PhD IT Top Colleges, Admission Process, Entrance Exams, Eligibility Criteria, Subjects, Jobs, Salary, Scope 2023

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Sounak Banerjee

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PhD IT is a research-based doctoral course of normally 3 years duration, but may be extended upto 5 years. PhD IT is one of the highest degrees offered in any university to any candidate who has completed post-graduation or masters in the respective field.

Check the full list of PhD Entrance Exams for Engineering Courses. 

To be eligible for PhD IT, the candidates must complete their Master's in Information Technology or Computer Science from a certified institute or university. This degree is specialized for candidates looking forward to launching an extensively active career in the field of information technology, software development, research and data science. 

PhD IT imparts skills like programming knowledge, data processing, telecommunication, statistics, analytical problem-solving abilities, microsoft office practical working models, data analysis, presentation of information in graphical modalities and schematics.The admission to PhD IT is mostly granted on the basis of entrance exams. Some common entrance exams for this course include GATE, UGC-NET, CSIR-UGC-NET, etc. 

Although, the course fees are variable depending on the specifications mentioned by the college; on an average the standard enrollment fees ranges from INR 40,000 to 4,00,000 per annum.

PhD IT candidates may later on apply for posts for lectureship as an IT professor at a well known university after completion of PhD. They may also opt for senior positions in data analytics, as chief executives of Multinational companies and various startups, they may become founders of several new startups themselves, apart from being eligible to qualify for managerial posts in distinguished companies and technological units. 

Read about Top PhD IT Colleges in detail. 

The standard salary for PhD IT candidates basically ranges from INR 4,00,000 to 20,00,000 per annum which is again subject to changes as per the job efficiency of the employee and the job satisfaction rates met by the employer.

There are quite a variety of job positions available for PhD IT candidates in the non academic arena for a PhD graduate, if the candidate wants to work in industries rather than as an educator. Few of these jobs include Market Research Analyst, Business Development Manager, Competitive Intelligence Analyst, Product Manager, Software Consultant, Management Consultant, Quantitative Analyst, and more. 

PhD IT Course Highlights

The major highlights for the PhD IT course are tabulated in the table given below. 

Course Name: PhD IT
Full Form: Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology
Stream: Engineering
Level: Doctorate 
Duration: 3-5 years
Examination type: Thesis based
Eligibility: The candidate must have completed masters or post-graduation in Computer science, data Science, Information Technology, electronics or business with a minimum aggregate of 55% aggregate marks. 
Admission process: Entrance Based 
Course Fee: INR 40,000 to 4,00,000 
Average salary: INR 4,00,000 to 20,00,000 
Top recruiters: Microsoft, Dell, Hp, Deloitte, Apple, Samsung, Reliance, Nokia, Philips, HCL, TCS, KPMG, Capgemini, ICICI, HDFC etc.
Job positions: Marketing Specialist, Data Analyst, Database Designer, Chief Executive, Manager, System Analyst, Researchers, Professor, Lecturer, Coding Expert etc.

PhD IT is one of the Specializations that most candidates opt for after completing masters in computer science, electronics and technology or business.

  •  It is one of the core branches of engineering centred around data Science, computer programming and statistical analytics.
  • PhD IT happens to be a 3 year course generally by the end of which the candidate is expected to have completed his or her thesis. 
  • Although, the candidate may apply for SRF (Senior research fellowship) to extend the period for 2 more years and get more time for the completion of his or her research or to specialize further.
  • PhD IT  mainly deals with subjects like Programming, Website Management, Database Management, etc. 
  • It is a research based course. So, it will involve research in any one of the major domains of Information Technology. 
  • The candidates aspiring for a career as a data analyst, as a coding specialist, management consultant, looking forward to starting up a company on their own as an executive or join managerial positions in top tier firms may opt for this course.

Why Should You Study PhD IT?

There are many good reasons to join a PhD IT course, some of which are discussed below. 

