IIT Kharagpur PhD Admission 2026: Fees, Eligibility, Syllabus, and Placement

The IIT Kharagpur PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) program is the highest academic degree offered by the institute, spanning all departments, centres, and schools across Engineering, Technology, Science, Management, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Law. The duration typically ranges from 3 to 5 years for full-time scholars. IIT Kharagpur PhD admission occurs twice a year (Autumn and Spring sessions). Eligibility generally requires a Master's degree in Engineering/Technology/Science or a Bachelor's degree from an IIT/NIT with a high CGPA and a valid national-level test score (like GATE/NET/UGC/CSIR). The academic IIT Kharagpur PhD fees are minimal, approximately ₹1.5 Lakhs for the entire program, and most regular candidates receive a monthly Institute Assistantship (Scholarship).

More details about eligibility criteria, IIT Kharagpur PhD fees, admission process, selection criteria, application fees, and important dates for IIT Kharagpur PhD admission 2026 are given below.

IIT Kharagpur PhD Highlights

The table below lists the key details of the IIT Kharagpur PhD program:

IIT Kharagpur PhD Admission Dates 2026

IIT Kharagpur conducts PhD admission for two academic sessions: Autumn (starting July) and Spring (starting January).

IIT Kharagpur PhD Fee Structure

The IIT Kharagpur PhD fees are highly subsidized for candidates receiving the Institute Assistantship (Regular Full-Time). The fee is structured primarily as a collection of refundable deposits and recurring non-tuition fees.

The estimated academic IIT Kharagpu fees structure for a regular IIT Kharagpur PhD scholar is given below:

• The total IIT Kharagpur PhD fees (Academic) for the entire program are extremely low for students receiving the Institute Assistantship.

• Full-time regular scholars receive a monthly stipend (JRF/SRF rates) from the Ministry of Education (MoE).

• Fees for Sponsored or Working Professional categories are higher (e.g., Working Professionals pay approximately ₹25,000 per semester in tuition fee).

• Separate charges for Hostel (Hall Establishment Charges) and Mess are applicable.

IIT Kharagpur PhD Eligibility Criteria

To apply for IIT Kharagpur PhD admission 2026, candidates must meet the following general and course-specific eligibility requirements:

• Educational Qualification:

  • M.Tech./M.E./M.Sc./M.A./MBA or equivalent with a minimum of 60% marks or a CGPA of 6.5 on a 10-point scale.

  • B.Tech./B.E. degree from an IIT/NIT or equivalent with a minimum of 70% marks or a CGPA of 7.5 on a 10-point scale.

• Minimum Marks Required: 60% (PG) or 70% (UG) is the general benchmark, with some variations across departments.

• Entrance Ex

• am/Fellowship (Mandatory for Regular Full-Time):

  • Candidates must hold a valid score in a national-level examination such as GATE, UGC-NET (JRF), CSIR-NET (JRF), or INSPIRE Fellowship.

• Other Requirements: Sponsored candidates and Working Professionals have different minimum experience and NOC requirements.

IIT Kharagpur PhD Admission Process

The IIT Kharagpur admission process is conducted twice a year and involves application, shortlisting, and a final selection interview.

Step 1: Online Registration

• Visit the [official IIT Kharagpur website]({Official Website Link}) for PhD admission in the respective session (Autumn or Spring).

• Click on the 'Apply Online' link and register with your personal details and academic credentials.

Step 2: Fill the Application Form & Pay Fee

• Fill in the application form, providing detailed academic qualifications, research interests, and proof of valid GATE/NET/Fellowship score.

• Upload required documents and pay the non-refundable application fee: ₹1000 (Unreserved/OBC/EWS/Transgender) or ₹500 (SC/ST/PwD/Women).

Step 3: Shortlisting for Written Test/Interview

• The respective Department/Centre/School (DCS) will release a merit list of candidates shortlisted for the selection rounds based on their academic profile and entrance exam score. Candidates are notified via email and the admission portal (IIT Kharagpur PhD Result status).

Step 4: Appear for Written Test and Interview

• Shortlisted candidates must appear for the Written Test and/or Personal Interview (PI) conducted by the concerned DCS. The interview assesses the candidate's research aptitude, subject knowledge, and clarity of research intent.

Step 5: Final Selection and Offer

• The final list of selected candidates is released based on performance in the PI and the research potential assessed. Candidates are offered admission under the relevant category (Institute Assistantship, Sponsored, etc.).

Step 6: Admission Confirmation & Fee Payment

• Selected candidates must pay the initial admission fee (including refundable deposits) and complete the document verification to confirm their seat.

IIT Kharagpur PhD Syllabus and Research

The IIT Kharagpur PhD syllabus is not a fixed curriculum but a framework involving Course Work, a Comprehensive Viva/Examination, and Original Research leading to a thesis.

• Course Work: Candidates must complete a minimum number of credits (typically 12-18) in relevant subjects, which may include core topics, electives, and research methodology.

• Comprehensive Examination: After completing the course work, the scholar must clear a comprehensive examination/viva to formally confirm their candidacy for the PhD degree.

• Research Areas: IIT Kharagpur PhD is offered across numerous fields, including Deep Learning, Robotics, VLSI, Water Resources, Sustainable Development, Finance, Organizational Behavior, and many more. The research is interdisciplinary, often leveraging the institute's 20+ departments, schools, and centres.

IIT Kharagpur PhD Placement

While a large number of PhD graduates opt for academic and post-doctoral positions abroad or in India, the IIT Kharagpur placement record in industry is also very strong, particularly in core R&D roles, DeepTech, and consulting.

PhD students are included in the central placement process managed by the Career Development Centre (CDC).