The Apollo University Chittoor Ph.D Information Technology: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Chittoor, Andhra PradeshPrivate UniversityEstd 2021
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Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 27, 2026

The Ph.D. (Information Technology) programme at The Apollo University, Chittoor is a full-time, on-campus doctoral research programme offered under the Faculty of Technology (School of Technology). The programme has a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years as per UGC norms, and focuses on cutting-edge research in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT), and related information technology domains. The annual tuition fee for the full-time mode is Rs. 20,000 per annum, making it one of the most affordable doctoral programmes in the technology domain. Admissions are conducted twice a year through a rolling advertisement, and the programme is offered in full-time on-campus mode. The programme is particularly attractive for IT professionals, engineers, and computer science graduates seeking to contribute to applied and theoretical research in emerging technology areas, backed by the university's collaborations with Microsoft, NASSCOM, and global institutions.

Admissions for the 2026 Cycle 2 (October-December) are upcoming. The Cycle 1 (March-May 2026) admission and registration was completed in the first week of May 2026. For Cycle 2, the last date for application submission is 31st October 2026, with the TAU Research Entrance Test (TAU-RET) scheduled for mid-November 2026, results and interviews in the last week of November 2026, and admission and registration in the first week of December 2026. Candidates may apply online through the university's official admissions portal.

Key Points

  • Ph.D. in Information Technology is offered under the Faculty of Technology at The Apollo University, with research areas spanning Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, IoT, VLSI, Embedded Systems, and related IT domains.
  • TAU has active collaborations with Microsoft (for Azure cloud and AI curriculum), NASSCOM (for emerging technology skill development), and global universities including UNSW (Australia), Monash University, and the University of Leicester, providing a rich research ecosystem for IT scholars.
  • Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET, APSET, or GATE are exempted from the university's entrance examination (TAU-RET).
  • The programme follows UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, ensuring national recognition of the degree.
  • TAU provides competitive Doctoral Research Fellowships for select full-time PhD scholars across disciplines.
  • The School of Technology at TAU is equipped with state-of-the-art computing facilities, advanced labs, and an Industry Excellence Centre, providing a strong infrastructure for IT research.

Apollo Univ PhD IT Fees

Fee Components

Fee ComponentAmount
Application and Entrance Exam Fee (one-time, non-refundable)Rs. 2,000
Coursework Fee (one-time)Rs. 15,000
Tuition Fee (Full-Time, per annum)Rs. 20,000
Caution Deposit (one-time, refundable)Rs. 5,000
Total Fees (for minimum 3 years, excluding caution deposit)Rs. 77,000
  • Caution Deposit of Rs. 5,000 is fully refundable at the time of programme completion or withdrawal, subject to no dues.
  • Total calculated as: Application Fee (Rs. 2,000) + Coursework Fee (Rs. 15,000) + Tuition Fee for 3 years (Rs. 20,000 x 3 = Rs. 60,000) = Rs. 77,000 (excluding refundable caution deposit of Rs. 5,000).
  • If the programme extends beyond 3 years, an additional Rs. 20,000 per annum will be charged as tuition fee.
  • Hostel Fees (Optional, not mandatory): The Apollo University offers hostel accommodation for students.
  • Hostel fees range from Rs. 1,20,000 to Rs. 1,35,000 per annum (inclusive of room rent and mess charges), depending on the type of room (standard 4-sharing or deluxe 3-sharing).
  • Hostel is not mandatory for PhD scholars.
  • No EMI options have been officially announced; fee payment is typically made at the time of admission/registration each year.

Apollo Univ PhD IT Admission 2026

TAU Ph.D. (Information Technology) Admission Schedule 2026

EventDate
Last Date for Application Submission (Cycle 1)31st March 2026
TAU Research Entrance Test (TAU-RET) - Cycle 1Mid-April 2026
Results and Interviews (Cycle 1)Last week of April 2026
Admission and Registration (Cycle 1)1st week of May 2026
Last Date for Application Submission (Cycle 2)31st October 2026
TAU Research Entrance Test (TAU-RET) - Cycle 2Mid-November 2026
Results and Interviews (Cycle 2)Last week of November 2026
Admission and Registration (Cycle 2)1st week of December 2026

Qualifying Exam Dates (Exemption from TAU-RET)

ExamKey Dates
UGC NET (December 2025 cycle)Exam held: 31st December 2025, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th January 2026
UGC NET (June 2026 cycle)Application: 3rd week of April 2026 onwards; Exam: June 2026 (dates to be announced by NTA)
APSET 2025Application: 9th January 2026; Exam: 28th and 29th March 2026
GATE 2026Registration: 28th August 2025 - 13th October 2025; Exam: 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th February 2026; Result: 19th March 2026
  • Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET (Computer Science and Applications), APSET, or GATE (Computer Science and Information Technology - CS paper) are exempted from the TAU-RET entrance examination.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Candidates must have completed a Master's degree (M.Tech./M.E./MCA/M.Sc. in IT, Computer Science, or equivalent) from a recognized university with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks (or equivalent grade).
  • Candidates who have completed an M.Phil. programme with coursework and secured at least 55% aggregate marks are also eligible.
  • Candidates must qualify the TAU Research Entrance Test (TAU-RET), unless they hold a valid score in UGC-NET, APSET, or GATE (CS/IT).

