The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) offers a Part-Time Ph.D. program for working professionals who wish to pursue research while continuing their employment. Below are the key details regarding admission, cut-off, last date, and entrance-based selection for the Part-Time Ph.D. program:
Eligibility Criteria:
Candidates must have a Master’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum of 60% marks (or 6.5 CGPA on a 10-point scale).
For candidates with a Bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 75% marks (or 7.5 CGPA) is required.
Candidates must have at least two years of work experience in a relevant field.
Relaxation in marks is provided for SC/ST/PwD candidates as per government norms.
Selection Process:
Admission is based on entrance exams (such as GATE, UGC-NET, or CSIR-NET) or departmental written tests followed by an interview.
Candidates without a valid GATE/NET score may need to appear for a written test conducted by the department.
Final selection is based on the candidate’s performance in the written test and interview.
The cut-off for the Part-Time Ph.D. program varies depending on the department, the number of applicants, and the availability of seats.
Candidates with a valid GATE/NET score are given preference, and the cut-off for these exams is typically aligned with the department’s requirements.
The application deadlines for the Part-Time Ph.D. program are usually announced twice a year:
May/June (for admission in the July session).
November/December (for admission in the January session).
Candidates are advised to check the official IIT Madras website (https://www.iitm.ac.in/) for exact dates.
GATE/NET Score: Candidates with a valid GATE/NET score are exempt from the written test and are directly called for an interview.
Departmental Written Test: Candidates without a valid GATE/NET score must appear for a written test conducted by the respective department.
Interview: Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview to assess their research aptitude and suitability for the program.
Part-Time Ph.D. candidates are required to spend a minimum of 10 days per semester on campus for coursework and research work.
The program duration is typically 5-7 years, depending on the candidate’s progress.