological Degradation and Migration
Family, Marriage and Kinship
  • Theoretical Approaches
  • Gender Relations and Power Dynamics Inheritance
  • Succession and Authority
  • Gender, Sexuality and Reproduction Children, Youth and Elderly
  • Emotions and Family
  • Emergent Forms of Family
Science, Technology and Society
  • History of Technological Development Changing notions of Time and Space
  • Flows and Boundaries 6
  • Virtual Community
  • Media: Print and Electronic, Visual and Social Media
  • E-Governance and Surveillance Society Technology and Emerging Political Processes State Policy, Digital Divide and Inclusion
Culture and Symbolic Transformations
  • Signs and Symbols
  • Rituals, Beliefs and Practices
  • Changing Material Culture
  • Moral Economy
  • Education: Formal and Informal
  • Religious Organizations, Piety and Spirituality Commodification of Rituals
  • Communalism and Secularism
  • Cultural Identity and Mobilization
  • Culture and Politics Gender, Body and Culture

PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: History

Unit Number Subjects
Unit-1
  • Negotiating the Sources
  • Pastoralism and Food production
  • Indus/Harappa Civilization
  • Vedic and later Vedic periods
  • Expansion of State system
Unit-2
  • From State to Empire
  • Dissolution of Empire and Emergence of Regional Powers
  • Gupta Vakataka age
  • Harsha and his Times
Unit-3
  • Emergence of Regional Kingdoms
  • Kingdoms in South India
  • Kingdoms in Eastern India
  • Kingdoms in Western India
  • Kingdoms in North India
  • Characteristics of Early Medieval India
  • Agrarian economy
  • Trade and urbanization
  • Growth of Brahminical religions
  • Society
  • Education and Educational Institutions
Unit-4
  • Source of Medieval Indian History
  • Political Developments
  • Foundation of the Mughal Empire
  • The Vijayanagara and the Bahmanis
  • Rise of the Marathas & the foundation of Swaraj by Shivaji
Unit-5
  • Administration & Economy
  • Sher Shah’s Administrative Reforms
  • Administrative System in the Deccan –
  • Inter-State Relations during the Sultanate and the Mughals
  • Agricultural Production and Irrigation System
  • Industries
  • Trade and Commerce
  • Hundi (Bills of Exchange) and Insurance
Unit-6
  • Society and Culture
  • The Sufis – Their Orders, Beliefs and Practices
  • Bhakti Movement – Shaivism; Vaishnavism, Shaktism.
  • The Saints of the Medieval Period
  • The Sikh Movement
  • Social Classification
  • Rural society
  • Position of Women
  • Development of Education
  • Fine Arts
  • Art and Architecture
  • Indo-Arabic Architecture
Unit-7
  • Sources of Modern Indian History
  • Rise of British Power
  • Establishment and Expansion of British Dominion in India.
  • British Relations with Principal Indian States
  • Revolt of 1857, Causes, Nature and Impact.
  • Administration of the Company and the Crown
  • Local Self-Government
  • Constitutional Changes, 1909 – 1935.
Unit-8
  • Colonial Economy
  • Expansion and Commercialization of Agriculture
  • Decline of Industries
  • British Industrial Policy
  • Monetary Policy, Banking, Currency and Exchange
  • Growth of New Urban Centres
  • Famines, Epidemics and the Government Policy.
  • Indian Society in Transition
  • The New Education
  • Indian Renaissance
Unit-9
  • Rise of Indian Nationalism
  • Birth of Indian National Congress;
  • Swadeshi and Swaraj.
  • Gandhian Mass Movements;
  • Left Wing Politics.
  • Depressed Class Movement.
  • Communal Politics; Muslim League and Genesis of Pakistan.
  • The Structure of Bureaucracy
  • Economic Policies and the Planning process; Development, Displacement and Tribal Issues.
  • Foreign Policy Initiatives
  • Linguistic Reorganisation of States; Centre-State Relations.
Unit-10
  • Scope and Importance of History
  • Objectivity and Bias in History
  • Heuristics Operation,
  • Criticism in History,
  • Synthesis and Presentation History and its Auxiliary Sciences
  • History a Science, Arts or a Social Sciene
  • Causation and Imagination in History Significance of Regional History
  • Recent Trends of Indian History
  • Research Methodology
  • Hypothesis in History

PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Anthropology

Unit Number Subjects
Unit-1
  • History, development, aim and scope of Anthropology, relationship with other sciences, different branches of Anthropology (including Linguistic Anthropology) and their interrelationship.
  • Research methodology and methods
  • Techniques of Analysis
Unit-2
  • Trends in Primate radiation
  • Lamarckism,
  • Extant Primates
  • Fossils of extinct Primates
  • Hominid Evolution
Unit-3
  • Modern Human Variation
  • Ethnic Classification and distribution of Indian Populations
  • Methods of studying Human Genetics:
  • Modes of inheritance
  • Population genetics
  • Molecular genetics
Unit-4
  • Human Growth, development and maturation
  • Methods of studying human growth
  • Body composition
  • Human Adaptation
  • Somatotyping
  • Demography
Unit-5
  • Concept of prehistoric archaeology
  • Dating
  • Paleoenvironment
  • Lithic tool typology and technology
  • Overview of Lithic Cultures of Europe
  • Early Farming Cultures and Neolithic of the Near East
Unit-6
  • Lower Palaeolithic Period in India
  • Middle Palaeolithic period in India
  • Upper Palaeolithic period in India
  • Mesolithic period in India
  • Neolithic Period in India
  • Prehistoric Cave art from India
  • Pottery and Traditions
  • Bronze/Copper Age
Unit-7
  • Conceptual Understanding of Social Anthropology
  • Culture
  • Society
  • Social Institutions
  • Family
  • Marriage
  • Kinship
  • Economic Anthropology
Unit-8
  • Evolutionism
  • Historical Particularism
  • Functionalism
  • Structural-Functionalism
  • Structuralism
  • Culture and Personality/Psychological Anthropology
  • Symbolic Anthropology –
  • Cognitive Anthropology
  • Deep Ethnography, Interpretive Anthropology
  • Anthropology and Gender
  • Ethnicity
Unit-9
  • Stages in the Development of Indian Anthropology
  • Theoretical ideas
  • Early Indian Anthropologists and their contributions
Unit-10 Concepts and Theories:
  • Applied Anthropology
  • Action Anthropology
  • Engaged Anthropology
  • Experimental Anthropology
  • Urban Anthropology
  • Public Anthropology
  • Public Archaeology
  • Anthropology of Development
  • Medical Anthropology
  • Visual Anthropology
  • Genomic Studies

PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Commerce

Subjects Details
Business Environment and International Business
  • Concepts and elements of business environment
  • Scope and importance of international business
  • Theories of international trade
  • Foreign direct investment
  • Balance of payments
  • Regional Economic Integration
  • International Economic institutions
  • World Trade Organisation (WTO)
Accounting and Auditing
  • Basic accounting principles; concepts and postulates
  • Partnership Accounts
  • Corporate Accounting
  • Holding company accounts
  • Cost and Management Accounting
  • Financial Statements Analysis
  • Human Resources Accounting
  • Indian Accounting Standards and IFRS
  • Auditing
  • Recent Trends in Auditing
Accounting and Auditing
  • Meaning and scope of business economics
  • Objectives of business firms
  • Demand analysis
  • Consumer behavior
  • Law of Variable Proportions
  • Theory of cost
  • Price determination under different market forms
  • Pricing strategies
Business Finance
  • Scope and sources of finance; Lease financing
  • Cost of capital and time value of money Capital structure
  • Capital budgeting decisions
  • Working capital managemen
  • Risk and return analysis
  • International monetary system
  • Foreign exchange market
  • International financial markets and instruments
  • Multinational capital budgeting
Business Statistics and Research Methods
  • Measures of central tendency
  • Measures of dispersion
  • Measures of skewness
  • Correlation and regression of two variables
  • Probability
  • Probability distributions
  • Research
  • Data
  • Sampling and estimation
  • Hypothesis testing
  • Report writing
Business Management and Human Resource Management
  • Principles and functions of management
  • Organization structure
  • Responsibility and authority
  • Motivation and leadership
  • Corporate governance and business ethics
  • Human resource management
  • Compensation management
  • Personality
  • Organizational Culture
Banking and Financial Institutions
  • Overview of Indian financial system
  • Types of banks
  • Reserve Bank of India
  • Banking sector reforms in India
  • Financial markets
  • Financial Institutions
  • Financial Regulators in India
  • Financial sector reforms including financial inclusion
  • Digitisation of banking and other financial services
  • Insurance
Marketing Management
  • Marketing
  • Product decisions
  • Pricing decisions
  • Promotion decisions
  • Distribution decisions
  • Service marketing
  • Trends in marketing
  • Logistics management
Legal Aspects of Business
  • Indian Contract Act, 1872
  • Special contracts
  • Sale of Goods Act, 1930
  • Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
  • The Companies Act, 2013
  • Limited Liability Partnership
  • The Competition Act, 2002
  • The Information Technology Act, 2000
  • The RTI Act, 2005
  • Intellectual Property Rights
  • Goods and Services Tax
Income-tax and Corporate Tax Planning
  • Income-tax
  • International Taxation
  • Corporate Tax Planning
  • Deduction and collection of tax at source

