PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering)

PhD in Mechanical Engineering About

PhD Mechanical Engineering is a doctorate level course in Mechanics. The course may have a duration of 5 to 8 years. PhD Mechanical Engineering is a research-based course.

Throughout the duration of the course, students get to learn various mechanical engineering skills. One learns about various machines and related equipment. The students who wish to pursue PhD Mechanical Engineering must have a good grip over Maths and Science. 

Some of the topics taught to the students in this course are Mathematics for Engineering Research, Research Methodology, etc. Apart from that, certain branch-specific topics are also taught as a part of the curriculum.

In order to be eligible for PhD Mechanical Engineering course, the candidate must complete his/ her post-graduation in engineering or technology from a recognized university with minimum 75% marks. Candidates having master degree in any other related-course with 65% marks can also apply for PhD Mechanical Engineering.

The admission process for the course is different for different institutes. You may either be admitted based on the marks acquired by you in your post-graduation or you may have to sit for an entrance test.

The average tuition fee charged for the course is INR 96,000 to INR 3,16,000 per year. The fee is different for government and private institutions.

The average salary earned by a PhD Mechanical Engineering professional is INR 10 Lakhs. The salary will start to increase as you gain more and more experience.

After completing the course, the candidates may seek jobs in various government and private sectors. Some of the most common job profiles include assistant engineer, mechanical engineer, executive engineer, researcher, etc.

PhD in Mechanical Engineering Highlights

PhD in Mechanical Engineering Eligibility Criteria

Fulfilling the eligibility criteria is a must if you wish to be a part of any of the top PhD Mechanical Engineering colleges in India. The eligibility criteria for pursuing PhD Mechanical Engineering is mentioned below:

A candidate must complete his masters in engineering or technology with the required grades. A candidate having a postgraduate degree in any science subject can also apply for the course. However, they will have to clear the cut-off for GATE.

• Bachelor degree holders in engineering or technology and also apply for the course. They need to have a minimum 75% marks in graduation.
• Relaxation of marks is given to the SC /ST / OBC/ PwD or any other underprivileged candidates.
• If the college conducts an entrance test, then clearing the test also becomes an important eligibility criterion.

PhD in Mechanical Engineering Entrance Exam

1. UGC NET
2. JNUEE
3. GATE
4. UGC CSIR NET

PhD in Mechanical Engineering Admission Process

Merit-based selection

• The students need to fill out the application form of the university. The application forms are available both physically as well as in online mode.
• In merit-based selection, the candidates will be selected based on the marks acquired by them in their graduation and postgraduation.
• The percentage requirement will depend on the number of students applying for the course and the number of available seats.

Entrance based selection

• Students need to register for any particular entrance exam. they must also fill the application form of the colleges they are interested in.
• Students need to take the entrance test. Once qualified, they become eligible for any further stage of admission.
• After the exam, students are required to appear for a personal interview round as well.
• Finally shortlisted students are offered admission to the college in the respective course.

PhD in Mechanical Engineering Duration

PhD in Mechanical Engineering Selection Criteria

Candidates are typically selected based on their academic performance, research experience, entrance exam scores (if applicable), letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and research proposal.

PhD in Mechanical Engineering How to Apply

Candidates can apply to PhD in Mechanical Engineering programs through the online application portals of universities or institutes.

The application process typically involves submitting transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a research proposal.

Candidates may also need to pay an application fee.

PhD in Mechanical Engineering Application Fee Structure

PhD in Mechanical Engineering Syllabus

• Research Methodology
• Seminar
• Mathematics for Engineering Research
• Branch Specific topics
• Thesis
• Seminar
• Research work I
• Research Work II

PhD in Mechanical Engineering Job Scope

PhD in Mechanical Engineering Future Scope

The future of PhD Mechanical Engineering courses in India has always been quite bright. The students are left with a lot of options to build a successful career.

PhD Mechanical Engineering students may take up jobs in either the public or private sectors. Some of the popular sectors offering jobs to Mechanical Engineering candidates are power plants, steel plants, manufacturing sectors, etc.

• The candidates may research various topics related to mechanical engineering at different research labs across the country.
• They may work as research scientists in various reputed foreign universities. The students may also open their own ventures.
• The academic career path is also open for the PhD Mechanical Engineering students. They may teach at colleges and universities. They can also apply at governmental educational institutes.
• Some of the most popular job profiles for Mechanical Engineering students are assistant engineer, executive engineer, research scientist, and junior engineer. The students may also apply for managerial jobs in various sectors.

Admission Process for PhD in Mechanical Engineering

1. Application for the entrance exam 
2. Result declaration
3. Entrance pass scholar calling for the interview and document verification
4. Provisional registration for pre Ph.D. course work classes
5. Coursework classes shall be attended as scheduled by the University
6. Course work examination
7. Result declaration of coursework
8. Submission of synopsis ( 2 spiral bound copies with soft copy of synopsis)
9. Departmental research committee meeting scheduled by University
10. A registration letter shall be issued
11. Research work started by scholar
12. 6 progress reports shall be submitted
13. Soft copy thesis submit
14. plagiarism report check by the university
15. Final after the plagiarism report soft copy thesis shall be sent to experts for evaluation
16. After the consent of experts pre-submission, one set spiral binding shall be submitted
17. After the successful presentation of the pre-submission thesis 3 copies of hard bound thesis shall be  submitted
18. Viva shall be conducted as scheduled by University, Degree Awarded.

