PhD in Food Technology - Eligibility, Admission, Syllabus, Institutes, Scope

PhD Food Technology is a research-based doctoral program in food science and related fields. Food technology is a branch of science concerned with the methods and techniques used in the production, processing, preservation, packaging, labeling, quality control, and distribution of food. The course is three years long at a minimum, but it can be extended to five years depending on the length of the research. To be considered for a PhD in Food Technology, a candidate must have earned a minimum grade of 55 percent in their M.Sc. or M.Tech. in Food Technology or Food Science and Technology. The candidates will be chosen based on their performance on the entrance exam.

The idea is to turn raw materials into edible, nutritious foods. As a research-based field, a variety of food technology courses have emerged and are now being offered by universities and colleges all over the world to prepare professionals for a variety of industries, including hospitals, catering establishments, restaurants, and food processing companies, among others.

Food Technologists, Food Quality Control Managers, Food Quality Inspectors, Quality Assurance Managers, Nutritionists, and other major job profiles are available to PhD Food Technology candidates.

---

PhD Food Technology: An Overview

The table below summarizes the major highlights of the PhD Food Technology program.

Also referred as	Doctor of Philosophy in Food Technology
Level of Course	Doctorate
Duration of Course	3 – 5 years
Eligibility Criteria	Master’s in Food Technology or Food Science and Technology
Process of Admission	Entrance Based
Type of Examination	Semester
Fee for the Course	INR 50,000 to 1,25,000
Average Salary in the beginning	INR 4,00,000 to 10,00,000
Options for Job	Lecturer, Food Technologist, Professor, Nutritionist, Quality Assurance Manager, Quality Control Inspector, etc.
Employment Areas	Quality Control Laboratories, Colleges and Universities, Research Centres, Fisheries and Poultries, etc.

---

PhD Food Technology Eligibility

Candidates who want to enroll in the PhD Food Technology program must meet the following requirements:

• Candidates must earn a Master’s degree in either Food Science and Technology or Food Technology from an accredited university.
• To be considered for a PhD in Food Technology, candidates must have a minimum GPA of 55 percent in their Master’s degree.
• Candidates should be aware that the minimum required marks may differ from one college to the next. Some colleges may require 60 percent or even higher grades as a minimum.
• Candidates must have a clear understanding of their research topic as they will be questioned about it during the interview.

---

PhD Food Technology Curriculum and Syllabus

The PhD food technology program is divided into two parts: coursework and research.The coursework will primarily cover topics such as research methodology, thesis writing, and survey techniques, among other things.
It will prepare the candidates to properly carry out the research program in the future.

After completing the coursework, a candidate will be required to conduct subject-specific research on one of the major food technology topics. They will also be required to study some minor aspects of the subjects. According to ICAR, the table below shows a list of major and minor topics for PhD Food Technology courses.

Major Subjects
Advances in Food Chemistry and Nutrition	Modern Food Biotechnology
Advances in Food Engineering	Food Processing
Food Packaging	Food Analysis
Minor Subjects
Advances in Food Biotechnology	Food Microstructure and Texture
Agrochemicals and Residues in Food	Automation in Food Processing
Cold Chain Management	Food Supply Chain Management
Renewable Energy for Food Processing	Juice Processing Technology
Separation Techniques in Food Processing	Carbohydrate Chemistry and Technology
Protein Chemistry and Technology	Confectionery Technology
Flavour Chemistry and Technology	Grain Storage Technology
Elective or Supporting Subjects
Statistical Method for Food Science	Computer Application in Food Industry
Business Management and International Trade	Current Topics in Food Science and Technology

---

Relevant Links
Ph.D. (MECHANICAL ENGINEERING)	Ph.D. (NANOTECHNOLOGY)	Ph.D. (PETROLEUM ENGINEERING)
Ph.D. (SOFTWARE ENGINEERING)	Ph.D. (GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING)	Ph.D. (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)

PhD in Food Technology Admission Procedure

The majority of colleges offer admission to the PhD Food Technology program based on the results of the Entrance Exam.

• UGC-NET and UGC-CSIR-NET are two common entrance exams for this course.
• Some colleges and universities may conduct their own entrance exams for admission to PhD Food Technology programs in addition to these entrance exams.

