Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering (Part Time) at UPES, Dehradun is a doctoral program offered by the School of Advanced Engineering, designed for working professionals in the aerospace, defense, and aviation sectors who wish to pursue advanced research without interrupting their careers. The program spans 3 to 4 years and focuses on niche areas such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), aerodynamics, propulsion systems, space technology, lightweight materials, and composites. The program fee is INR 1,00,000 per semester with no fee waiver for part-time scholars. UPES is ranked 42nd in Engineering and 46th among universities in India (NIRF 2024), and 148th in QS World Rankings Asia 2025. The program is particularly relevant for professionals at ISRO, DRDO, HAL, and private aerospace companies seeking to advance their research credentials.

Admissions for the July 2026 batch have closed (last date to apply was June 1, 2026, with the session commencing August 27, 2026). For the next intake (July 2027), applications are expected to open around April-May 2027 based on the previous year's schedule, with a tentative last date to apply around June 2027.

Key Points

The Part Time Ph.D. (Aerospace Engineering) is designed for working professionals in aerospace, defense, and aviation; it does not require full-time campus residency.
The program spans 3 to 4 years, which is shorter than most other Ph.D. engineering programs at UPES (which run 3-5 years).
Part-time scholars do NOT receive the 75% fee waiver; the full program semester fee of INR 1,00,000 per semester is applicable.
Research focus areas include CFD, aerodynamics, aeronautics, astronautics, space technology, defense/military aerospace, aerospace manufacturing, lightweight materials, composites, and propulsion systems.
Students engage in contemporary aerospace projects and are encouraged to present research at industry conferences.
Career opportunities span academia, ISRO, CSIR, DRDO, major aerospace corporations, and commercial spaceflight companies.
Candidates with valid GATE/UGC-NET/SET/GPAT/CSIR/INSPIRE qualifications are exempted from the UPES Research Entrance Test (RET).

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

UPES Ph.D. Aerospace Engg Fees

The Part Time Ph.D. (Aerospace Engineering) at UPES carries a program semester fee of INR 1,00,000 per semester, with no fee waiver applicable for part-time scholars. For a minimum 6-semester (3-year) program, the total fee payable is INR 6,00,000. Part-time scholars are not eligible for the monthly stipend available to full-time scholars. Hostel accommodation is optional and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Per Semester	Total (6 Semesters / 3 Years)
Program Semester Fee (Tuition)	INR 1,00,000	INR 6,00,000
Total Fees (Excluding Hostel)	INR 1,00,000	INR 6,00,000
Hostel Fee (Optional)	INR 1,65,000 per year	INR 4,95,000 (3 years, if availed)

No fee waiver is applicable for part-time Ph.D. scholars.
Part-time scholars are not eligible for the monthly stipend (INR 30,000/month) available to full-time scholars.
An interest-free refundable hostel security deposit of INR 10,000 is applicable for students availing hostel facility.
Hostel fee mentioned (INR 1,65,000 per year) is based on 2022-23 rates on a triple-sharing basis; current rates may vary.
Application fee: INR 1,000 (non-refundable).
For exact and updated fee details, contact: research@ddn.upes.ac.in
The program duration is 3 to 4 years for Aerospace Engineering (shorter than other engineering Ph.D. programs at UPES).

UPES Ph.D. Aerospace Engg Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Aerospace Engineering) Part Time program at UPES are conducted once a year for a July intake. The selection process involves an online Research Entrance Test (RET), submission of a research proposal, and an online interview conducted via MS Teams. Candidates with valid UGC-NET/GATE/SET/GPAT/CSIR/INSPIRE qualifications are exempted from the RET. The July 2026 batch admission process has concluded; the next cycle (July 2027) is expected to follow a similar timeline with applications opening around April-May 2027.

UPES Admission Dates

Event	Date
Last Date to Apply	June 1, 2026
UPES RET Exam	June 11, 2026
RET Result Declaration	June 27, 2026
Submission of Research Proposal	July 5, 2026
Online Interview Booking/Scheduling	July 15, 2026
Interviews (Online - MS Teams)	July 28, 29 & 30, 2026
Interview Result / Offer Letter Issuance	August 12, 2026
Last Date to Pay Fee	August 17, 2026
Registration Date	August 22, 2026
Orientation Date	August 25, 2026
Commencement of Session	August 27, 2026

Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Event	Date
GATE 2027	Registration Start	August 28, 2026
GATE 2027	Registration End	October 13, 2026
GATE 2027	Admit Card	January 13, 2027
GATE 2027	Exam Dates	February 7, 8, 14 & 15, 2027
GATE 2027	Result	March 19, 2027
UGC-NET (Phase 1)	Registration Start	October 7, 2026
UGC-NET (Phase 1)	Registration End	November 7, 2026
UGC-NET (Phase 1)	Admit Card	December 28, 2026
UGC-NET (Phase 1)	Exam Dates	December 31, 2026 - January 7, 2027
UGC-NET (Phase 1)	Result	February 4, 2027
UGC-NET (Phase 2)	Registration Start	April 1, 2027 (Tentative)
UGC-NET (Phase 2)	Exam Date	June 2027 (Tentative)

Note: GATE (relevant papers: Aerospace Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) and UGC-NET qualified candidates are exempted from the UPES RET.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Must hold a Master's degree or a professional degree equivalent to a Master's in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or allied disciplines from a recognized institution, with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate (or equivalent grade 'B' on the UGC 7-point scale).
SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-abled candidates are eligible for a 5% relaxation in the minimum marks requirement (i.e., 50% instead of 55%).
Candidates who obtained their Master's degree before September 19, 1991, are also eligible for the 5% relaxation.

