IIT Hyderabad Ph.D Sustainability: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Hyderabad, TelanganaAutonomous UniversityEstd 2008
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Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated on - Jul 22, 2026

The Ph.D. in Sustainability at IIT Hyderabad is offered through the Greenko School of Sustainability (GSS), a cross-disciplinary school established with Greenko Group. The programme runs for a minimum of 3 years and admits candidates through GATE or CSIR-JRF, with total fees of INR 4,08,000. Scholars receive MoE fellowships, and IIT graduates with CGPA 9.0 or above may qualify for an exclusive GSS fellowship.

📋 Admission Status: Applications closed. Class Commencement begins August 2026 (Tentative).


Key Points

  • Greenko Group-funded school with 9 cross-disciplinary research thrust areas
  • IIT graduates with CGPA 9.0 or above qualify for exclusive GSS Excellence Fellowship
  • Research areas span energy transition, circular economy, and green chemistry

IITH PhD Sustainability Fees 2026

ComponentAmount (INR)
Tuition FeeINR 60,000
Other FeesINR 3,42,000
Caution Deposit (Refundable)INR 6,000
Total FeesINR 4,08,000
  • MoE fellows receive INR 31,000 per month as JRF and INR 35,000 per month as SRF.
  • IIT graduates with CGPA 9.0 or above receive an enhanced GSS fellowship for up to 4 years.
  • Caution deposit of INR 6,000 is refundable on programme completion.

IITH PhD Sustainability Admission 2026

EventDate
GATE 2026 ExamFeb 7, 8, 14, 15, 2026
GATE 2026 ResultMar 19, 2026
PhD Application WindowMar 6 to Mar 26, 2026
Department InterviewApril 2026
Class CommencementAugust 2026
  • Selection is based on qualifying score plus a written test or interview by GSS faculty.
  • Applications are accepted for both July and January sessions every year.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • M.Tech, M.Sc., M.Arch., or M.Des. in any discipline aligned with GSS research thrust areas. B.Tech from IITs, IISc, or IISERs with CGPA 8.0 or above is also eligible.
  • Minimum 60% or equivalent CGPA in qualifying degree (55% for SC/ST/PH candidates).
  • Valid GATE, CSIR-JRF, UGC-JRF, or DST-Inspire score is required for non-CFI applicants.

Admission Process

  • Qualify GATE, CSIR-JRF, UGC-JRF, or DST-Inspire with a valid score in a relevant discipline.
  • B.Tech graduates from IITs, IISc, or IISERs with CGPA 8.0 or above may apply without GATE.
  • Apply through IITH’s online PhD admissions portal for the GSS programme within the announced window.
  • Contact GSS faculty for research area alignment and shortlisting prior to interview.
  • Appear for a written test and/or interview conducted by GSS faculty in April.
  • Complete document verification and hostel registration before programme commencement in August.

✓ Opt for this if

  • Passionate about renewable energy, clean technology, or climate change research
  • IIT graduate with CGPA 9.0 or above targeting the exclusive GSS Excellence Fellowship
  • Seeking an industry-backed PhD with Greenko Group’s cross-disciplinary research support
  • Planning a career in sustainability consulting, clean energy, or climate policy roles

✗ Skip if

  • Want a single-discipline PhD with a traditional department and long alumni network
  • Expect IITH placement cell support for corporate hiring after completing PhD
  • Prefer a programme with decades of focused publication record in one core field

IITH PhD Sustainability Scholarships 2026

ScholarshipAmountEligibility
MoE Research Fellowship (JRF/SRF)INR 31,000 per month (JRF)
INR 35,000 per month (SRF)
Full-time PhD scholars qualifying through GATE/CSIR-JRF/UGC-JRF
GSS CGPA Excellence FellowshipINR 80,000 per month for up to 4 yearsB.Tech/BS/BDes from IITs/IISc/IISERs with CGPA 9.0 or above
SC/ST Fee WaiverFull tuition fee waiverSC/ST category students throughout the programme
  • MoE Fellowship upgrades from JRF to SRF after 2 years on satisfactory progress.
  • GSS Excellence Fellowship applies only to the internal PhD category at IITH.