The PhD Food Technology admissions process is described in detail below.

• Candidates must apply separately for the entrance exams and the colleges to which they wish to be admitted. Before submitting the application form, candidates must double-check it for accuracy.
• The majority of doctoral entrance exams are administered online. Admit cards are usually distributed ten days before the entrance exam.
• Following the announcement of the entrance exam results, the college will create a merit list of candidates who met the cutoffs. A merit list will be published with the names of these candidates on it.
• Candidates who have been shortlisted will be contacted for a personal interview. During this interview, the candidates will be asked questions about their research ideas.
• Selected candidates will be required to present appropriate documentation in order to demonstrate their eligibility.
• Enrollment: At the end of the process, the eligible candidates will be admitted to the course.

---

PhD Food Technology: Important Documents Required

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

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 Food Technology: Important Entrance Exams

GATE, UGC-NET, and CSIR-UGC-NET are the major entrance exams accepted by most colleges for admission to PhD Food Technology programs. The following sections go over each of these exams in depth.

• GATE: GATE scores are accepted by almost all Indian technical universities for admission to postgraduate and doctoral programs. The IIT Council conducts this national-level online exam once a year.

• The National Testing Agency administers the UGC-NET: National Eligibility Test, a national level entrance exam. The exam helps to choose candidates for PhD programs and JRF positions. It takes place twice a year, once in December and again in May and June.

• CSIR-UGC-NET: The CSIR NET is a national level entrance exam administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to PhD programs at colleges affiliated with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). In most cases, the online exam is held once a year.

---

PhD Food Technology: Focus Areas

PhD Food Technology entails conducting research on any of the topics in Food Technology and submitting a thesis on the subject.

• Nutrition and Dietetics, Food Quality Control, Adulteration, Toxicology, and other topics are covered in depth in this PhD Food Technology course.
• This course entails a thorough examination of food science-related topics. Food chemistry, food biochemistry, vegetable technology, cereal technology, poultry and fishery technology, dairy technology, and so on are just a few of the topics covered.
• In addition to these subjective topics, the course will include mandatory coursework that all candidates must complete before they can begin researching.
• PhD Food Technology seeks to discover new food processing and preservation techniques, as well as learn more about the negative effects of current techniques and ways to improve overall food quality. Candidates will conduct individual or guided research after completing the coursework.

---

 PhD Food Technology: Preparation Plan

Questions on general aptitude, logical reasoning, current events, English comprehension, and subject-based questions are common in PhD Food Technology Entrance Exams. The majority of the subject-based questions come from topics taught at the PG level. 

Pattern of Question Paper

• The exam consists of two sections. Paper 1 is required of all students and includes questions on general aptitude, logical reasoning, current events, and English comprehension.
• Paper 2 is made up of subject-specific questions.
• There are 50 questions in Paper 1 and 100 questions in Paper 2. Every question is a multiple-choice question (MCQ).
• The exam will last three hours if you complete both papers.
• Two marks are given for each question. Negative marks are not allowed.

Important points to remember

• Candidates should complete the entire syllabus at least one month ahead of time to allow time for revision.
• Candidates should go over as many sample question papers as possible. This will assist them in becoming familiar with the question pattern and types of questions that will be asked.
• Candidates should also attempt to complete one question paper within a set time limit so that they can get a sense of how much time they will have to write the exam.
• Candidates are required to keep a score book of their daily practice in order to keep track of their progress.
• Candidates must identify their areas of weakness and work diligently to improve them.
• PhD Food Technology Entrance Exams must be passed with a higher score. The cutoffs for good colleges will be higher, and higher marks will be required.
• Candidates should aim to complete at least 90% of the total question paper during the examination in order to easily pass the cutoff.
• Candidates must check to see if there is any negative marking. If the exam has negative marking, candidates should not give an answer unless they are 100% certain.
• Candidates should also prepare thoroughly for the Personal Interview. They should thoroughly research their research topic.
• During the interview, candidates with prior work and research experience may also highlight their work and research accomplishments.