IGNOU PhD Entrance Syllabus

The IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam determined the students who will get to do their PhD in IGNOU. The entrance exam syllabus depends on the specialization. 

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Ph.D. Anthropology

Subjects Details
Anthropology and Methods of Research
  • Introducing Anthropology
  • Field Work Tradition in Anthropology Research Design
  • Data Collection Techniques
Physical Anthropology
  • Introduction to Physical Anthropology
  • Human Evolution
  • Primate Study
  • Biological Diversity
  • Human Genetics
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Ecological Anthropology
Social Anthropology
  • Introduction to Social Anthropology
  • Society and Culture
  • Anthropological Theories
  • Kinship, Marriage and Family
  • Religion
Archaeological Anthropology
  • Introduction to Archaeological Anthropology
  • Tool types and techniques in Archaeology
  • Geological Framework
  • Dating Methods
  • Lithic Cultures

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Ph.D. Political Science

Subjects Details
Research Methodology
  • Methodology/Framework
  • Research Methods
Political Theory & Thought
  • Introduction to Political Theory
  • modern Concepts
India: State and Society
  • Introduction
  • Indian State
  • Social Movements
  • Democracy in India
Globalization and International Relations
  • Major theories of IR International Peace and Cooperation
  • India in the Emerging World Order
  • International Political Economy

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Ph.D. Chemistry

Subjects Details
Research Methodology
  • Objectives of research
  • Research methods versus Research Methodology
  • Types of research
  • Literature Review
  • Research design
  • Formulating Research Problem
  • Collection and analysis of Data
  • Data Analysis with Statistical Packages
  • Ethical issues in Research
Inorganic Chemistry
  • Chemical periodicity
  • Structure and bonding in homo- and heteronuclear molecules, including shapes of molecules (VSEPR Theory).
  • Concepts of acids and bases
  • Main group elements and their compounds:
  • Transition elements and coordination compounds
  • Inner transition elements
  • Organometallic compounds
  • Cages and metal clusters
  • Analytical chemistry- separation, spectroscopic, electro- and thermoanalytical methods.
  • Bioinorganic chemistry
  • Characterisation of inorganic compounds
  • Nuclear chemistry
Physical Chemistry
  • Basic principles of quantum mechanics
  • Approximate methods of quantum mechanics
  • Atomic structure and spectroscopy:
  • Chemical bonding
  • Chemical applications of group theory
  • Molecular spectroscopy
  • Chemical thermodynamics
  • Statistical thermodynamics.
  • Electrochemistry
  • Chemical kinetics
  • Colloids and surfaces
  • Solid state
  • Polymer chemistry
  • Data analysis
Organic Chemistry
  • IUPAC nomenclature of organic molecules including regio- and stereoisomers
  • Principles of stereochemistry
  • Organic reactive intermediates
  • Organic reaction mechanisms
  • Common named reactions and rearrangements – applications in organic synthesis
  • Organic transformations and reagents
  • Concepts in organic synthesis
  • Asymmetric synthesis
  • Pericyclic reactions
  • Synthesis and reactivity of common heterocyclic compounds containing one or two heteroatoms (O, N, S).
  • Chemistry of natural products
  • Structure determination of organic compounds

