Working Professionals
Looking to move into senior leadership or strategic roles.
Doctoral Level Program
Part Time PhD
A part-time PhD lets you research for a doctorate while you keep your job. UGC's PhD Regulations 2022 allow it with a No Objection Certificate from your employer, the same eligibility as a full-time PhD and 3 to 6 years to finish. It is not an online programme: online and distance PhDs are barred in India.
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Duration
—
Full-time / Part-time options
Eligibility
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Average Fees
₹8K
Program-wise
Mode
Part-time
Overview
About Part Time PhD
A part-time PhD lets you research for a doctorate while you keep your job. UGC's PhD Regulations 2022 allow it with a No Objection Certificate from your employer, the same eligibility as a full-time PhD and 3 to 6 years to finish. It is not an online programme: online and distance PhDs are barred in India.
Part-time PhD in India: the short answer
A part-time PhD is a regular PhD that you do while working. Clause 13 of the UGC PhD Regulations 2022 allows it when every condition in the regulations is met, and your employer must issue a No Objection Certificate. You earn the same PhD as a full-time scholar. It is not an online course: the same clause bars Indian institutions from running any PhD through distance or online mode.
Eligibility for a part-time PhD
Part-time candidates meet the same eligibility rules as full-time candidates. You need one of these:
- A master's degree with at least 55% marks, or an equivalent grade.
- A 4-year bachelor's degree with at least 75% marks, or an equivalent grade.
- An equivalent qualification from an accredited foreign institution.
A 5% relaxation applies to SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer), differently-abled and EWS candidates, and other categories UGC notifies.
The employer No Objection Certificate
The university gets the NOC through you, from the right authority where you work. Under clause 13(2) it must state three things:
- You are permitted to study on a part-time basis.
- Your official duties leave you enough time for research.
- If required, you will be relieved from duty to complete the coursework.
Ask your HR team early. Applications often stall because this letter arrives late.
Admission, coursework and duration
| Rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Admission | UGC-NET or a similar national test plus an interview, or the university's own entrance test, where the test counts for 70% and the interview for 30% |
| Coursework | At least 12 credits, including Research and Publication Ethics and a research methodology course |
| Duration | At least 3 years including coursework, and at most 6 years from admission |
| Extension | Up to 2 more years through re-registration |
| Mode | Part-time is allowed; online and distance PhDs are not |
Each university adds its own ordinance on top of these rules, so read the admission notice of every university you shortlist. Our guide to PhD admission in India explains the NET and entrance test routes step by step.
Part-time PhD, executive PhD or online doctorate
| Route | Who awards it | Standing in India |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time PhD | Indian universities | A PhD under the UGC PhD Regulations 2022 |
| Executive PhD | IIMs and some other institutes | A PhD where the institute says so; IIM Sambalpur's 2026 programme for working professionals awarded a PhD in management and asked for five years of full-time work |
| Online doctorate from abroad, often a DBA | Foreign universities, often through an EdTech partner | Not a PhD in India. UGC's public notice of 12 December 2023 says online degrees offered by EdTech companies with foreign universities have no UGC recognition; others go through UGC's 2025 equivalence process case by case |
Compare the routes in more depth on our pages for PhD for working professionals and executive PhD, and in the guide to DBA vs PhD in India.
Before you apply
- Pick your subject first, then a supervisor whose research matches it.
- Choose a university you can reach, since coursework and supervision happen in person.
- Ask when coursework classes run and whether your employer will relieve you for them.
- Plan for at least three years of steady work, and keep the six-year limit in mind.
A counsellor can help you shortlist universities that admit part-time scholars in your subject.
Who it's for
Who Should Choose This Course?
See if your goals align with how this program is structured.
Career Builders
Need structured pathways into leadership or specialist roles.
Research-Oriented Learners
Enjoy inquiry-driven learning and evidence-based decisions.
Goal-Focused Achievers
Want clarity, milestones, and measurable outcomes.
Career Outcomes
Where this program can take you
High demand for doctorate-level management professionals across consulting, strategy, and academia.
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Syllabus details are being updated.
Fees & Financing
Fees & Financing
Transparent fee structure with flexible payment options.
Total Program Fee
₹8K
*Fees may vary across universities. Instalment plans shared after shortlisting.
Easy EMI Options Available
Scholarships Up to 30%
Education Loan Assistance
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Our experts can guide you with the best options.
Admission
Admission Process
Simple steps from your first enquiry to enrolment.
1
Apply Online
Submit your profile, academics, and intent with supporting documents.
2
Application Review
Our panel verifies eligibility and aligns you with the right cohort format.
3
Interview / Proposal Chat
Discuss research interests and career goals with faculty mentors.
4
Offer & Fee Plan
Receive admission decision with financing and instalment options.
5
Enrol & Onboard
Complete registration, join the cohort workspace, and start Semester 1.
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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions.
Yes. UGC's PhD Regulations 2022 allow a part-time PhD if all their conditions are met, including a No Objection Certificate from your employer confirming you may study part time, have time for research and will be relieved for coursework if needed.
The same as a full-time PhD: a master's degree with at least 55% marks, or a 4-year bachelor's degree with at least 75%. SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer), differently-abled and EWS candidates get a 5% relaxation.
Yes. A part-time PhD from a recognised Indian university is the same PhD degree as a full-time one, provided it follows UGC's PhD Regulations 2022, including the employer No Objection Certificate.
For use in India, yes. A part-time PhD is a recognised Indian PhD. An online doctorate from abroad is not a PhD in India: online degrees sold by EdTech companies with foreign universities have no UGC recognition, and other foreign degrees need UGC equivalence. An online DBA can still suit an applied industry goal if you have checked its standing first.
Yes. Universities admit through UGC-NET or a similar national test followed by an interview, or through their own entrance test, where the test counts for 70% and the interview for 30%.
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Quick Facts
- Duration— (Part-time)
- Total Fees₹8K
- Eligibility—
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