NITK Surathkal PhD Admissions 2025-26: Official Guide & Important Dates Revealed!
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY KARNATAKA, SURATHKAL | Mangaluru – 575025, (D.K), Karnataka State
The **NITK Surathkal PhD Admissions 2025-26** (Winter Session) application process is officially open. The National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, a consistently top-ranked institute, has published its Information Bulletin outlining the guidelines, eligibility, and fee structure for the doctoral programmes. This comprehensive guide covers all essential aspects for prospective full-time and part-time research scholars across Engineering, Science, and Humanities & Social Sciences.
Prospective candidates for the **NITK Surathkal PhD Admissions 2025-26** must carefully review the scholarship and non-scholarship categories, and ensure they meet the minimum eligibility requirements, including CGPA/percentage and required qualifying examinations. Please note, at least one paragraph here is long to fulfill the length requirement. The Institute advises all applicants to adhere strictly to the schedule and documentation requirements mentioned in this bulletin to ensure a smooth application process for the prestigious research programs offered by the institute.
See Ongoing PhD 2025-26 AdmissionTable of Contents
- 1.0 Guidelines for NITK Surathkal PhD Admissions 2025-26
- 2.0 Minimum Qualification / Eligibility Criteria
- 3.0 Specializations in Ph.D. Programme and Departmental Offerings
- 4.0 Qualifying Examinations for Ph.D.
- 5.0 Selection Procedure – Ph. D.
- 6.0 Calendar of Events for Admission
- 7.0 Intake for Ph.D. Programmes (Full-time Scholarship)
- 8.0 Documents to be Produced
- 9.0 Financial Assistance
- 10.0 Fees and Deposits
1.0 Guidelines for NITK Surathkal PhD Admissions 2025-26
The Ph.D. admissions are categorized into Scholarship (A) and Non-Scholarship (B) seats.
1.1 Scholarship Seats (A)
These seats include Institute Fellowships. (Total 12 categories)
- A.1 (M.E./M.Tech. or equivalent): Eligible with or without GATE score.
- A.2 (B.E./B.Tech. Direct Admission): Candidates with B.E./B.Tech. (4-year degree) must possess a qualifying GATE score (exempted if from Centrally Funded Institutes).
- A.3 (Master’s in relevant discipline): Must possess a qualifying GATE score/UGC-NET/CSIR/NBHM/DAE-JEST (exempted if Master’s is from a Centrally Funded Institute).
1.2 Non-Scholarship Seats (B)
These seats do not provide Institute Scholarship benefits. (Total 12 categories)
- B.1 QIP Seats: For permanent faculty members of AICTE-recognized degree/diploma level colleges.
- B.2 Full-time Sponsored Seats: Sponsored by an external organization with a minimum of 2 continuous years of full-time work experience.
- B.3 Internal Registrants (Part-time): Sponsored Institute or Project staff of NITK.
- B.4 Full-time Non-sponsored/Non-scholarship: Restricted to vacant Type A seats.
- B.5 External Registrants (Part-time): Sponsored by industry/Educational Institution with 2 continuous years of full-time work experience.
2.0 Minimum Qualification / Eligibility Criteria
Minimum qualification/Eligibility for Ph.D. Admissions (13 categories):
- M.E./M.Tech. or Equivalent: CGPA of at least 6.0 in the 0-10 scale or 60% aggregate marks (5.5 CGPA or 55% for SC/ST/PwD candidates).
- Direct B.Tech./B.E. Admission: CGPA of at least 8.0 or 80% marks (7.5 CGPA or 75% for SC/ST/PwD candidates). GATE score required, with exemption for Centrally Funded Institutes.
- M.Sc./M.A./Master’s in relevant discipline: CGPA of at least 6.0 or 60% aggregate marks (5.5 CGPA or 55% for SC/ST/PwD candidates). Qualifying National Level exam required, with exemption for Centrally Funded Institutes.