  • Students having completed undergraduate and postgraduate in IT may further apply for PhD to become experts in the field and go into the field of Research.
  • People interested in positions as Professors in major universities throughout the globe and for Engineering institutions like BITS, IIT, IIIT etc spread across the country should definitely consider completing PhD IT. 
  • Candidates interested in working under allegiance with top software companies like Dell, hp, Samsung, Apple, Deloitte, Microsoft, HCL etc may opt for this degree. 
  • Candidates interested in working in industries and businesses like Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Accenture, angel broking, Indian Oil, Deutsche, HDFC, bajaj, TCS, KPMG, Goldman Sachs, whirlpool, mediatek, toshiba and in other government sector industries and banks and insurance companies may consider opting for PhD IT.
  • Although the average starting salary offered varies depending on the company norms and protocols, it normally varies from 4,00,000 INR to 20,00,000 INR which is again subjective to changes depending on how well the candidate executes his or her own work and the job satisfaction met by the employee.
Why Study ?

What is the Admission Process for PhD IT?

Most of the universities follow the system of an entrance exam for admission to PhD IT, few of the colleges might have a round of personal interview also. Few colleges allow admission through a merit basis. The general admission process is discussed below.

  • Most of the colleges take in candidates who have a good score in UGC recognized entrance exams, or National Level tests like UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR-NET, etc.
  • In the cases of merit-based admission, once the application is processed, the result is usually declared based on the marks scored in the qualifying exams. 
  • In the case of entrance exams, admission is based on the candidate’s performance in the entrance exam. This is calculated on completion of the entrance exam.
  • In both the cases, there will be a personal interview round for final selection to PhD IT course. In this round, the candidate will have to describe his research proposal to the panel. If the panel gets satisfied, then the candidate will be granted admission to the course. 

Admission Process

What is the Eligibility Criteria for Admission to PhD IT course?

The candidates must satisfy the below given eligibility criteria for admission to PhD IT course. 

  • The candidate must have completed his or her post graduation or masters in computer science or Information Technology or electronics and communication or business with a minimum aggregate of 55% or more.
  • The minimum percentage required in the Post graduate degree for admission into PhD differs depending on the college and the category of the candidate to which he or she belongs.
  • There is a 5% relaxation for scheduled caste or scheduled Tribes or other backward classes or physically handicapped individuals.
  • These individuals are required to appear for common entrance examinations for junior research fellowships conducted by National boards or the respective colleges like GATE JRF, CSIR NET JRF, UGC NET JRF, TIFR etc.

Also, check the eligibility criteria for GATE  exam.

Which are the Popular Entrance Exams for Admission to PhD IT Course?

Some of the popular Entrance Exams for Admission to PhD IT course are discussed below. 

Entrance Exam Exam Dates
IIT JAM Check Here
VITMEE Check Here
UGC NET To be Announced

How to Prepare for PhD IT Entrance Exams?

Some of the important tips that will help you prepare effectively for the PhD IT Entrance exam are discussed below. 

  • Try to complete the entire syllabus of the entrance exam at least 1 month before the exam date. This will help you get ample time for revision. 
  • Be thorough with the syllabus and important topics to cover so that no topic is left out. 
  • Practice as many sample papers as you can. Try to solve them within a stipulated time period in the exam environment. 
  • After solving the sample papers, check your scores and note them down. This will help you in tracking your daily progress and recognising the areas for improvement. 
  • For performing better in the general knowledge section, read newspapers daily.

Click here to go through GATE Sample Papers

How to get Admission in Top PhD IT Colleges?

To get admission in Top PhD IT Colleges, the candidates should keep in mind the following things.

  • The candidates must fill the application form correctly, because incorrect application may lead to cancellation of the candidature. 
  • The candidates must try to score good marks in the entrance exams, as top colleges generally have cutoffs above 90%.
  • Update yourself with the latest trends in Information Technology so that you can impress the interviewers easily. 
  • Work well on your research idea so that you can explain it properly.
  • Work on your communication skills as it plays a huge role in cracking the personal interview round.