---

PhD Food Technology: Institutes Ranked by NIRF

Ranking by NIRF	Institute Name	Process of Admission	Average Fees  (Annually)	Average Salary  Per Annum
27	Mysore University, Mysore	Entrance Based	INR 11,000	INR 3,80,000
37	Amity University, Noida	Entrance Based	INR 1,00,000	INR 4,50,000
129	Shoolini University, Solan	Entrance Based	INR 1,49,100	INR 6,50,000
121	Amity University, Jaipur	Entrance Based	INR 84,000	INR 3,00,000
137	Islamic University of Science and Technology, Pulwama	Entrance Based	INR 80,000	INR 3,50,000

---

PhD Food Technology: Top Institutes

PhD Food Technology is offered by a number of prestigious Indian universities, including Agricultural Universities, Veterinary Science Universities, and Technical Universities. Below is a list of the best colleges for this course.

Ranking by NIRF	Institute Name	Process of Admission	Average Fees  (Annually)	Average Salary Per Annum
47	Mysore University, Mysore	Entrance Based	INR 11,000	INR 3,80,000
63	Amity University, Noida	Entrance Based	INR 1,00,000	INR 4,50,000
100	Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai	Entrance Based	INR 33,500	INR 3,50,000
121	Amity University, Jaipur	Entrance Based	INR 84,000	INR 3,00,000
137	Islamic University of Science and Technology, Pulwama	Entrance Based	INR 80,000	INR 3,50,000
129	Shoolini University, Solan	Entrance Based	INR 1,49,100	INR 6,50,000
–	Shobhit University, Meerut	Entrance Based	INR 1,22,400	INR 2,40,000
–	Harcourt Butler Technological University, Kanpur	Entrance Based	INR 55,500	INR 6,00,000
–	Uttaranchal University, Dehradun	Entrance Based	INR 1,55,000	INR 4,00,000

---

PhD Food Technology: Important Skills Required

Students interested in pursuing a career in food technology should have the following characteristics and skills:

Interest in food science	Interest in health and nutrition
Technical skills	Practical skills
Organisational skills	Problem-solving skills
Research skills	Observation skills
Scientific approach	Time management
Awareness of consumer market	Analytical mind
Ablity to work with a variety of details	–

---

PhD Food Technology and PhD Home Science: Key Differences

PhD Home Science is a broad course that covers topics such as nutrition, dietetics, food science, and many others. PhD Food Technology, on the other hand, focuses solely on food-related topics. Below is a comparison of the two courses.

Basis of Comparison	PhD Food Technology	PhD Home Science
Also referred as	Doctor of Philosophy in Food Technology	Doctor of Philosophy in Home Science
Highlight	PhD Food Technology entails a thorough examination of the techniques used in food production, processing, preservation, packaging, labeling, quality control, and distribution.	Nutrition and Dietetics, Food Servicing, and other topics in PhD Home Science include Argo-Economics, Human Resource Management, Consumerism. It is a very broad course that covers a wide range of topics.
Duration of Course	2 – 5 years	2 – 5 years
Eligibility Criteria	MSc or MTech in Food Science and Technology or Food Technology	MSc or MA in Home Science
Process of Admission	Entrance-Based	Entrance-based
Top Institutes	Mysore University, Amity University, Shoolini University, etc.	Women’s Christian College, Saint Teresa’s College, Patna University, etc.
Average Fees  (Annually)	INR 50,000 to 1,25,000	INR 30,000 to 1,50,000
Profiles of Job	Food Technologist, Food Scientist, Nutritionist, Quality Control Inspector, Quality Assurance Manager, etc.	Human Resource Executive, Agro-Economist, Food Technologist, Nutritionist, etc.
Average Salary  Per Annum	INR 4,00,000 to 10,00,000	INR 5,00,000 to 10,00,000

---

Top Foreign Institutes for Food Technology Courses

Let’s take a quick look at some of the top universities that offer Food Technology programs now that you’re familiar with them:

• The University of Sydney
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• University of Edinburgh
• National University of Singapore
• McGill University
• The University of British Columbia
• The University of Melbourne
• University of Wisconsin – Madison
• The University of Queensland
• RMIT University
• Nanyang Technological University
• Cornell University

---

PhD Food Technology: A Comparison among Institutes

The top PhD Food Technology colleges have been compared in the table below based on factors such as placement salary, fees, and admission process.

