NIT Patna PhD admissions open for odd semester 2026-27: apply by 25 October

The National Institute of Technology (NIT), Patna, an Institution of National Importance under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, has commenced its PhD admission process for the July-December 2026 session, also known as Odd Semester 2026-27. The institute is inviting applications for its PhD programme specifically under the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics and IT: Phase-II.

Prospective candidates must submit their online applications and pay the requisite application fee by October 25, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The admission process will involve a screening test and/or a selection interview, with a total of two seats available under this specific scheme.

Eligibility Criteria and Relaxations

Candidates applying for the PhD programme must meet specific academic qualifications. Those holding an MTech, ME, or an equivalent degree are required to have secured at least 6.5 CGPA on a 10-point scale or 60% marks in aggregate. For candidates with a BTech, BE, MCA, or an equivalent degree, a first-class mark, or at least 60% marks or 6.5 CGPA, along with a valid GATE, UGC-NET, or CSIR-NET score, is mandatory. The GATE, UGC-NET, or CSIR-NET score requirement applies specifically to the Computer Science and Engineering branch for these candidates.

A relaxation of 0.5 CGPA or 5% marks is provided for candidates belonging to the SC, ST, and PwD categories. Proof of a valid GATE, UGC-NET, or CSIR-NET score must be submitted at the time of application. Sponsored candidates are exempt from the GATE or NET qualification requirement, but must provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer.

Application Process and Fees

The application process requires candidates to apply online through the official NIT Patna website. The application fee is non-refundable and varies by category.

The first-semester fee payable at the time of admission is Rs 59,750, which does not include hostel and mess charges. All fees must be paid online.

Selection Procedure and Important Dates

Admission to the PhD programme will be based on eligibility criteria, followed by a screening test and/or a selection interview. The screening test will be for 100 marks, with General, EWS, and OBC candidates needing to secure at least 40% to qualify, while SC, ST, and PwD candidates require 35%. The syllabus for the screening test will be based on the GATE or NET syllabus for the respective discipline.

Shortlisted candidates from the screening test will proceed to a 100-mark selection interview. Part-time candidates may be called directly for the interview. The final merit list will be determined by the selection interview marks and seat availability, with the admission cut-off not falling below 50% of the total interview marks.

Available Seats Under Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme

NIT Patna is offering a total of two seats under the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics and IT: Phase-II. These seats are distributed across full-time and part-time PhD programmes, covering specific engineering departments and areas.

The areas covered under this scheme include Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) and IT/ITES. The full-time seat includes a fellowship, while the part-time seat does not offer a full-time fellowship.

Next Steps for Applicants

1. Apply online through the NIT Patna website by October 25, 2026 (5:00 PM).
2. Pay the application fee online.
3. Download and retain a copy of the completed application form for future reference.
4. Check the Institute website on October 26, 2026, for the list of eligible candidates for the Admission Test.
5. Appear for the Admission Test and/or Interview on October 27, 2026.
6. Report for admission and registration in the 1st Semester on October 28, 2026.

Further reading

• IIT Roorkee PhD admission 2026-27 spring semester registration open: apply by October 20
• Skill Enhancement Course: Apply by October 15, 2026
• MAH 3-Year LLB CAP 2026 institutional round deadline extended: apply by 9 October
• IIT Gandhinagar opens applications for visiting student research programmes; apply by October 26
• Andhra University Centenary PDF: Apply by 24 October 2026

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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