What is the procedure to enrol for a PhD at IITM? How to prepare for the interview?

IIT Madras offers a wide range of PhD programmes in Engineering, Science, Humanities, and Management disciplines, making it an excellent choice for aspiring researchers. 

Here are the eligibility criteria for each discipline:

Engineering:

• Candidates must have a Master's degree in Engineering/Technology or  Master's degree by Research in Engineering/Technology
• Candidates with a 5-year Dual Degree in Engineering or 5-year BS+MS Dual degree with a good academic record are also eligible.

Sciences:

• Candidates must have a Master's degree in Sciences with a good academic record.
• Candidates with a Master's degree in Engineering/Technology or 5 Year BS+MS Dual degree/ 5 Year Integrated degree with a good academic record are also eligible.
• Candidates must have a valid GATE score or UGC-JRF/NET/CSIR-JRF/NBHM/INSPIRE/JEST or equivalent qualification tenable for the current year in the relevant area.

Humanities and Social Sciences:

• Candidates must have a Master's degree/dual degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline other than Engineering/Technology.
• Candidates with a Master's degree in Engineering/Technology or 5-year BS+MS Dual degree/ 5 Year Integrated degree with a good academic record may also be considered.
• Candidates must have a qualifying UGC-NET or JRF/CSIR-JRF/GATE Score or equivalent qualification tenable for the current year in the relevant area.
• Candidates may also opt for an international level post graduate admission examination such as GRE (applicable to OCI/NRI/Foreign Nationals (Non-HTRA)).

Management:

• Candidates must have a Master's degree or 2-year PG Diploma in a relevant discipline or a Bachelor's degree with a good academic record (minimum five years of undergraduate and postgraduate education).
• Candidates with a 5-year integrated master's degree/dual degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline with a good academic record are also eligible.
• Candidates must have a qualifying national-level examination such as GATE/CAT/UGC-JRF/NET/CSIR-JRF or equivalent or an international level postgraduate admission examination such as GMAT/GRE (Non-HTRA) (applicable to OCI/NRI/Foreign Nationals)

There are other criteria that can be found here. 

Don’t let the eligibility criteria scare you, it’s way less intimidating than you think!

The process of applying to Ph.D. programmes at IIT Madras is entirely online, and through the research portal here. There is an application fee, the details of which can be found in the admission brochure. Here are the documents that applicants need to upload:

1. Photo
2. Signature
3. Photo Identity Proof
4. Category certificate (OBC-NCL/SC/ST/EWS)
5. Person with Disability (PwD) certificate
6. UG Marks Statement/Degree Certificate
7. University Rank certificate
8. PG Marks Statement/Degree Certificate
9. PG University Rank certificate
10. National/International Level Exam score card/award letter/certificate
11. Work Experience Certificate
12. NHTRA Self Declaration
13. Research Proposal[PDF format] - only for Management Studies department

Shortlisted candidates possessing the minimum educational qualifications & eligible degree (as specified in the admission brochure) will be called for a “test and interview” or “interview” by the Selection Committees of the respective departments, the details of which will be communicated via email. Most departments will specify the syllabus for the interview on the department website (as seen in the IITM Mathematics department’s website). Based on the academic record and the performance of the candidates in the interview and/or test, the Departmental Selection Committee will recommend suitable candidates for admission to the programme.