Admission Process

Fill the online application form at https://phd.upes.ac.in/appform.aspx and pay the non-refundable application fee of INR 1,000.
Appear for the UPES Research Entrance Test (RET) - a 3-hour online proctored test (100 marks: 50 marks Research/General Aptitude + 50 marks Domain-specific). Candidates with valid GATE/UGC-NET/SET/GPAT/CSIR/INSPIRE scores are exempted.
Shortlisted candidates (RET-qualified and exempted) submit a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words to phd@upes.ac.in.
Book an online interview slot through the link shared by the university.
Appear for an online interview conducted via MS Teams.
Receive offer letter upon selection; pay the enrolment fee by the specified deadline.
Complete registration and attend orientation on campus.

UPES Ph.D. Aerospace Engg Scholarships 2026

For part-time Ph.D. scholars in Aerospace Engineering, the scholarship options at UPES are limited compared to full-time scholars. The 75% fee waiver and monthly stipend are not applicable. However, UPES alumni, employees' wards, and sports achievers may still be eligible for certain concessions. The Alumni Scholarship, offering a 50% fee waiver on the part-time Ph.D. program fee, is the most significant financial benefit available for eligible candidates.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Benefit	Eligibility
Alumni Scholarship	50% fee waiver on Part-Time Ph.D. program fee	UPES alumni (graduated 2021 onwards)
Employee Ward Scholarship	75% scholarship on semester fee (tuition + academic service fee)	Wards of regular UPES employees enrolled in Part-Time Ph.D.
Employee Sibling Ward Scholarship	50% scholarship on semester fee	Wards of siblings of UPES employees enrolled in Part-Time Ph.D.
Employee Spouse Scholarship	50% scholarship on semester fee	Spouses of UPES employees enrolled in Part-Time Ph.D.
Domicile Scholarship	25% scholarship on tuition fee per semester	Bonafide Uttarakhand domicile students
Vijay Scholarship (Sports)	35%-100% on tuition fee	National/International level sportspersons

The 75% fee waiver and monthly stipend are NOT applicable for part-time Ph.D. scholars.
NET-JRF/INSPIRE annual grant of INR 2,00,000 is also not applicable for part-time scholars.
A student is eligible for only one type of scholarship/concession at a time; the highest applicable scholarship is awarded.
All scholarship decisions are subject to the final authority of the Vice Chancellor.
For scholarship queries, contact: research@ddn.upes.ac.in

UPES Ph.D. Aerospace Engg FAQs

Ques. Is the Ph.D. (Aerospace Engineering) Part Time at UPES recognized by ISRO/DRDO for career advancement?

Ans. UPES is a UGC-recognized university, and its Ph.D. degrees are valid for academic and professional purposes. Many government organizations including ISRO, DRDO, and HAL recognize Ph.D. degrees from UGC-recognized universities for career advancement and higher pay grades. However, candidates should verify specific recognition requirements with their respective organizations before enrolling.

Ques. What is the duration of the Part Time Ph.D. (Aerospace Engineering) at UPES?

Ans. The program is designed for completion within 3 to 4 years, which is notably shorter than other engineering Ph.D. programs at UPES (which run 3-5 years). This makes it a relatively focused and time-efficient doctoral program for aerospace professionals.

Ques. What research areas are available under Ph.D. (Aerospace Engineering) at UPES?

Ans. Research areas include Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), aerodynamics, aeronautics, astronautics, space technology, defense and military aerospace, aerospace manufacturing, lightweight materials and composites, and propulsion systems. Scholars work with faculty mentors to identify a specific research problem aligned with their professional background and interests.

Ques. Can professionals from the defense sector (Army, Navy, Air Force) apply for this program?

Ans. Yes, defense professionals with the required academic qualifications (Master's degree with 55% marks) can apply for the Part Time Ph.D. (Aerospace Engineering). The program's focus on defense and military aerospace makes it particularly relevant for such candidates. Additionally, UPES offers a 35% scholarship on tuition fees for wards of defense personnel (for UG/Integrated programs), though this specific concession may not apply to Ph.D. programs - candidates should confirm with UPES.

Ques. How is the research proposal evaluated during the admission process?

Ans. The research proposal (approximately 1,000 words) is evaluated by the faculty committee during the interview stage. It should clearly outline the research problem, its significance, proposed methodology, and expected contributions to the field. UPES provides a guideline document (How to Write Research Proposal) available for download on the official Ph.D. Engineering page. The proposal is a critical component of the selection process.

Ques. Are there opportunities to collaborate with international aerospace institutions during the Ph.D. program?

Ans. Yes. UPES encourages Ph.D. scholars to participate in national and international conferences and seminars. The university has partnerships with international institutions and facilitates collaborative research. Scholars are also encouraged to engage with the wider aerospace community, which can lead to collaborative research opportunities with institutions in the UK, Germany, Australia, Canada, and the USA through UPES's Global Pathway Program network.

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UPES Ph.D Aerospace Engineering: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Table of Contents

UPES Ph.D. Aerospace Engg Fees

Fee Structure

UPES Ph.D. Aerospace Engg Admission 2026

UPES Admission Dates

Entrance Exam Dates

Eligibility Criteria

Admission Process

UPES Ph.D. Aerospace Engg Scholarships 2026

Scholarship Details

UPES Ph.D. Aerospace Engg FAQs

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