Ph.D. Programme

IISER Thiruvananthapuram has a vibrant Ph D Programme in the areas of Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Interdisciplinary areas

IISER-TVM admitted the first batch of doctoral students in August, 2009. From then onwards, Ph.D. Students were admitted twice each academic year at the beginning of Varsha and Vasanth semesters. All the students admitted have cleared one of the following national examinations: CSIR-UGC NET, DBT-JRF, GATE, JEST, ICMR-JRF, NBHM. Immediately after joining the Ph.D. Programme, each student is assigned a supervisor and doctoral committee (consisting of the supervisor and two other members of the IISER faculty) is appointed. The doctoral committee monitors the semester-wise assessment of the progress of the research work of the scholar.

Within the first two years of enrolling, as prescribed by the doctoral committee, students must credit a minimum of four (300 level or higher) courses. The CGPA of the completed courses must not be below 7. On successful completion of the course work, the scholar must take a comprehensive examination in the area of proposed research work. A key feature of the Ph.D. Programme at IISER-TVM is that students take part in teaching assistant duties as assigned by the respective school.

Starting from 11 students, IISER-TVM now has 64 students, out of which more than one-third are women. Currently, 35 of these students avail fellowships from UGC/CSIR and other students receive fellowship from IISER-TVM.

For more information about the curriculum and regulations, click here

 

Registration:
Every selected candidate has to register for the Programme at the beginning of each semester by paying the prescribed fees (see below)

Research Guide:

The scholar will be assigned a Research Guide(s)

Doctoral Committee:

A Doctoral committee with the Chairman of the Department/School, the Guide(s) and members will assess the progress of the scholar’s work periodically and will approve the synopsis of the PhD thesis before submission.

Course work:

A scholar must complete the following course requirements

  • 12 credits of course work in the first two semesters with a minimum CGPA of 6.
  • Pass a comprehensive exam on completion of the course work.

  • Two seminars to be given by the scholar in the 3rd/4th semester

Duration:

The duration of the PhD Programme is approximately 8 semesters.

Fellowships:

CSIR JRF : as per CSIR norms

  • Currently: Rs. 12,000/- pm for two years and Rs.14,000/- pm in the next two years.
  • IISER Fellowship : Rs. 12,000/- pm for first two years and Rs. 14000/- pm for the next two years.
    (without contingency)

Note that IISER Fellowship will be compatible with CSIR-JRF.

Fees:
Fee Structure for
>>the I semester students for Vasanth 2012 please Click here .
>>the second and subsequent semester students for Vasanth 2012 please Click here .

For details of research areas click here

Academics