Basis of Comparison	Mysore University	Amity University	Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Place	Mysore	Noida	Chennai
Highlight	Mysore University is a state-owned university in Mysore that dates back over a century. The Maharaja of Mysore founded Mysore University in 1916, and it is now one of the region’s major universities. It is home to more than 180 affiliated colleges. It has over 35 academic departments that offer UG and PG courses.	Amity University is a private deemed university with campuses in several cities across India, including Noida, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Jaipur. According to multiple university rankings, it is one of India’s best private universities. It also houses a specialized management college, as well as a fine arts and visual arts school. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in a variety of fields.	In 1876, TANUVAS was founded as Madras Veterinary College. It is one of India’s oldest and most prestigious veterinary and animal sciences colleges. It offers B.V.Sc., M.V.Sc., B.Tech, M.Tech, M.Sc., and PhD programs in a variety of disciplines such as Veterinary Science, Food Technology, Dairy Technology, and Poultry Technology, among others.
Process of Admission	Entrance Based	Entrance Based	Entrance Based
Average Fees (Annually)	INR 11,000	INR 1,00,000	INR 33,500
Average Salary  Per Annum	INR 3,80,000	INR 4,50,000	INR 3,50,000
Top Employers	Deloitte, Infosys, Amazon, JP Morgan, etc.	Cognizant, Oracle, Amazon, Byju’s, etc.	TCS, Wipro, etc.

---

PhD Food Technology: Top Job Profiles

PhD Food Technology offers a variety of job opportunities in fields such as food processing, packaging, and quality inspection, as well as research opportunities in Food Biochemistry, Food Microbiology, and other related fields. These candidates’ average salary ranges from INR 4,00,000 to INR 10,00,000. The table below lists some of the most common job profiles for PhD Food Technology candidates, as well as salary trends.

Profile of Job	Description of Job	Average Salary  Per Annum
Professor	Professors of food technology instruct undergraduate and postgraduate students on various aspects of the subject.	INR 8,00,000
R&D Manager	Depending on market demand, research and development managers choose which new studies to pursue. They are also in charge of ongoing research projects.	INR 9,00,000
Food Science Researcher	Researchers in the field of food science study and discover new aspects of food preservation, processing, and production, among other things.	INR 5,00,000
Research Analyst	Food production, food processing, and food toxification are all subjects of research for Research Analysts.	INR 4,50,000
Nutritionist	Nutritionists recommend the type of nutrition, food, and diet that a person should follow based on their physical needs.	INR 4,10,000
Food Technologist	Food technologists work for a food company to develop new food products, flavors, processes, and so on.	INR 4,29,000
Food Processing Manager	In a food processing unit, a food processing manager is in charge of the food processing activities. They also provide guidance on new food processing techniques.	INR 4,00,000
Quality Control Inspector	Quality control inspectors examine the food to determine its quality, determine whether it is harmful or unfit for consumption, and determine the overall quality of the product.	INR 2,50,000
Quality Control Manager	A company’s Quality Control Manager is responsible for improving the quality of the food produced as well as inspecting the quality of existing products.	INR 4,50,000

Some other important job profiles

• Product Development Scientist
• Food Chemist
• Food Inspector
• Food Processing Engineer
• Sonai Dairy, Bunge India
• Biomedical Engineer
• Food Researcher
• Toxicologist
• Nestle India, Doehlar India Pvt Ltd.
• Agro Processing Engineer
• Food Technologist
• Quality Control & Assurance
• Academics/University

---

PhD Food Technology: Benefits and Areas

PhD Food Technology is an important course that provides candidates with numerous job and research opportunities. The course’s main advantages are discussed below.

• Candidates with a PhD in Food Technology will be able to conduct research in a variety of fields, including nutrition, dietetics, food chemistry, toxicology, and others.
• The demand for research in the field of food science and technology is extremely high. The demand for these studies is expected to increase in the future as people become more aware of their health.
• PhD Food Technology graduates can find work in government research centers, food quality testing centers, and other places.
• Candidates for a PhD in Food Technology can work as faculty members (professors and lecturers) in both public and private colleges and universities.
• Candidates with a PhD in Food Technology have the opportunity to start their own businesses, such as laboratories, research centers, and nutrition clinics.

---

FAQs