You can get a PhD in India for under INR 10 lakh; you just have to plan your approach to being successful. Many of the top universities in India offer low-cost or fully-funded doctoral programs or minimal tuition costs with generous fellowships, making it increasingly possible for students to afford a doctoral degree that is more economical. Through UGC-NET/JRF fellowships, institute-funded scholarships, and research assistantships, the overall cost to earn a PhD can be significantly less, sometimes even free.
Selecting the right doctoral program, university and specialisation, as well as your preferred funding route, will significantly affect whether you will be able to afford the costs associated with obtaining a PhD. Public Universities, Research Institutes, and select Private Institutions consistently offer high-quality doctoral programs for a cost of less than INR 10 lakh and therefore could be great options for any student who is looking for an inexpensive way to get their PhD in India. Most students can also find strong opportunities to pursue doctoral research in Management, Engineering, Social Science and Data Science without encountering excessively high financial barriers.
In this blog, we identify the best & most affordable PhD Programs in India for the year 2026 under INR 10 lakh, as well as the best universities, most popular, and funding opportunities. We will also outline practical steps that will assist you in achieving your doctoral degree with financial stability, whether your goal of pursuing a doctoral degree is to enter academia, a career in research or lead an industry.
Doctoral Degree Overview
Searching for ‘doctoral degree overview India 2026’ or ‘PhD structure under 10 lakhs'? A doctoral degree is the highest academic qualification, with the PhD, or a Doctor of Philosophy, leading research across sciences, humanities, and engineering, while professional options like the Online Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) focus on applied business leadership for executives.
Eligibility
Typically, the candidates must have a master’s degree in a relevant discipline from a recognised university. The admissions are generally done by qualifying for any National-level entrance examination, followed by an interview.
Duration:
- A doctoral degree journey usually takes around 5 to 7 years to complete, depending on the specialisation chosen by an individual.
- Professionals wanting to earn their doctoral degree in less time? You can opt for an Online Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) that can be completed in three years.
The Process:
A PhD involves several stages:
- Coursework and literature review: Understanding existing knowledge.
- Research proposal: Planning original research.
- Data collection and experiments: conducting studies and gathering evidence.
- Analysis and writing: Turning research into a dissertation.
- Defence: Presenting and defending your work before a panel of experts.
Skills Developed:
A PhD equips you with a wide range of skills beyond research:
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Project management and planning
- Advanced communication and academic writing
- Data analysis and interpretation
Career Prospects:
PhD graduates can pursue diverse career opportunities upon completing their doctoral degree. Along with a career in academics or research, they can also opt for these-
- Industry Research & Development - Innovating in tech, biotech, engineering, and more.
- Consulting & Analytics - Applying analytical expertise to solve real-world problems.
- Policy & Think Tanks - Using research to influence decisions.
- Entrepreneurship - Starting ventures based on specialised knowledge.
Doctoral degree under 10 Lakh in India
Here are a few top universities mentioned that offer doctoral degrees under 10 lakh-
|
University type |
University name |
PhD specializations |
Program fee |
|
Public/ Government |
IIM Kozhikode |
|
INR 9.50 Lakh |
|
IIM Vishakapatnam |
|
INR 10 Lakh |
|
|
University of Mysore |
|
INR 7 Lakh |
|
|
IIIT Allahabad |
|
INR 3.14 Lakh - INR 23.11 Lakh |
|
|
Private |
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore |
|
INR 90,00k - INR 61.83 Lakh |
|
International School of Management Excellence |
|
INR 7 Lakh |
|
|
Pandit Deen Dayal Energy University, Gujarat |
|
INR 1.27 Lakh - INR 8.42 Lakh |
|
|
Manipal Academy of Higher Education |
|
INR 6.05 Lakh- INR 9.45 Lakh |
|
|
Shiv Nadar University, Noida |
|
INR 2.96 Lakh- INR 23.84 Lakh |
|
|
OP Jindal Global University |
|
INR 8.70 Lakh- INR 9.60 Lakh |
|
|
NIMS University, Jaipur |
|
INR 92.00k - INR 11.25 Lakh |
|
|
St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata |
|
INR 7.53 Lakh |
|
|
Bennet University |
|
INR 9.24 Lakh |
Additional Expenses in a PhD Program
While tuition fees for a PhD in India are often affordable, the real financial planning lies in managing the additional or ‘hidden’ expenses throughout the doctoral journey. These costs vary depending on your city, university, and field of research, but having a clear understanding will help you avoid financial surprises.
