PhD in Electrical and Electronics Engineering - Eligibility, Admission, Syllabus, Institutes, Scope

Mohit Dhulia
Updated on December 29, 2023

The PhD in Electrical and Electronics Engineering is a doctoral degree program in electrical engineering. It typically takes three years to complete and entails in-depth study of various aspects of electrical and electronic engineering. It has a subjective nature and conducts extensive research. Scholars must submit their “thesis” after completing their doctorate degree in order to be awarded the appropriate degree.

This course is open to students who have completed an M.Phil. in Electronics or who have completed an M.E. or M.Tech. degree with a minimum aggregate of 60%. Electrical and Electronics Engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism in general.

PhD in Electrical and Electronics Engineering: An Overview

Level of Course	Doctorate
Also referred as	Doctor of Philosophy
Duration of Course	3 years
Type of Examination	Semester
Eligibility Criteria	Qualifying an M.E. or M.Tech. Degree with a minimum aggregate of 60% marks or an M.Phil. Degree.
Process of Admission	Entrance Exam / Merit-based
Fee for the Course	INR 23,900 to 2.37 LAKHS
Average Annual Salary	INR 2 to 17 LPA
Top Areas of Recruitment	IT, Power, Research, and Development, Transport
Positions of Job	Power Electronics Engineer, Power Manager, Product Development Engineer, Systems Engineer, professor, etc.

PhD Electrical and Electronics Engineering Eligibility

If a candidate meets the following criteria, he or she is considered eligible to apply for a PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering:

holds an M.E. or M.Tech in Electrical Engineering with a cumulative grade point average of 60 percent or an equivalent C.G.P.A.
has passed the GATE Entrance Examination.
Candidates with an M.Phil. degree who have taken the entrance exam will be admitted directly to the program and will not be required to take the entrance exam.
The college/entrance university’s examination, interview, or group discussion is graded.

PhD Electrical and Electronics Engineering Syllabus

Different colleges/universities have different syllabi. However, the following is a general outline of a syllabus and subjects.

Course Subjects
Paper I – Research Methodology
Paper II – Scientific Communication
Paper III – Specialization Paper (Contemporary Trends in Electronics and Communication Engineering)
Seminar and Research Thesis

Relevant Links
Ph.D. (ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATION)	Ph.D. (ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING)	Ph.D. (ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING)
Ph.D. (FOOD TECHNOLOGY)	Ph.D. (GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING)	Ph.D. (ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING)

PhD Electrical and Electronics Engineering Admission Procedure

Students interested in applying for the PhD program must have a valid GATE score.
Students must also hold an M.E. or M.Tech. in Electrical Engineering with a minimum grade point average of 60%.
Candidates with an M.Phil. degree, on the other hand, are exempt from taking the entrance exam. To further filter the candidates, universities/colleges typically conduct interviews, group discussions, or even their own entrance examination.
A candidate’s admission is determined by the college’s merit list, which is based on the candidate’s overall scores in both the entrance examination and, if applicable, the personal interview or group discussion.

The admissions process differs depending on the college or university, but the following are the basic steps:

The application form can be found on the university’s official website.
Fill in all of the details.
Submit the application after paying the application fee. Some colleges require students to submit a hard copy of their application along with the required documents via mail.
Wait for official notification of the interview or examination process (if any).
Wait for the college’s ranked list to arrive.

PhD Electrical and Electronics Engineering: Important Documents Required

Gap certificate (if applicable)
Documentary proof of the date of birth
passing/degree certificate of the last qualifying degree examination.
A character certificate (from the head of the institute from which the student has obtained his qualifying degree)
Migration Certificate (No objection certificate from the university last attended)
Research Proposal
Mark-list of the last qualifying degree examination
No objection certificate from the employer (if employed)

Students should be aware that if the aforementioned certificates are not attached to their application, their application will not be taken into account for admission.

PhD in Electrical and Electronics Engineering: Focus Areas

The PhD program in electrical and electronic engineering entails extensive research in the field of electricity. This course, like any other PhD program, emphasizes theoretical subjects while also providing opportunities for students to do hands-on work. Electricity, electromagnetism, and electronics are all introduced to students. The course is usually completed in three years, but it can take up to five years in some cases. The first two years of the program are more theoretical, while the final year requires students to submit an individual research-based thesis on a topic of their choice under the supervision of experts. The students are only awarded the doctorate title after that.

