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PhD. Full Form

PhD. Full Form

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Jan 11, 2023 04:42 PM IST

What Is The Full Form of PhD?

The full form of PhD is "Doctor of Philosophy". It is a professional degree that, in most countries, qualifies the degree holder to teach their chosen subject at the university level or to work in a specialised position in their chosen area.

What Is A PhD?

A PhD is a postgraduate academic degree granted by colleges and universities to a researcher who has submitted a dissertation or thesis, based on extensive and original research in their field of study.

It is the highest degree that a student can earn. Although certain colleges and educational institutions also permit students to acquire a PhD directly from their bachelor's degree, it often comes after a master's.

A PhD is a degree that requires three to four years of the full-time study course in which the student completes a substantial piece of original research which is then submitted as a thesis or dissertation. While some nations require coursework to be submitted, several PhD programs accept a portfolio of published works.

List of Disciplines For PhD program

Almost all of the major academic fields—Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Bio-Sciences, Biotechnology, Finance, Clinical Research, Zoology, Applied Sciences, Economics, Accounting, Social Work, Literature, Arts, Engineering, Psychology, Statistics, and Social Sciences—are offered as PhD programs.

Eligibility Criteria For The PhD

  1. A Second Class Master's or equivalent degree in the appropriate field from a recognised university in India or overseas, with at least an average of 55% of the total marks, or a grade point average of 3.5 on the UGC's (University Grants Commission) seven-point scale, is the prerequisite for admission to the PhD programs. In the case of SC/ST/OBC/differently-abled candidates, the minimum eligibility is an average of 45 % of total marks, or a grade point average of 2.50.

  2. Candidates with an M.Phil. or an equivalent degree from an accredited institution in India or overseas may also apply for the PhD program.

  3. A research proposal must be submitted in order to be admitted to the PhD program. The proposal should be accompanied by a research paper of approximately 1,000 words in length that specifies the general field of study, the research problem, the study's scope and objectives, its importance and justification, the methodology to be used, references, and the candidate's prior research and work experience in the field.

Starting A PhD.

The topic or area of the doctoral research for which the candidate has been accepted, the minimum amount of time required before submitting their thesis, and the formal assessment methods preferred by the institution should all be officially informed to the candidate once registration is complete.

The majority of organisations will also give applicants a thorough description of the services and resources that the university's PhD and research students have access to. Institutions will also include a detailed outline of the milestones candidates must reach on their journey to achieve a PhD and the supervisor will be in charge of going through these milestones with them, making reports on their progress, and advising them on their next steps. Candidates will need to make adequate progress each year to pursue their PhD studies.

Name of Some PhD Entrance Exams

Whether candidates are opting for a PhD in IIT (Indian Institute of Technology), IIM ( Indian Institute of Management), or any other college in India, there is generally a specified entrance exam that one needs to qualify for.

  1. UGC Net Exam

  2. CSIR-UGC NET exam

  3. JGEEBILS (Joint Graduate Entrance Examination for Biology and Interdisciplinary Life Sciences)

  4. DBT JRF Biotech Entrance Test

  5. TIFR Graduate School Admission Entrance Test

  6. ICMR Junior Research Fellowship

  7. JNU PhD. Entrance

  8. JRF-GATE

  9. NIPER PhD. Entrance Exam

  10. The University of Hyderabad PhD. Entrance Exam

  11. NBRC PhD. Entrance Exam

  12. BITS PhD. Entrance Examination

  13. AIIMS PhD. Entrance Exam

  14. IISC PhD. Entrance Exam

  15. NDRI PhD entrance exam

  16. Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar University Lucknow – PhD. Admissions Test

  17. Guru Jambheshwar University GJUST – PhD. Entrance Test

  18. BARC PhD. Admission Test

  19. ISM Dhanbad PhD. Admission Test

  20. Indian Veterinary Research Institute Bareilly PhD. Admission Test

  21. BINC Bioinformatics National Certification BINC Examination

  22. DU PhD. Entrance Exam

Job Opportunities After PhD.

