PhD Admission, Second Semester 2026-27 (January 2027), BITS Pilani (Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad Campuses)

Job Description

BITS Pilani invites applications for PhD admission starting January 2027 at its Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad campuses. Twelve departments take full-time scholars, and most also take part-time ones. Full-time scholars get a fellowship of Rs 37,000 a month. Apply online by 5:00 PM on 6 November 2026.

At a glance

• Programme: PhD, full time and part time, second semester 2026-27
• Campuses: Pilani (Rajasthan), K K Birla Goa Campus (Goa), Hyderabad (Telangana)
• Fellowship: Rs 37,000 a month; may rise to Rs 40,000 or Rs 42,000 after two years
• Who can apply: A master’s or B.E./B.Pharm./4-year B.Sc. with at least 60% (55% M.A. for humanities)
• Apply by: 6 November 2026, 5:00 PM
• Fee: Rs 2,600, non-refundable

Shortlists come out on 11 November. Written tests and interviews are on 27 and 28 November 2026. Offers follow on 7 December. You can send only one application, and you cannot change your campus choice after you submit.

Departments in the BITS Pilani January 2027 PhD round

• At all three campuses, full and part time: Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Physics
• Full time at all three campuses: Biological Sciences, Computer Science and Information Systems, Economics and Finance, Humanities and Social Sciences, Management and Mathematics. Part-time options vary by campus
• Pilani and Hyderabad only: Civil Engineering and Pharmacy
• Management at Pilani and Hyderabad admits part-time scholars only in some areas, such as finance, marketing and operations

Why this role matters

BITS pays every full-time scholar a fellowship, and you do not need GATE or NET to apply. That opens a funded PhD to strong students who missed this year’s national tests. The three campuses give you a choice of city and research groups.

Eligibility

• M.E., M.Tech., M.Pharm., MBA, M.Phil. or equivalent with at least 60% aggregate
• Or M.Sc., B.E., B.Pharm., or a 4-year B.Sc./B.S. (Honours with Research) with at least 60%
• Humanities and social sciences: an M.A. with at least 55%
• Part-time applicants need at least one year of experience in a related field
• Departments set their own shortlisting rules. Admission stays provisional until you pass a qualifying exam or proposal

Science departments hold a 2-3 hour multiple-choice test, which may have negative marking. Candidates with an M.Phil., M.E. or M.Tech., or a national JRF, are exempt from it. The brochure’s cover line says January 2026, which looks like a slip; the advertisement says January 2027. The brochure’s printed apply link no longer works. Use the link on the official admissions page.

Pay and duration

• Institute fellowship: Rs 37,000 a month. It may rise to Rs 40,000 or Rs 42,000 a month after two years, based on performance
• Contingency grant: Rs 20,000 a year. Support lasts up to 5 years
• Project fellows are paid as per the funding agency. You may also bring your own UGC or CSIR NET fellowship
• One-time support of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for an international conference, for selected scholars
• Application fee: Rs 2,600, non-refundable

How to apply

Apply on the BITS PhD online application portal, linked from the official admissions page. Read the advertisement (PDF) and the brochure (PDF) for departments, test syllabi and rules. You can edit your form until the last date.

Key dates

• Last date: 6 November 2026, 5:00 PM
• Shortlist: 11 November 2026
• Tests and interviews: 27-28 November 2026
• Offers: 7 December 2026
• Reporting at campus: 5 January 2027
• Classes begin: 7 January 2027

Please read the official BITS Pilani PhD admissions page before applying, and browse more PhD positions on ResearchJobs.in.