SRM University Ph.D. Admission 2026: Dates and Entrance Test
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- 31 Oct 2026SRM AP Quantum Computing online entrance exam
Online entrance examination scheduled for candidates applying to the Ph.D. in Quantum Computing programme at SRM AP. - 20 Oct 2026SRM AP Quantum Computing Ph.D. application deadline
Last date to submit online applications for the full-time Ph.D. in Quantum Computing at SRM AP for 2026-27. - 22 Dec 2025Directorate of Research reporting date
Mandatory reporting date for newly registered Ph.D. scholars at the Directorate of Research. - 15 Dec 2025Tuition fee payment deadline
Last date for provisionally admitted Ph.D. candidates to pay the tuition fee. - 18 Nov 2025Provisional registration list published
SRM releases provisional registration list of selected Ph.D. research candidates. - 10 Nov 2025SRM Ph.D. department entrance exam and interview
Department-level written entrance test and personal interviews conducted for shortlisted Ph.D. applicants.
admissions for 2026 require candidates to hold a Master’s degree with at least 55% aggregate marks (or 80% marks for 4-year Bachelor’s degree holders applying to select programmes like Quantum Computing at SRM AP). Full-time research scholars receive monthly fellowships ranging from ₹31,000 to ₹60,000 depending on campus and national entrance test qualifications.
institutions, and the step-by-step application workflow across campuses.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility (Master’s Degree) | Master’s degree with minimum 55% aggregate marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC non-creamy layer/PwD at SRMIST) |
| Eligibility (4-Year Bachelor’s) | 4-year Bachelor’s degree with minimum 80% aggregate marks (SRM AP Quantum Computing) |
| SRMIST Chennai Stipend | ₹31,000/month for full-time scholars; ₹37,000/month for UGC-NET / CSIR-NET / GATE / GPAT qualified candidates |
| SRM AP Fellowship | ₹36,000/month (JRF first 2 years) to ₹41,000/month (SRF subsequent years); up to ₹60,000/month for specialised programmes |
| Entrance Exam Exemption | Valid UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, GPAT, NBHM, ICMR, or ICAR score holders can skip the written test and attend direct interview |
| Official Application Portals | admissions.srmist.edu.in (SRMIST Chennai) / applications.srmap.edu.in (SRM AP) |
Ph.D Eligibility
| Category / Route | Minimum Educational Qualification | Minimum Required Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Master’s Degree Route | Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant discipline | 55% aggregate marks (or equivalent grade) |
| Reserved Category (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD) | Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant discipline | 50% aggregate marks (5% UGC relaxation) |
| M.Phil. Degree Route | M.Phil. in relevant field from recognized university | 55% aggregate marks |
SRMIST Chennai requires a Master’s degree or M.Phil. with at least 55% aggregate marks, offering a 5% relaxation for reserved categories. Candidates with a 4-year Bachelor’s degree and 80% marks can apply for direct Ph.D. in Quantum Computing at SRM AP.
Ph.D Entrance Exams
- Department-Level Written Test: Candidates without GATE or national test scores can gain Ph.D. admission by clearing SRM University’s written entrance examination followed by a personal interview.
- Quantum Computing Exemptions (SRM AP): Candidates with a valid GATE score from the last 2 years or national exam qualifications like NBHM, UGC/CSIR-NET, ICMR, or ICAR are exempted from the written test.
- English Programme Direct Interview (SRM AP): Applicants with a Master’s degree (minimum 55% marks) and a valid UGC-NET or GATE certificate can apply directly for the interview.
- Travel Support: SRM AP provides a travel allowance to candidates shortlisted for campus interviews in specific programmes such as Quantum Computing.
Candidates without national exam scores must clear the university’s written test and interview for admission. Travel support is provided to shortlisted candidates for campus interviews in select programmes like Quantum Computing at SRM AP.
Documents Required
- Scanned passport-size photograph (200 x 230 pixels)
- Scanned signature image (140 x 60 pixels)
- Valid email ID and mobile number for portal registration
- Individual, educational, and research details
Applicants must ensure all mandatory fields marked with an asterisk (*) are duly filled in the form. After successful submission, an application number will be generated to retain for future correspondence.
Top Ph.D Colleges
At least 3,561 colleges offer Ph.D. programmes across India, including 287 government institutions and 1,129 private institutions. Government colleges reflect a median total course fee of ₹71,600, with the middle half ranging between ₹34,582 and ₹1.16 lakh. Private colleges report a median total course fee of ₹1.85 lakh, with the middle half ranging between ₹90,270 and ₹3.00 lakh. Major states by institution count include Maharashtra with 609 colleges, Tamil Nadu with 538 colleges, Karnataka with 352 colleges, Uttar Pradesh with 287 colleges, Gujarat with 222 colleges, and Rajasthan with 188 colleges. The median average placement package across reported institutions stands at 6.47 LPA.