Admission Process

  • Apply online through the official TAU admissions portal (admissions.apollouniversity.edu.in) and submit the completed application form along with academic transcripts, a detailed research proposal, and proof of qualifying examination (if applicable).
  • Pay the application and entrance exam fee of Rs. 2,000 via the official payment link provided on the PhD admissions page.
  • Appear for the TAU Research Entrance Test (TAU-RET) if not exempted through UGC-NET/APSET/GATE.
  • Shortlisted candidates will be called for a personal interview to discuss their research proposal and academic background.
  • Final selection is based on academic credentials, research proposal quality, TAU-RET performance, and interview.
  • Upon selection, complete admission formalities and pay the coursework fee and caution deposit at the time of registration.

Apollo Univ PhD IT Scholarships 2026

Scholarships and Fellowships

Scholarship / FellowshipEligibilityAmount / Benefit
TAU Doctoral Research FellowshipCompetitive selection among full-time PhD scholars at TAUFinancial support (contact Office of Research at co_research@apollouniversity.edu.in for current rates)
UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)Candidates qualifying UGC-NET with JRF in Computer Science and ApplicationsRs. 37,000/month (JRF, first 2 years); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF, subsequent years)
DST-INSPIRE FellowshipCandidates in top 1% of qualifying examination or with exceptional research profileRs. 31,000/month + Rs. 20,000/year research grant
Google PhD FellowshipExceptional PhD students in Computer Science/IT with strong research profileFull tuition + stipend (highly competitive; apply through university)
  • The TAU Doctoral Research Fellowship is available for a limited number of full-time PhD scholars; candidates are advised to contact the Office of Research at co_research@apollouniversity.edu.in for current fellowship amounts and availability.
  • UGC JRF fellowship is awarded by NTA/UGC and is tenable at recognized universities including TAU; candidates must apply separately through the UGC-NET process.
  • DST-INSPIRE Fellowship applications are made through the DST-INSPIRE portal; eligibility and deadlines are governed by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
  • Google PhD Fellowship is highly competitive and open to students at recognized universities; candidates should check the Google Research website for current eligibility and application cycles.
  • Scholarship amounts for UGC JRF are as per the revised rates effective from January 2023.
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Apollo Univ PhD IT FAQs

Ques. Is the Ph.D. in Information Technology at The Apollo University recognized by UGC, and is it valid for academic and industry positions?

Ans. Yes, The Apollo University is a UGC-approved private university established under the Andhra Pradesh Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Act 2016. The Ph.D. programme follows UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, and the degree is nationally recognized. Graduates can apply for Assistant Professor positions in engineering colleges and universities (subject to UGC-NET/APSET qualification), as well as research scientist and senior engineer roles in IT companies, government research organizations (C-DAC, NIC, DRDO), and technology startups.

Ques. What are the specific research areas available under Ph.D. IT at TAU, and how does the Microsoft and NASSCOM collaboration benefit scholars?

Ans. The Ph.D. in IT at TAU is offered under the Faculty of Technology, with research areas including Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, IoT, VLSI, and Embedded Systems. A key advantage is TAU's MoU with Microsoft, which provides access to Azure cloud computing resources for research, and its partnership with NASSCOM's FutureSkills Prime platform for emerging technology training. These collaborations give PhD scholars access to industry-grade tools, datasets, and professional networks that are directly relevant to IT research. Candidates are advised to contact the School of Technology to identify available supervisors and ongoing research projects before applying.

Ques. Can I pursue Ph.D. IT at TAU while working in the IT industry? Is there a part-time option?

Ans. Yes, The Apollo University offers the Ph.D. programme in both full-time and part-time modes. The part-time mode is specifically designed for working IT professionals who wish to pursue doctoral research alongside their employment. The tuition fee for the part-time mode is Rs. 50,000 per annum (compared to Rs. 20,000 per annum for full-time). Part-time scholars must meet the minimum residency requirements as per UGC norms. This is a particularly relevant option for software engineers, IT managers, and technology professionals who wish to transition into research or academia.

Ques. If I have qualified GATE (CS) or UGC-NET (Computer Science), do I still need to appear for the TAU entrance exam?

Ans. No. Candidates who have qualified any recognized national or state-level examination such as UGC-NET (Computer Science and Applications), APSET, or GATE (Computer Science and Information Technology - CS paper) are exempted from the TAU Research Entrance Test (TAU-RET). However, they are still required to submit a research proposal and appear for the personal interview as part of the selection process. Candidates should carry the original score card/certificate of the qualifying examination at the time of the interview.

Ques. What should my research proposal cover for Ph.D. IT at TAU, and what topics are most likely to get supervisor support?

Ans. The research proposal should clearly outline the proposed research topic, objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and potential impact. For Ph.D. IT at TAU, proposals in areas such as AI/ML applications in healthcare (aligned with Apollo Hospitals' domain), cloud computing, cybersecurity, data analytics, and IoT are most likely to find supervisor support given the university's focus areas and industry collaborations. The proposal should demonstrate awareness of the current state of research in the chosen area, identify a clear research gap, and propose a feasible methodology. Candidates are advised to contact the Research Coordinator at co_research@apollouniversity.edu.in to discuss supervisor availability before submitting.

Ques. What are the career prospects after completing a Ph.D. in Information Technology from The Apollo University?

Ans. A Ph.D. in IT from a UGC-recognized university like TAU opens multiple career pathways. Graduates can pursue academic positions as Assistant Professors in engineering colleges and universities (subject to UGC-NET/APSET qualification), research scientist roles in government organizations (C-DAC, NIC, DRDO, ISRO), senior R&D positions in IT companies (product development, AI research, cybersecurity), entrepreneurship and technology startup ventures, and consulting roles in digital transformation and emerging technologies. The university's collaborations with Microsoft, NASSCOM, and global institutions also provide strong networking opportunities for career advancement.

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