VTU offers a three-year minimum, full-time Ph.D. in Industrial and Production Engineering under Mechanical Engineering Sciences. The research degree is for students with a master's degree in engineering or technology. VTU is a state university under the VTU Act and sits in the NIRF engineering rank group 151 to 200 in 2025. The full fee without hostel is INR 2.09 Lakhs, based on the latest VTU research fee notice. You enter through VTU ETR or an approved exemption, then a pre-registration interview. VTU does not publish branch seats for this course. The campus level NIRF PG median pay is INR 4.9 LPA and the placed or higher-study share is 96%.
The full course costs INR 2.09 Lakhs without hostel and INR 3.53 Lakhs with living. The tuition fee is INR 90,000. You pay tuition, registration and e-consortium fees every year. VTU fixes the university fee. The thesis and pre-comprehensive viva fees come later in the research cycle.
| Fee head | Amount | How it is charged |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee | INR 90,000 | INR 30,000 a year, 3 years |
| Registration fee | INR 30,000 | INR 10,000 a year, 3 years |
| E-consortium fee | INR 12,000 | INR 4,000 a year, 3 years |
| University development fee | INR 5,000 | One time |
| Application fee | INR 2,000 | One time |
| Pre-comprehensive viva fee | INR 20,000 | One time |
| Thesis and final viva fee | INR 50,000 | One time |
| Living estimate | INR 1.44 Lakhs | INR 4,000 a month, 36 months |
| Total, no hostel | INR 2.09 Lakhs | Full course |
| Total with hostel | INR 3.53 Lakhs | Full course |
The form was open from 1 Sep 2026 to 25 Sep 2026. The ETR exam is expected on 11 Oct 2026, and course work is expected to start in Mar 2027. Keep checking the VTU research portal after the result, because supervisor choice and interview dates decide admission.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| VTU ETR registration, last date to apply | 1 Sep 2026 to 25 Sep 2026 | Over |
| VTU ETR hall ticket | Oct 2026 | Tentative |
| VTU ETR exam | 11 Oct 2026 | Tentative |
| VTU ETR result and score | Nov 2026 | Tentative |
| Research proposal upload | Nov 2026 | Tentative |
| Pre-registration interview | Dec 2026 | Tentative |
| Merit list and supervisor allotment | Dec 2026 | Tentative |
| Admission fee, last date | Jan 2027 | Tentative |
| Reporting and document check | Feb 2027 | Tentative |
| Classes start | Mar 2027 | Tentative |
The minimum score is 60% or CGPA 6.75 in the master degree, with 5% relaxation for reserved groups. You need an engineering or technology master degree for this branch. If you have a valid national test, VTU may exempt you from ETR.
| Requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| Degree | Master degree in Engineering or Technology |
| Marks | 60% or CGPA 6.75 |
| Relaxation | 5% for SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS and PwD |
| Entrance | VTU ETR, or valid exemption through national test or M.Phil. |
| Mode | Full-time research, with no job during the programme |
VTU ETR carries 70 marks and the interview carries 30 marks. You apply online, write ETR if needed, upload your research proposal and attend the pre-registration interview. VTU then allots the research centre and supervisor by merit and vacancy.
| Step | What you do |
|---|---|
| 1. Apply online | Fill the research form on the VTU portal |
| 2. Write ETR | Clear the score needed for your category |
| 3. Upload proposal | Give your research plan and supervisor choices |
| 4. Attend interview | Present your topic before the expert committee |
| 5. Take admission | Pay the fee and finish document check |
The General score needed is 35 and the reserved score needed is 31 on the scaled VTU ETR score. These are qualifying scores for interview, not final admission. Final selection adds interview marks and supervisor vacancy.
| Category | Cutoff score | Round and year |
|---|---|---|
| General | 35 | VTU ETR 2026 |
| SC, ST, OBC-NCL and PwD | 31 | VTU ETR 2026 |
| National test exemption | Not published | Valid score within its period |
The NIRF PG median pay is INR 4.9 LPA and the placed or higher-study share is 96%. VTU does not publish a Ph.D. Industrial and Production Engineering placement table. Use this figure as a campus level signal, not a branch promise.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median pay | INR 4.9 LPA |
| Placed or higher study | 96% |
| Course placement table | Not published |
| Main route | Research, teaching, quality and production roles |
The biggest listed support is INR 90,000 in this table, while the base fee is INR 2.09 Lakhs. VTU also has the Jnana Yaana Doctoral Fellowship route for full-time scholars in listed university departments. State and central schemes depend on category and income papers.
| Scholarship | Who can get it | Amount or waiver |
|---|---|---|
| VTU Jnana Yaana Doctoral Fellowship | Full-time scholars in listed departments | As per VTU norms |
| SC/ST post-matric support | SC or ST with income paper | INR 90,000 |
| Central Sector Scheme | Eligible low-income students | INR 30,000 |
| EWS fee support | EWS certificate and income paper | INR 20,000 |
VTU is in the NIRF engineering rank group 151 to 200 in 2025. The university was #69 in NIRF engineering in 2024. NIRF uses data filed by the university, while VTU also publishes its research manual and regulations.
| Ranking body | Year | Rank or grade |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF Engineering | 2025 | 151 to 200 rank group |
| NIRF Engineering | 2024 | #69 |
| VTU Act | 1994 | State university |
Coursework starts before the confirmed research work. You study research methods, research publication ethics and the subject paper, then clear the comprehensive viva. After that the Research Advisory Committee tracks your work until thesis submission.
| Year | What you study |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Coursework, research methods and ethics |
| Year 2 | Research work, review meetings and paper work |
| Year 3 | Thesis writing, plagiarism check and final viva |
VTU does not publish branch seats in the ETR notice. The notice covers 7 fellowship departments, but admission depends on each supervisor vacancy. You should check the portal before choosing this topic.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Branch seats | Not published |
| Fellowship departments | 7 |
| Faculty | Mechanical Engineering Sciences |
| Specialisation | Industrial and Production Engineering |
This course suits students who want university research in manufacturing, quality and production systems.
These are the official 2027 dates. Tap 2028 Session for expected dates of the next batch.
Source: VTU ETR notification and extension circular. Confirm on the official site before you act.
This is the full 3-year cost, not one year. Turn on the toggle to add living cost.
Source: VTU research fee notice. Confirm on the official site before you act.
Pick your category and route. The cutoff ranges are VTU ETR qualifying scores before interview.
The ETR score only gets you to the interview. The final list adds interview marks and depends on supervisor vacancy in this specialisation.
Answer two questions to see what you can claim. Confirm the final amount with VTU.
Each chip below says which answer blocked the scheme.
Tap a college to see it next to VTU. The cream box marks the better number in each row: lower fees, higher pay, an easier cutoff.
Fees and pay can change. Check each college site before you decide.
Straight answers to what students ask before they decide.
This page is AI assisted and human verified.
My friend graduated from Visvesvaraya Technological University with a gold medal. She ranked amongst the top ten students with the highest aggregate in CS.
It is calculated by the average of total marks of the last four semesters. A Gold medal becomes a dream if you fail in any of the subjects.
There are 2 types of Gold medals are of two types:
Getting a gold medal is not impossible. Follow 2-3 additional books, study throughout the year and understand the core engineering and mathematical concepts. Internal assessments should be taken seriously as well. Be clear in your intentions and don't budge because there'll be distractions, but you can make your mark if you will it.
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