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee | NIRF rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Science | Bangalore | — | ₹89,200 | 1 (Overall, 2025) |
| Indian Institute of Technology Madras | Chennai | Government | ₹30,850 | 1 (Overall, 2025) |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University | Delhi | Government | — | 2 (Overall, 2025) |
| Indian Institute of Technology Bombay | Mumbai | Government | ₹70,200 | 3 (Overall, 2024) |
| Manipal University Manipal | Manipal | — | ₹59,000 | 3 (Overall, 2025) |
| Punjab Agricultural University | Ludhiana | — | ₹1.76 lakh | 3 (Overall, 2025) |
| Jamia Millia Islamia University | Delhi | Government | ₹27,740 | 4 (Overall, 2025) |
| Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur | Kanpur | Government | ₹52,200 | 5 (Overall, 2025) |
| Delhi University | Delhi | Government | ₹7,130 | 5 (Overall, 2025) |
| Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee | Roorkee | — | ₹85,800 | 6 (Overall, 2025) |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Foreign Trade Kolkata | Kolkata | Government | ₹5,000 |
| Bharathi Women’s College | Chennai | Government | ₹5,105 |
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi | Delhi | Government | ₹5,215 |
| Gulbarga University | Gulbarga | Government | ₹6,545 |
| Govt. Raza Post Graduate College | Rampur | Government | ₹6,810 |
| Delhi University | Delhi | Government | ₹7,130 |
| Calicut University | Calicut | Government | ₹7,130 |
| Bastar University | Bastar | Government | ₹7,170 |
| Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research | Chandigarh | Government | ₹7,410 |
| Government Thakur Ranmat Singh College | Rewa | Government | ₹7,777 |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani | Pilani | Private | ₹1.84 lakh |
| Chandigarh University | Chandigarh | Private | ₹3.60 lakh |
| VIT University Chennai | Chennai | Private | ₹1.33 lakh |
| Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology | Patiala | Private | ₹69,000 |
| Chebrolu Hanumaiah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences | Guntur | Private | ₹1.05 lakh |
| Indian Institute of Technology Dhanbad | Dhanbad | Private | ₹50,400 |
| Uttaranchal University | Dehradun | Private | ₹3.59 lakh |
| Marwadi University | Rajkot | Private | ₹2.25 lakh |
| SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies Navi Mumbai | Navi Mumbai | Private | ₹3.00 lakh |
| Doon Business School | Dehradun | Private | ₹3.30 lakh |
| City | Colleges | Fee range | Well-known options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangalore | 179 | ₹50,000 – ₹8.75 lakh | Alliance University, Christ University |
| Pune | 173 | ₹52,785 – ₹5.16 lakh | Symbiosis Law School Pune, Armed Forces Medical College |
| Mumbai | 149 | ₹7,923 – ₹33.82 lakh | Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies |
| Chennai | 135 | ₹5,105 – ₹7.50 lakh | Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences |
| Coimbatore | 114 | ₹36,500 – ₹9.34 lakh | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, P.S.G College of Technology |
| Delhi | 77 | ₹5,215 – ₹7.50 lakh | All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia University |
| Jaipur | 76 | ₹30,970 – ₹45.00 lakh | Manipal University Jaipur, University of Rajasthan |
| Hyderabad | 69 | ₹35,000 – ₹5.20 lakh | University of Hyderabad, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad |
| College | City | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|
| IIHMR University | Jaipur | ₹4.00 lakh |
| Indian School of Business Management & Administration | Kolkata | ₹69,900 |
| Indian Institute of Business Management and Studies | Mumbai | ₹75,800 |
| Indian Institute of Information Technology Sri City | Sri City | ₹1.83 lakh |
| Shyam University | Dausa | ₹3.15 lakh |
| Birla Institute of Technology Mesra | Ranchi | ₹1.99 lakh |
How to Apply for Ph.D Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Check Eligibility Criteria: Verify Master’s degree (minimum 55% marks, 50% for reserved categories) or 4-year Bachelor’s (80% aggregate for SRM AP Quantum Computing).
- Appear for Entrance Exam or Direct Interview: Non-exempt candidates take the department-level written test. Exempt candidates (UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE/NBHM/ICMR) proceed directly to personal interview.
- Check Provisional Selection List: Review the provisional registration list released on the university website (e.g., November 18).
- Pay Tuition Fee and Report: Pay the tuition fee by the specified deadline (e.g., December 15) and report to the Directorate of Research by December 22.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| application | SRMIST Online Admission Portal | admissions.srmist.edu.in |
FAQs
How much stipend for PhD in SRM?
Full-time Ph.D. scholars at SRMIST Chennai receive ₹31,000/month (₹37,000 for NET/GATE qualifiers). SRM AP offers ₹36,000/month (JRF), ₹41,000/month (SRF), and up to ₹60,000/month for specialised programmes like Quantum Computing.
Can I do PhD without GATE?
Yes, candidates without GATE can gain Ph.D. admission at SRM University by clearing the department-level written entrance examination followed by a personal interview.
Who is eligible for the PhD entrance exam in 2026?
Candidates with a Master’s degree (55% marks, 50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD) or an M.Phil. are eligible. Selected programmes also accept 4-year Bachelor’s degree holders with 80% marks.
What is the fee refund policy at SRMIST for Ph.D. scholars?
Withdrawals within 30 days before joining get a refund after a ₹1,000 deduction. Withdrawals within 30 days after joining get 50% refund; no refund is issued after 30 days of joining.
What are the entrance exams for PhD programs in India?
Common Ph.D. entrance exams include national tests like UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, GPAT, JEST, ICMR-JRF, DBT-JRF, and university-level written tests conducted directly by SRM University.
Is JRF equal to PhD?
No, JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) is a financial fellowship awarded through competitive national exams like UGC-NET or CSIR-NET that supports a candidate while pursuing a Ph.D. degree.
