Graduating around the globe
RAGHU RAMAN & RAJLAKSHMI KANJILAL
India
In India, doctoral studies programs are very competitive. Moreover, beginning in June 2021, a doctorate will become a mandatory recruitment requirement for appointment to an assistant professor position at universities. Given the diverse backgrounds of prospective doctoral candidates, universities offer integrated programs (master’s and PhD), dual degree programs, and traditional programs. In addition, eligible candidates can opt to take up full-time or part-time research.
A prospective doctoral student’s journey begins by taking a standardized test, since the pool of candidates is very large. Subject-specific exams are held by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The National Eligibility Test (NET) is conducted for Humanities and Social Sciences disciplines, and the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) holds exams related to the Sciences. These exams are held twice a year, and only the top 6% qualify. Finally, the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is held for candidates in Engineering and allied disciplines.
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