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Ph.D Geology

Subjects Details
Research Methodology
  • Definition, outcome and importance of geological research
  • Identifying and defining research problem
  • Preparation and planning for fieldwork
  • Data collection
  • Thin section preparation
  • Intellectual property rights, patents, copyright, etc.
Geology Courses
  • Physical Geology and Geomorphology
  • Structural Geology and Tectonics
  • Stratigraphy and Palaeontology
  • Mineralogy
  • Petrology
  • Georesources and Economic Geology
  • Geochemistry
  • Applied Geology

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Ph.D. Life Sciences

Subjects Details
Research Methodology
  • Research Methodology: An Introduction
  • Defining the Research Problem:
  • Research Design
  • Issues in The Design and Conduct of Selected Research Designs
  • Issues in The Design
  • Measurement and Scaling Techniques
  • Methods of Data Collection
  • Processing and Analysis of Data
  • Sampling Fundamentals
  • Testing of Hypotheses
  • Chi-square Test
  • Analysis of Variance and Covariance
Life Sciences
  • Cell & Molecular Biology
  • Genetics & Molecular Evolution
  • Ecology
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry
  • Biophysics
  • Biostatistics
  • Animal Diversity
  • Animal Physiology
  • Animal Developmental Biology
  • Plant Diversity
  • Plant Diversity-II
  • Plant Physiology
  • Plant Developmental Biology

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Ph.D. Mathematics

Algebra
  • Prerequisites and Preliminaries
  • The Structure of Groups
  • Rings
  • Fields and Galois Theory
  • Linear Algebra
Real Analysis
  • Sequences and series of functions
  • Functions of several variables
  • Lebesgue outer measure
  • Integration of Non-negative functions.
  • Measures and outer measures, Extension of a measure
Topology
  • Countable and uncountable sets
  • Definition and examples of topological spaces
  • Neighbourhoods. Interior, exterior and boundary
  • Continuous functions and homomorphism, compactness
  • Equivalence of compactness,, etc.
Functional Analysis
  • Normed linear spaces
  • Reflexive space.
  • Inner product spaces.
  • Reflexivity of Hibert spaces.
Differential Equations
  • Preliminaries
  • Linear Differential Equations-Linear Systems
  • Dependence on initial conditions and parameters
  • Linear second order equations-Preliminaries.
  • Second order Boundary value problems-Linear problems
Partial Differential Equations
  • Transport Equation-Initial value Problem
  • Heat Equation-Fundamental Solution, Mean Value Formula
  • Nonlinear First Order PDE-Complete Integrals
  • Representation of Solutions-Separation of Variables
Research Aptitude

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Ph.D. Commerce

Research Methodology
  • Theory of Research
  • Research Process
  • Analysis of Data
Accounting & Taxation ACCOUNTING
  • Accounting: Information for Decision Making
  • Presentation and Reporting of Accounting Information
  • Statement of Cash Flows
  • Financial Statement Analysis
  • Accounting Standards
  • Global Business and Accounting
  • Management Accounting
  • Costing System and Analysis
  • Responsibility Accounting
Taxation
  • General Framework of Direct Taxation in India
  • Tax Planning
  • Tax Management
  • Indirect Taxes:
  • Central Excise
  • Custom
  • Service Tax
  • Tax Planning and Management
International Business
  • Basics of International Business Environment
  • Balance of Payments
  • Government Influence on Trade
  • Cross Cultural Management
  • Introduction to Globalization
  • International Investment
  • Transnational Corporations
Banking and Finance
  • Commercial Banks
  • Banking Sectoral Reforms
  • Basic Banking Services
  • Credit concepts
  • Documentation
  • Recent Developments
  • Credit Rating in India
Marketing Management
  • Defining Marketing for the 21st century
  • Marketing Decisions
  • Marketing research
  • Emerging Trends in marketing
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
  • Entrepreneurship and
  • economic development
  • Creativity and Innovation in business
  • Enterprise creation
  • Enterprise Management
  • Micro business development
  • New Age entrepreneurship
  • Succession Planning

