VelTech University Ph.D Engineering: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. Yes, you can pursue the Part Time PhD at Vel Tech even if you work in a different city. However, if your workplace is beyond 50 km from the Vel Tech campus in Avadi, Chennai, you are required to attend full-time course work at the institution for a minimum of 6 months during your registration period. Your employer must also provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) confirming that your official duties will not be affected and that research facilities are available at your place of work. This is a mandatory requirement and applications without a valid NOC will not be considered.

Ans. GATE qualification is not mandatory. Vel Tech conducts its own PhD entrance examination for candidates who do not hold GATE/UGC-NET/CSIR-JRF/SLET/M.Phil. qualifications. The entrance exam consists of 50 MCQs (25 on Research Methodology + 25 subject-specific) conducted offline for 2 hours. You need to score at least 50% to qualify for the interview. However, if you hold a valid GATE score (within the last 5 years) or UGC-NET/CSIR-JRF qualification, you are directly exempted from the entrance exam and called for the interview.

Ans. The minimum duration for the Part Time PhD in Engineering at Vel Tech is 4 years (48 months) and the maximum duration is 6 years (72 months) as per the VTR DR 2021 regulations. If you are unable to complete the programme within the maximum duration, you may apply for extension/re-registration by paying an additional fee of Rs. 10,000. It is important to note that conversion from Part Time to Full Time mode is generally not permitted except under extraordinary circumstances with the approval of the Vice-Chancellor.

Ans. The Part Time PhD in Engineering at Vel Tech is available across multiple specialisations including Aeronautical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE), Mechanical Engineering, and Information Technology (IT). The availability of a specific specialisation depends on the number of recognised research supervisors and existing scholars in that area. It is advisable to check with the Office of Research Studies (deanresearch@veltech.edu.in) for current supervisor availability before applying.

Ans. No, monthly stipends are exclusively for Full Time PhD scholars at Vel Tech. Part Time scholars do not receive a monthly stipend. However, Part Time scholars can benefit from other research support facilities such as Article Processing Charge (APC) support for Q1 journal publications, conference and international travel funding, and seed grants of up to Rs. 3 Lakhs, subject to approval by the competent authority. These benefits are available to all registered scholars regardless of their mode of study.

Ans. Vel Tech offers PhD admissions twice a year - Summer Session (commencing in July) and Winter Session (commencing in January). For the Summer Session 2026-27, the last date to apply online is May 4, 2026, and the entrance examination is scheduled for May 23, 2026. If you miss this cycle, the next Winter Session 2026-27 admissions are expected to open around October-November 2026 (based on previous year patterns). Applications must be submitted online at https://apps.veltech.edu.in/phdapplication/ with a non-refundable application fee of Rs. 1,000.