About Ph.D. (Engineering)
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER), a Category I Deemed University in Chennai, offers a Full-Time Ph.D. in Engineering and Technology through its Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Engineering and Technology (SRET). The program spans a minimum of 2 years (for M.Tech./M.E. holders) to 3 years (for other eligible candidates), with research areas spanning Artificial Intelligence, Data Sciences, Big Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, Medical Engineering, Cyber Security, Internet of Things (IoT), Bioinformatics, and more. The total fee for the full-time Ph.D. program is Rs. 2,51,500 for the minimum 3-year duration, and the program is conducted entirely on campus in full-time mode. Admission is conducted twice a year (April and October sessions) through a university-level entrance examination, making it a sought-after research program for engineering graduates looking to pursue doctoral studies in a multidisciplinary health-tech environment.
Admissions for the April 2026 session have been processed - the entrance examination was held on February 16-18, 2026, and results were announced on approximately February 25, 2026. Counselling was held on March 9-10, 2026, with provisional registration issued by March 27, 2026, and the session commencing April 1, 2026. For the next (October 2026) session, applications are expected to open around July 2026 based on the previous year's pattern.
Key Points
- SRIHER is ranked 60th among universities in India (NIRF 2025) and holds NAAC A++ accreditation (Cycle 3 with CGPA 3.53).
- The Ph.D. in Engineering is offered under the Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Engineering and Technology (SRET), established in 2019, with a focus on AI, Data Analytics, Cyber Security, IoT, Medical Engineering, and Bioinformatics.
- Full-time Ph.D. scholars with M.Tech./M.E. qualifications can complete the program in a minimum of 2 years; others require a minimum of 3 years.
- Eligible full-time scholars may receive the Founder-Chancellor Shri N.P.V. Ramasamy Udayar Research Fellowship, which includes a monthly allowance of Rs. 12,000 and an annual research grant of Rs. 25,000.
- Candidates holding UGC-NET (JRF) are exempted from the entrance examination and are directly called for interview.
- An Integrated Ph.D. (Engineering and Technology) is available for B.Tech./B.E. holders with 75% or above marks, with a minimum duration of 4 years.
- SRIHER has active research collaborations with IIT Madras, ICMR, DST, DBT, NIH (USA), Wellcome Trust, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
- The qualifying mark for the SRET Ph.D. entrance examination is 60% (aggregate of written test and interview), higher than the 50% required for other faculties.
SRIHER Ph.D. (Engineering) Fees
The Ph.D. (Engineering) Full-Time program at SRIHER is relatively affordable compared to other private deemed universities. The total fee for the full-time program (minimum 3-year duration) is Rs. 2,51,500, which includes the provisional registration fee, annual tuition, and thesis submission charges. An online application fee of Rs. 2,000 and a provisional admission application fee of Rs. 5,000 are payable at the time of application and admission respectively. Hostel accommodation is available on campus for research scholars at additional cost.
Fee Components
| Fee Component | Amount (Rs.) |
|---|---|
| Online Application Fee (One-Time) | 2,000 |
| Provisional Admission Application Fee (One-Time) | 5,000 |
| Provisional Registration Fee (One-Time) | 25,000 |
| Total Fee for Full-Time Ph.D. (3 Years, including thesis submission) | 2,51,500 |
| Total Fees (Full-Time, 3 Years) | 2,51,500 |
- For Full-Time candidates with M.Tech./M.E. qualifications, the minimum duration is 2 years; fees are proportionately lower.
- For Part-Time candidates (Internal and External), the total fee for 4 years is Rs. 3,12,000.
- For Part-Time NRI candidates (4 years), the total fee is Rs. 6,02,000.
- Hostel fees are charged separately and are not included in the above total. On-campus hostel accommodation is available for research scholars (non-AC and AC options available).
- The application fee of Rs. 2,000 and provisional admission application fee of Rs. 5,000 are non-refundable.
- Founder-Chancellor Research Fellows receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 12,000 and an annual research contingency grant of Rs. 25,000, which can offset living and research expenses.