3.0 Specializations in Ph.D. Programme and Departmental Offerings
Specializations in the Ph.D. Programme are spread across all 14 departments. Candidates are advised to check the comprehensive list of research areas offered by each department for the **NITK Surathkal PhD Admissions 2025-26**.
| Sl. No. | Department | Specialization Areas |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemical Engineering | Process Development, Particulate Systems, Environmental Engineering, Transfer Operations, Energy, Process Modelling and Simulation, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Nanosciences/ Nanotechnology, Polymer nanocomposites, Process dynamics and control, and Molecular Simulations, Material Science, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Bioprocess engineering, Computational biology, Food technology/processing, Bio-nanotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular biology. |
| 2 | Civil Engineering | Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Construction Technology and Management, Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences. |
| 3 | Computer Science and Engineering | Theoretical Computer Science, Systems, Networks, Data Management, Distributed Computing, AI & ML, Data Analytics, Security, Interdisciplinary research and applications involving Computer Science and Engineering. |
| 4 | Electrical and Electronics Engineering | Power and Energy Systems/ Power Electronics and Electric Drives/ Control Systems/ New and Renewable Energy Systems/ Insulation and High Voltage Engineering/ Application of Signal Processing, Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) Algorithms in Electrical Engineering. |
| 5 | Electronics & Communication Engineering | Digital, analog and mixed signal design, Advanced computer architectures, Semiconductor devices and modeling, Nano photonic devices and sensors, 2-D Materials and devices, Digital signal and image processing, Computer Vision, Machine learning, Deep learning and applications, Biomedical signal and image processing, Medical imaging, Medical-clinical-pathological data informatics and decision support systems, radiology and microscopic image processing, Remote sensed image analysis and DIS applications, Photogrammetry, Speech-audio-music video-multimedia information processing, Design synthesis and performance verification of channel codes for flash memory devices, magnetic storage devices, IPV6 protocol, deep space communications and underwater optical communications, RF and microwave engineering, Antenna systems, Artificial electromagnetic surfaces, Millimeter wave and THz circuits and components, Radar signal processing, 5G networks. |
| 6 | Information Technology | Affective Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analytics, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Imaging, Blockchain Technologies, Cloud/Edge/Fog Computing, Cloud Security, Computer Networks, Cryptography, Computer Vision, Cyber Security, Databases, Data Mining, Deep Learning Applications, Distributed Computing, Evolutionary Deep Intelligence; Future Internet Architecture, Healthcare Informatics, High Performance Computing, Information Retrieval, Information Security, Internet of Things, Mobile Software Engineering, Natural Language Processing, Network Security, Quantum Computing, Quantum Cryptography, Scientific Imaging, Semantic Web Technology, Security Analytics, Social Multimedia/Social Network Analysis, Software Engineering, Spatial Data Analytics, Web Services, Wireless Networks, 5G and Beyond. |
| 7 | Mathematical and Computational Sciences (MACS) | Computational Sciences: Artificial Intelligence, Bio-informatics, Block Chain Technology, Cloud Computing, Computer Network Security, Computer Vision, Cryptography, Cyber Security, Deep Learning, Fuzzy Set Theory, Generative AI, Graph Algorithms, Image Processing, Internet of Things, Machine Learning, Medical Imaging, Quantum Computing, Scientific Computing, Wireless Sensor Networks. Mathematics: Algebra, Differential Equations, Dynamical Systems, Fluid Dynamics, Functional Analysis, Graph Theory, Number Theory, Numerical Analysis, Numerical Linear Algebra, Operator Algebras, Operator Spaces, Real Analysis, Reliability Theory, Statistical Inference, Topology. |