1. Academics

a. Faculty Position

Teaching is one of the most popular career choices after earning a PhD, mostly because of the overlap between academic work and what is required to earn the degree.

b. Post Doctorate

Another option is to select to attend the same university for a variable length of time (between one and four years) and receive an expanded project based on the previous one. additionally, attempt to publish their research articles. A postdoctoral researcher's pay may vary based on the institution, industry, field of study, level of expertise, etc.

c. Adjunct Position

It is a non-tenure post in academic institutions; these individuals don't have the title of professor but nonetheless significantly impact the faculty. Professionals holding adjunct employment at some colleges put in extra time and handle various academic duties.

d. Teaching

PhD holders are qualified to teach at universities that offer undergraduate courses and are looking for faculty members with this degree who can conduct real research. PhD, candidates can become assistant professors by instructing undergraduate students, serving on committees that develop organisational and academic policy, and conducting tenure-related research.

2. Government Jobs

For patriotic and fervent PhD applicants who desire to serve the country, the government employment sector is ideal. Professionals who enjoy conducting research and applying their talents can count on the government sector PhD because the government is constantly looking for imaginative and skilled individuals.

Candidates with a PhD may take the government examination. They can work in many government departments, including those responsible for formulating policy, rural development, transportation, science research, the military, and foreign affairs, among others. In India, there are several government employment available for PhD holders.

3. Consultancy

Consultancy is a fairly well-known and lucrative career option for those with a PhD. Keeping up with a lot of data is one of the talents needed to be a consultant.

Since PhD holders have a strong capacity for critical thought, large consulting firms frequently hire them. They are adept at solving issues in an efficient and rational manner. PhD holders are capable of making decisions after thoroughly analysing the evidence.

4. Digital Media Company

The preparation of reports offering a thorough analysis and context on various issues is part of the job description. An individual with exceptional writing and research skills, which are very helpful while pursuing a writing employment opportunity at a media organisation, is prepared for a PhD course.

5. Research Associate

In order to ascertain whether customers or businesses find a product or service acceptable or enticing, research associates must collect data. It is one of the most sought-after positions after getting a PhD. The minimal criterion for work as a research associate is often a PhD. Furthermore, working as a research associate is a stable and well-paying job.

Advantages Of PhD.

  • Better job prospects are one of the biggest advantages of earning a PhD. In addition, employees might anticipate higher pay and position inside the organisation than prospects.

  • Candidates for a PhD will interact with academics and peers both inside and outside the University while they are working toward it. and would have collaborated with renowned academics and specialists in the field made significant connections at conferences and worked with colleagues who can serve as outstanding professional recommendations for a postdoctoral career.

  • A PhD degree is normally regarded as prestigious and well-recognized. Doctorate degrees are difficult to get and are acknowledged and respected at all levels of society, so one can be proud of their hard work and accomplishments.

  • The true value of a PhD reflects achieving extensive knowledge and expertise in your profession. Your knowledge is not merely theoretical, but also helpful in solving problems, and you can share it with others. Your educated judgement will be highly appreciated in society

  • It requires a lot of problem-solving and critical thinking to finish a dissertation and earn a PhD, which is advantageous because these are the top two talents that employers look for nowadays.

Disadvantages Of A PhD Degree

  • An extensive length of time is needed to complete a PhD, and a minimum of 4-5 years are required to get your PhD.

  • Falling Behind on The Job Market: While you are working on your thesis, some people of your age will have already worked for a while and accumulated professional experience.

  • Finding academic positions might be challenging, but working as a university lecturer or researcher will provide you with the experience you need. However, there is competition because there are few academic employment available.

  • Finding work after earning a PhD may be more difficult as employers may believe you are overqualified for the position they are hiring for and, as a result, are more likely to leave the position quickly in search of a better one.

  • The vast majority of students struggle academically, necessitating a fourth writing-up year when funding is no longer an option. For a candidate's family, working full-time on a thesis but not making a living could be very difficult.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

1. Do PhD students get paid?

Yes, most PhD candidates receive a PhD stipend to support themselves during their studies. However, not all PhD studies are financed, as a result, some scholars may opt to support their PhDs on their own.

2. How many years it takes to get PhD degree?

A PhD program generally takes four to seven years, but a variety of factors can influence that timeline.

3. Is a PhD worth it from a financial point of view?

Depending on the topic of study, level of experience and skill sets, the average yearly salary for PhD holders ranges from ₹6,00,000 to ₹12,00,000. Each young person obtaining a PhD earns an average of ₹16,73,500 per year as a professor and PhD holder. So, from a financial perspective, it is worthwhile.

4. What's next after a PhD?

After a PhD, if someone is keen to continue doing research, can pursue a postdoctoral fellowship in an educational institution and then work toward securing a tenure-track professorship.

5. What title does a PhD get you?

A PhD entitles an individual to use the title doctor. These are the social and physical scientists who conduct and analyse published research.

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