BIT Mesra’s part-time Ph.D. Data Science is a research programme for working data professionals in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering under the Ministry of Education. Research areas include machine learning, statistical modelling, big data analytics, natural language processing, computer vision, and data engineering. The minimum tenure is 3 years with a total fee of INR 3,39,000. BIT Mesra ranks 67 in Collegedunia’s 2025 India Engineering Colleges list.
📋 Admission Status: Admissions to Ph.D. (Data Science) at BIT Mesra for the next cycle are through a written test and online interview; check bitmesra.ac.in for the admission notification and application window.
Key Points
- Part-time PhD for working data professionals; minimum 3-year tenure.
- Research areas: machine learning, NLP, computer vision, and data engineering.
- Total fee INR 3,39,000; per-semester fee INR 44,000 for part-time scholars.
- Selection through written test and online interview; GATE or NET holders get cut-off relaxation.
BIT Mesra Ph.D. (Data Science) Fees
| Component | Amount (INR) |
|---|
| One-time Admission Fee (payable at Semester I admission) | INR 10,000 |
| One-time IT Infrastructure Fee | INR 20,000 |
| One-time Course Fee | INR 10,000 |
| Caution Money (refundable on programme completion) | INR 10,000 |
| Per Semester (recurring, all 6 semesters) | INR 44,000 |
| Thesis Submission, Evaluation, and Certificate Fees (end of programme) | INR 25,000 |
| Total Fees (minimum 3 years, Hostel charges separate) | INR 3,39,000 |
- Total calculated for the minimum tenure of 3 years (6 semesters): 6 x INR 44,000 (recurring) + INR 65,000 (one-time non-refundable) + INR 10,000 (caution) = INR 3,39,000.
- Part-time PhD scholars retain their employment and attend classes as per the approved schedule; the per-semester fee is INR 44,000 against INR 22,000 for full-time scholars.
- Caution money of INR 10,000 is refundable on successful completion of the programme.
- The BIT Mesra Institute Research Scholarship (IRS) is available only to full-time scholars; part-time/sponsored scholars are not eligible for the IRS stipend.
BIT Mesra Ph.D. (Data Science) Admission 2026
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|
| PhD Admission Notification (Spring 2027) | October to November 2026 (Tentative) |
| Online Application Window | November to December 2026 (Tentative) |
| Written Test at BIT Mesra | January 2027 (Tentative) |
| Online Interview | January to February 2027 (Tentative) |
| Semester I Registration | February 2027 (Tentative) |
- Apply online through bitmesra.ac.in during the notified window; upload Master’s degree marksheets, NET/GATE scorecard if available, and category certificate if applicable. Application fee is INR 500 for General/OBC and INR 250 for SC/ST.
- The selection process involves a written test at the BIT Mesra campus followed by an online interview; candidates with a valid NET or GATE score may receive relaxation in the written test cut-off.
- Final admission requires document verification with original Master’s degree certificate, all semester marksheets, category certificate if applicable, and NET/GATE scorecard if available.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in the relevant field with a minimum of 60 percent marks or a CGPA of 6.0 on a 10-point scale (55 percent for SC/ST candidates).
- Alternatively, candidates with a B.E./B.Tech degree with a minimum of 75 percent marks or a CGPA of 7.5 (70 percent for SC/ST) are also eligible for direct PhD admission.
Admission Process
- Apply online at bitmesra.ac.in during the notified PhD admission window; pay the application fee and upload all required academic documents.
- Appear in the written test held at BIT Mesra Ranchi campus; candidates with valid GATE or NET scores may receive a relaxed cut-off.
- Attend the online interview conducted by the research committee; candidates are assessed on research aptitude and subject knowledge.
- After selection, accept the offer, pay the first-semester fee, and complete enrolment formalities at BIT Mesra with original documents.
✓ Opt for this if
- Working data scientists or ML engineers seeking doctoral qualification.
- Industry professionals in analytics, AI, or technology research.
- Candidates targeting academic or senior research roles requiring PhD.
- Data professionals in eastern India with flexible research bandwidth.
✗ Skip if
- Fresh graduates seeking full-time PhD with IRS monthly stipend.
- Candidates without current employment in data or technology roles.
- Students needing full-time campus supervision and research infrastructure.
- Those who need fellowship or stipend income during their doctoral study.
BIT Mesra Ph.D. (Data Science) Scholarships 2026
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility |
|---|
| CSIR-UGC NET JRF | INR 37,000 per month | PhD scholars with a valid CSIR-UGC JRF who transition to full-time mode; applied through the CSIR/UGC fellowship portal |
| GP Birla Scholarship | Need-based | Students with CGPA 8.0 (EWS) or 6.5 (SC/ST/OBC) and financial need; applied through BIT Mesra scholarship portal |
- Part-time PhD scholars are not eligible for the institute IRS stipend; central fellowships (CSIR JRF, DST INSPIRE) require full-time enrolment.
- The GP Birla need-based scholarship may be available to part-time scholars meeting CGPA and financial-need criteria; apply through the BIT Mesra scholarship portal.
![Birla Institute of Technology - [BIT Mesra]](https://image-static.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/logos/1406023982download.jpg?h=71.7&w=71.7&mode=stretch)
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