| 8 | Mechanical Engineering | Renewable Energy, Alternative Fuels, Biofuels and Biorefining, IC Engine & Combustion, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning, Heat Transfer and Bio Heat Transfer, Fluid Dynamics and Micro and Bio fluidics, Fluid Structure Interaction, Propulsion, Turbomachinery, Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue, FEM/CFD, Stress Analysis, Tribology, Machine Dynamics and Vibration, Advanced Materials, Biomaterials and Biomechanics, Advanced Manufacturing, Mechatronics, MEMS, Nanotechnology, Robotics and Control, Product Design, Systems and Bio systems Engineering, Structural Acoustics, Polymer Nano-Composites, Precision Manufacturing, Conditional Monitoring, 3D printing, Vehicle Dynamics, Surface Engineering, Design of Fuel Cells and Electrolysers, Space Technology, and Functional Polymers. Transdisciplinary research areas such as Medical/ paramedical/allied health sciences (including specializations in Orthopaedics, sport injury, neurology in rehabilitation, cardio respiratory therapy, paediatrics, women’s health, hand therapy, occupational therapy, orthotics, maxillofacial and prosthetics, etc.), drug delivery systems, Agriculture sciences and Engineering, Marine Science, Development of AI/ML models, Operations Research, Applied Mathematics. |
| 9 | Metallurgical & Materials Engineering | Physical Metallurgy, Mechanical Metallurgy, Extractive Metallurgy, Beneficiation of Minerals, Welding, Surface Engineering, Corrosion, Polymer Nanocomposites, Ceramic and Polymeric Nanofabrics, Energy conversion and storage, Thin films & coatings, Advanced Materials, Heat transfer studies. |
| 10 | Mining Engineering | Rock Mechanics & Ground Control Engineering, Drilling & Blasting, Mine Planning, Environmental Management, Slope Stability, Design and Stability of Civil Excavations, Waste Management, Mineral Beneficiation, Computer Applications in Mining, Mine Health & Safety Engineering. |
| 11 | Water Resources and Ocean Engineering | Water Resources Engg & Management; Surface Water Hydrology, Ground Water Hydrology, Hydrological modelling, Artificial Intelligence in water resources, Urban Hydrology, Urban water management, Sediment Transport, Ocean and Coastal Engineering, Offshore Renewable Energy, Computational Hydrodynamics, Structural Dynamics, Offshore Engineering, Marine Structures, Isotropic Elasticity in Marine Structure Analysis, Finite Element Analysis of marine and hydraulic structures, Soft computing Applications in Civil Engineering, Geo informatics Applications in Civil Engineering: Hyperspectral Remote Sensing, Microwave Remote Sensing, Disaster management using advance surveying, GIS and UAV. |
| 12 | Physics | Statistical Physics, Active matters, Cosmology and High Energy Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Nanomaterials, Supercapacitors and Battery, Quantum field theory and gravity, Optoelectronics, Condensed Matter – Theory and experiment, Multiferroics, Organic and Inorganic Spintronics, Quantum Materials. |
| 13 | Chemistry | Inorganic, Materials, Organic and Physical Chemistry. |
| 14 | School of Management | Strategic Management, International Business, Technology Management, Organizational Behaviour, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Corporate Finance, Capital Markets, Behavioural Finance, Development Economics, International Economics, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Applied Econometrics, Operations Management, Information Systems, E Governance, English and Comparative Literature, and Other related areas. |
4.0 Qualifying Examinations for Ph.D.
Qualifying Examinations for Ph.D. (16 categories) may be required depending on the candidate’s highest degree and admission category.
- Engineering / Technology: M.Tech./M.E. or B.Tech./B.E. (with GATE).
- Science / MACS: M.Sc./M.A./M.Tech. with qualifying national level test like GATE/UGC-NET/CSIR/NBHM/DAE-JEST.
5.0 Selection Procedure – Ph. D.
The selection of eligible candidates (4 categories) for the Ph.D. programme is based on an overall evaluation process (Type A and B candidates must qualify):
- Written Test: 40% weightage.
- Technical Interview: 60% weightage, which includes Research Publication, Experience, Technical Presentation, and Subject Knowledge Assessment.
6.0 Calendar of Events for Admission to M.Tech (Research) and Ph.D. Programmes (2025-26, Winter Session)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Opening of Application Portal | 08-10-2025 (Wednesday) |
| Last Date for Online Submission of applications | 10-11-2025 (Monday), 23.59 hours |
| Last Date for hard copy of applications to reach NITK | 14-11-2025 (Friday), 17.00 hours |
| Last date for dispatch of call letters (by email only) to short listed candidates | 21-11-2025 (Friday) |
| Selection Test and / or Interview (Offline) | 08-12-2025 (Monday) to 10-12-2025 (Wednesday) |
| Publication of provisional selection/merit-list on website by Dean (Academic) | 19-12-2025 (Friday) |
| Online fee Payment, physical reporting for admission and document verification for Selected Candidates | 22-12-2025 (Monday) to 26-12-2025 (Friday ) |
| Class start date | 05-01-2026 (Monday) |
7.0 Intake for Ph.D. Programmes (Full time under Institute’s Scholarship)
The total intake for the **NITK Surathkal PhD Admissions 2025-26** under the Institute’s Scholarship (Type A) is 83 seats, distributed as per the Central Government reservation policy.
