Ph.D.
Mechanical Engineering
Offered at: Pilani, Hyderabad, Goa, Dubai
Shaping Future Innovators in Mechanical Engineering Research
With a focus on frontier research and innovation, BITS Pilani's PhD in Mechanical Engineering provides students with opportunities to work in emerging research areas across topics including design, manufacturing, thermal-fluid systems, materials and mechatronics. Students work closely with faculty with a wealth of experience in conducting the rigours of research, designing experiments, using computational methods and interdisciplinary approaches to address engineering problems of importance to society and the industry. Students are encouraged to network with international research groups, industry partners and state-of-the-art facilities, preparing graduates for leadership roles in academic institutions, research and development (R& D) organisations and technology-related industries. In addition to developing opportunities for high-quality scholarship, the guidance students receive promotes ethical scholarship and global understanding.
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 Areas Expanding the Foundations of Management
The Department offers a full-time Ph.D. programme in the following thrust areas of its research.
Bio-microfluidics
Biomaterials, Biomechanics
Assistive and Medical Devices
Fluid-structure interaction
Image-based material testing and inspection
Sheet metal forming, Warm and hot forming
Surface Engineering, Robotics and Control, Solid & Fracture Mechanics
Structural health monitoring
Vibrations, Acoustics
CAD/CAM
Experimental aerodynamics and jet acoustics
CFD
Heat Transfer
Microtubes
CFB
Energy
Micro Machining & MEMS
Polymer & Composites
Rotational Moulding
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
- 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.
To learn more about the Ph.D admissions process at BITS Pilani, please visit the website https://www.bitsadmission.com
Faculty Supporting the Growth of Research-Driven Minds in Mechanical Engineering
A R Harikrishnan
Associate Professor,
Department of Mechanical Engineering, BITS Pilani,
Pilani Campus
Abhinava Chatterjee
Assistant Professor,
Gr-I
Amar Singh
Associate Professor (Off Campus)
Department of Mechanical Engineering