Ph.D

SJB Institute of Technology (SJBIT), Kengeri, Bangalore, offers part-time Ph.D. programmes in two specializations: Ph.D. Business Administration and Ph.D. Information Science and Engineering, affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) with a minimum duration of four years. Both carry the same fee of INR 3,20,000 for the minimum programme duration. Admission is through the VTU Research Entrance Test followed by a personal interview at SJBIT.

VTU RET 2026 schedule has not been notified. Check vtu.ac.in for the application deadline and exam date. The personal interview at SJBIT will be scheduled after RET results are declared. Apply at sjbit.edu.in once the VTU notification is released.

Key Points

• GATE, UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, and SLET holders are exempt from the VTU RET written test but must attend the personal interview at SJBIT.
• Part-time mode allows working professionals to continue employment alongside doctoral research, with an employer NOC required at admission.
• Business Administration research spans strategic management, marketing, HRM, and entrepreneurship. ISE research covers machine learning, data mining, network security, and HCI under VTU-recognised guides.

SJBIT PhD Fees 2026

Both Ph.D. specializations at SJBIT carry the same annual fee of INR 80,000. The total for the minimum four-year programme is INR 3,20,000. Actual duration may extend beyond four years under VTU regulations. Hostel charges, if applicable, are billed separately.

• Annual fee is INR 80,000 for both specializations.
• Duration may exceed 4 years. Additional fee applies for each extended year.
• Fees are subject to change. Verify with official sources before taking admission.

SJBIT PhD Admission 2026

Admission to Ph.D. programmes at SJBIT is through the VTU Research Entrance Test (RET) for candidates without a qualifying national test score. GATE, UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, and SLET holders are exempt from the written test but must clear a personal interview at SJBIT. Part-time candidates must submit an employer NOC confirming employment relevance to their research area.

Important Dates

• Check vtu.ac.in for RET 2026 registration and schedule.
• GATE/NET/SLET holders must attend the personal interview at SJBIT.
• Check sjbit.edu.in for admission and reporting formalities.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• For Ph.D. Business Administration: MBA/PGDM/M.Com or equivalent with a minimum of 55 percent aggregate marks (50 percent for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD candidates).
• For Ph.D. ISE: M.E./M.Tech./M.Sc./MCA or equivalent in Computer Science or Information Science with a minimum of 55 percent aggregate marks (50 percent for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD candidates).
• All candidates must clear a personal interview at SJBIT. Part-time candidates must hold relevant employment and submit an employer NOC at the time of admission.

Admission Process

• Step 1: Register for VTU RET 2026 at vtu.ac.in, or confirm GATE/NET/SLET exemption status.
• Step 2: Appear for the VTU RET written test in the relevant subject (if applicable).
• Step 3: Clear the RET cut-off and receive an interview call from SJBIT.
• Step 4: Attend the personal interview at SJBIT with a research proposal outlining the intended doctoral area.
• Step 5: Submit employer NOC (for part-time candidates), marks sheets, category certificate, and GATE/NET scorecard.
• Step 6: Pay the first-year fee and complete registration formalities at sjbit.edu.in.

✓ Opt for this if

• Working professionals near Bangalore seeking a part-time VTU-affiliated doctoral degree
• GATE or UGC-NET holders wanting to skip VTU RET and qualify via interview only
• Engineering or management faculty needing Ph.D. for academic promotion
• Researchers in ML, data mining, strategic management, or HRM based in Bangalore

✗ Skip if

• Full-time candidates seeking funded residential Ph.D. at IITs, IISc, or central universities
• Those needing CSIR or DST fellowships requiring premier institute affiliation
• Candidates outside Bangalore with logistical constraints for part-time attendance

SJBIT PhD Scholarships 2026

UGC-NET JRF holders and GATE-qualified full-time scholars may access national fellowship support. Karnataka SC/ST candidates may apply for state fee reimbursement. Note that the VTU Research Assistantship and GATE Ph.D. scholarship are available to full-time scholars only. Confirm current eligibility at sjbit.edu.in.

• UGC JRF and GATE PhD scholarship apply to full-time scholars only.
• Apply for Karnataka scholarships via NSP at scholarships.gov.in.
• Confirm current eligibility and disbursement details at sjbit.edu.in.

SJBIT PhD FAQs

Ques. Which Ph.D. specializations does SJBIT offer and what are the research areas?

Ans. SJBIT offers part-time Ph.D. in two specializations: Business Administration (covering strategic management, organisational behaviour, marketing, finance, HRM, and entrepreneurship) and Information Science and Engineering (covering machine learning, data mining, information retrieval, network security, distributed systems, and HCI). Both are affiliated to VTU. Confirm available doctoral guides and research topics at sjbit.edu.in.

Ques. Do GATE or UGC-NET holders need to appear for VTU RET for Ph.D. at SJBIT?

Ans. No. Candidates holding a valid GATE, UGC-NET, CSIR-NET (including JRF), or SLET score are exempt from the VTU RET written test. However, all candidates, including those with qualifying test scores, must attend a personal interview at SJBIT to assess research aptitude before admission is granted.

Ques. Is employer NOC mandatory for part-time Ph.D. at SJBIT? How does it work?

Ans. Yes. Part-time Ph.D. candidates at SJBIT must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer confirming that their employment is relevant to the intended research area. This part-time mode allows candidates to continue full employment while pursuing doctoral research, with periodic visits to SJBIT for coursework, guide meetings, and progress reviews.

Ques. Are national scholarships like UGC JRF or GATE fellowship available for part-time Ph.D. at SJBIT?

Ans. National scholarships such as UGC JRF/SRF (INR 37,000 to 42,000/month) and the GATE Ph.D. scholarship (up to INR 12,400/month) are generally available for full-time scholars only. Part-time Ph.D. students may be eligible for Karnataka SC/ST fee reimbursement through the state scholarship portal. Confirm current eligibility at sjbit.edu.in before applying.

Ques. What is the minimum duration of Ph.D. at SJBIT and can it be extended?

Ans. The minimum duration for Ph.D. at SJBIT is four years as prescribed by VTU. Actual duration may extend beyond four years if research milestones, thesis submission, and evaluation are not completed within the minimum period. VTU regulations permit extensions subject to the doctoral committee’s approval. Additional fee applies for each year beyond the minimum.

Ques. What career outcomes can Ph.D. graduates from SJBIT expect?

Ans. Ph.D. Business Administration graduates are eligible for management faculty positions in UGC-listed universities, management consultant roles, and senior leadership in organisations. Ph.D. ISE graduates can pursue research scientist roles in IT and tech firms, faculty positions in engineering colleges, and roles in government research labs. Both specializations are VTU-affiliated and meet UGC criteria for academic appointments.