PhD Admission, Spring 2026-27 (January 2027), IIT Dharwad (Physics, Chemistry, CSE, EECE, Civil, Chemical, MMAE)

Job Description

IIT Dharwad has opened PhD admission for January 2027, its Spring 2026-27 semester. Seven departments take students, from physics and chemistry to computing and engineering. Teaching assistants get Rs 37,000 a month at first. Apply online by 16 November 2026.

At a glance

• Programme: Full-time PhD, Spring 2026-27 semester
• Where: IIT Dharwad, Karnataka
• Departments: Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Electronics and Communication Engineering (EECE), Civil and Infrastructure, Chemical, Mechanical Materials and Aerospace (MMAE)
• Teaching assistantship: Rs 37,000 a month for 2 years, then Rs 42,000 a month, plus HRA as per rules
• Apply by: 16 November 2026, online
• Classes start: 4 January 2027

The applications window opened on 13 October 2026. Tests and interviews run from 18 November to 2 December 2026. You need a separate application for each department, but you pay the fee once. Each department sets its own entry routes and seat categories, so read your section of the brochure.

Departments and research groups in the IIT Dharwad PhD round

• Physics: named groups in photonics and nonlinear optics (optical parametric oscillators, frequency combs, down-conversion), quantum information theory, ultrafast atomic and molecular physics with femtosecond lasers, superconductivity and magnetism, and perovskite optoelectronics
• Chemistry: organic, physical and computational, inorganic and biological chemistry. Topics include C-H activation, battery electrodes, DFT and molecular dynamics, nanoclusters and enzymology
• Computer Science and Engineering: networks and security, systems and compilers, machine learning and language models, and theoretical computer science
• EECE: teaching, project, fellowship and sponsored seats. The brochure lists 2 project seats and 1 Visvesvaraya seat in microelectronics and VLSI
• Civil and Infrastructure: structural engineering and materials, transportation and geotechnical
• Chemical Engineering and Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering: regular and direct PhD. MMAE streams include design, thermal and fluids, CFD, manufacturing and robotics

Why this role matters

January rounds are smaller than the July intake, so good applicants face fewer rivals. IIT Dharwad is a young IIT. Its groups are small and new, and students often work closely with their supervisor. The physics groups in nonlinear optics, quantum information and ultrafast science are a rare mix for a new institute.

Eligibility

• Physics: an M.Sc. in physics or a related subject, or an M.Tech./M.S. in optics, photonics, engineering physics, electrical engineering or a similar applied field
• Marks: first class, or at least 60% or CGPA 6.0 where no class is defined. SC, ST and PwD get a 5% relaxation
• Teaching assistantship (TA) without an M.Tech.: a valid GATE, CSIR/UGC NET or JEST score, as each department lists
• Fellowship route (FA): a valid JRF award letter from CSIR, UGC, DST, DBT, DAE, NBHM, INSPIRE or similar
• Some departments, such as EECE and Chemical Engineering, take direct PhD students after a B.Tech. with GATE
• Final-year students may apply if they finish before the semester starts

The brochure has a few slips. Physics marks a CT category “Yes” in its table, but its text lists only TA, FA and EX. The Civil section still mentions the 2025-2026 semester. The Visvesvaraya pay printed in the brochure looks older than the rates other IITs now print, so confirm it with the institute. Read your department’s own section with care.

Pay and duration

• Teaching assistantship: Rs 37,000 a month for the first 2 years, then Rs 42,000 a month for up to 3 more years, plus HRA as per rules. TA scholars do about 8 hours of duties a week
• Fellowship holders are paid by their awarding agency. Project seats are paid by project rules
• Application fee: Rs 200; Rs 100 for female, SC, ST and PwD candidates. You pay it once for all departments
• Tentative first-semester fees: Rs 66,000 (GEN, EWS, OBC-NCL) or Rs 63,500 (SC, ST, PwD)

How to apply

Pay the fee, then apply on the IIT Dharwad admission portal. Fill one form for each department. Read the Spring 2026-27 PhD brochure (PDF) first. It lists supervisors, seat categories and interview syllabi. Queries go to pgadmissions@iitdh.ac.in.

Key dates

• Applications: 13 October to 16 November 2026
• Tests and interviews: 18 November to 2 December 2026
• Results: 10 to 12 December 2026
• Reporting: 30 December 2026
• Classes begin: 4 January 2027

Please read the official IIT Dharwad PhD admission page before applying, and browse more PhD positions on ResearchJobs.in.