Top PhD Universities from Bihar ranked for 2026

PhD study in Bihar offers scholars the chance to explore different areas of doctoral research through UGC regulated central, state, and private university doctoral research program opportunities. In addition, PhD programs are governed by UGC as well as a structured coursework model, independent research, and a written thesis as part of the program requirements. As research facilities and infrastructure develop, the cost of education and the availability of experienced faculty members offer options for students pursuing teaching and research, as well as professional careers.

What is a PhD?

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program represents the highest level of academic achievement, designed to develop advanced research skills, critical thinking, and original contributions to knowledge within a specific field. PhD candidates engage in rigorous coursework, comprehensive examinations, and in-depth research that culminates in a dissertation, demonstrating their ability to conduct independent, scholarly inquiry and advance theoretical understanding.

Moreover, individuals with master’s degrees or even working professionals can pursue a doctoral degree through flexibility. They can opt for a part-time PhD or an online Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA). An Online DBA program combines academic rigor with practical relevance, enabling working professionals to pursue doctoral studies flexibly while addressing complex problems in management, leadership, strategy, and innovation. While both PhD and DBA programs emphasize advanced research and scholarly excellence, the PhD is typically theory-driven, whereas the DBA emphasizes practice-oriented research with direct organizational impact.

Duration of PhD from Bihar 

A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) consists of a very thorough and comprehensive research project that culminates in a doctorate-level thesis, which can also contain published papers and presentations made at various conferences and workshops. Thus, the typical tenure for obtaining a Ph.D. is approximately 5 to 7 years or longer, depending upon one's chosen field of specialty, as well as the regulations for candidate enrollment in the university that offers the degree.

Moreover, for working professionals, they may earn a doctoral degree in three years without even qualifying for an entrance examination or interview. The Online DBA program is ideal for working professionals due to its flexibility. The program also offers domain-specific skills that are required for modern-day businesses. 

Top Universities offering a PhD in Bihar

Here are the top universities mentioned that offer a PhD in Bihar- 

Universities offering a PhD in Bihar
SNo	Universities	University Type	Specialization	Entrance examination	Stipend (After qualifying for the required exam)
1.	IIT Patna	Public/ Government	Engineering (CSE, ECE, Mechanical, Civil) Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics Materials Science Humanities & Social Sciences	GATE UGC NET / CSIR NET IIT Patna Written Test + Interview	INR 37,000- INR 42,000
2.	NIT Patna	Public/ Government	Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics Engineering Computer Science & Engineering Architecture Applied Sciences	GATE UGC NET / CSIR NET Written Test + Interview	INR 37,000- INR 42,000
3.	Dr Rajender Prasad Central Agriculture University	Public/ Government	Agronomy Horticulture Plant Breeding & Genetics Agricultural Economics Soil Science Animal Husbandry	ICAR NET University PhD Entrance Test	INR 37,000- INR 42,000
4.	Central University of South Bihar	Public/Government	Life Sciences Environmental Science Education Economics Political Science Psychology Computer Science	UGC NET / CSIR NET CUET (PhD) or University Entrance Test	INR 37,000- INR 42,000
5.	Amity University, Patna	Private	Management Commerce Computer Science Education Psychology Biotechnology	Amity PhD Entrance Test	INR 37,000- INR 42,000
6.	Aryabhatta Knowledge University, Patna	Private	Engineering & Technology Pharmacy Management Education Nursing & Allied Health Sciences	University PhD Entrance Test	INR 37,000- INR 42,000
7.	Bihar Agricultural University, Bhagalpur	Public/ Government	Agriculture Horticulture Plant Pathology Entomology Agricultural Biotechnology	ICAR NET	INR 37,000- INR 42,000
8.	IIM Bodh Gaya	Public/government	Finance Marketing Human Resource Management Operations Management Strategy & Economics	CAT / GMAT / GRE UGC NET (for some areas) Research Aptitude Test + Interview	INR 37,000- INR 42,000
9.	Lalit Narayan Mithila University,	Public/government	Arts & Humanities Science Commerce Social Sciences Education	UGC NET University PhD Entrance Test	INR 37,000- INR 42,000
10.	Nalanda University	Public/government	History Buddhist Studies Philosophy Ecology & Environmental Studies Sustainable Development	University Entrance Test UGC NET  Interview & Research Proposal Review	INR 37,000- INR 42,000

Note: To know more about the specialization offered by the university, they prefer to attend. The doctoral students receive a stipend based on the examination they have passed.  

The university offers a PhD in diverse specializations, where throughout the program, the students will carry out unique research. While completing the PhD program, the doctoral students will learn skills such as research, academic writing, presentation skills, and analysis, or more, throughout their doctoral journey. 

