Professor Qualifications: Eligibility, Courses, Syllabus, Subjects, Undergraduation, Postgraduation, PhD, Top Colleges

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Ahana Bhaduri

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Professors are qualified and skilled professionals who conduct research, publish papers, prepare lesson plans for students, assign projects, and grade papers. Being a professor is one of the most respected professions in India and has been acknowledged globally. Most of the candidates aspiring to become a Professor choose to pursue a doctorate. As per a report by the IBEF, the employment of professors is expected to grow by 15% between 2016 and 2026 which is higher than the average for all professions. 

To become a Professor, aspiring candidates must pursue undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in relevant disciplines followed by clearing the UGC NET exam. Though it is not mandatory, but candidates who have cleared NET / SET as well as pursued a PhD in subjects that they want to take up as their teaching specialization, are given a preference over their peers. The average salary of a Professor usually comes to around INR 5.11 LPA - 7.03 LPA. However, with gradual experience, the salary of a Professor can go up to as much as INR 35 LPA. Discussed below are some of the crucial qualifications that must be pursued by candidates aspiring to become a Professor. 

Professor Eligibility

Candidates aspiring to become a Professor must be aware of all the eligibility criteria which include their educational qualifications, age limits, nationality and other parameters. 

Discussed below are the essential prerequisites that must be met to become a Professor. 

  • Candidates must first be a citizen of the country. Specially to apply for government colleges and universities, candidates must show proof of their nationality.
  • Candidates aspiring to become a Professor must be a minimum of 23 years, however, there is no upper age limit
  • They must pursue graduation and postgraduation in relevant subjects followed by clearing UGC NET / SET exams.
  • After clearing NET / SET, candidates can then choose to pursue PhD courses in subjects that they want to teach.

Professor Qualifications

Several degrees can be pursued to become a Professor. Candidates from various disciplines such as Arts, Commerce, Science, Law and Management can choose to take up their profession as a Professor. 

Discussed below are a few of the subjects that can be taken up to become a Professor along with the relevant degrees. 

  • Arts: There are several subjects to choose from for candidates opting to pursue PhD in Arts such as History, Political Science, Geography, Fine Arts, Statistics, and Economics. It would be advisable if candidates opt to pursue a master’s in their chosen area of specialization followed by researching a topic relevant to their subject of teaching.
  • Commerce: Commerce is also one of the most chosen areas in which candidates can opt to pursue a career as a professor. Commerce is a very wide field which includes courses such as Business Management, Accounting, Financial Management, Human Resources, Marketing, and Sales. Some of the courses include B.Com (Hons.), BBA in Financial Management, BBA in Taxation and Accounting, and MBA 
  • Science / Engineering: To teach in an Engineering college, candidates will be required to have specialized knowledge of the subject or the domain in which they want to teach. Several specializations can be taken up by candidates who choose to become Professors such as electrical, civil, computer, and software engineering.
  • Law: To become a Professor in the field of law, candidates first need to get into law schools and complete their graduation along with a postgraduate degree in Law. After this, they will be eligible to become a professor in Law. Candidates should be aware of all the laws that are applicable in India. There are several courses available in law for the candidates to pursue such as LLB, BA LLB, BBA LLB, LLM, B.Com LLB, and B.Sc LL B. Candidates can also go for specialized courses such as a post-graduate diploma in Intellectual Property Rights, Cyber Law, and Corporate Law. This will help the candidates to have specialized knowledge about the program. 

Top Colleges

Several top PhD colleges enrol students for various disciplines from Arts, Commerce, Science and Law after they clear the PhD entrance exams. Tabulated below are a few of them along with their average fees for your reference.

Name of the Colleges Duration Average Fees (INR)
Jai Hind College 3 - 6 years 23,377
Bishop Heber College 3- 6 years 45,600
Ahmedabad University 3 - 6 years 48,000
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research 3 - 6 years 3470
Sri Ramchandra Institute of Higher Education and Research 3- 6 years 25,000
Jawaharlal NeProfessoru University 3 - 6 years 4975
Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth 3 - 6 years 80,000

Professor Salary

As already discussed above the average salary of a Professor in India ranges from INR 5.11 LPA - 7.03 LPA. The salary structure however changes once the candidate gathers relevant experience and expertise in the field. 