SRIHER Ph.D. (Engineering) Admission 2026
Admissions to the Ph.D. (Engineering) Full-Time program at SRIHER are conducted twice a year - in April and October sessions. The April 2026 session has already commenced (from April 1, 2026). For the upcoming October 2026 session, applications are expected to open around July 2026 based on the previous year's schedule. The selection process involves an online proctored entrance examination (75 marks, 2 hours) followed by an interview, with a qualifying aggregate of 60% for Engineering and Technology candidates.
April 2026 Session Admission Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last Date for Online Application Submission | January 31, 2026 |
| Ph.D. Entrance Examination | February 16, 2026 |
| Interview | February 17, 2026 |
| Announcement of Ph.D. Result | February 25, 2026 (approx.) |
| Ph.D. Counselling | March 9-10, 2026 |
| Submission of Provisional Application Form | March 23, 2026 |
| Issue of Provisional Registration | March 27, 2026 |
| Commencement of Program | April 1, 2026 |
Relevant Exam Dates
| Exam | Registration | Exam Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| GATE 2026 | Aug 28 - Oct 13, 2025 | Feb 7, 8, 14, 15, 2026 | March 19, 2026 |
| UGC-NET (Phase 1) | Oct 7 - Nov 7, 2025 | Dec 31, 2025 - Jan 7, 2026 | February 4, 2026 |
Note: GATE and UGC-NET scores are accepted as supporting qualifications. UGC-NET (JRF) holders are exempted from the SRIHER entrance examination and are directly called for interview.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must have passed M.Tech./M.E./M.S. in disciplines of Engineering, Technology, Information Technology, or Computer Science and Engineering with at least 55% marks in aggregate (or equivalent CGPA on a 10-point scale).
- Alternatively, M.Sc./MCA in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, or Computer Applications with at least 55% marks is also eligible for Ph.D. in Computer Science under the Engineering faculty.
- B.Tech./B.E. holders with 75% or above marks are eligible for the Integrated Ph.D. (Engineering and Technology) program (minimum 4 years).
- A relaxation of 5% marks (from 55% to 50%) is applicable for SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)/Differently Abled/EWS candidates.
Admission Process
- Submit the online application form at phd.sriher.com with an application fee of Rs. 2,000.
- Appear for the SRIHER Ph.D. Online Proctored Entrance Examination (75 marks, 2 hours, no negative marking).
- Attend the interview (30% weightage; written test carries 70% weightage).
- Candidates with UGC-NET (JRF) are directly called for interview (NET score carries 70% weightage).
- Qualifying aggregate: 60% for Engineering and Technology (55% for SC/ST/OBC/Differently Abled).
- Attend in-person counselling at the SRIHER campus; Founder-Chancellor Fellowships are offered to eligible full-time candidates during counselling.
- Submit the Provisional Application Form and complete registration formalities.
- Identify a Research Supervisor from the list available at sriramachandra.edu/research-guide/.
SRIHER Ph.D. (Engineering) Scholarships 2026
SRIHER offers multiple fellowship and scholarship options for Ph.D. (Engineering) Full-Time scholars, making the program financially accessible. The flagship Founder-Chancellor Research Fellowship provides a monthly stipend along with an annual research grant to eligible full-time scholars. Additionally, the Alumni Association of SRIHER offers a dedicated Ph.D. scholarship for alumni pursuing full-time doctoral research at the university.
Scholarship Details
| Scholarship / Fellowship | Amount | Eligibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founder-Chancellor Shri N.P.V. Ramasamy Udayar Research Fellowship | Rs. 12,000/month + Rs. 25,000/year (research contingency) | Full-time Ph.D. scholars who qualify in SRIHER entrance exam and are selected during counselling | Offered during counselling; available across all faculties including Engineering |
| UGC-NET (JRF) Fellowship | Rs. 37,000/month (JRF) / Rs. 42,000/month (SRF) | Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET with JRF | National fellowship; exempts candidate from SRIHER entrance exam |
| Alumni Association SRIHER Ph.D. Scholarship | Rs. 25,000/year (for up to 3 years) | Full-time Ph.D. scholars who are SRIHER alumni; family income below Rs. 5 lakhs/year | Maximum 2 students selected per year; released after April 10 each year |
| DST-SERB / ICMR / DBT Project Fellowships | Varies (typically Rs. 31,000-35,000/month) | Scholars enrolled in externally funded research projects | Subject to availability of funded projects at SRIHER |
- The Founder-Chancellor Fellowship is the primary institutional fellowship and is offered to eligible full-time scholars during the counselling process.