Check the cutoffs for GATE Exam.

Which Subjects are Taught in the PhD IT Course?

The PhD is a 3 year course with the examination pattern being based on the subjects appeared in each paper which has to be appeared at the conclusion of the course.

Paper I Paper II
Theories in IT Research E-commerce Strategy
Sociotechnical Perspective of IT Managing IT Projects
Managing Virtual Systems and Global Information Technology Information System Analysis and Design
Research Management  Data Mining and Business Intelligence
Research Methods and Techniques  Statistics
Thesis Writing Communication Skills 

Which are the Top Colleges for PhD IT?

The top colleges for PhD IT are listed in the table given below.

College Name  Location  Admission Process  Average Annual Fees 
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras   Chennai  Entrance Exam Based  INR 19,670 
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore Bangalore  Entrance Exam Based  INR 35,200 
Indian Institute of Technology   Delhi  Through GATE INR 42,000
Indian Institute of Technology   Bombay  Entrance Exam Based  INR 73,000
Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi  Delhi Entrance Exam Based  INR 1,391 
University of Hyderabad Hyderabad  Entrance Exam Based  INR 11,210 
Delhi University Delhi Entrance Exam Based  INR 25,000 
National Institute of Technology   Surathkal  Entrance Exam Based  INR 69,505
National Institute of Technology   Warangal  Entrance Exam Based  INR 47,000
Amity University  Noida Entrance Exam Based  INR 1,00,000 
Top Colleges For Phd IT

Source: College Websites

PhD IT College Comparison

The top two colleges offering PhD IT courses in India are compared below on the basis of parameters like Ranking, Fees, Salary, etc.

Parameters  IIT Madras IISc Bangalore 
Overview  Indian Institute of Technology, Madras is a premier technical institution in our country. Currently, it is the best educational institution in our nation, as ranked by multiple ranking agencies including NIRF. It mainly concentrates on offering top quality Engineering and Technical courses, but it also offers Management and Social Science courses to its students.  Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore is the best destination to study research based Basic Science courses in India. It offers unique courses in Basic Science and Engineering subjects which mainly focuses on research based and experiential learning from day 1. It is consistently ranked under top 3 best educational institutions in our country by multiple agencies. 
Location  Chennai  Bangalore 
NIRF Overall Ranking 2021  1 2
Admission Process  Entrance Based  Entrance Based 
Average Annual Fees  INR 19,670  INR 35,200 
Average Annual Salary  INR 18,68,000  INR 15,00,000 
Top Recruiters  Intel, Microsoft, TCS, Mastercard, Flipkart, Axis Bank, etc.  Adobe, Lanco, Siemens, LAVA, ERA, Tech Mahindra, etc. 

College Comparision

Source: College Websites

Course Comparison: PhD IT vs PhD Computer Science 

PhD IT and PhD Computer Science are two important doctoral courses in the field of Computer Science Engineering. The two courses are compared in the table below. 

Parameters  PhD IT PhD Computer Science 
Overview  The PhD IT course deals with all the domains of the Information Technology field. It includes Data Analysis, Database Management, Operating Systems, etc.  PhD Computer Science includes all the aspects of Computer Science including Information Technology and Data Science. Along with that, it also includes Computer Architecture, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, etc. 
Admission Process  Entrance Based  Entrance Based 
Eligibility Criteria  The candidate must have completed masters or post-graduation in Computer science, data Science, Information Technology, electronics or business with a minimum aggregate of 55% aggregate marks.  The candidate must have completed masters or post-graduation in Computer science, data Science, Information Technology, electronics or business with a minimum aggregate of 55% aggregate marks. 
Average Annual Fees  INR 40,000 to 4,00,000  INR 31,810 to 3,34,000
Average Annual Salary  INR 4,00,000 to 20,00,000  INR 4,00,000 to 15,00,000
Job Positions  Marketing Specialist, Data Analyst, Database Designer, Chief Executive, Manager, System Analyst, Researchers, Professor, Lecturer, Coding Expert etc. Software Developer, Website Designer, Data Analyst, Testing Engineer, Front End Developer, Back End Developer, Etc. 
Top Recruiters  Microsoft, Dell, Hp, Deloitte, Apple, Samsung, Reliance, Nokia, Philips, HCL, TCS, KPMG, Capgemini, ICICI, HDFC etc. Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, Flipkart, Accenture, Infosys, Dell, Apple, Capgemini, TCS, Wipro, Intel, etc. 