Tabulated below is the average salary of a Professor based on the designations that they are assigned. 

Designation Average Annual Salary (INR)
Assistant Professor 5.20 L
Associate Professor 8.96 L
HOD 13.24 L
Professor 12.20 L
Senior Professor 22.67 L

Professor Qualifications: FAQs

Ques. Who is a Professor?

Ans. A Professor is a skilled professional who prepared the lesson plan for the candidates, guide, mentor students related to course or for future prospects etc. 

Ques. What are the options after completing a course to become a Professor?

Ans.  The career options after completing a course to become a Professor are:

  • Professor 
  • Counselor
  • Researcher
  • Assistant professor 

Ques. What is the salary of a Professor after completing a Master's?

Ans. After completion of master’s course, The salary of a Professor after completing post-graduation is around INR 7.8 LPA provided they need to clear the UGC NET Exam.

Ques. What are the skills required to be a Professor?

Ans. To become a Professor, the candidate must possess following skills:

  • Passion for teaching
  • Communication skills
  • Time Management
  • Problem solving skills

Ques. What are the certificate courses required to be a Professor?

Ans. The certificate courses required to be a Professor are:

  • An Introduction to New Thinking for your classroom
  • Diploma in Teaching skills for Educators
  • Diploma in Outcome - based Education and Academic Quality Assurance
  • Effective Communication Techniques for teachers

Ques. What is the highest salary of a Professor?

Ans. According to Glassdoor, The highest salary of a Professor can go up to INR 25 LPA. 

Ques. What entrance should a Professor take?

Ans.  A Professor needs to take the UGC NET etc. entrance exams to be a Professor in India . 

Ques. Is Professor a good job? 

Ans. Yes, an Professor is a great career. It's one of the most powerful positions and a high paying job as well. Apart from that candidates are given several other monetary benefits such as PF, medical insurance, travel claim etc.

Ques. Does Professor have a scope in the Government sector?

Ans. Yes, Professor has a scope in the government sector. Lot of vacancies are released every year for the candidate to pursue a career as professor in Government college.

Ph.D. : 43 answered questions

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Ques. What is the minimum GATE score to do a PhD in the IIT, Madras?

● Top Answer By Madhav Aneja on 17 Jul 23

Ans. First of all, there is no fixed GATE score that makes you eligible to do a Ph.D. at IIT Madras as the selection process comprises a number is criteria with the GATE score being just one of them. The students applying for a PhD program at IIT Madras, go through a rigorous admission process. To become eligible one needs to fulfill the following criteria Master's or a dual degree in the relevant disciplines with a CGPA of 6.5 or above. Candidates with BE/BTech degrees can apply directly for a Ph.D. (MS+PhD) in Engineering or Sciences after their Bachelor’s degree.  M.S scholars with CGPA>8.0 are eligible to upgrade to the Ph.D. program in the same department and receive a dual degree i.e. (MS+PhD)  I hope I made it clear!Read more
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Ques. Are master's degrees from IGNOU acceptable for admission into Ph.D courses in top universities?

● Top Answer By Anumita Mukharjee on 28 Apr 22

Ans. Yes, IGNOU is UGC approved, so masters degrees from IGNOU are acceptable for Ph.D. courses in top universities.  But to get admission you will have to meet the other eligibility criteria as well. The university will check your marks, rank, average, and age. As IGNOU is an open university, there is no age bar for learning any degree. Read more
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Ques. How is the Direct PhD program of IIT Madras?

