S. Vishnu Sharma
Top 10 PhD admission exams in India is about entrance exams for students who are aspiring to become research scholars.
Candidates have to pass these exams to gain admission in reputed institutions located across India for pursuing doctorate in various subjects.
These top 10 PhD admission exams in India are highly reputed and passing them is said to require great deal of preparation.
Candidates eager to undertake research (PhD) in sciences, arts, humanities engineering and medicine can prepare for these exams.
The list of top 10 PhD admission exams in India is given below for the sake of students:
1. UGC NET Exam
This is the first one to flash in the minds of all those who wish to do a doctorate degree various subjects like History, Political Science, Public Administration.
This exam is undoubtedly one of Top 10 PhD admission exams in India as about five to six lakh candidates write the exam conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA).
NTA conducts the exam on behalf of University Grants Commission.
Candidates who are willing to become assistant professors or research scholars apply for this exam.
The score in this exam which is among the top 10 PhD admission exams in India is considered for alloting Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) for those who are willing to become research scholars.
Applicants who stand qualified for Assistant professorship will not be considered for awarding JRF.
UGC NET is conducted twice a year has two papers – Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 is for 100 marks and Paper 2 is for 200 marks.
Paper 1 aims at testing the ability to take up teaching or research work. Paper – 2 has questions related to the subject selected by the candidate.
The duration of the exam is for three hours and all the questions are compulsory.
The website to know more about the exam is ‘https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/webinfo/public/home.aspx’
2. CSIR UGC NET exam
This exam also enjoys considerable popularity in the nation as over two three lakh candidates apply for the exam every year.
The other name for the exam is CSIR NET and is conducted National Testing Agency on behalf of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
This exam is also one among the top 10 PhD admission exams in India and is conducted in computer based mode.
Candidates willing to become research scholars or assistant professors in science subjects write this exam which is among top 10 PhD admission exams in India.
The exam is conducted twice a year and some of the subjects for which candidates can write this exam can become research scholars or assistant professorship in science subjects namely chemical sciences, earth, atmospheric, ocean and planetary sciences.
The other subjects covered by this exam are Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences.
The duration of this exam is 180 minutes. The official website to know more about the exam is ‘https://csirnet.nta.nic.in/webinfo/public/home.aspx’
3. Joint Graduate Entrance Examination for Biology and Interdisciplinary Life Sciences of NCBS
This exam is also among the top 10 PhD admission exams in India.
This competitive test is conducted by National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) which comes under Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) which is under Department of Atomic Energy of Government of India.
This examination is also known as TIFR Nationwide Entrance Examination for Biology.
The other popular name for the same examination is Joint Graduate Entrance Examination for Biology and Interdisciplinary Life Sciences (JGEEBILS).
Candidates who aspire to do research in Biology and related sciences write this exam.
There are various other institutes also that take part in JGEEBILS.
They also take the score earned in JGEEBILS into consideration while admitting studenst for research into Biology and related subjects.
However, the admission procedure of the institutes participating in the exam vary from one another.
The exam is used to even provide admission into graduate and post graduate and integrated research programmes also.
More details about the exam which is alos considered to be among top 10 PhD admission exams in India is ‘https://www.ncbs.res.in/academic/admissions-JGEEBILS’
4. DBT JRF Biotechnology Eligibility Test
If doing research in biotechnology is high on one’s mind, this is the test one has to take.
The growing popularity of this exam among the biotechnology research enthusiasts only shows it is among the top 10 PhD admission exams in India.
Department of Biotechnology which comes under Ministry of Science and Technology of Government of India conducts the exam.
The purpose behind conducting the exam is to award Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) to those candidates who are willing to take up research in the frontier areas of Biotechnology.
Candidates are selected for JRF through Biotechnology Eligibility Test. Based on performance in BET, candidates will be selected in two categories.
In the first category, the fellowships can be used in any university or institution where the candidates join for doing PhD.
Candidates selected in the second category can join Department of Biotechnology sponsored project and can get the fellowship equal to NET/GATE qualifications as per guidelines of Department of Science and Technology.
The test which is also among the top 10 PhD admission exams in India is conducted in computer based mode. The method to apply for this test is online.
Candidates who have completed their post graduation in sciences, veterinary sciences or engineering or integrated BS-MS or BE/BTech in any discipline can apply.
The official website for the exam is ‘https://rcb.res.in/BET2020/
5. TIFR Graduate School Admission Entrace Test
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) conducts this exam for admitting students into PhD and integrated post graduation and PhD programmes offered at TIFR Deemed University.
TIFR is one of the premier institutions in India that is into taking up advanced research in basic sciences.
Through this test candidates who are eager to take up research or join post graduate or post graduate + PhD in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer & Systems Sciences (including Communications and Machine Learning) and Science Education.
Candidates who have passed post graduation in above mentioned subjects are eligible to apply for PhD prorgammes through this test.
The questions in the exam will be related to maths, physics, chemistry, computer and systems sciences lessons taught at post graduate level.
More information about the exam which is also among the top 10 PhD admission exams in India is ‘http://univ.tifr.res.in/gs2021/’
6. ICMR Junior Research Fellowships
This is a test that is of prime importance for those who are looking forward to turn into research scholars and take up research work in various science related subjects.
Indian Council of Medical Research conducts this exam in association with Postgraduate Institute of
Medical Education & Research (PGIMER) of Chandigarh.