Phd IT vs CS

Source: College Websites

Which Jobs are Available for PhD IT Candidates? 

The various job options available for PhD IT candidates are discussed below. 

  • Any candidate having completed PhD in Information technology is eligible to join any reputed university or institute as a lecturer or professor.
  • This course inculcates more interest in the candidate to pursue Research on an extensive basis thereby, becoming a data scientist.
  • Various multinational companies, banks, insurance companies, major businesses, startups, firms both from the government sector as well as the private sector provide jobs to PhD IT Candidates. 
  • Few of these top software companies and brands include Microsoft, apple, Samsung, Reliance, Nokia, HCL, Hp, Dell, Deloitte, TCS, Capgemini and other industries like Wipro, Philips, Whirlpool, Hindustan, Indian Oil, Infosys, KPMG, PwC, EY, Goldman Sachs etc.
  • Apart from that banks like HDFC and ICICI also recruit PhD IT candidates from all major institutes of India.
  • Salary expectations vary depending on the position of the recruiter and the job profile of the employee. But on an average, the initial salary might range from INR 4,00,000 to 20,00,000 per annum. 

Some of the popular job profiles are listed below. 

Job Positions  Job Description  Average Annual Salary 
Professor/Lecturer  A professor or lecturer is basically incharge of imparting basic information technology knowledge and problem solving concepts to the younger generation of enthusiasts planning to excel in the field of computer science and technology. They are also tasked with the work of formulating questions during examinations and invigilating. INR 5,00,000
Data Analyst Data analysts are experts tasked with the job of collating existing data, rearranging them systematically, correlating with past data accumulated, deriving logical solutions in mathematical format so as to produce the final generalised report and the necessary plan of action to improve the future statistical plans and sales. INR 6,00,000 
Project Manager Project managers are tasked with the classic job to coordinate the work of their subordinates, chalk out a plan for the project, organise meetings, allocate work etc so as to produce the desired results most effectively. INR 7,00,000
Intelligence Expert  The Intelligence expert looks after the AI projects of a company, supervises them, and advises on how to improve their performance.  INR 8,00,000
Database Designer  Database Designer is responsible for creating and designing databases, uploading, downloading, and mining the data, and protecting them.  INR 5,00,000
System Administrator The system administrator is an important position in any IT sector company. System Administrators are responsible for maintaining and managing the performance of main systems of an IT service.  INR 6,50,000
Testing Engineer The testing engineer is responsible for testing the software and their performances, and also the codes associated with them.  INR 5,50,000

Salary Trend Graph

Source: Payscale 

What is the Future Scope After PhD IT? 

Numerous opportunities are available for a candidate after completing PhD IT, some of which are discussed below. 

  • The PhD IT candidates may opt for further research in the field of Information Technology and data science and become a scientist in the future.
  • In the academic field, the PhD candidate may opt for the position of a professor, assistant professor or a lecturer in reputed institutions like IIT, NIT, BITS and other engineering institutions throughout India.
  • Coaching institutions all over India hire PhD candidates for teaching posts for preparing their students for Engineering entrances be it UG or PG.
  • Post completion of PhD, the candidates can go on publishing his or her own articles and thesis. 
  • They may also author books on information technology, statistics, data Science and programming which help the future students and engineering aspirants to gain more profound knowledge in the field of computer programing and data analytics.