● Top Answer By Arati Sinha on 29 Mar 23

Ans. If you are considering pursuing a Ph.D. at IIT-M, you might be interested in knowing about the similarities and differences between a regular Ph.D. and a direct Ph.D. Here's what you need to know: Selection Procedure: All Ph.D. candidates, whether applying for a regular or direct Ph.D., have to clear a written exam followed by an interview at the institute. Coursework: A regular Ph.D. scholar has to complete four courses, while a direct Ph.D. candidate has to complete eight courses. If you are interested in a dual degree (i.e., MS by research and Ph.D.), you will need to complete two extra courses. Comprehensive Exam: After completing the coursework (usually taking two semesters), every candidate has to undergo a comprehensive exam consisting of a written test and an interview. You will have two chances to clear the comprehensive exam. If you fail to clear the comprehensive exam, you can still obtain an MS degree and get placed or join the Ph.D. program later. The amount and quality of research work by both kinds of Ph.D. candidates are the same. Financial Assistance: A regular Ph.D. candidate is eligible for financial assistance once to attend any international conference outside India. A direct Ph.D. candidate is eligible for financial assistance twice to attend an international conference outside India. Both regular and direct Ph.D. candidates can attend any national/international conference within India once every semester with full financial assistance. Stipend: The stipend for regular Ph.D. candidates is up to five years. The stipend for direct Ph.D. candidates is up to six years. Pre-Post Doc Fellowship: If you submit your degree within 4.5 years for a regular Ph.D. or 5 years for a direct Ph.D., you are eligible for a pre-postdoc fellowship.Read more
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Ques. Is a Phd from IGNOU worth it/valuable?

● Top Answer By Srabani Guha on 24 Jul 23

Ans. Recently, UGC stated that only  Full-time Phd courses will be Valid and distance PhD is no more valid. The new full-time Ph.D. course will be delivered through the New Delhi main Campus of IGNOU. This change in itself has raised the worth and credibility of a Ph.D. from IGNOU. Here are a few Ph.D. programs offered in regular mode by IGNOU Ph.D. in Dairy Science and Technology Ph.D. in Gender and Development Studies Ph.D. in Women's Studies Ph.D. in Arabic Ph.D. in French Ph.D. in Distance Education Ph.D. in Translation Studies Moreover, IGNOU is the largest open university in the world, so the credibility of any degree from here cannot be doubted. What actually matters is the level of effort you put into research in the concerned field. Try to earn your degree and not just get one.Read more
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Ques. What is the value of a Ph.D. degree from IIT Bombay?

● Top Answer By Karuna Nair on 13 Mar 23

Ans. If you want to achieve self-satisfaction by gaining maximum knowledge about your research area, a Ph.D. could be a great way to do so. Consider coming to IIT Bombay if you are always enthusiastic about learning something new and doing something innovative. Your work will depend on your area and how far you can reach in the industry. For example, if your area is controlled, you can reach many consulting firms or industries that deal with automation problems. In fact, my lab deals with many industrial problems related to such issues. Your work will be recognized as an asset for IITB, and research is the foremost thing that every professor looks forward to. Apart from that, you can enjoy a good life as a Ph.D. student here, with the freedom to think in many directions and develop your research skills at your own pace. A Ph.D. degree from IIT Bombay is well-recognized. Many of the students, who are doing their Ph. D.s here in controls, are well settled abroad or in India, which proves the worth of this degree.Read more
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Ques. What are all the advantages of doing Ph.d in IIT Madras?

