Ph.D.

Civil Engineering


Offered at: Pilani, Hyderabad, Goa, Dubai

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Shaping Tomorrow’s Infrastructure Through Research


The Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at BITS Pilani encourages innovative research in all fields of civil engineering. Students conduct rigorous research in areas such as structural engineering, transportation systems, water resources, geotechnics and infrastructure management with modern laboratories and faculty members who have years of experience and skills. The programme encourages rigorous methodological approaches to analyse complex engineering problems, ensures innovation and contributes to real-world application, given the need for sustainable solutions for engineering challenges. Graduates will formally graduate as experts in their chosen discipline, but they will also be ideally positioned to engage in academia, industry and government levels, in addition to possessing training in advanced analysis, project sustainability and recognising the global and multidimensional aspects of sustainable infrastructure development.


Know More

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 admitted through Sponsored Projects will receive fellowship support in accordance with the funding agency guidelines.

Key Research Milestones

Core Research Domains Advancing the Future of Biotechnology

The Department lays special emphasis on research work in various areas of specialisation that include:

Structural Engineering

Water Resource Engineering

Geotechnical Engineering

Transportation Engineering

Environmental Engineering

Ph.D. Admission and Support Information

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 PhD proposal by the DRC.

  • All full-time PhD students admitted to the PhD program will receive a fellowship for up to a maximum of five years.
  • The fellowship could be from the Institute or the Sponsored Projects. PhD 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 PhD students to present their work in an international conference

Application Process

  1. The online admission portal opens on 26 September 2025.
  2. Eligible candidates must apply through the official application form available at the provided admission website. No hard copy needs to be sent.
  3. Applicants must register online using a valid mobile number and email ID to generate login credentials.
  4. Candidates must select their preferred BITS Pilani campus(es) while filling the form.
    1. Preferences must be chosen carefully.
    2. They cannot be changed after submission.
  5. The completed application form and the prescribed application fee must be submitted online before the deadline.
  1. Last date to submit the application form: 17 November 2025, 5:00 PM.
  2. A non-refundable application fee of ₹2600 is payable at submission.
  3. Only one application is allowed.
    1. An edit option will be available until the deadline for correcting any mistakes.
  4. The final admission decision will be made by the Institute’s Admission Committee, and the decision will be binding on all applicants.

To learn more about the Ph.D admissions process at BITS Pilani, please visit the website https://www.bitsadmission.com

Faculty Guiding the Next Generation of Biotech Leaders

Dr. Akshay Venkateshwaran


Assistant Professor,
Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering

Dr. Brij Kishor Pandey


Assistant Professor,
Head of Department, Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering

Dr. Deepthi Mary Dilip


Assistant Professor,
Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering

You Asked.
We Answered.

At BITS Pilani, the Ph.D in Civil Engineering is a research‑centric doctoral programme exploring structural, geotechnical, transportation, water resources, environmental and infrastructure engineering under faculty supervision.

The Department emphasises research in Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Water Resources, Transportation, Environmental Engineering and allied subdisciplines.

Candidates must have an M.E./M.Tech. or equivalent with ≥ 60% aggregate or a B.E./B.Tech. degree with ≥ 60%. Meeting criteria doesn’t guarantee admission

The Ph.D programme consists of coursework, qualifying exams and a defence of the research plan, after which there is an extended period of supervised research activities, leading to a thesis submission.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to either take a written test and/or an interview, which will examine their understanding of the discipline, research capability and alignment with department's research.

Yes. BITS Pilani admits part‑time Ph.D. candidates (up to six years), provided they satisfy eligibility, departmental approval and have a No Objection Certificate.

The Ph.D in Civil Engineering is offered across Pilani, K K Birla Goa and Hyderabad campuses through BITS Pilani’s central Ph.D admission system.

Yes. BITS Pilani offers fellowships to Ph.D scholars in Civil Engineering: ₹37,000 per month initially, rising to ₹40,000-₹42,000 later, plus ₹20,000 yearly contingency. Sponsored project scholars receive support according to agency policies.

You are required to apply through the BITS Admission Ph.D portal during the announced cycle. Anything related to notifications, short-listing, tac/interview schedules and seat allocations is centrally administered.

Those who graduate may enter academia, R& D laboratories, consultancy, infrastructure, public policy or regulation. BITS Pilani’s reputation and networks enhance placement visibility and opportunities.

Campus
Goa
Hyderabad
Pilani
Dubai
Program Type
PhD
Content Type
Courses