PhD IT: FAQs/

Ques. What is the eligibility criteria for admission into PhD courses?

Ans. The minimum eligibility criteria for a candidate to qualify for PhD in Information Technology requires for the candidate to have finished masters in Technology or post graduation in the field of computer science or Information Technology and communications or machine learning or data Science or business with a minimum aggregate of 55% or more for general category students. There is a 5% relaxation of candidates belonging to Scheduled castes, scheduled Tribes or other backward classes. 

Ques. What is the average starting salary for an employee having completed PhD in Information Technology?

Ans. The average initial stipend received by any IT specialist after having completed PhD IT happens to lie within the range of INR 4,00,000 to INR 20,00,000 per annum which is again subjective to changes as deemed by the employer and the work efficiency of the employee and the years of experience.

Ques. What is the average tuition fee for a PhD in Information Technology?

Ans. In private colleges, the range of tuition fees for PhD IT spans from INR 15,180 to a maximum of INR 7,50,000 per annum.

In colleges belonging to the public sector or run by the government, the fee structure ranges from a minimum of INR 23,000 to  a maximum of INR 3,59,000 per annum.

Ques. What Entrance Exams are accepted in the IITs for admission to PhD IT? 

Ans. Most of the IITs grant admission to PhD IT either on the basis of GATE exam or on the basis of their own entrance exams conducted by the colleges themselves. 

Ques. Is prior research experience compulsory for admission to PhD IT course? 

Ans. It depends on the criteria set by the college, but in most cases, it is not compulsory. However, candidates with prior research experience are always given preference at the time of admission. 

Ques. Is PhD IT better than PhD Computer Science? 

Ans. Both courses have their own demands, but generally, Jobs are available for both PhD IT and PhD Computer Science candidates with almost similar payscale. 

Ph.D. (Information Technology) : 3 answered questions

VIEW ALL

Ques. How good is the MSIT program in IIIT Hyderabad? How are the placements?

● Top Answer By Souvick Gupta on 15 May 21

Ans. Placements for MSIT programs at IIIT Hyderabad are not that great. The placement packages and profiles offered in the placement drive do not match the skill you learn in the program. If you are choosing these programs only because of placement, it will be better to consider other options. I know a little bit about this program as I have some friends who are pursuing it.  MSIT program at IIIT Hyderabad is project-oriented. If you are from CSE from your B.Tech or BE then there are options for good placements in reputed MNCs.  MSIT faculty is different from the general faculty of IIIT Hyderabad for MTech or MS.  However, the management and the placement officials are not that cooperative for placements.  So, consider all these factors carefully and talk to the students pursuing the course if necessary, before making any decision. Hope it helps. Read more
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Ques. How is IIIT Hyderabad's MSIT course for a non it student ? What sort of companies recruit from the MSIT course?

● Top Answer By Khushi Sharma on 14 May 21

Ans. My brother is a student of MSIT at IIIT-H and the following points are his experience at the institute: This course is beneficial for people who already have an academic gap in their education. It is not advisable to enroll in this course if you have an IT background in your bachelor's degree; the same curriculum will be repeated with a shorter duration.  It is best not to attempt this course if you are already employed. It's better to put your efforts towards getting experience in that company. During the first phase of placements, you may have the opportunity to work for top IT companies such as Amazon, Salesforce, American Express, Apogee, and others.  If you are unable to break into those, you will eventually enter service-based companies. The highest package received by the students is 85 LPA while the average salary is 25 LPA during its recent placement package.  Hope you find this helpful.Read more
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Ques. How is IIITM Gwalior for a PhD in CS/IT? Will it be better than VNIT Nagpur (taking the research in CS into consideration)?

● Top Answer By Bidita Sinha on 01 Jun 22

Ans. VNIT Nagpur is a better option for CS. The CS department has excellent professors. The labs are well-equipped to carry out research projects. The institute organizes many coding related events throughout the academic year. If you are interested in a professor's area of research, you can approach them about it.Read more
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