Best University for PhD in India: PhD is becoming a sought-after course in India at a considerably higher rate. Coupled with that, as India grows at a fast rate, institutes dedicate more and more resources to research. This has resulted in many colleges and universities increasing both the number of subjects and the number of intakes in PhD courses.
Having a PhD gives you two broad career options – Research and Teaching. Both fields are highly respectable and highly paid.
However, one needs to be careful while selecting the university since there are a plethora of universities offering PhD courses. Thus, in this article, we provide you with a list of the Best PhD Colleges in India/ Best Universities for PhD in India.
Best University for PhD in India
The first thing you need to look into is the broad field in which you are willing to pursue a PhD. Different colleges/universities specialise in a specific field. For instance, Colleges/Universities that are best in Social Sciences might not be as good in Technical courses.
Best University for PhD in India – Sciences
1) Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is a premier public research university located in Bangalore, India. It is the oldest and one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in India, with a strong emphasis on postgraduate teaching and research. It was founded in 1909.
IISc offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in a range of subject areas, including management, engineering, and the sciences. Aerospace engineering, chemical sciences, computer science and automation, electrical communication engineering, materials research, and mechanical engineering are a few of IISc’s key research fields.
Nobel laureates C.V. Raman and Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, the former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and noted mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan are just a few of the notable alumni from IISc.
2) Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai
The second Best University for PhD in India is Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), a premier research institution located in Mumbai, India. TIFR was founded in 1945 and is a recognised university as well as a major national hub for instruction and research in science.
TIFR undertakes research in a variety of disciplines, including computer science, biology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. In addition to astrophysics, condensed matter physics, high energy physics, and molecular biology, it is renowned for its contributions to many other fields of study.
TIFR has a well-deserved reputation for research excellence and has produced a number of eminent professors and scientists. Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, C. R. Rao, and Jayant Narlikar are among the astrophysicists and mathematicians who have won the Nobel Prize in physics.
3) Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
The third Best University for PhD in India is the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras.
Research is also done across departments in multidisciplinary fields that research scholars might pursue for their Ph.D. and M.S. (by research) degrees.
IIT Madras’ Engineering, Science, Humanities, and Management departments all have excellent labs and facilities with cutting-edge technology, as do the Research Centers.
4) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi
The fourth college on our list of Best University for PhD in India is the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi. One of India’s oldest and most esteemed technical colleges, it was founded in 1961.
Engineering, science, humanities, and management programmes at IIT Delhi are available at the undergraduate, graduate, and PhD levels. The institute has research partnerships with numerous domestic and international organisations and is well known for its strong emphasis on research and innovation.
5) Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
The fifth Best University for PhD in India is the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. With 27 different specialisations, IIT Bombay provides a minimum of 3-year PhD programmes. To get admission into PhD in IIT-B, you need to clear the entrance as well as the interview round.
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay offers 36 Specializations in PhD. Some of them include Aerospace Engineering, Biosciences, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering, Chemistry etc.
6) Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
The sixth Best University for PhD in India is the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. The institute, established in 1951, was the first IIT and is recognised as an Institute of National Importance. The Government of India granted it the title of Institute of Eminence in 2019.
IIT Kharagpur offers PhD programmes in the following categories.
- Regular with Institute Assistantship
- PhD with Individual Fellowship (INSPIRE, UGC NET etc.)
- Sponsored PhD
- PhD through sponsored research projects
- PhD. PROGRAMME (Regular, Sponsored, Working Professionals, CSIR/UGC, INSPIRE Fellowship)
7) Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
The seventh Best University for PhD in India is IIT Kanpur. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur was established by an Act of Parliament in 1960 by the Indian Government. IIT Kanpur provides PhD programmes in numerous subjects including Aerospace Engineering, Biological Sciences & Bioengineering, Earth Sciences, Industrial and Management Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Interdisciplinary Programmes on Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering etc.
8) Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee
The eighth Best University for PhD in India is IIT Roorkee. It holds the title of the oldest engineering college in India. The university contains 22 academic departments that offer degrees in engineering, applied sciences, humanities and social sciences, and management, with a focus on education and research in science and technology.
PhD programmes at IIT Roorkee are divided into 3 categories: Full-time Research Scholar (FTRS), Part-time Research Scholar (PTRS) and In-Service Special External Research Scholars (ISSERS). It offers PhD in numerous subjects including Electronics and Communication Engineering, Design, Electrical Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences etc.
9) All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi
The ninth Best University for PhD in India is AIIMS Delhi. AIIMS, also known as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, was established in 1956 by an act of Parliament. The Institute’s most significant role in postgraduate and postdoctoral education is to offer opportunities for medical college professors to get training in a research-driven environment.
PhD courses in AIIMS are offered in 28 Disciplines including Anatomy, Biophysics, Community Medicine, Haematology, Laboratory Medicine, Ocular Pathology, Pharmacology, etc. The opportunity to actively participate in teaching exercises is provided for postgraduate and postdoctoral students while being introduced to newer teaching techniques.
10) Vellore Institute of Technology
The only private college that has made it to the top ten Best University for PhD in India is Vellore Institute of Technology. Among Indian Universities, VIT holds the record for publishing the most articles in SCOPUS-indexed research journals, surpassing all other top universities. Also, VIT has successfully completed three cycles of NAAC accreditation and has received the “A++” grade. Also, VIT has been recognised as an Institute of Eminence by the Government of India.
Best University for PhD in India – Social Sciences and Humanities
1) Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
The first university to make it to the Best University for PhD in India – Social Sciences and Humanities is Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. JNU is ranked as the best college in India to pursue a PhD in Social Sciences and Humanities. It offers PhD courses in Political Science, Sociology, Social Medicine, International Politics, Area Studies, Gender Studies etc.
2) Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
The second Best University for PhD in India – Social Sciences and Humanities is Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. JMI provides PhD courses in 44 specializations including Mass Communication, Architecture, Biosciences, Biotechnology, Theoretical Physics, Chemistry, Commerce and Business Studies, Computer Science etc.
The university is famous for its credible research in Social Sciences and Humanities including West Asian Studies, Economics, Educational Studies, English Literature, Hindi, History, Law, Peace and Conflict Studies, Persian, Political Science, Social Work, Sociology and Urdu.
3) Tata Institute of Social Sciences
The third Best University for PhD in India – Social Sciences and Humanities is Mumbai’s Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), which is a public research university with multiple campuses. The Sir Dorabji Tata Trust established the Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work in 1936 in the then-Bombay Presidency of British India, making it the oldest professional social work education institution in Asia.
TISS provides PhD courses in numerous fields such as Public Health, Habitat Studies, Development Studies, Women’s Studies, Applied Psychology, Media and Cultural Studies, Social Work, Education etc. It is a premier institute to conduct thorough research in Social Science.
4) University of Hyderabad
The fourth Best University for PhD in India – Social Sciences and Humanities University of Hyderabad is a public research university located in Hyderabad, India. It was founded in 1974 and has received “A+” accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC).
The University of Hyderabad provides a comprehensive range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate degrees in several academic fields, including the humanities, social sciences, performing arts, business, and more. The institution offers several well-liked courses in subjects like computer science, biotechnology, physics, English, and management studies.
5) Pondicherry University
The fifth Best University for PhD in India – Social Sciences and Humanities is Pondicherry University. Established in 1985, the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry serves as Chief Rector, the Vice President of India serves as the university’s Chancellor and the President of India serves as a visitor.
The University offers PhD courses in a plethora of specializations including International Business, Sociology, South Asian Studies, Social Work, History, Hindi, French etc.