This PhD program is designed to help students improve their research, analytical, and evaluative skills. The nature of the course is highly subjective. Every aspect of each subject is covered in great depth.

Suitable Candidates for the Course

Students who are interested in electrical and electronic engineering and who have strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as a mature and leader-like personality, are the best candidates for this course.
If you need a PhD for a promotion in academia, a raise in salary, or a stable job in academia, this course is for you. Such applicants should apply to state-run universities and part-time PhD programs.
They should have strong analytical abilities, such as a keen eye for detail, the ability to pay attention for long periods of time, and the ability to work as part of a team.

PhD Electrical and Electronics Engineering: Preparation Plan

The following are the basic steps to take in order to prepare for the exam:

Read the syllabus: No matter what entrance exam you’re taking, one of the first things you should do is read the syllabus for that exam. It gives you a general idea of what you should and shouldn’t study. This keeps you from squandering your time studying unimportant subjects.
Make a Study Schedule:
A study plan is simply a schedule for studying that allows you to study in a systematic manner while avoiding chaos, which is counterproductive. This method will allow you to save a significant amount of time.
Boost your speed.
In an exam, you only have a certain amount of time. As a result, you must make the most of the time you have. You must put in a lot of practice time by taking several mock tests. This will assist you in increasing your speed so that you can score higher.
Revise: The next crucial step is to go over the chapters you’ve just finished studying. This will obviously assist you in not forgetting important details at the last minute.
Simple Questions to Try First and foremost, always attempt easy questions first on an exam. This will give you the confidence to write even if you don’t know much about them.
Decide what you want to study based on your interests.
Make sure you’re prepared for the entrance exam. Make as many mock tests as possible.
In a personal interview or a group discussion, be confident in yourself and don’t be afraid to express your thoughts and opinions.
While going through the admissions process, it is critical to maintain patience. Because there are so many students in India, it goes without saying that every course is fiercely competitive. As a result, be patient. Do not be disappointed if you are denied admission to any college. You can apply to hundreds of colleges and universities.

PhD Electrical and Electronics Engineering: Top Institutes

Institute Name	Process of Admission	Average Fees
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham – Coimbatore Campus	Written Test Followed by Interview	INR 9000
Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS Pilani)	Entrance Exam	INR 1,81,000
BMS College of Engineering (BMSCE)	Entrance Exam	–
Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology (CCET)	Entrance Exam	–
Delhi Technological University	Entrance Exam	INR 45,000
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Hyderabad)	Entrance Exam	INR 56,385
Jawaharlal Nehru National College of Engineering (JNNCE)	Entrance Exam	INR 2,11,000
Lovely Professional University (LPU)	Entrance Exam followed by an interview.	INR 2,86,000

PhD Electrical Engineering Vs PhD Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Basis of Comparison	PhD Electrical Engineering	PhD (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
Highlight	PhD Electrical Engineering is concerned with the study of all aspects of the electrical world, including AC and DC machines, networks, and circuits, as well as semiconductors, diodes, and electrical products.	The PhD program in electrical and electronic engineering entails extensive research in the field of electricity. Electricity, electromagnetism, and electronics are all introduced to students.
Duration	3 years	3 years
Eligibility Criteria	Masters degree in Electrical or Electronics with more than 55% marks.	A minimum aggregate of 60% in an M.E. or M.Tech. degree or an M.Phil. degree is required.
Process of Admission	GATE, UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR-NET	GATE, UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR-NET
Top Institutes	IIT Bombay, IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, etc.	BITS Pilani, BMSCE, Delhi Technological University, etc.
Average Annual fees	INR 20,000 – INR 3,00,000	INR 23,900 to 2.37 LAKHS
Roles of Job	Electrical Engineer, Application Engineer, Sales Engineer, System Engineer, etc.	Power Electronics Engineer, Power Manager, Product Development Engineer, Systems Engineer, professor, etc
Average Annual Salary	INR 4,00,000 to INR 20,00,000	INR 2 to 17 LPA

PhD Electrical and Electronics Engineering: Top Job Profiles

Students with a PhD are able to conduct research on a variety of topics. They can also easily analyze, interpret, and evaluate data, as well as identify and solve research problems. They have a lot of career options because of their extensive knowledge of specialized topics.