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Ph.D. Education

Methodology of Educational Research
  • Sources of acquiring Knowledge, Meaning and Scope of Educational Research
  • Criteria and sources of identifying the research problem
  • Hypotheses
  • Variables
  • Tools and techniques of data collection
  • Major Approaches to Educational Research
Subject Specific Areas
  • Philosophical and Sociological Foundations of Education
  • Learner, Learning Process and Assessment
  • Curriculum Studies
  • Educational Management, Administration and Leadership
  • Educational Technology and ICT
  • Inclusive Education
  • Educational Guidance and Counselling
  • Teacher Education
  • Adult Education

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Ph.D. Management 

Research Methodology Foundations of Research
Research Process
  • Problem Identification & Formulation
  • Research Design
  • Qualitative and Quantitative Research
  • Measurement
  • Sampling
  • Data Analysis
  • Interpretation of Data and Paper Writing –
  • Use of Encyclopedias, Research Guides, Handbook etc.
  • Use of tools / techniques for Research
Management (Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing Management Operations Management and General Management)
  • Managerial Economics
  • The concept and significance of organizational behavior
  • Concepts and perspectives in HRM
  • Financial Management
  • Marketing Environment and Environment Scanning
  • Role and Scope of Production Management
  • Probability Theory; Probability distributions
  • Concept of Corporate Strategy; Components of Strategy Formulation
  • Concepts
  • Ethics and Management System

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Ph.D. Women’s Studies

Concepts And Theries In Women’s Studies
  • Introducing Women’s studies
  • Some Key concepts
  • Political Economy, State and Citizenship
  • Discrimination, Intersectional ties and Group Identities
  • Women, Gender and the Family/Household
  • Culture and Representation
  • Interrogating Feminisms
  • Concepts/Languages and Translation
Feminist Research Methodologies
  • What is research?
  • Qualitative research
  • Quantitative research
  • Research in the Humanities and Cultural Studies
  • Feminisms and Gender Studies I
  • Feminism and Gender Studies II
  • Thesis writing

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Ph.D. Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary Studies 

Introduction to Interdisciplinary and Trans disciplinary Studies
  • Knowledge Production and Emergence of Disciplines
  • Disciplinary Approaches
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Areas of Interdisciplinary Inquiry
  • Emerging Issues and Challenges
  • Areas of Interdisciplinary Inquiry
Research Methods and Techniques
  • Introduction to Social Science Research
  • Types of Research
  • Sources of Data
  • Techniques of Data Collection
  • Ethnography
  • Sampling
  • Research Design
  • Analysis and Interpretation of Data Quantitative Methods
  • Ethics in Research

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Ph.D. Environmental Science

Research Methodology
  • Meaning of Research
  • Characteristics and Types of Research
  • Hypotheses
  • Basic concepts of Techniques of defining research problem
  • Ethical, legal, social and scientific issues in Environmental Science Research
  • Basic concepts in writing research papers, reports and research proposals
  • Role of IPR in Research and Development
Subject Areas
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Environmental Biotechnology
  • Environmental Geomicrobiology
  • Environmental management
  • Natural resource management
  • Climate change
  • Sustainability Science

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Ph.D. Tourism Studies

Research Methodology
  • Theory of Research
  • Problem Identification & Formulation
  • Research Design
  • Qualitative and Quantitative Research
  • Measurement
  • Sampling
  • Data Analysis
  • Interpretation of Data and Paper Writing
  • Use of tools / techniques for Research
Subject Specific
  • Tourist/Visitors/Travelers/Excursionist-Definition and Differentiation, Tourism recreation and Leisure inter- relationship
  • Concept of resource, Attraction and product in tourism, Tourism Products
  • Accommodation
  • Transportation
  • Travel Agencies and Tour Operators Business
  • Marketing
  • Tourism Planning
  • Management
  • Financial Management and Planning

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Ph.D. Computer Science

Research Methodology
  • Sets
  • Relations
  • Functions, Matrices and Determinants
  • Probability and Statistics
  • Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
  • Probability Distributions
  • Numerical Methods
  • Finite Differences
  • Numerical Integration
Computer Science
  • Computer System Architecture
  • Discrete Structures and Optimization
  • Programming Languages and Computer Graphics
  • Database Management Systems
  • System Software and Operating System
  • Software Engineering
  • Data Structures and Algorithms
  • Theory of Computation and Compilers
  • Data Communication and Computer Networks
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Ph.D. in Law

