Doctoral Programmes (Ph.D.)
Cross-disciplinary | Innovation-driven | Outcome-centric
The New Age of Doctoral Study
Having pioneered several curricular and pedagogic attributes, BITS Pilani has a vision to be amongst the top research-led institutions in the country. The qualities of innovation, enterprise, commitment to excellence, adherence to merit and transparency have characterised the Institute during its inexorable march to eminence.
The Institute has secured over ₹398 crores as external research funding in the last 5 years. State-of-the-art facilities have been developed to support cutting edge research, led by students and about 930 faculty members, leading to a Scopus h-index of 156, with 221 patents filed so far and 41 patents granted. Currently, there are 14 BITSian Unicorns and 1 Decacorn. There are over 7500 BITSian founders and co-founders of enterprises.
Research That Moves the World Forward
Funded. Focused. Globally Relevant.
Students engage deeply with projects that address pressing challenges under the supervision of expert faculty and are also supported by advanced laboratories and research infrastructure.
Cross-Disciplinary. Industry-Linked. Workplace-Enabled.
With models like Ph.D. IMPACT and cross-campus collaboration, BITS makes research happen wherever problems exist, from labs to live industry settings.
Not Just Papers. Startups Welcome.
The Ph.D.-DRIVE track empowers scholars to commercialise research, combining deep-tech, venture mentorship and entrepreneurship, all within the doctoral ecosystem.
Global Co-Supervision. Shared Infrastructure.
With joint Ph.D.s (like with RMIT Australia), scholars get the best of both worlds — earning one degree, co-guided by faculty across continents.
More Papers. More Patents. More Progress.
BITS' research output has more than doubled in five years. Scholars contribute to high-impact publications, file patents and bring real change, academically and socially.
Find What Moves You
Ph.D. in Pharmacy
Campus: All Campuses
Ph.D. in Biotechnology
Campus: All Campuses
Ph.D. in Humanities & Social Sciences
Campus: All Campuses
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering
Campus: All Campuses
Ph.D. in Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Campus: All Campuses
Ph.D. in Chemistry
Campus: All Campuses
Start Your Ph.D. Journey:
Requirements, Dates & How to Apply
Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:
- M.E./M.Tech./M.Pharm./MBA/M.Phil. (or equivalent) with minimum 60% aggregate.
- M.Sc./B.E./B.Pharm. (or equivalent) with minimum 60% aggregate.
- M.A. degree holders with minimum 55% aggregate may apply.
- Minimum one year of relevant work experience is mandatory.
Additional Notes
- Meeting minimum eligibility does not guarantee admission.
- Departments may set additional shortlisting criteria—candidates must check departmental webpages for details.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a written test and/or interview, as recommended by the Department Research Committee (DRC).
- Coursework requirements:
- First Degree holders (M.Sc., B.E., B.Pharm., etc.): Minimum 6 courses / 24 units in the first two semesters.
- Higher Degree holders (M.E./M.Tech./M.Pharm./MBA/M.Phil., etc.): Minimum 2 courses / 6 units in the first semester.
- Admission is provisional and confirmed after clearing the qualifying exam and/or approval of the Ph.D. proposal by the DRC.
- All full-time Ph.D. students admitted to the Ph.D. programme will receive a fellowship for up to a maximum of five years.
- The fellowship could be from the Institute or the Sponsored Projects. Ph.D. students may also be eligible for their own fellowship if qualified through the UGC/CSIR NET.
- Students offered an Institute fellowship will receive ₹37,000 per month. The fellowship may be enhanced to ₹40,000/- or ₹42,000/- after two years, based on performance. Institute Fellows will also receive a contingency amount of ₹20,000/- per year.
- Students offered admission through Sponsored Projects would receive the fellowship in accordance with the funding agency guidelines.
- BITS Pilani provides International Travel Support of up to ₹1.5 lakh to full-time Ph.D. students to present their work in an international conference.
Application Process
- The online admission portal opens on 26 September 2025.
- Eligible candidates must apply through the official application form available at the provided admission website. No hard copy needs to be sent.
- Applicants must register online using a valid mobile number and email ID to generate login credentials.
- Candidates must select their preferred BITS Pilani campus(es) while filling the form.
- Preferences must be chosen carefully.
- They cannot be changed after submission.
- The completed application form and the prescribed application fee must be submitted online before the deadline.
- Last date to submit the application form: 17 November 2025, 5:00 PM.
- A non-refundable application fee of ₹2600 is payable at submission.
- Only one application is allowed.
- An edit option will be available until the deadline for correcting any mistakes.
- The final admission decision will be made by the Institute’s Admission Committee and the decision will be binding on all applicants.
Important Dates
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Admissions open for II Semester 2025–2026 | 26 Sept 2025 |
| Last date for submitting application | 17 Nov 2025 (5:00 PM) |
| Declaration of shortlisted candidates | 28 Nov 2025 |
| Written test/interview — Science Departments (Bio, Chem, Math, Physics) | 2 Jan 2026 |
| Written test/interview — All other departments | 17–18 Dec 2025 |
| Announcement of offers | 24 Dec 2025 |
| Last date for fee payment | 3 Jan 2026 |
| Reporting at assigned BITS Pilani campus | 3 Jan 2026 |
| Course registration | 5 Jan 2026 |
| Beginning of classwork | 6 Jan 2026 |
| Orientation | 7–10 Jan 2026 |
Guiding Your PhD Journey: AGSRD & DRC at a Glance
Academic Graduate Studies and Research Division (AGSRD)
The AGSRD is in charge of the academic and administrative management of all Higher Degree (Master and Ph.D.) programmes at BITS Pilani. Our main responsibility is to create, implement and develop policies and processes in relation to all aspects of the higher degree ecosystem which contribute to the quality, rigour and research culture of the BITS Pilani postgraduate experience.
From the structure of a programme to the academic regulations around it, the AGSRD will facilitate a seamless, supportive, well-governed Ph.D. journey for each scholar.
Departmental Research Committee (DRC)
Each academic department includes a DRC whose membership consists of the Head of Department (as Chairperson) and 2 to 6 senior faculty, who, like the DRC chair, are actively engaged in research. The DRC has a major role for a scholar during their whole Ph.D. journey—tracking research progress, approving courses, approving proposals, advising on research milestones and guiding completion of the dissertation. Ph.D. students have both formal and informal contact with their DRC at each stage of their progress to receive discipline-specific academic direction, review and mentorship.
Contact Us:
Admissions Office
Birla Institute of Technology & Science,
Pilani Campus, Pilani, Rajasthan 333031 (INDIA).
📧 admissions.office@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in(Hyderabad Campus)
📧 admissions@hyderabad.bits-pilani.ac.in(K K Birla Goa Campus)
📧 admnhd@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.in(Pilani Campus)
Start Your Journey
Explore important dates, eligibility criteria and
application details for BITSAT.