A Doctor of Philosophy degree is the highest academic degree anyone can acquire from a university. To earn a Ph.D, one must master a specific subject and develop new ways of thinking. Attaining a Ph.D degree is a long-term process.It can be done full-time or part-time under the guidance of a research supervisor. Each university sets its own standards and establishes general guidelines.

With the University Grants Commission (UGC) making it mandatory for students to hold a Ph.D if they wish to apply for an Assistant Professor position, demand for this coveted degree has only grown. There is ample opportunity for Ph.D holders with the government allowing private institutions to set up colleges that are complete only with Ph.D faculty members.

Eligibility

The minimum qualification to register for a Ph.D programme is a Master’s degree with 55 per cent marks. However, 5 per cent relaxation is allowed for SC/ST candidates. As per the new regulation of UGC 2009, the selection of candidates for M.Phil/Ph.D programmes should be done through an entrance test conducted at the level of individual university/institute. Each university/ institute usually advertises its programme through its website.

After passing the entrance test, candidates have to attend the interview organised by the department/university. The number of available seats for a Ph.D/M.Phil programme will be decided on an annual basis. However, UGC recently limited this number to eight PhD seats per supervisor and five for M.Phil scholars.

Course Work

As per the UGC regulation 2009, students should undertake a coursework for a minimum period of one semester. The minimum period required to complete the Ph.D programme is three years and it may be extended to another two. If the candidate registers for part-time programme, it may take more time.

Who is a research supervisor?

The person who oversees the work done by a Ph.d candidate is called a guide. The selection/ allocation of a supervisor to a candidate is not left to the supervisor or the candidate, but will be decided by the doctoral committee, based on the number of seats vacant with each supervisor and his or her specialisation.

Here’s a list of Ph.D programmes offered by UGC:
University Grants Commission conducts the NET-JRF (National Eligibility Test Junior Research Fellowship) for lectureships. The examination will be held twice a year — in June and December. Top fellows of the NET examination are provided with a JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) with a stipend for research. The amount has been increased to Rs 16,000 a month, for the first two years. In addition, an annual contingent grant of Rs. 20,000 per fellow will be given.
The Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF) Scheme has been introduced by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Ministry of Tribal Affairs for SC/ST candidates  who wish to pursue higher studies in Sciences,Humanities, Social Sciences and Engineering and Technology.

There are 2,000 seats for SC candidates and 667 for ST candidates every year. Stipend is Rs 16,000 a month, for the first two years. The Maulana Azad National Fellowship was introduced in 2009 for the benefit of minority students belonging to Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist and Parsi communities. The scholarship for the first two years is Rs 16,000.

Benefits

Research improves the quality of education as well as competitiveness. A teacher with a Ph.D can bring a wholesome learning experience in class. To upgrade the value of this  qualification, various schemes have been introduced by the UGC, like the Faculty Improvement Programme to acquire an M.Phil/Ph.D degree. This gives advance increments to teachers who have acquired a Ph.D degree while in service. Hence, teachers are eager to join a programme while teaching in a university.