- Scholars receiving external fellowships (UGC-JRF, DST-SERB, ICMR, etc.) are classified as National Fellowship Holders and are also eligible for admission.
- The Alumni Association scholarship is exclusively for SRIHER alumni pursuing full-time Ph.D. at SRIHER; applications are accepted annually with results declared after April 10.
- Scholars are advised to declare all funding sources at the time of application to avoid conflicts.
SRIHER Ph.D. (Engineering) FAQs
Ques. Does SRIHER offer Ph.D. in Engineering specifically, or is it only in medical/health sciences?
Ans. Yes, SRIHER offers Ph.D. in Engineering and Technology through its Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Engineering and Technology (SRET). Research areas include Artificial Intelligence, Data Sciences, Big Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, Medical Engineering, Cyber Security, Internet of Things (IoT), and Bioinformatics. The faculty was established in 2019 and has a growing research output with Scopus-indexed publications and funded projects.
Ques. Is GATE score mandatory for Ph.D. admission in Engineering at SRIHER?
Ans. No, GATE score is not mandatory. SRIHER conducts its own online proctored entrance examination for Ph.D. admission. However, candidates with UGC-NET (JRF) are exempted from the entrance exam and are directly called for interview. GATE score can be a supporting qualification but is not a prerequisite for the SRIHER Ph.D. entrance process.
Ques. What is the Founder-Chancellor Fellowship and how do I get it?
Ans. The Founder-Chancellor Shri N.P.V. Ramasamy Udayar Research Fellowship is SRIHER's institutional fellowship for full-time Ph.D. scholars. It provides a monthly stipend of Rs. 12,000 and an annual research contingency grant of Rs. 25,000. The fellowship is offered during the counselling process to eligible full-time candidates who qualify in the entrance examination and interview. Not all admitted scholars receive this fellowship - it is merit-based and offered during counselling.
Ques. Can a B.Tech. graduate directly apply for Ph.D. in Engineering at SRIHER without a Master's degree?
Ans. Yes, but only under the Integrated Ph.D. (Engineering and Technology) program. B.Tech./B.E. holders with 75% or above marks are eligible for this integrated program, which has a minimum duration of 4 years. Integrated Ph.D. candidates are required to complete six additional postgraduate-level courses compared to regular Ph.D. candidates. For the regular Ph.D. program, a Master's degree (M.Tech./M.E./M.S. or M.Sc./MCA in relevant disciplines) with at least 55% marks is required.
Ques. How many Ph.D. seats are available in Engineering at SRIHER, and what is the research supervisor availability?
Ans. SRIHER does not publicly announce a fixed seat intake for Ph.D. programs; admissions are based on supervisor availability and research capacity. The university has a list of recognized Ph.D. supervisors with their research areas available at sriramachandra.edu/research-guide/. Prospective candidates are advised to identify a potential supervisor and contact them before applying, as supervisor availability is a key factor in the admission process.
Ques. Are there any ongoing research collaborations or funded projects in Engineering at SRIHER that Ph.D. scholars can benefit from?
Ans. Yes. SRET has active research collaborations with institutions including IIT Madras Pravartak, ICMR, Ministry of MSME, and international partners like Virginia Tech. The faculty has received research grants totalling Rs. 1.5 crore from agencies including ICMR and the Ministry of MSME. Ph.D. scholars enrolled in funded projects may receive project fellowships in addition to or instead of the Founder-Chancellor Fellowship. SRIHER also has a Bio-Nest incubator supported by BIRAC (DBT) focused on AI/ML tools in healthcare, medical devices, and nanotechnology.