Table of Contents

IITH PhD Sustainability FAQs

Ques. What is the Greenko School of Sustainability at IIT Hyderabad?

Ans. The Greenko School of Sustainability is a cross-disciplinary school at IIT Hyderabad established in partnership with Greenko Group, a leading renewable energy company. It operates across all IITH departments and offers a PhD programme with 9 research thrust areas including energy transition, circular economy, climate change mitigation, AI for sustainability, and green chemistry. It is one of the few industry-co-founded sustainability research schools within an IIT campus in India.

Ques. Can B.Tech graduates apply to the GSS PhD without a master’s degree?

Ans. Yes. B.Tech, BS, or BDes graduates from Centrally Funded Institutions such as IITs, IISc, and IISERs with a CGPA of 8.0 or above may apply directly without a master’s degree. Graduates from non-CFI institutions require a valid GATE, CSIR-JRF, UGC-JRF, or DST-Inspire score. IIT graduates with CGPA 9.0 or above also qualify for a special GSS CGPA Excellence Fellowship not available under any other IITH PhD programme.

Ques. What fellowship amounts do GSS PhD scholars receive at IITH?

Ans. Scholars admitted through GATE or UGC-NET receive INR 31,000 per month as JRF for the first 2 years and INR 35,000 per month as SRF from the third year onward. B.Tech graduates from IITs, IISc, or IISERs with CGPA 9.0 or above receive a special GSS CGPA Excellence Fellowship for up to 4 years. SC and ST students also receive a full tuition fee waiver throughout the programme.

Ques. What are the research thrust areas at the Greenko School of Sustainability?

Ans. GSS operates across 9 cross-disciplinary thrust areas: Climate Change Mitigation, Energy Transition and Industrial Transformation, Circular and Regenerative Economy, AI and Space Technology for Climate, Sustainable Infrastructure, Green Chemistry and Industrial Processes, Recycling and Repurposing, Sustainable Manufacturing and Decarbonization, and Sustainable Supply Chain Modelling. PhD scholars work within one or more of these areas, guided by faculty drawn from across all IITH departments and supported by Greenko Group’s research partnerships.

Ques. How does the GSS PhD differ from the IITH PhD in Climate Studies?

Ans. IITH offers two separate PhD programmes in this domain. The PhD in Climate Studies is offered by the Department of Climate Change and focuses on climate science, atmospheric research, and socio-technical policy analysis. The PhD in Sustainability at GSS covers a broader scope including energy transition, circular economy, green chemistry, and sustainable manufacturing. GSS also has a distinct fellowship structure with an enhanced fellowship for eligible IIT graduates that is not available under the Climate Studies programme.

IIT Hyderabad: 6 Answered Questions

Does IIT Hyderabad offer online courses?

Saketh ChandraIIT Hyderabad (2021 Batch)

Yes, IIT Hyderabad offers online MTech and MDes courses. These courses are designed for individuals seeking flexibility in their education due to work or any other commitments. Students benefit from IIT Hyderabad’s expert faculty while studying remotely. Some of the top online MTech/MDes programs at IIT Hyderabad are as follows:

Course Offering Department
Data Science Computer Science and Engineering
MDes by Practice Design
Communication and Signal Processing Electrical Engineering
Computational Mechanics Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Industrial Metallurgy Material Science and Metallurgical Engineering
EV Technology Centre for Interdisciplinary Programs

Additionally, IIT Hyderabad also provides online courses through the NPTEL portal @https://nptel.ac.in/courses/106106224. Faculties from various departments teach these courses.

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Does IIT Hyderabad offer a Data Science course?