Research Methodology
  • Nature of Research
  • Types of Research
  • Research Processes
  • Research Methods and tools for collection of dataPrimary Data method.
  • Secondary Data Method
  • Tabulation and Evaluation of Data.Sampling
  • Analysis and Interpretation of Data
  • Other Legal Research Strategies
Law
  • Constitutional Law of India
  • Legal Theory
  • Public International Law
  • Law of Contracts: General Principles
  • Law of Crimes: General Principles
  • Law of Torts
  • Environmental law

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Ph.D. Translation Studies

Research Methodology
  • Definitions of Research
  • Objectives of Research
  • Types of Research
  • Significance of Research
  • Preparing Research Proposal
  • Research Approaches
  • Stages of Report writing
  • Using Library resources
  • Style Sheets
  • Data collection and Data Analysis
Translation Studies
  • Meaning, Definitions, Nature and Scope of Translation
  • History of Translation: Western & Indian
  • Translation Studies: Development of Discipline
  • Colonial Translation and Post-Colonial Translation
  • Thinkers of Translation: Nida, J.C. Catford, George Steiner, Itamar E Zohar, Andre Lefevere
  • Issues in Translation

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Ph.D. Vocational Education and Training

Part-A: Research Methodology
  • Introduction to research
  • Formulation of a Research Problem:
  • Data Collection Methods
  • Data Collection Techniques
  • Sampling Techniques
  • Presentation of Data
Vocational Education and Training
  • Vocational Education
  • International Experiences:
  • Growth and Development in India
  • Initiatives by Different Sectors of India
  • Models of Vocational Education and Training
  • Issues in Vocational Educational and Training
  • Environmental consciousness and Sustainable Development

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Ph.D. English

British literature: issues and debates, trends and movements Diaspora Studies
Subaltern Literary Perspectives Folklore and Culture Studies
Contemporary World Literature American Literature
Multiculturalism Australian Literature
English Language Teaching Research Methodology
New Literatures in English Critical Theories
Indian Writing in English Canadian Literature

IGNOU PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus: Ph.D. in Child Development

: Research Methodology
  • Purpose and characteristics of research Research approaches
  • Positivism and post-positivistic approach to research; nomothetic and idiographic approaches.
  • Steps of research - the research cycle.
  • Research design
  • Reliability and validity.
  • Values, Social Responsibility and Ethics in Research.
  • Sources, acquisition, and classification of data.
  • Basic principles and concepts in statistics; Descriptive Statistics; Probability and normal
Subject specific: Child Development
  • Principles of growth and development.
  • Pregnancy and childbirth.
  • Development through the lifespan in various domains
  • Theories of child/ human development and behavior
  • Early childhood care and education
  • Influence of family, peers, school, community and culture on development.
  • Children and persons with disabilities

PhD Syllabus: FAQs

Ques. when the application forms for a PhD or M. Phil available in 2024?

Ans. The application forms for the PhD or M. Phil course available in September 2024.

Ques. What are the requirements for PhD admission?

Ans. The documents required during the admission process of PhD are a bachelor’s degree with at least a second-class grade and a master’s degree with high academic grades. 

Ques. What is the highest placement package of a PhD course?

Ans. The highest placement package of PhD course is INR 15 lakhs to INR 20 lakhs per annum.

Ques. Which college or university has the highest placement package in India?

Ans. Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani is an institute that has the highest placement package in India.

Ques. Which university is known as the best university in India?

Ans. Indian Institute of Technology Bombay University is known for best university and No. 1 University in India.

Ques. What is the maximum and minimum fee structure in government colleges of PhD in management studies?

Ans. The maximum and minimum fee structure in government colleges of PhD in management studies is INR 22.70 K to INR 10 lakhs.

Ques. What is the maximum and minimum fee structure in private colleges of PhD in management studies?

Ans. The maximum and minimum fee structure in private colleges of PhD in management studies is INR 6.56 K to INR 5 lakhs.

Ques. When the GATE 2024 registration will start?

Ans. The GATE 2024 registration will start in August 2024 to September 2024.

Ques. Can a candidate pursue a PhD without giving an entrance exam?

Ans. Yes, candidates can pursue PhD courses without giving entrance exams during the admission process.

Ques. Name the entrance exams taken by colleges for PhD in commerce and management?

Ans. The entrance exams for PhD in commerce and management are NET and DET.

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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