After completing the course, students have the option of doing research or teaching as a professor. They can also work as power electronics engineers, power managers, product development engineers, systems engineers, professors, and so on.

Profile of Job	Description of Job	Average Salary
Power Electronics Engineer	Circuits for use in power electronics systems are designed and tested. Analyzing analogue circuitry, working with high-frequency magnets, and estimating power losses and overall efficiency as electricity flows through circuits are all tasks that are performed.	5.89 LPA
Product Development Engineer	Designing, prototyping, and testing a product is your responsibility.	4.9 LPA
Systems Engineer	All installed systems and infrastructure are managed and monitored. Operating systems, application software, and system management tools are installed, configured, tested, and maintained.	3.83 LPA
Professor	A college professor can teach any subject to their students.	1.9 LPA

Some other important areas of employment are

Laboratory Technician
Colleges & Universities
Power Sector
Systems Engineer
Petrochemical Companies
Research and Development Centers
Telecommunication Companies
Power Electronics Engineer
Product Development Engineer
Program Manager
Marine Electronics/Electrical Technician
Transport Companies
Automotive Designer
IT Sector
Adjunct Lecturer
Construction and building services

PhD in Electrical and Electronics Engineering: Benefits and Scope

Students will be able to easily complete the course after it is completed.

Do extensive research on a specific topic.
Analyze, classify, and evaluate the information gathered during the research.
Create various reports and graphs to represent the data.
identify issues and make recommendations on a variety of topics in the electrical field.
Telecommunications, research and development, the power sector, information technology, and other fields offer lucrative career opportunities to students.
PhD graduates are frequently hired for positions such as power electronics engineers, power managers, product development engineers, systems engineers, professors, and others.
This degree program prepares students for a variety of electrical and electronics engineering and related careers.
A doctorate degree allows you to keep up with the ever-expanding frontiers of knowledge and provides research training that is relevant to the country’s current social and economic goals.
It helps students learn how to write an effective research report and how to present data graphically.

FAQs

Is it worthwhile to pursue a PhD in electrical and electronic engineering?

It all depends on what you’re looking for. If you look at it from a financial standpoint, the PhD degree may seem pointless. However, if you want to gain knowledge about a specific subject, a PhD is the best course for you.

What are the considerations you should make before pursuing a PhD?

These are some of the things you should keep in mind:
You must have a positive working relationship with your boss.
You will constantly learn new things and be reminded of how little you know, no matter how much you think you know.
You will be exposed to things you never dreamed of before starting your PhD.

In the industry, what is the difference between a PhD and a master’s degree?

It depends on the position. If the job requires research, PhD candidates will be given priority because they excel at researching and analyzing a topic. PhD graduates, on the other hand, shine less when the job is purely practical.

What are the job prospects for a PhD-holding engineer?

A PhD engineer can work in a variety of fields, including IT, power, research and development, transportation, and so on. They can also look for work in management consulting, finance, industry research, technology, government, and other fields.

Is there a minimum age for pursuing a PhD?

There is no upper age limit for pursuing a PhD. Many people pursue a PhD in their later years in order to revive their careers or begin a new one.

Is it difficult to find work after earning a PhD?

It is determined by the country. In the United States, for example, some fields have a hundred or more applicants for a single faculty position, while others have only 5–10 applicants.

What is the highest salary a PhD graduate can expect?

Salary offers to deserving candidates can reach as high as 20 LPA.

Should I pursue my PhD in India or abroad?

A PhD from a foreign university is unquestionably more valuable than one from India. Career opportunities are also more plentiful in other countries than in India, where research funding is scarce.

Do employers think PhD engineers are overqualified?

Companies that do not have a job position that requires research do not require a PhD graduate. A PhD degree, on the other hand, is a definite plus if the company requires someone who can conduct extensive research.