Moreover, if the candidates are interested in pursuing senior job roles along with earning the ‘Dr’ title, they can opt for an Online Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA). An Online DBA program is offered in various specializations that are based on the modern-day job market.  Here are a few specializations offered by the Online DBA program mentioned below- 

Specializations Offered By the Online Doctorate of Business Administration
Online DBA in Generative AI	Online DBA in AR & VR	Online DBA in Machine Learning
Online DBA in Artificial Intelligence	Online DBA in Business & Data Analytics	Online DBA in Blockchain
Online DBA in Robotics & Automation	Online DBA in Cyber Security	Online DBA in Business & Data Analytics

Eligibility criteria of the PhD program from Bihar 

Here is the basic eligibility criteria of individuals who are interested in pursuing  a PhD from Bihar- 

• Candidates with a postgraduate degree from a recognized university in a relevant field will be considered for your PhD program. 
• The candidates must have an aggregate of 50% to 55% in their master’s. 
• The candidates are also required to qualify for the entrance examination, such as UGC NET, CSIR NET, GATE, or the University entrance examination, followed by an interview. 
• As per recent eligibility criteria changes, candidates having a four-year bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline are also eligible for the PhD program. 

Note: This is the basic eligibility criterion. To know who can apply for a PhD university in your preferred university, you can visit the Official website of the university. 

Entrance Examination for Phd from Bihar

Along with the academic eligibility criteria, the candidates are also required to qualify for entrance examinations that may include UGC NET, CSIR NET, GATE, or the University Entrance examinations. The shortlisted candidates are also required to appear for an interview that may be held at the university level. 

Moreover, for individuals who wish to pursue their doctoral studies without qualifying for any entrance examination, they can opt for an Online Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA). For the Online DBA program, the candidates are selected on the basis of their master’s degree and aggregate score. An Online DBA is equivalent to a PhD that you can earn through a foreign university without relocating. 

Admission Process for PhD from Bihar 

The general admission process of the universities offering a PhD in Bihar is- 

1. Application Submission: The candidates must select a university where they wish to pursue their PhD. When selecting a university, candidates must apply to the university by providing the required documents. 
2. Entrance Examination: To be eligible to apply for the particular university, the candidates are required to qualify for an entrance examination that may include UGC NET, CSIR NET, GATE, or even a university entrance examination, along with a personal interview held at the university level. 
3. Interview / Viva-Voce: Based on the score card and the cut-off, the candidates will be shortlisted for the interview or to present their research paper. 
4. Final Selection: Based on entrance exams, interviews, academic background, or research aptitude, the candidates will be selected. 

Career options after a PhD from Bihar 

Throughout the doctoral journey, the students will be familiar with skills such as teaching, research, and analysis. On earning the doctoral degree, the individuals will earn the ‘Dr’ title, where they may pursue their career as a professor, associate professor, researcher, post-doctoral researcher, analyst, or other jobs. 

Moreover, if the individuals are more interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in a more practical or modern-day program in three years, they can opt for an Online Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA). An Online DBA program is equivalent to the PhD program that can be completed through flexibility. The individuals are not required to qualify for any entrance examination or any interview for the Online DBA program. At the end of the program, the individuals will earn the ‘Dr’ title and learn the domain-specific skills that are required in modern-day businesses. The individuals will get to pursue senior roles in management in top companies or institutions.  Here are the top career opportunities mentioned that an individual can pursue upon completing their PhD- 

Job roles after PhD	Average salary
Professor	INR 16 LPA
Research Scientist	INR 15 LPA
Consultant	INR 8 LPA
Research Assistant	INR 3.1 LPA
Legal Assistant	INR 4 LPA
Postdoctoral Researcher	INR 5 LPA
Entrepreneurship	INR 8.25 LPA

Note: The job roles and the average salary depend on the individual's academic qualification and working experience. 

Challenges faced while pursuing a PhD in Bihar

Pursuing a PhD degree from Bihar may have its own constraints. Individuals can face the following challenges while pursuing a PhD- 

• Limited Research Infrastructure
  Many universities in Bihar lack advanced laboratories, research equipment, and digital tools. This restricts the quality and scope of research work, especially in science and technology disciplines.
• Inadequate Funding and Fellowships
  PhD scholars often face financial difficulties due to limited access to scholarships and research grants. This affects their ability to conduct fieldwork, collect data, or attend academic conferences.
• Restricted Access to Academic Resources
  Libraries may not have updated books, journals, or access to international research databases. This makes it difficult for scholars to stay current with global research developments.
• Shortage of Qualified Research Supervisors
  There is a limited number of experienced and research-active faculty members. This can lead to overburdened supervisors and reduced quality of guidance for doctoral students. 

Flexible doctoral programs for working professionals 

For a traditional PhD, which is a full-time PhD program, where individuals cannot have other commitments. The individuals must qualify for the entrance examination, such as UGC NET, CSIR NET, GATE, or even a university entrance exam, along with an interview.  Those who wish to pursue their doctoral degree without giving up any commitments or through flexibility can opt for a part-time PhD or an Online Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA). The candidates are required to qualify for an entrance examination to pursue the part-time PhD.  Moreover, the working professionals can also pursue their dream of earning a doctoral degree without leaving their work commitments by opting for an Online Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA). Through an Online DBA program, individuals can earn a doctoral degree and a chance to earn that ‘Dr’ title through flexibility from a recognized foreign university, that too in three years. 

Is a PhD the Right Choice for Everyone?

A PhD program is best suited to people who have a strong interest in conducting research and contributing new knowledge to their field. By obtaining a PhD, a person can work in jobs such as professor, assistant professor, researcher, analyst, etc. If you are merely interested in obtaining a "Doctor" designation without going through all of the requirements of a PhD Program, you should consider enrolling in an Online Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA). An Online DBA Program is actually identified as similar to the PhD Program.