Best PhD Programs in India in 2024: Which One Should You Choose?

Pursuing a PhD is akin to seeking knowledge about sectors that have not been explored or questioned, developing new skill sets, and discovering new things. It delves into the greater depths of a specific area of knowledge and is only meant to be pursued by students seeking it. It is purely an academic-based pursuit, and for anyone thinking about doing a PhD, academia is the most obvious path for them. To make things even easier, online PhD programs in India have also opened up a whole new world of avenues and opportunities for budding students in their respective fields. 

However, the degree also gives budding professionals excellent career prospects in any industrial sector that primarily runs on research and innovation. It is also one of the best ways to make an original contribution in your own discipline and even make a significant accomplishment in your field.

In India, a PhD degree is of high value in job sectors related to academia and is a degree offered to students from various fields by top universities. They aim to provide quality doctoral studies to increase your salary potential and value in the job market.

In addition, these PhD universities provide top-tier education and premium research opportunities to take you places in your career and help you further your education and research. Although selecting a PhD program in India can be pretty difficult, I appreciate how leading PhD universities in India provide excellent educational and research opportunities, supporting professional growth. we’ve listed down some lucrative options for you.

Top PhD Programs In India

There are many universities that offer a PhD to students in India. Most of these universities are centred on a particular area of study, where you will fail to find the desired program of your interest. However, that should not be a cause for concern because there are countless universities providing PD programs, and you are sure to find one offering a course in your field of interest. 

The best PhD fields are primarily information-based. You will be eating, breathing, and living on information once you start a PhD course. Due to the amount of focus, drive, hard work, and dedication required to pursue a PhD, employers often seek it. Therefore, pursuing a PhD in a particular field ensures that you get paid well in the future while opening up a plethora of career options.

Here is a list of some of the best PhD programs in India, along with the universities offering them:-

1. PhD in Business Administration

The PhD course is for highly skilled people in the analytical grasp of business principles. Some of the best Universities offering this course in India are the All India Management Association [AIMA], Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Management and Entrepreneurship [ABVSME, JNU], and many more. If you want to add doctor to your name, then this could be the best course. 

2. PhD in Sustainable Development

A PhD in Sustainable Development is centred on solving Ecological problems related to Biodiversity, including the Conservation of mature and natural resources. One of the best doctoral programs in this field is offered by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.

3. PhD in Physical Therapy

This field primarily focuses on the welfare and the well-being of patients recovering from trauma to help ease their pain. Colleges offer the best doctoral programs in this field like Banaras Hindu University, Delhi University, Christ University, etc. 

4. PhD in Chemistry

A PhD in Chemistry is more focused on independent research than just theory. Students can choose any field in chemistry, such as physical biochemistry, advanced analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical organic chemistry, and the like. Some of the best institutes offering this course are the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, the Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur, Kanpur, Roorkee and Bombay, and many more. 

5. PhD in Clinical Psychology

This field mainly depends on dealing with clients on a one-to-one basis and helping them with their mental, behavioural or physical issues. Some of the best universities offering this course are the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP), Ranchi, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, etc. 

6. PhD in Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering

This course involves designing, manufacturing, installing, and operating electronic systems, equipment, machines, and the like. Some of the best universities that offer this course are the National Institute of Technology, Meghalaya, IIIT Hyderabad, Chandigarh University, etc.

7. PhD in General Psychology

This course mainly focuses on using knowledge, research, analytical expertise, and critical thinking skills to study the various subfields of psychology. This course is offered by All India Institute of Medical Sciences New- AIIMS Delhi, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU Delhi), and the like.

8. PhD in General Physics

This course is based on theoretical and experimental physics that seeks to give the candidates professional knowledge in physics. Some of the best universities offering this course are Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI, New Delhi), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT, Bombay), Jadavpur University (JU, Kolkata). 

9. PhD in General English Language and Literature

This course focuses on a wide range of theoretical, critical, and cultural viewpoints on various fields of literature like British, American, Indian, etc. The best universities offering this course are Christ University, Bangalore, Presidency College, Kolkata,  St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru University- JNU, New Delhi, and the like. 

10. PhD in Education

A PhD course in Education is primarily concerned with the study of educational psychology, educational policy, educational administration, curriculum, or teaching. Some of the top universities offering this course are  IGNOU Delhi, IIT Bombay, JMI New Delhi, etc. 

Conclusion

An Indian PhD will qualify you immensely for furthering your research and work related to your area of expertise. The Indian university sector is expanding exponentially and has created many opportunities for further academic work. Thanks to online education delivery platforms, pursuing higher education in India is easier now.

As a working professional, if you are looking at adding Doctor title to your name, I would recommend DBA over PhD. A DBA program allows you to do the same and has a flexible industry-oriented approach rather than an academic approach taken by PhD. However, DBA won’t help you to earn a professor title at a UGC-approved institution since that will require a PhD.

A doctorate degree has many potential career prospects that will land you high-paying and respectable job roles in the market. One such premium example is the Global Doctor of Business Administration course offered by upGrad. Enrol in this course and take a step higher into your career.