BITS Pilani PhD: Admission 2026, Eligibility, Fees, Application Process & How to Apply

About BITS Pilani PhD 2026

BITS Pilani PhD program is a minimum of 3 years and up to 5 years for full-time research, with annual tuition fees at INR 61,900. The program offers full-time and part-time modes across multiple departments, including engineering, sciences, pharmacy, management, and humanities. Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani admission is open for both Indian and international students. Students need a master's degree with at least 60% marks, followed by a department-conducted written test and interview. Full-time scholars receive institute fellowship starting at INR 37,000 per month, potentially increasing to INR 40,000 or INR 42,000 based on performance, plus contingency grants and international travel support.

BITS Pilani PhD Highlights 2026

Below are the key highlights for the BITS Pilani Rajasthan PhD course: 

BITS Pilani PhD Fees Structure 2026

BITS Pilani charges INR 61,900 per year for full-time PhD tuition fees. Full-time scholars receive an institute fellowship that covers living expenses, while BITS Pilani hostel fees for PhD students stand at INR 61,300 per year, including mess and electricity advances.

BITS Pilani PhD Eligibility Criteria 2026

Given below are the eligibility criteria for the Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani PhD admission.

• Master's degree (ME/MTech/MPharm/MPhil/MBA) with minimum 60% marks or equivalent from a recognised university.
• For integrated first-degree holders from BITS, equivalent qualifications with at least 60% marks allow provisional admission.
• Candidates with UGC/CSIR NET qualification or own fellowship remain eligible.
• Part-time candidates need employer no-objection certificate and proximity to a BITS campus for resources.

BITS Pilani PhD Admission Process 2026

BITS Pilani PhD admission 2026 is offered twice a year, in January and August semesters. Admission is based on academic performance, a written test, and an interview. The BITS Pilani PhD admission process is online. Eligible candidates apply through the official admissions portal. Shortlisted candidates attend the department-wise written test and interview.

Full-time PhD scholars receive a BITS Pilani Institute fellowship. Part-time PhD requires employer consent. BITS Pilani PhD programs are offered at Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad, and Dubai campuses in engineering, science, pharmacy, management, and humanities.

• Online Application Submission: Candidates submit applications through the official BITS Pilani admissions portal, providing personal details, academic records, research interests, and supporting documents.
• Shortlisting: Departments review applications for eligibility, including a master's degree with at least 60% marks, and alignment with faculty research areas.
• Written Test: Shortlisted candidates appear for a department-specific written test assessing subject knowledge, research aptitude, and analytical skills (some departments may waive this for qualified candidates like NET/GATE holders).
• Personal Interview: Test qualifiers attend an interview with faculty to discuss research proposals, prior experience, and program fit.
• Final Selection: Admission offers depend on overall performance, supervisor availability, and funding; selected full-time candidates confirm fellowship details.
• Admission Confirmation: Accepted candidates complete fee payment and registration before semester commencement.

How to Apply for BITS Pilani PhD Admission 2026?

Below are the detailed steps for the BITS Pilani PhD admission in BITS Pilani:

1. Visit the Official Portal: Go to the BITS Pilani admissions website at https://admissions.bits-pilani.ac.in/ or the direct PhD section. Check for the latest BITS Pilani admission notification for the desired semester (typically open twice a year).
2. Register and Create an Account: Click on the PhD application link in the current admission cycle. Register with a valid email ID and phone number to generate login credentials.
3. Fill the Online Application Form: Log in and provide personal details, academic qualifications from 10th onward, work experience (if any), and preferred campus/department. Specify full-time or part-time mode and outline research interests in the statement of purpose section.
4. Upload Required Documents: Scan and upload the required documents, such as marksheet, recent passport-size photograph, signature and others.
5. Pay the Application Fee: Submit the non-refundable fee via online modes like net banking, credit/debit card, or UPI.
6. Review and Submit: Verify all entered information and uploads for accuracy. Submit the form and download the confirmation page with application number for future reference.
7. Track Status and Prepare for Next Stages: Monitor the portal or registered email for shortlisting announcements. Shortlisted candidates receive calls for the written test (subject-specific) and interview. Original documents must be presented for verification during the interview.

Documents Required for BITS Pilani PhD Admission 2026

• Mark sheets and certificates of 10th, 12th, undergraduate, and postgraduate degrees
• Valid GATE/NET scorecard (if applicable)
• Statement of purpose detailing research interests
• No-objection certificate from employer (for part-time/sponsored candidates)
• Passport-size photographs
• Category certificate (if applicable)
• Proof of fee payment

BITS Pilani PhD Entrance Exam 2026

BITS Pilani conducts department-level entrance exams for PhD admission, consisting of a written test followed by an interview. The test evaluates subject-specific knowledge, research methodology, and analytical skills relevant to the chosen specialisation.

• Mode: Offline/Online (department-specific)
• Duration: 1-2 hours (written test)
• Total Questions (Main Paper): Varies by department (typically 50-100)
• Marking Scheme: Positive marks for correct answers; possible negative marking in some departments
• Maximum Marks: 100-200 (department-dependent)
• Question Type: Subjective and objective mix, including problem-solving and application-based
• Language: English

BITS Pilani PhD Specialisations 2026

BITS Pilani PhD offers many specialisations for PhD. However, the university offers its students a PhD course with 16 specialisations.

BITS Pilani PhD Syllabus 2026

BITS Pilani PhD syllabus focuses on research methodology, advanced topics in the chosen specialisation, and mandatory coursework decided by the Doctoral Counselling Committee. Candidates complete a qualifying examination within the first two semesters, covering core subjects and research proposal development.

For detailed breakdown, check the BITS Pilani courses.

BITS Pilani PhD Scholarships 2026

Full-time PhD scholars at BITS Pilani receive an institute fellowship and additional support for research excellence. Below are some of the BITS Pilani stipend & scholarship.

• Institute Fellowship: All full-time admitted students get INR 37,000 per month initially, increasable to INR 40,000-42,000 based on performance review.
• Contingency Grant: INR 20,000 per year for research expenses.
• International Travel Support: Up to INR 1.5 lakh for presenting papers at conferences.
• External Fellowship: UGC/CSIR NET qualifiers retain their fellowship alongside institute benefits.

BITS Pilani Ranking 2026

BITS Pilani maintains strong national and international rankings for research and university categories. The BITS Pilani ranking 2025 is 7 in NIRF University category. While the BITS Pilani Research ranking 2025 is 18 in the NIRF Research category.