Document Required for PhD in Mechanical Engineering

• Documents (10th onwards)
• Aadhar Card/Pan Card, Caste Certificate
• Migration Certificate (Original)
• NOC (From Organization/ Institute/ University)
• Affidavit (undertaking)
• Guide Willing
• Assignments
• Synopsis (3 copies), Progress Report
• Library No Dues
• Lab Letter
• Thesis Hard copy (Spiral binding)
• No Dues, Thesis (6 hard copies)
• Affidavit -Submission (on Rs 100 Stamp and Notary Attested)
• C.D Soft copies (Thesis & Synopsis)
• Conference Certificate - 2
• Research Papers -2 (with ISSN No.)
• summary (page limit 20-30) -3 Copies 
• Plagiarism Report Below 10%

FAQs About PhD Program 

Q.1 - What is the procedure for Ph.D. Admission to the University?

ANSWER: - The Ph.D. and M.Phil. programs of prestigious Universities are conducted and guided strictly as per the provisions and regulations dictated by the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D./M.Phil. Degrees) (1st Amendment) Regulations, 2018 and subsequent amendments. The entire procedure for admission to the research programs encompasses a Research Entrance Exam (RET) and then an Interview/Viva Voce. The performance of a candidate in the RET is given 70% weightage, and the remaining 30% weightage is given to his/her performance at the Interview.

Q.2 - What are the modes of pursuing M.Phil. & Ph.D. programs at the University?

ANSWER: -Both the full-time and part-time modes are available at University for pursuing its Ph.D. programs and only the full-time mode is available for M.Phil. program in the desired subjects/fields. These highly-qualitative and prolific research programs are available in a rather broad range of fields/subjects. At University, the minimum time duration of the M.Phil. and Ph.D. programs is 1.5 Years and 3 Years, respectively, in general.

Q.3 - Are the Ph.D. and M.Phil. Degrees granted by any University valid abroad?

ANSWER: -Yes, of course. If the University is properly recognized under section 2(f) of the UGC Act of 1956 and is a prestigious member of the AIU (the Association of Indian Universities). It is an M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees granted in various fields/subjects are duly valid across India and the world.

Q.4 - What are the main eligibility criteria for participating in the University Research Entrance Exam (RET)?

ANSWER: -The following are the main eligibility conditions for participating in the RET: - A rigorous Master’s Degree in the proposed subject/field obtained from any recognized university/institution located in India or abroad, with a minimum 55% marks in aggregate or an equivalent grade. Candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/Differently-abled categories are given a 5% relaxation in respect of this eligibility criterion. Candidates with an M.Phil. degree in the proposed field/subject, or have qualified for the UGC (JRF) Examinations/ NET/ SET/ SELT, etc., will be allowed to appear directly for the interview, without appearing in the RET. Impressive academic records, and any prior experience in research work, will be given additional advantages.

Q.5 - What relaxations are granted to the reserved categories for Ph.D. Admission to the University?

ANSWER: - Candidates belonging to the categories of SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy layer)/Differently-Abled, and so on, are given all relaxations prescribed by the Govt. of India and the UGC. These relaxations are provided in form of 5% reduced marks for them at post-graduation, and also in the minimum qualifying marks at RET. Thus, candidates belonging to these categories only need to score a minimum of 45% marks at RET, to qualify for the final interview.

Q.6 - How will be the pattern of RET?

ANSWER: - The syllabus or pattern of RET consists of subject-specific matters, research methodology, and aptitude (covering logical reasoning, numerical ability, analytical reasoning, statistics, etc.).Thus, RET will contain a total of 70 multiple-choice questions (MCQs).

Q.7 - Are M.Phil. Holders/UGC- NET (including JRF)/ UGC-CSIR NET (including JRF)/ SLET/ GATE exempted from appearing at RET?

ANSWER: - Yes. The holders of M.Phil. degrees in their respective fields/subjects are made exempt from appearing in RET. The same is the situation in cases of aspiring candidates who have qualified exams like UGC-NET (including JRF)/ UGC-CSIR NET (including JRF)/ SLET/ GATE, etc.

Q.8 - How is the application fee paid?

ANSWER: - The Application Fee (i.e. the fee for getting participated in RET) can be paid online or offline, like the Application Form. Payment Modes: DD (in Favor of the University) / NEFT/ Cash Deposit.

Q.9 - Do working candidates require to obtain NOC from employers for pursuing research at any University?

ANSWER: - Yes, necessarily. Working Professionals who are interested in research at any University are required to obtain the NOC (No Objection Certificate) from their respective employers, in order to avert any intrusion ever during the entire doctoral course.

Q.10 - Does an M.Phil. holder require to undergo Ph.D. coursework?

ANSWER: - Yes. M.Phil. holders are again required to undergo the coursework in Ph.D. at some Universities. However, their prior knowledge in the field/subject will be very supportive to them for learning and performing efficiently during the Ph.D. program.

Q.11 - Can I pay the yearly program/course fee in installments?

ANSWER: - Yes, you can pay the yearly course fee as many as in two installments, but well within the yearly session.

Q.12 - Does Any University provide any scholarship or stipend to pursuing scholars?

ANSWER: - Yes, of course. Many Universities offer scholarships as well as stipends to meritorious and talented candidates who undertake research studies at the University. Scholarships are granted to those candidates who come under the top 21 by scoring higher marks in RET and interviews. And, stipends are provided to those scholars who also give lectures to UG or PG students at the University, in addition to doing their Ph.D. coursework. The amount of the monthly stipend will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and capabilities and may go up to Rs. 20,000.

Q.13 - What other many facilities are provided to research scholars at the University Campus?

ANSWER: - All necessary and constructive resources, amenities, and facilities are offered by well-established and prestigious universities to research scholars in various streams/subjects. These facilities include the following - spacious and peaceful study rooms, erudite and well-experienced academicians and research experts, Wi-Fi and diverse IT devices, state-of-the-art laboratories, well-stocked libraries, lavish R&D amenities, separate amenities for lodging and foods for male and female candidates, peaceful and constructive environment within the university campus, and many other comforting and convenient facilities and services.