Doctoral Courses (P.Hd)

Overview

Ph.D. is an abbreviation for “Doctor of Philosophy,” commonly known as doctoral degree. In India the PhD is the highest level of degree a student can achieve. It can be done just after passing a master’s degree, although some institutions also allow students to progress straight to a PhD from their bachelor’s degree.

PhD is not just a training based study module to become a university professor, scope of PhD goes beyond academic. Now-a-days, PhD graduates are looking for alternative options in the field of writing, research, investment banking, law and many more.

This is a professional degree that qualifies the candidate as University professor, scientist and researcher in their chosen subject at university level to work in their chosen field. In this course candidates need to submit a thesis or dissertation, based on extensive and original research in their chosen field and publish the portions of the dissertation during their studies. The PhD program is less structured that’s why students get more encouraged to research topics that are of specific interest to them.

PhD students are expected to study on campus under the close supervision as traditionally as always, but nowadays distance education and e-learning schemes have meant tremendous trend changing growth in number of candidates applying for the universities accepting admission applications for part-time and distance-learning PhD course.

Generally students pursue a postgraduate or masters degree to advance their career or want to get promoted in their job positions in their respective fields, but only those students aim for a Ph.D degree who are interested in academic research and want to establish their career sectors like government organizations and corporations for research projects, write books and articles related to their field and research.

How is P.hD done ?

After all formalities of your admission in P.hD is done, then the university will introduce you with your concerned course department staff members, your supervisor with their field of expertise who will be guiding you in your research and the topic or field of research for which you have been accepted.

They will explain to you a detailed outline of all the levels you need to reach and achieve during your ongoing PhD course in which your supervisor will be in charge of you, will make reports on your progress, and guide you for your next steps.

The first year almost consists of coursework, just like in lower degrees, but the topics are more complex which require the indepth and advanced knowledge of the field.Till third year, always need to do coursework it can be less or more. In second year, students will begin planning and start work on their research project which is often referred to as the doctoral thesis. Under guidance of their supervisor, a student will devise an experiment or they will begin a study to find an answer of a particular question, and after that they will work on an extensive dissertation discussing their theory, experiments, and findings. When students are finally ready with their research in the last year of course, the students need to defend their dissertation before a committee of professors, their advisor, and prove their merit of research study. Once students successfully defend their dissertation, a student is now ready after a lot of study, hard work and research to get awarded the most prestigious degree Ph.D.

Programme length

This programme is of three years of duration and the candidate is required to finish this course with a maximum period of five to 6 years depending upon the University you are studying in.

Assessment and examination

The quality of the doctoral thesis you produce at the end of your degree course is the main criteria for the award of an PhD degree in India 

Firstly, the thesis is submitted internally in front of many faculty members who are often involved and they may request students for further corrections and resubmissions of thesis before allowing a student to proceed to their external examination.

Publication requirements

You may have to produce a peer-reviewed publication before your doctorate can be awarded. Your Supervisor or faculty will help you out with a list of the journals/newspapers which they regard as being acceptable and then your supervisor will guide you for the preparation of your research for publication.

Intellectual Potential

The one thing which a PhD course will do is it separates the good academics from the fantastic ones. It grooms the ability of an individual to conduct independent research and also represent their in-depth knowledge in a specific subject area.

Advantages of pursuing P.hD in India 

Affordability – PhD is very affordable in India as compared to other countries with commonly spoken language at teaching level, English is widely spoken and is the language of instruction which is widely used in all universities.

Diversity – there are a lot many options for research topics in India like, you want to research on Management, culture, Theatres or any religious philosophy etc. 

Global recognition – Several India’s leading universities and institutes are now featured in international league charts, as Universities have updated their course structure and quality of education to meet all international standards of education to speed up India’s higher education expansion.

Contribution in your field – Many passionate students about their specific subject, do research to make some important discoveries within their field. This is One of the greatest things about a PhD, that you are able to choose your own topic and conduct your own research. If experts will find your thesis and findings are strong and relevant, other experts within your chosen area of academia will reference your work and your discoveries when teaching future students.

PhDs through MPhil

The MPhil is an advanced master’s degree awarded for research and it is suitable for students to have a strong research background for further study of P.hD degree . M.Phil  taught students   about courses to gear up the speed in adapting and understanding research methods.

On the successful completion of research work lead them to get awarded the MPhil degree, in getting awarded an M.Phil degree the candidates need not to present any defense of their dissertation which is required in PhD to attain degree.

After the successful completion of 1st & 2nd  year of your research during your MPhil program, and the faculty members of the university find it satisfying with the progress of your work, then candidates will be able to apply further for PhD program. Hence, your supervisor will be in charge of taking the decision whether you are ready to progress further in the PhD program, after successful completion of all the process you will then need to develop a title for your thesis and choose your PhD program.

Eligibility

The required minimum qualification for admission to a Ph.D Program shall be:

Masters degree in a relevant subject, usually with an overall grade of at least 55%* marks in aggregate in a relevant discipline or equivalent. Degree required normally be a two years Master’s OR M.Phil Degree from any accredited Indian or Foreign University in the relevant field.

For Ph.D. in Law, the applicant must possess a Master’s degree in Law or M. Phil in law with minimum 55% marks or equivalent grade or.

Candidates are also expected to have the necessary skills in their course from which they further want to pursue their P.hD degree.