Thapar University Ph.D: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Patiala, PunjabDeemed to be UniversityEstd 1956NAAC Grade A++
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Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated on - May 22, 2026

Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology [Thapar University], Patiala offers Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D] in 27 specialisations across engineering, sciences, humanities, and management, in both full-time and part-time modes. Full-time programme fees are ₹3,48,000; part-time fees are ₹3,15,000 to ₹3,48,000. Full-time scholars with a valid GATE or UGC NET score receive a monthly stipend of ₹31,000 to ₹35,000. Admission is through GATE, UGC NET, or the Thapar Research Aptitude Test followed by a personal interview.

Applications for the 2026 batch closed in April 2026. The Thapar Research Aptitude Test is scheduled for May 2026, followed by interviews in May to June 2026 and final selection in June 2026. Admissions are currently in progress.

Key Points

  • Full-time PhD scholars at Thapar receive ₹31,000 to ₹35,000 per month, making the ₹3,48,000 programme fee recoverable within the first few months of stipend earnings.
  • Part-time PhD mode is available for working professionals; most PT disciplines are priced at ₹3,15,000 with the same research and publication requirements as the full-time programme.
  • B.Tech or BE graduates with first division may be considered for direct PhD admission without a Master’s degree, subject to a strong research profile and doctoral committee clearance.
  • PhD Management is offered through LM Thapar School of Management at the Derabassi campus; all other disciplines are at the main Patiala campus.

Thapar Ph.D Fees 2026

Full-time PhD fees are ₹3,48,000 across all disciplines. Part-time fees are ₹3,15,000 for most disciplines and ₹3,48,000 for Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, and Physics. Hostel charges are not included.

Fee Structure

ModeCourse(s)Total Fees
Part TimePh.D Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, CSE, ECE, Energy and Environment, Management, Mathematics₹3,15,000
Part TimePh.D Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Physics₹3,48,000
Full TimePh.D Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, CSE, Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering, Electronics and Communication, Energy and Environmental Planning, Humanities and Social Science, Management, Materials Science, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics₹3,48,000
Total Fees (Hostel charges separate)₹3,15,000 to ₹3,48,000
  • Fees is subject to change, Please verify with the official sources before taking admission.
  • Hostel and mess charges are payable separately as per Thapar campus rates.

Thapar Ph.D Admission 2026

Admission is through GATE, UGC NET, or the Thapar Research Aptitude Test. All candidates must attend a personal interview with the Doctoral Research Committee. The same timeline applies to both full-time and part-time modes.

Important Dates

EventDate
Application Last DateApril 2026
GATE or NET Score SubmissionMarch to April 2026
Thapar Research Aptitude TestMay 2026
Personal InterviewMay to June 2026
Final Selection ListJune 2026

Entrance Exam Dates

ExamRegistration EndExam DateResult
GATE 2026October 13, 2025February 7, 8, 14, 15, 2026March 19, 2026
UGC NETMarch 2026May 2026June 2026
Thapar Research Aptitude TestMay 2026May 2026June 2026

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Master’s degree in the relevant or allied discipline with a minimum of 6.5 CGPA or equivalent; SC and ST candidates get 0.5 CGPA relaxation.
  • BE or B.Tech with first division may be considered for direct PhD admission with a strong research profile.
  • Valid GATE, UGC NET, or Thapar Research Aptitude Test score required for shortlisting.

Admission Process

  • Apply on the Thapar admissions portal; submit qualifying marksheet, entrance scorecard, and a research proposal.
  • Appear for the Thapar Research Aptitude Test in May 2026 if no GATE or NET score is held.
  • Attend the personal interview in May to June 2026; confirmed candidates complete document verification and pay fees to activate the seat.

Thapar Ph.D Scholarships 2026

Thapar Institute provides monthly stipends and research grants to full-time scholars. Part-time scholars may hold external fellowships but are not eligible for the institutional stipend.

Available Scholarships

ScholarshipAmountEligibility
Thapar PhD Stipend₹31,000 to ₹35,000 per monthFull-time scholars with GATE or NET score
Research Project FellowshipVariableScholars on funded sponsored research projects
Conference Travel GrantUp to ₹50,000 per yearPaper presentation at recognised conferences
External Scholarship HostingAs per agency normsCSIR, DST, ICMR, and similar external awardees
  • Stipend continuation is subject to satisfactory annual progress reviews by the doctoral committee.
  • External fellowship holders follow the stipend and tenure rules of the awarding agency.

Thapar University Ph.D Ranking

Thapar University is ranked by several ranking agencies such as Times Higher Education. Some of these rankings are as follows-

  • #601-800 out of 801 under Times Higher Education Ranking 2020.
Ranking AgencyLatest
Times Higher Education
#601-800 out of 801 (2020)

Thapar Ph.D FAQs

Ques. What monthly stipend does Thapar pay full-time PhD scholars and how does it compare to the programme fee?

Ans. Full-time scholars with GATE or UGC NET receive ₹31,000 to ₹35,000 per month. At ₹31,000 per month, the cumulative stipend over 3 years substantially exceeds the ₹3,48,000 total programme fee. Stipend continuation requires satisfactory annual progress reports and includes a teaching or research assistantship of up to 8 hours per week.

Ques. Can working professionals pursue the Part-time PhD at Thapar without leaving their job?

Ans. Yes. The part-time PhD is designed for working professionals and industry researchers. It carries the same academic and publication requirements as the full-time programme with flexibility in research scheduling. Part-time scholars are not eligible for the institutional stipend and must submit an employer no-objection certificate; campus visits for coursework and research reviews are required as mandated by the doctoral committee.

Ques. Why are "Electronics and Communications Engineering" (Part-time) and "Electronics and Communication" (Full-time) listed separately at Thapar?

Ans. These are the same specialisation with a minor naming variation between the part-time and full-time course listings. Both are offered by the same Electronics and Communication Engineering department. Candidates should select the entry matching their preferred study mode (full-time or part-time) and not treat them as distinct programmes.

Ques. Is direct PhD admission possible at Thapar for B.Tech graduates without a Master’s degree?

Ans. Yes. B.Tech or BE graduates with first division and a strong research profile may be considered for direct PhD admission. This route requires the same entrance test or NET score and a more intensive interview with the Doctoral Research Committee to assess research readiness. Selection via the direct route is more competitive and less common than the post-Master’s pathway.

Ques. What research areas are active for PhD in Computer Science and Engineering at Thapar?

Ans. Active research areas in CSE at Thapar include machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, distributed systems, software engineering, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing. Scholars work under faculty supervisors with industry collaborations and funded project support. Candidates should contact prospective supervisors before applying, as thesis topic alignment with active faculty research significantly improves admission outcomes.

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Comments


Found 1 Comment

K
komal
Jun 11, 2022 17:04
can i get admission in btech biotechnology scholarship after 87% in 12 pcb
C
Chitransha
Jun 14, 2022 11:58

You can’t get a scholarship in B.tech Biotechnology with this percentage. Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology provides various scholarships to be eligible for a general scholarship your scores should be > 95% at the 10+2 level.

For more information, refer to this link: Thapar University Scholarships


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