RishabhStudies at IIT Hyderabad

Ans. Yes, IIT Hyderabad provides a data science course that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application. Here is detailed information about the course:

Detail Information
Course Name M.Tech in Data Science
Duration 2 years (Full-time)
Eligibility B.Tech/B.E. in relevant field or M.Sc. in Mathematics/Statistics
Admission Process GATE Score + Interview
Fee structure INR 47,060 per year (Total Semester Fee for Regular PG students)
Scholarships GATE scholarships, Institute Scholarships

And if you are a working professional then IIT Hyderabad also provides a data science course for working professionals. Here are details about it:

Detail Information
Course Name M.Tech in Data Science (for industry professionals)
Duration 3-5 years (self-paced)
Eligibility B.Tech/BE in CS/EE/IT/ECE, MCA, MSc/MS/ME/M.Tech in CS/IT, with 70% marks or 7.0 CGPA
Fee structure Details available on the official website
Admission Process Online application, written test, and interview
Work Experience Minimum of 3 years in a relevant industry
Class Schedule Weekends or weekday mornings, online mode
Mode of Delivery Online classes, on-campus end-semester exams
Contact Information Email: cse_mds@iith.ac.in
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How is IIT Hyderabad’s MDes program?

RishabhStudies at IIT Hyderabad

IIT Hyderabad’s MDes program has various good points which you should know if you want to pursue your career in it. 

Firstly, they offer two kinds of master's courses, in which MDes by project is a course in which all learning and research are based on the projects. Also, the course curriculum is designed in such a way that it will nurture the creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities of the students.

Secondly, they also offer MDes by Practise courses based on practical design skills. In this course, you’ll get to learn design skills based on the internships and other practical experiences.

Here is the fee structure for the MDes Course:

Duration Mode Fees (Regular PG students)
2 years full-time INR 47,060
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Which college should I choose between IIT, Hyderabad & IIIT, Hyderabad for a CSE course?

Divya SarafLives in Hyderabad

Had I been in your place, I would have chosen IIIT Hyderabad over IIT Hyderabad. While both colleges offer a good CS program, IIIT Hyderabad is the clear winner when it comes to CS. Consider the following points of comparison 

  • IIT Hyderabad is a new IIt, so choosing it just because of the IIt tag would be a blunder.
  • IIT Hyderabad is still in its development phase and its campus still needs a few more facilities to become full-fledged operating.
  • IIIT Hyderabad has a better religion and brand name among the IT giants and therefore its placement scenario is way better than IIT Hyderabad.
  • IIIT Hyderabad is well-known for its achievements in competitions like ACM ICPC and GSOC.

I have my cousins in both the institutes and from their discussions I have concluded that IIIT Hyderabad leads in CS opportunities.

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What is the admission procedure for "all course MTech" at IIT Hyderabad?

Rajesh SharmaM.Tech from Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (2018)

To apply for the M.Tech program at IIT Hyderabad, you need to follow the admission procedure as dictated below

  • Attain a valid qualified GATE scorecard.
  • In case you are retaining your GATE score then fill up the form for the respective program.
  • Soon you will be called for the interview wherein a written exam will be conducted 
  • Those who clear the written exam will be summoned for the Viva-voce interview.

The results will be declared through the department website.

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What do you know about an all-course M.Tech at IIT Hyderabad?

Vinisha Vasudevan
Shruti AgarwalStudied at Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IITH)

My friend has completed All-course MTech at IIT Hyderabad and claims that it has zero recognition outside IIT Hyderabad with a dearth of job opportunities. The course is a one-year program that does not require you to write a thesis/research. All you need to do is study courses in the classrooms. This is a very poor choice for those targeting a Ph.D. as this program isn’t known even at other IITs. 

You will be given alien treatment and will end up wasting Lakhs on a useless degree. The majority of the IIT Hyderabad community is unaware of this course. The curriculum is poorly designed and very rigid. The world is intense, sparing you no time for extracurriculars. The majority of the first batch left the course within a few days.

The course is a complete waste of money and time so I am strongly against anyone joining it.

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