PhD FAQ

PhD programme

PhD Admission

Q. What are the eligibility criteria for the admission in Full Time Ph.D programme?

(i) M.E/M.Pharm./MBA/ M.Phil of BITS or its equivalent with a minimum of 60% aggregate.

(ii) Candidate with an M Sc/B.E or an equivalent with a minimum of 60% will also be considered for provisional admission to the Ph D programme.

(iii) For Ph D programme in languages and humanities, candidates with an M.Phil/M A and with minimum of 55% aggregate may also be considered. Such candidates have to undergo a minimum of two semester course work prescribed by DRC. 

Q. What are the eligibility criteria for the admission in Part Time/Aspirant Ph.D programme?

A person working in reputed research organizations, academic Institutes and industries, situated preferably in the close vicinity of one of the campuses of BITS Pilani, can be admitted on part time basis provided

(i) the candidate is working in an organization which encourages and facilitates research

(ii) candidate meets the requisite minimum qualification for admission to Ph. D programme of BITS Pilani as mentioned in (a), (b) or (c)

(iii) candidate has minimum of one year work experience in related field, and (iv) candidate furnishes a "consent & no objection certificate"  from his/her parent organization.

Industries and R & D Organizations collaborating with BITS can sponsor candidates to work for Ph.D under the Ph.D Aspirants Scheme. Under this Scheme such Employed professionals working in Industries and R&D Organizations having long experience and proven competence aspiring for Ph.D. programme will be considered and will be allowed to pursue their research at their own locations of work. They will choose one BITS faculty as supervisor and or as co-supervisor.

Admission modality

A candidate is normally admitted to the Ph.D. programme after passing his/her Ph.D. qualifying examination. A few candidates may be admitted to the programme as provisional candidates before passing the Ph.D. qualifying examination. This provision is applicable to full time research scholars on the campus.

Stipend

Q. Can you please tell about the PhD stipend? 

1. Depending on the availability, student will be provided fellowship stipend either from BITS or from sponsored projects.

2. Student can avail fellowship provided by National funding agencies such as UGC, CSIR, DBT, DST, ICMR etc.

Note that the Institute fellowship stipend to the Ph.D. student admitted after 1st Aug 2011 or later will be limited for first five years from the date of admission in the PhD programme.

Q. Sir, I got admitted in the Institute PhD programme in  August,2011 with Institute fellowship.  How long will I get the Institute fellowship support?  

A. You will get the Institute fellowship support till July,2016.

Accommodation

Q. Can you please say something about the availability of hostel accommodation of PhD scholars?

Accommodation to Full Time PhD scholars in hostels is subject to the availability of rooms in hostels. Students with self-sponsored project fellowship can get their HRA and stay outside.

Leave

Q. Can you please give some ideas about the leave that a PhD student can avail? 

  • Each “Full- Time” candidate is eligible for 30 days of vacation and 15 days of casual leave in an academic year (August to July).
  • Special casual leave of 15 days is permissible for attending conferences/workshop/symposiums/training programmes, etc.
  • For female candidates, maternity leave of 90 days is permitted.

.Duration of Ph.D.

Q. What is the duration of the PhD programme?

A student must submit his thesis within ten semesters (excluding summer terms) to be counted from the semester next to passing the qualifying examination. If the student fails to submit his thesis within stipulated period he may request the respective DRC for extension of time. Such extension for submission of thesis are limited to a maximum of four semesters. Thus, the duration for submitting final thesis (including all extensions and semester withdrawals) are limited to 14 semesters. If a candidate fails to submit his/her final thesis during this period, he/she will be discontinued from the programme. The female candidates who have availed maternity leave during this period may be given one extra semester for thesis submission.

Inter conversion of Full Time Ph.D. to Part Time and vice-versa

Q. In case I get a job, can I switch over from Full Time to Part Time PhD programme? 

Yes. A student admitted as Full Time scholar may be allowed to take transfer to Part time scheme provided-

  • Students meet the basic eligibility criteria of Part Time student.
  • Student has completed major part of his research work as certified by the supervisor and has completed at least 20 units of Ph D thesis course.
  • The concerned Ph D supervisor, co-supervisor and respective DRC agree for such transfer. 

Note: The DRC may also recommend the transfer of a student from Part-Time to Full Time category, provided research positions and stipend are available. Approval for such transfers will be granted by Dean ARD in consultation with DCC.

Semester-wise Registration Programme

Q. Can you highlight the semester wise course registration pattern for Full Time, Part Time and Aspirant PhD scholars?

Semester-wise registration for Full-Time PhD scholars: There are two patterns for this

Pattern I:

Semester-wise Registration Programme for On-campus Candidates and admitted after clearing qualifying examination (For Full time scholars holding Higher Degree)

PhD FAQ

Note: It is assumed that their research proposal is approved by the DCC in the First semester of admission.

Pattern II:
 
For Ph.D. candidates holding First Degree and doing courses before becoming eligible for Qualifying Examination (For Full time scholars on the Campus)
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Note: It is assumed that their research proposal is approved by the DCC in the first semester of second year.

Semester-wise registration for Part-Time off-campus PhD scholars:
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Semester-wise registration for Aspirant off-campus PhD scholars:
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Semester course registration in absentia
It is expected that all PhD students be present in the campus on the date of registration. However, in case you  cannot come to the campus due to the medical reason, or any type of emergency, you can apply for the registration in absentia. For this you need to write a letter  to the Associate Dean, ARD stating the reason and get  the letter forwarded by your PhD supervisor and DRC convener.  You can submit the hard copy of the letter to the ARD office B-307 (via your supervisor) or alternatively send the soft copy to ARD at ard@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in. After receiving your request letter for registration in absentia, the ARD office will send you the course registration card and you can complete the semester registration in absentia. 
 
 
PhD guidelines 
Q. Is there any single document where I may get essential information e.g. PhD qualifying exam, Course work, registration, leave application, Institute fellowship support  or any other things related to the PhD programme? 
 
Regarding publication
 
Q. Can you say something(e.g. quality, number..) about the publication of my PhD thesis work?
 
1. Minimum Two publications in peer reviewed journals (as first author in at least one publication) is expected to consist  your PhD thesis chapters. 
 
2. You are encouraged to publish your work in the scopus listed peer-reviewed journals/conference proceedings(as full papers). For the scopus list journals/conference proceedings, you are requested to be in touch with your supervisor(s) or HOD or DRC convener. 
 
3. In case you are the first author in a publication, it is assumed that major portion  of the work is done by you. If there are other PhD student(s) in that publication as second/third author(s)...you need to specify clearly your work/contribution, while mentioning their contribution in that publication  clearly.
 
4. In case you are the second author in a publication and there are other PhD student(s) as first author and/or third author etc in that publication, you need to mention clearly  your contribution in that publication and report only your contribution in that publication  into your PhD  thesis. 
 
5. In either of the above two cases (Point 2 and/or Point 3)  you need to ensure that  the work reported by you in your PhD thesis, has not already been reported or will not be reported  by the other PhD scholars  in their respective PhD theses.
 
6. You  may have to  submit a declaration letter stating clearly your contribution(as first or second author) in the case of  joint paper(s) with other PhD student(s)). The letter  is to be duly forwarded by your PhD supervisor (PhD co-supervisor, if any),  HOD and DRC convener and needs to be submitted along with others documents at the time of your final thesis submission.
 
7. In the case of thesis publication,  if there are no PhD students other than you, you don't have to give the above mentioned declaration letter.