Candidates who get fellowship through this exam can take up research in Biomedical science topics with emphasis on microbiology, physiology, molecular biology, genetics, human biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, biophysics, immunology, pharmacology, nursing, zoology, botany.
Also topics related to environmental sciences or veterinary sciences (excluding Agriculture extension/Soil Sciences, etc.) can be taken up if fellowship is obtained through this exam which is among the top 10 PhD admission exams in India.
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The procedure to apply for this test is online and candidates who have completed their MSc or MA with 55 percent pass marks can apply.
Candidates from SC/ST categories can have 50 percent pass marks in their qualifying exam. A total of 150 fellowships would be awarded through this exam.
The official websites to know more about the exam are ‘https://main.icmr.nic.in/’ and ‘http://pgimer.edu.in’ and ‘https://icmr.nic.in/’
7. NIMHANS Diploma/Superspeciality/PhD online Entrance Test
If the word is about doing research or super speciality courses in medicine and related fields, this exam is the one has to attempt to get a seat.
The test is conducted by National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bangalore and is held twice a year.
Candidates targeting PhD admission in NIMHANS have to first write this exam which will be held online and then attend an interview.
Applicants willing to take up admission in super speciality courses through this exam have to attend the online test and if selected have to produce their original certificates on the day of admission.
The exam is of 90 minutes duration and the questions in multiple choice format. There is a negative marking in this test, every wrong answer will deduct 0.25 marks.
This is also one among the top 10 PhD admission exams in India. The website to know more is ‘https://nimhans.ac.in/’
8. JNU PhD Exam
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is the epicentre of learning in the national capital that needs no description.
Students from across the nation flock to this educational institution to seek admission into post graduate or doctorate degree courses in arts, science, humanities and languages programmes.
The university offers PhD in Arabic, Canadian Studies, Chemical Studies, Chinese, Hindi, International Politics and many other subjects which attract those with scholarly bent of mind.
The exam is also known as JNU Entrance Examination (JNUEE) and is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA).
JNUEE is one of the top 10 PhD admission exams in India and is conducted for three hours. Questions in the exam are in multiple choice format (MCQ).
Every correct answer will get 1,2,3 or 4 marks depending on the course. There is no negative marking for questions with wrong replies.
Candidates who have passed post graduation in any discipline with 50 or 55 percent passmarks can apply for PhD through JNUEE.
Many believe this exam to be one of the toughest exams in India as the question paper is set in a way that only those who know the subject well will be able to crack it.
The website to know more about the exam is
‘https://jnuexams.nta.nic.in’ ‘www.jnu.ac.in’ and
‘https://jnuee.jnu.ac.in/’
9. NIPER JEE Examination (PhD)
National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) conducts this exam to select candidates for PhD courses in the field of pharmaceutical sciences and management.
Candidates who are eager for undertaking research in the subject of pharmaceutical sciences and management can opt for this exam.
Applicants selected through this exam which is among the top 10 PhD admission exams in India can take up research in topics related to medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical analysis, pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical management and much more.
This exam is conducted in online mode and is a computer based test. The question paper will have 170 questions of 85 marks.
The questions will be related to Chemical Sciences, Biological Sciences and Pharmaceutical Sciences taught at post graduation level.
The candidates who pass the test which is also considered to be among the top 10 PhD admission exams in India have to attend an interview which will have 15 marks.
The written exam has negative marking and every wrong answer will lead to reduction of 25 percent marks.
The details about this exam will be available on ‘www.niperahm.ac.in’ Applicants can approach the same website to apply for the exam.
10. University of Hyderabad PhD entrance exam
University of Hyderabad is also among the most popular educational institutions in India that offers post graduate, doctorate degrees in various courses.
The university invites applications every year for PhD admissions. Applicants must write a test post application.
Students who pass this test which is considered among top 10 PhD admission exams in India can take up research in topics related to Applied Mathematics, Telugu, Chemistry, Sanskrit Studies, Animal Biology and much more.
Candidates who pass the test have to attend an interview.
Applicants must have passed post graduation in the respective discipline in which they wish to pursue research with 55 percent pass marks at minimum.
The details of the exam and application will be available on the website ‘http://acad.uohyd.ac.in’ or ‘http://www.uohyd.ac.in’
Conclusion
These top 10 PhD admission exams in India are worth attempting as a pass in them with good score would gain a seat for research in reputed institutions located across the country.
Needless to say, PhD (research, doctorate) degree from a reputed institution enhances career prospects.
A pass in these top 10 PhD admission exams in India does most of the job, the rest would depend on the candidate’s performance in an interview.
Many institutions often conduct an interview after the preliminary written test (top 10 PhD admission exams in India) is over.
Admission into PhD depends on the candidate’s performance in the written test and interview (personality test) in most of the cases.
In certain cases, students who pass the tests may have to attend counselling directly, where the admission is done based on performance in the test and avaialability of seats.
There is another thing to these top 10 Phd admission exams in India. These exams have created an identity of their own.
A pass in these top 10 PhD admission exams in India itself enhances the esteem of the candidates.
Candidates who have passed these exams are adored a lot. For only those with right calibre are said to be capable of passing these exams.
Top 10 PhD admission exams in India is just the beginning, as time moves ahead more exams like these would be highlighted.