Ph.D.

Computer Science & Information Systems


Offered at: Pilani, K K Birla Goa, Hyderabad

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Shaping Innovators in Advanced Computing Research


The Ph.D. in Computer Science & Information Systems programme at BITS Pilani welcomes students to take a deep dive into advanced research in areas including artificial intelligence, data science, software systems and information management. Students are engaged in an intellectual and academic environment embedded in interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical practice and global standards. Each student will collaborate closely with faculty members who have experience with some of the most challenging issues facing the computing field, such as machine learning, cybersecurity, big data analytics and new technologies.


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

Research Pillars Driving Innovation in CS & Information Systems

The department offers a full-time Ph.D. programme in the following thrust areas of its research.

Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning & Data Mining

Computer Architecture, Embedded Systems & Robotics

Data Warehousing, Databases & Advanced Databases

High Performance Computing & Distributed Systems

Image Processing & Multimedia

Networking, Mobile Computing, Pervasive & Wearable Computing

Algorithms & Theoretical Computer Science

Software Engineering, Software Architecture and Testing

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 Elevating Academic Excellence in CS & Information Systems

A Michael Alphonse


Associate Professor (Off Campus),
Department of Computer Science & Information Systems, BITS Pilani

A. Baskar


Assistant Professor

Abhisek Chakrabarty


Assistant Professor, Gr-I

You Asked.
We Answered.

At BITS Pilani, the PhD in Computer Science & Information Systems focuses on AI/ML, data mining, systems, networks and databases. You’ll join a lab, design and test ideas, build prototypes and publish with your advisor.

Doctoral work at BITS Pilani combines guided research with required Ph.D coursework (based on your entry qualification), periodic reviews and a thesis—within well-defined academic timelines.

You can work in AI/ML & data mining, algorithms & theory, distributed/high-performance systems, databases, networking & mobile computing, embedded/robotics, image processing & multimedia, and software engineering/architecture at BITS Pilani.

At BITS Pilani, you join a faculty-led research group (e.g., AI/ML, networking, HPC, vision) and use department labs and computing resources aligned to your topic. Current scholar profiles and labs illustrate the spread of work.

BITS Pilani considers applicants with ≥60% (or equivalent) in suitable degrees M.E./M.Tech./M.Pharm./MBA/M.Phil. or M.Sc./B.E./B.Pharm for provisional admission as per institute policy.

Selection at BITS Pilani typically involves shortlisting, a common Test-I, a discipline-specific Test-II (one-hour subjective), and an interview—per the current Ph.D admission brochure.

The CSIS Ph.D runs across Pilani, K. K. Birla Goa and Hyderabad campuses within the doctoral programmes portfolio.

Yes. Eligible full-time Ph.D. students receive ₹37,000/month, which may increase to ₹40,000-₹42,000 after two years, along with ₹20,000 per year contingency support. Project-based scholars are funded as per sponsor guidelines.

Doctoral graduates from BITS Pilani move into academic roles (postdoc/teaching-research) and industry R & D across AI/ML, systems, data platforms, networks, security and related areas, often leveraging faculty collaborations and lab networks.

Yes. BITS Pilani maintains centralised recruiter engagement and career support; institute placement literature highlights structured hiring seasons and strong internship/PPO activity across programmes, complementing research-driven outcomes for doctoral scholars.

Campus
Pilani
Goa
Hyderabad
Program Type
PhD
Content Type
Courses
Degree
Doctoral Degree