Kerala has always been known for its strong education foundation and a commitment to excellence in the academic world. Within this academic context, doctoral research provides an integral role in creating new knowledge, stimulating innovation, and fostering critical-thinking abilities within its members.
In order to obtain a PhD from Kerala, individuals will engage in an intensive program of study, ongoing intellectual development activities, and contribute to their field through both field-specific research and interdisciplinary research.
The purpose of this blog will be to explore the landscape of doctoral-level research in Kerala by looking at the institutional structures, research culture, experiences of researchers in Kerala, and how the PhD landscape affects the academic and social relevance of PhD training.
Who should consider pursuing a PhD?
A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest academic degree awarded after completing a master’s program. It involves extensive research, selection of a relevant research topic, systematic analysis, and thesis submission under the guidance of subject experts.
Completing a doctorate can be long and difficult, and your diploma is awarded after you submit your dissertation and complete your program requirements. If you complete all of your requirements, having obtained your doctorate will give you the title "Doctor.
" A PhD is a great option if you are planning to work in research or academia. Some common career options today for someone with a PhD are researcher, postdoctoral fellow, assistant professor, professor, analyst, and other research-oriented occupations.
If you want to move up in your profession as a manager or leader and get a “Dr” on your name, then you should think about getting an Online Doctorate (DBA) from an online university. Online DBAs are typically equivalent to PhDs and can be earned in a maximum of three years through a foreign university, with no need for a person to relocate.
Duration of PhD from Kerala
A PhD program, it takes around 5 to 7 years to complete, as the doctoral journey involves many steps, such as in-depth research, presenting the research, and thesis submission. Moreover, working professionals can now earn their doctoral degree along with the ‘Dr’ title in three years by opting for an Online Doctorate of Business Administration. An Online DBA is also considered equivalent to the PhD program earned from a foreign university without relocating.
Top Universities offering a PhD in Kerala
Here are the top universities mentioned that offer a PhD in Kerala:
|
Universities offering a PhD in Kerala | |||||
|
S.No. |
Universities |
University Type |
Specialization |
Entrance examination |
Stipend (After qualifying for the required exam) |
|
1. |
IISER TVM |
Public/Government |
|
|
INR 37,000- INR 42,000 |
|
2. |
NIT Calicut |
Public/ Government |
|
|
INR 37,000- INR 42,000 |
|
3. |
Mahatma Gandhi University |
Public/ Government |
|
|
INR 37,000- INR 42,000 |
|
4. |
Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi |
Public/ Government |
|
|
INR 37,000- INR 42,000 |
|
5. |
IIM Kozhikode |
Public/Government |
|
|
INR 37,000- INR 42,000 |
|
6. |
Kerala University |
Public/Government |
|
|
INR 37,000- INR 42,000 |
|
7. |
Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod |
Public/ Government |
|
|
INR 37,000- INR 42,000 |
|
8. |
IIT Palakkad |
Public/ Government |
|
|
INR 37,000- INR 42,000 |
|
9. |
Kannur University, Kannur |
Public/ Government |
|
|
INR 37,000- INR 42,000 |
|
10. |
IIIT Kottayam |
Private |
|
GATE
|
INR 37,000- INR 42,000 |
Note: To know more about the universities and the specializations offered, individuals should visit the official website of the university. The doctoral students receive stipends based on the entrance examination they have qualified for.
The universities in Kerala offer diverse specializations in PhD programs such as Computer Science & Engineering, Data Science & AI, Humanities & Languages, Cyber Security, and many more. A PhD degree is ideal for those who wish to pursue their careers in academics and research. Based on the program, the individuals will learn skills such as academic writing, presentation skills, analytics, research, teaching, and many more.
Moreover, those who wish to pursue their careers in senior-level management positions, along with earning a doctoral degree, can opt for an Online Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA). On completing the program in three years, the degree holders can pursue managerial positions in top companies or organizations.
Here are a few specializations offered by the Online DBA program mentioned below:
| Online DBA Program | ||
Eligibility criteria of the PhD program from Kerala
The basic eligibility criteria to be eligible for the PhD program from Kerala are as follows:
- A postgraduate degree in a relevant field from a recognized university with an aggregate of 50% to 55%.
- Eligible candidates have to qualify for a national-level entrance examination, such as UGC NET, CSIR NET, GATE, or a university entrance examination.
- The qualified candidates are required to appear for an interview or to present their research proposals.
- Additionally, candidates with a four-year bachelor’s degree in a relevant field are also eligible for the PhD program.
Note: To know the eligibility criteria of a particular university for a PhD, you can visit the official website of the university.
Entrance Examination for Phd from Kerala
To pursue a PhD degree from the University of Kerala, individuals must qualify for the entrance examination along with the academic qualifications. Some of the entrance examinations are UCG NET, CSIR NET, GATE, or others. If the individuals could not qualify for other entrance examinations, they can still appear for the University entrance examination. On being shortlisted, the candidates are asked to appear for an interview or present their research proposal at the university.
Moreover, individuals who are unable to qualify for the entrance examination can still earn the ‘Dr’ title through an Online Doctorate of Business Administration. A doctoral degree earned through an online DBA program does not require an entrance examination to be qualified or an interview.
Admission Process for PhD from Kerala
Here is the general admission process for a PhD from Kerala:
- Application Submission: Applicants must submit their PhD application to the respective university along with all required supporting documents within the prescribed deadline.
- Entrance Examination: Candidates are required to qualify in a recognized entrance examination such as UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, or a university-conducted entrance test, as applicable.
- Interview / Viva-Voce: Shortlisted candidates who qualify for the entrance examination must appear for an interview or viva voce conducted at the university level to assess research aptitude and subject knowledge.
- Final Selection: Final admission is granted based on performance in the entrance examination, interview, academic record, and overall research potential of the candidate.
Career options after a PhD from Kerala
Earning a doctoral degree through a PhD is ideal for individuals who wish to have a career in research and academics. The doctoral students will gain various skills throughout their doctoral journey, including research, teaching, presentation skills, and analytical skills. On earning the doctoral degree, the candidates can pursue their careers as a researcher, postdoctoral researchers, associate professor, professor, or analyst in both government and private sectors.
If you wish to pursue your career based on senior-level job roles, including managerial or management positions, you can opt for an Online Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA). Through an Online DBA program, individuals can earn their degree through flexibility. On earning the degree in three years, the degree holders will get wider job opportunities in top organizations and companies.
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.
Is a PhD from Kerala worth it?
The state of Kerala has made numerous investments into higher education and research to help attract people who are considering embarking upon a long-term career in higher education and research. If you want to go to a peaceful academic environment with affordable tuition and do some exciting research, the state of Kerala is a good candidate for your needs.
Earn Your Doctorate While You Work
A PhD program requires a lot of dedication and hard work to complete the program and earn the degree. The doctoral students enrolled in a traditional PhD program are required to be fully dedicated for 5 to 7 years, so they cannot pursue a job or other program.
Individuals can now pursue their doctoral degree through flexibility by opting for part-time PhD programs, where enrolled individuals can complete their doctoral program through their own flexible timings and convenience. However, the individuals are required to qualify for any entrance examination to pursue a PhD.
Moreover, the working professionals can also earn their doctoral degrees while working by opting for an Online Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA). An online DBA program is equivalent to the PhD program that can be completed in three years while having other work or family commitments.