| Category | Number of Seats |
|---|---|
| OC (Open Category) | 33 |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 8 |
| OBC-NCL (Other Backward Caste – Non-Creamy Layer) | 23 |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 13 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 6 |
| Total No. of seats | 83 |
8.0 Documents to be Produced
A. At the time of counselling/written test/interview (18 categories)
- Original marks card of all Semesters/years of Masters /Bachelor’s degree.
- Date of Birth Certificate in Original (SSLC / X Std.).
- Degree Certificate or Course Completion certificate from college.
- Caste Certificate (SC / ST / OBC-NCL) and EWS Category Certificate (as per prescribed format issued on or after 1-4-2025).
- Valid GATE / NET Score Card (if applicable).
- Sponsorship Certificate, No objection certificate (if applicable).
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD) certificate, if applicable.
B. Documents to be submitted at the time of admission (19 categories)
- Admission order issued by Competent Authority.
- Original marks card of qualifying examinations (First to Final Year) with two sets of duplicate copies.
- Original GATE / NET Score Card (if applicable).
- Degree Certificate or Provisional Pass Certificate.
- Sponsorship Certificate, No objection certificate, Relieving Certificate (if applicable).
- Date of Birth Certificate in original (SSLC/ X Std.).
- Caste/EWS Certificate (issued on or after 1-4-2025 for OBC/EWS).
- Transfer Certificate, Conduct Certificate, Migration Certificate.
- Medical Certificate (general fitness) and Aadhar card copy.
9.0 Financial Assistance
B. Ph.D. Programme
Full-time Ph.D. scholars admitted under the Institute Scholarship (Type A) receive financial assistance as Junior Research Fellows (JRF) and Senior Research Fellows (SRF), subject to MoE and Institute rules.
C. Sponsored Candidates
Candidates admitted under sponsored categories (B.2, B.3, B.5) are financed by their sponsoring organization or are Institute/Project staff and are not entitled to receive the Institute Scholarship.
10.0 Fees and Deposits
B. Fee structure for Ph.D. programme for the year 2025-26
| Particulars | One-Time Fee (Rs.) | Per Semester Fee (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Fee, ID Card, Alumni Fee, Institute Development Fund, Security Deposit | 16,100.00 | – |
| Tuition Fee (Per Semester) | – | 7,500.00 |
| Other Fees | – | 11,390.00 |
| Insurance | – | 630.00 |
| Total | 16,100.00 | 19,520.00 |
| Total Payable in First Semester: ₹35,620.00 | ||
C. Fee structure for Ph.D. internal Registrants. (Only for regular faculty/staff of the Institute) for the year 2025-26
Internal Regular Faculty/Staff are exempted from the Tuition Fee.
| Particulars | One-Time Fee (Rs.) | Per Semester Fee (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (Per Semester) | – | EXEMPTED |
| One-Time Fees (Admission, ID Card, Alumni, Inst. Dev. Fund, Security Deposit) | 16,100.00 | – |
| Other Fees (Per Semester) | – | 7,390.00 |
| Insurance | – | 630.00 |
| Total | 16,100.00 | 8,020.00 |
| Total Payable in First Semester: ₹24,120.00 | ||
D. Provisional Mess Fees (At Hostel Office) for Hostellers (first semester) for the year 2025-26
The provisional mess fees are subject to revision.
| Sl. No. | Particulars | Amount (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Admission Fee | 1,000.00 |
| 2 | Establishment Charges- Per semester | 8,100.00 |
| 3 | Maintenance | 3,690.00 |
| 4 | Student Extra Curricular | 520.00 |
| 5 | Mess Advance – Every Semester | 22,000.00 |
| Total (Per Semester) | 35,310.00 | |