● Top Answer By Aditi Sengupta on 29 Mar 23

Ans. When considering pursuing a Ph.D., it is important to understand the challenges that come with it. However, if you have a passion for research and contributing to the world through your technical knowledge, you can bring about a change. Additionally, pursuing a Ph.D. at IIT Madras can offer many financial advantages and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Here are some of the financial advantages of joining the Ph.D. program at IIT Madras: Stipend: As a Ph.D. student at IIT Madras, you will receive a stipend of 31,000 INR per month. This stipend is provided to help you cover your living expenses while you focus on your research. PMRF Scheme: You can also try for the Prime Minister's Research Fellowship (PMRF) scheme. If you perform well in your first semester, you can apply for lateral entry (or direct entry) and receive a stipend of 70,000 INR per month.  Financial Benefits for Research Conferences and Publications: You can receive financial benefits of 1.5 to 2 lakhs per annum to attend research conferences and publish your work. This can help you expand your research network and showcase your work to a wider audience. Semester Exchange: Semester exchange to top universities across the globe is also possible, subject to your guide's approval. This can provide you with an opportunity to gain exposure to different research environments and cultures. Quarters for Married Ph.D. Students: If you are a married Ph.D. student, quarters are provided in the residential area of IIT Madras. This can help you and your spouse live comfortably while pursuing your studies. High-Paying Job Opportunities: After completing your Ph.D., any top band industry is ready to pay you thousands of dollars. This is because you would have acquired a specialized set of skills and knowledge that are highly valued in the industry. Scientist D Level in Government Organizations: You can also become eligible for entry to the Scientist D level in government research organizations such as ISRO, DRDO, and BARC, provided you have the minimum required experience. Teaching Opportunities: Pursuing a Ph.D. can also help you improve your teaching skills. As a Ph.D. student at IIT Madras, you will have the opportunity to teach B.Tech, Dual Degree, M.Tech, and MS students. This can help you gain valuable teaching experience and learn from your students as well. In conclusion, pursuing a Ph.D. at IIT Madras can provide you with many financial advantages and opportunities for personal and professional growth. If you have a passion for research and technical knowledge, a Ph.D. can help you make a positive impact on the world.  Read more
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Ques. Why do some students in IIT Bombay leave high-paying jobs and join grad schools for PhD?

● Top Answer By Advait Joshi on 23 Mar 23

Ans. It’s highly illogical to question why some students in IIT leave high-paying jobs and join graduate schools for Ph.D. This is because some people tend to do whatever makes them happy rather than following the sheep mentality. They don’t consider money as the only source of happiness. And they know that a high-paying job will rob them of mental peace due to a lot of responsibilities they might not even enjoy. So they choose a happier and simpler part which is pursuing a Ph.D. Another major reason why people may pursue a Ph.D. rather than working at a top company is their strong inclination to words academics, and they may not be satisfied with a bachelor's degree and crave higher studies in the form of PhD. Basically, the reason behind such a decision is subjective and depends solely On the particular individual, and cannot be objectified.  The common reason why people make such a decision is that they have more interest in studies and doing a job would hinder that passion. Doing a Ph.D. gives you opportunities to travel and enjoy life generally. That being said, it's not necessary that a Ph.D. is easy for everyone. It strictly depends upon one’s preferences and capabilities.Read more
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Ques. What is the placement scenario after PhD in IIT Bombay?

● Top Answer By Advait Joshi on 17 Mar 23

Ans. The placement scenario after PhD in IIT Bombay is generally poor, according to student feedback and departmental elections. Ph.D. students typically have very specific knowledge that may not be useful to companies, so they may not be recruited by BTech companies. There is no specific body that helps bring companies for Ph.D. students, resulting in a lack of job opportunities for graduates. Ph.D. graduates pursue two directions: Professor in a University or a specified job, but finding a job can be difficult without faculty contacts. The average salary for a Ph.D. student at IIT Bombay ranges from INR 3.4 Lakhs to INR 4.2 Lakhs per year .Read more
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Ques. Is a PhD from IGNOU valid?

● Top Answer By Pankaj Kumar on 18 Oct 22

Ans. PhD from IGNOU is as valuable as from any other university. The UGC has recently ruled that PhD from distance education is no longer valid. This is applicable to every university. PhD is valid only in regular mode. This can be both part-time or full-time. IGNOU offers both so yes PhD from IGNOU is valuable. In fact, it is more valuable than the same degree from Manipal or Lovely Professional University.  PhD from IGNOU is valuable because of the following reasons: Affordable fees  Both part-time and full-time available ( both approved by UGC) Easy distance education Can be pursued alongside a business or profession. What really matters is what you learn during your course and how you apply it.Read more
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Ques. What is the placement record of MSc applied statistics students of IIT Bombay?

● Top Answer By Poornima Sahoo on 18 Mar 23

Ans. The table below shows the key placement highlights of MSc applied statistics students of IIT Bombay. Particulars  Statistics  Median Salary INR 55.4 LPA Average Salary INR 17.9 LPA Placement Percentage 66.67% International Offers 58 Top Recruiters  Accenture | Analog Devices | Apple | CITI Bank | Google | Hindustan Unilever | HONEYWELL | IBM | ISRORead more
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