1. Eligibility Criteria:
Master’s Degree: Candidates must have a Master’s degree in a relevant field with at least 55% marks (or equivalent CGPA) from a recognized university.
Relaxation: A 5% relaxation is provided to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/differently-abled candidates.
Qualifying Exam: Candidates must qualify in a national-level examination like UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, or equivalent, or must clear the ASTU Ph.D. Entrance Examination.
2. Application Process:
Notification: ASTU releases an official notification for Ph.D. admissions on its website.
Application Form: Candidates need to fill out the application form available online on the ASTU website.
Documents Required:
Mark sheets and certificates of qualifying examinations.
Proof of qualifying national-level examination (if applicable).
Research proposal.
No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the employer (if employed).
Application Fee: Payment of the application fee as specified in the notification.
3. Selection Process:
Entrance Examination: Candidates who do not have a valid score in national-level examinations need to appear for the ASTU Ph.D. Entrance Examination.
Interview: Shortlisted candidates based on the entrance exam or national-level exam scores will be called for an interview.
Final Selection: The final selection is based on the candidate’s performance in the entrance exam, interview, and the quality of the research proposal.
4. Exam Pattern (ASTU Ph.D. Entrance Examination):
Mode of Exam: The exam is typically conducted in offline mode (pen and paper-based).
Duration: The duration of the exam is usually 2 hours.
Type of Questions: The question paper consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
Sections:
Research Methodology: Questions related to research techniques, data analysis, and interpretation.
Subject-Specific Knowledge: Questions related to the candidate’s chosen field of study.
Marking Scheme: Each correct answer is awarded 1 mark, and there is no negative marking.
5. Direct Top Job Profiles after Ph.D.:
Academic Positions:
Professor/Associate Professor/Assistant Professor: Teaching and research positions in universities and colleges.
Research Scientist: Conducting advanced research in universities, research institutions, or private R&D labs.
Industry Positions:
R&D Manager: Leading research and development projects in industries related to science and technology.
Data Scientist/Analyst: Working in data-driven industries, utilizing advanced analytical techniques.
Government Positions:
Scientist/Technical Officer: Positions in government research organizations like ISRO, DRDO, CSIR, etc.
Policy Advisor: Providing expertise in science and technology policy formulation.
Entrepreneurship:
Start-up Founder: Leveraging research expertise to start a technology-based company.
Consultancy:
Technical Consultant: Offering specialized knowledge to industries or government bodies.
6. Key Points to Remember:
Research Proposal: A well-crafted research proposal is crucial for selection.
Interdisciplinary Research: ASTU encourages interdisciplinary research, so candidates should be open to exploring cross-disciplinary topics.
Publication: Candidates with prior research publications in reputed journals may have an added advantage during the selection process.
7. Important Links:
Official Website: ASTU Official Website
Ph.D. Admission Notification: Check the “Admissions” or “Notifications” section on the ASTU website for the latest updates.