1. Hostel & Living Expenses
For most doctoral scholars, especially those relocating, accommodation and daily living costs form the largest share of expenses.
Hostel Fees:
Government universities usually provide subsidised hostel facilities, making them the most economical option.
- Typical range: INR 20,000 – INR 60,000 per year
- Premium institutes/private universities: up to ₹1,00,000 per year
Private Accommodation:
If hostel seats are limited or unavailable, students may need to rent outside. Costs vary significantly by city:
- Tier 2/3 cities: INR 5,000 – INR 10,000 per month
- Metro cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore): INR 10,000 – INR 20,000 per month
Shared apartments can significantly reduce this cost.
Daily Living Costs:
This includes:
- Food and groceries
- Local transportation
- Electricity, water, and internet
- Personal and medical expenses
Average monthly spending: INR 5,000 – INR 15,000
Tip: If you receive a stipend, a large portion of it typically goes toward these expenses.
2. Thesis Submission & Evaluation Fees
As you approach the final stage of your PhD, universities charge mandatory administrative and academic evaluation fees.
These may include:
- Thesis submission fee (documentation and processing)
- External examiner evaluation charges
- Viva voce (final defense) fee
Typical one-time cost: INR 15,000 – INR 40,000
These are unavoidable and must be paid before degree completion.
3. Research-Related Expenses
Research costs can vary widely depending on your discipline and methodology.
Fieldwork & Travel:
Common in social sciences, management, and environmental studies
- Travel for surveys, interviews, and case studies
Laboratory Expenses:
Relevant for science and engineering students
- Chemicals, lab equipment usage
- Experiment materials
Software & Tools:
- Statistical tools (SPSS, STATA, MATLAB)
- Data analysis platforms
- Paid datasets or survey tools
Books & Journals:
- While universities provide libraries, some niche resources may require purchase
Estimated total: INR 20,000 – INR 1,50,000+
Technical fields generally incur higher research costs than theoretical disciplines.
4. Conferences & Publications
Academic exposure is essential for building credibility and career opportunities.
Conference Participation:
- Registration fees
- Travel and accommodation
- Networking opportunities
Publication Costs:
- Many journals (especially open-access) charge article processing fees
- Costs vary based on journal reputation
Total estimated expense: INR 10,000 – INR 1,00,000 over the PhD duration
5. Miscellaneous Academic Expenses
These are smaller, recurring costs that often go unnoticed but accumulate over time.
Includes:
- Printing and photocopying research papers
- Thesis formatting and binding
- Internet subscriptions
- Stationery and academic supplies
- Cloud storage or reference management tools
Estimated annual cost: INR 5,000 – INR 20,000
Doctoral programmes in India for working professionals
Working professionals can also pursue their dream of earning a doctoral degree along with the ‘Dr’ title through other paths. The individuals can consider opting for a part-time PhD program, in which they can pursue their program at their own pace and convenience.
Moreover, for a more flexible doctoral degree program, individuals can also consider opting for an Online Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA). Through an Online DBA program, individuals can earn a doctoral degree from an accredited foreign university without even relocating. An Online DBA program is considered equivalent to the PhD program that can be earned in three years.
Features of the Online Doctorate of Business Administration
- An Online DBA program is ideal for those individuals who are interested in pursuing a more practical program.
- Through an Online DBA program, individuals can earn the ‘Dr’ title in three years
- Individuals are not required to qualify for any of the entrance examinations, unlike the traditional PhD program.
- An Online DBA program is focused on modern-day industry-based skills.
- Individuals will get to earn their doctoral degree from a recognised and accredited foreign university without even relocating.
- Eligibility: The Online DBA program is ideal for individuals who have completed their master’s degree or have a bachelor’s degree along with 5 years of experience in a relevant field.
However, individuals can pursue their doctoral degree through an Online Doctorate of Business Administration from a recognised foreign university. While pursuing a traditional PhD, individuals have to think of the additional costs associated with the program.
However, while choosing an Online DBA program, there will be no additional program fee; students will only get to pay the program fee.
|
Universities Offering DBA |
Expected program fee |
|
INR 6,00,000 |
|
|
INR 10,65,000 |
|
|
INR 4,50,000 |
|
|
INR 8,50,000 |
|
|
INR 6,50,000 |
|
|
INR 7,50,000 |
|
|
INR 9,50,000 |
|
|
INR 6,00,000 |
