NIT Nagpur offers PhD courses in the Departments of Engineering, Architecture & Planning, and Applied Sciences. There are a total of 15 doctoral courses under NIT’s PhD program. The coursework for the PhD students is determined by the institute’s Research Progress Committee. The minimum requirement to apply for a PhD program at NIT Nagpur is a master’s degree in the relevant subject. NIT Nagpur PhD selection is based on the GATE score or equivalent national-level exam along with an internal examination followed by an interview. The nature of the program is both full-time and part-time.

Also check: NIT Nagpur Admission 

NIT Nagpur PhD Eligibility Criteria

The PhD program offered by the institute is divided into 5 categories of eligible candidates –

  • Category 1: Non-sponsored candidates with a teaching assistantship.
  • Category 2: NIT’s M. Tech. students with a teaching assistantship.
  • Category 3: SRF/ JRF/ research staff of R&D projects sponsored to NIT.
  • Category 4: Sponsored candidates (place of research work NIT only).
  • Category 5: Sponsored Candidate from 100% centrally funded research laboratories.

Applicants must be qualified in one of the following:

  • Post Graduate degree in Engineering/Technology (M.E./MTech. or equivalent)
  • Post Graduate Degree in Architecture and Planning (ME, M. Tech. M. Arch, M. Plan. or equivalent)
  • Post Graduate Degree (M. Sc./M.A. or equivalent) in Basic Science/Humanities
  • Candidates working as JRF/SRF in various funded research projects in NIT are eligible for admission to the Ph.D. program with the following conditions.
  • Selection through the admission process: Their Ph. D. registration will be under the supervision of the same PI/Co-PI.

Furthermore, some categories have additional specific eligibility criteria.

  • Category 2 students should have a minimum first class in B. Tech / BE degree. Maximum of 5 students from M. Tech (first 2 semesters should have CGPA of 8.5 or above) will be chosen for PhD registration.
  • Category 5 candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in the industry.

Aside from the basic requirements, part-time candidates should also have 5 years of industry experience.

Check more: NIT Nagpur Placements

NIT Nagpur Ph.D. Selection Criteria

Candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of GATE/NET scores. Shortlisted candidates will then be required to appear for a written conducted by the respective department. Those who qualify the written test will be called for a personal interview round. final merit list is prepared based on the following weightage: 

  • Written Exam - 40%
  • GATE/NET Score - 40%
  • Interview - 20%

Applications to the PhD programs at NIT Nagpur are invited via the institute’s advertisement. 

  • Application forms can be downloaded from the official website of NIT Nagpur.
  • Pay online fee of INR 500 through the State Bank of India.
  • Send the duly filled form, along with the self-attested Xerox copies of the certificates, photographs, and copy of the SBI receipt to: Dy Registrar (Academic), Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), South Ambazari Road, Nagpur - 440010
  • Interested candidates are required to email their application forms, along with the following scanned documents 
    • UG mark sheet
    • PG mark sheet
    • GATE/ NET scorecard
    • SBI collect-fee payment
    • Annexure (if applicable)
    • Caste/ creamy layer certificate

These have to be uploaded in single PDF file and emailed to phdadmission@vnit.ac.in

Read More: NIT Nagpur Admission

NIT Nagpur PhD Course Details

NIT Nagpur offers PhD programs in the following specializations:

Civil Engineering Chemical Engineering Physics
Mechanical Engineering Metallurgical & Materials Engineering Chemistry
Electrical Engineering Mining Engineering Mathematics
Electronics and Communication Engineering Applied Mechanics Social Science and Humanities
Computer Science Engineering VLSI & Nanotechnology Architecture & Planning

The minimum requirement of coursework is determined by the institute’s Research Program Committee.

  • M Sc. / MA- 12 credits (4 theory subjects)
  • M Sc. / MA with M. Phil - 6 credits (2 theory subjects)
  • ME / M. Tech. / M. Arch- 6 credits (2 theory subjects)
  • The committee may recommend more coursework if they deem it necessary. Moreover, in addition to the above, all registered scholars will register for a compulsory Research Methodology course.
  • The candidates are required to complete the coursework within one year post-admission. The minimum CGPA requirement for the coursework is 6.0.
  • Scholars will give progress seminars on their project work every 6 months.

The thesis evaluation shall be done by 2 examiners nominated by the Chairman Senate. The candidate will be required to defend their PhD thesis (open defense and viva voce) before the board of examiners. The candidate will also have to submit 2 hardbound copies of their thesis. Based on the board’s report, the Senate will decide the candidate’s eligibility for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Read more about NIT Nagpur Courses 

Stipend of Ph.D. Candidates

  • Category 1 & 2 with teaching assistantships get the following fellowship amount –
Qualifying degree Fellowship per month
PG degree in Basic Science/ Humanities with NET/ GATE qualification or Graduate Degree in professional course with NET/ GATE qualification INR 31,000 (all years)
Post Graduate degree in engineering/ technology with NET/ GATE qualification 1st and 2nd year: INR 31,000 3rd and 4th year: INR 35,000 5th year: INR 31,000
  • Category 3 candidates get a fellowship from the corresponding project fund until the completion of the project.
  • Category 4 and 5 candidates do not get any stipend or financial support.
  • Part-time candidates also do not get any financial support.

Read More: NIT Nagpur Cutoff

NIT Nagpur PhD Fees Structure

Full-time PhD fee table is subject to revision from time to time.

Head Amount (INR)
At the time of admission (one time) 6,400
Tuition fee and other fees per semester
  • 15,700 (with teaching assistantship)
  • 26,800 (for sponsored)
Examination fee 35,000
Medical Aid fund
  • 3,000 (at the time of admission)
  • 1,000 (subsequent per year)
The following fee table is subject to revision from time to time.
Head Amount (per semester – INR)
Library 5,000
Tuition 25,000
Retention 10,000
Internet Charges 5,000
Infrastructure Usage 5,000
Total 50,000

Read More: NIT Nagpur Fees

NIT Nagpur Ph.D. FAQs

Ques. Are there attendance requirements for Ph.D. at NIT Nagpur?

Ans. Yes, candidates are required to have an attendance of 75%. For part-time students, 15 days per non-course semester.

Ques. What is the minimum duration for the program for a part-time PhD at NIT Nagpur?

Ans. The minimum duration for the program for part-time PhD is 4 years.

Ques. What are the leave regulations at NIT Nagpur?

Ans. Full-time PhD students are entitled to 30 days leave during each academic year, including medical ground/ casual leave/ attending conference/ seminar/ workshop etc. Female candidates are entitled to maternity leaves for a maximum period of 180 days.

Ques. When are admissions/ registrations cancelled at NIT Nagpur?

Ans. The registration/ admission for PhD candidates can be cancelled under any of the following circumstances –
  • If the candidate is absent for more than 4 weeks without notifying their supervisor/ HoD/ Dean.
  • Delay in payment of annual fees.
  • Admission after last day of registration
  • If course work isn’t completed within a year post-admission.
  • If reports of two consecutive seminars are unsatisfactory, RPC may recommend cancellation.
  • However, if 3 or 4 consecutive reports are unsatisfactory, registration shall be automatically cancelled.

Ques. Does NIT Nagpur provide any scholarships?

Ans. NIT Nagpur provides many scholarships for needy and meritorious students based on some parameters and it gives them based on a student’s academic, extracurricular, or sports activities.