PhD Salary In India

A PhD or Doctor of Philosophy is the highest academic degree a person can receive after completing a course of study. The word “PhD” comes from the Latin phrase “Philosophiae Doctor” and refers to a competition of solitary research in a particular area of interest. A PhD can take up to 3 Years to complete, with a maximum of 6 Years. A doctorate in research opens doors to a variety of opportunities. Greater employment opportunities are one of the factors that motivate people to pursue PhDs in their chosen fields. 

According to a 2019 study from the All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE), the number of PhDs awarded has increased by 60% over the previous five years. In 2019-20, the total number of admissions rose from 1,24,451 to 2,02,5520. The PhD Salary in India varies depending on the various professional options one can choose after obtaining a PhD in a certain field. 

The students keen to apply for PhD programmes are interested in learning about PhD salaries in India in 2023. The given article will help aspirants to learn the salaries for various professions depending on various PhD career alternatives, as well as the PhD Professor salaries in India.

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Job Opportunities Post PhD

According to their knowledge and interests, students can choose the speciality in which they want to do research. Entrance exams, like the CSIR UGC NET, IIT JAM, and NPAT, are used to get admission to PhD programmes. Candidates who want to enrol in PhD programmes in engineering should take the GATE exam. 

After completing a PhD programme, candidates have access to a wide range of options in both the private and public sectors. Depending on their area of expertise, for example, research scientists, associate professors, economists, historians, etc, candidates can obtain high-paying jobs. The starting salary for candidates is Rs 6 LPA. The highest salary may increase based on experience, knowledge, talents and other factors. 

Some of the best career options to pursue after completing PhD degree are given below:

Best Career Options Post PhD
S. No. Career Description
1. Academics
  • Post Doctorate:
      • Many candidates choose to do post-doctorate following completion of their PhDs. 
      • A post-doctoral fellowship has various benefits. They engage in significant solo or group research projects. Their work has a positive impact on society, government policy, business, and other sectors.
      • A post-doc is expected to possess a variety of skills, including an aptitude for research, writing and verbal communication, knowledge of the subject area, interpersonal and team management abilities, and inquisitive temperament.
  • Adjunct Position:
      • In universities, an adjunct post is a non-tenure position held by professionals who don’t hold the title of professor but yet contribute significantly to the faculty. 
      • Professionals in Adjunct positions at various colleges put in extra time and have a lot of duties related to education.
  • Faculty Position:
    • The profession of teaching is considered one of the best, high paying and most successful ones, mostly because of the startling similarities between academic work and what is required to obtain the degree. Teaching, conducting research and nurturing the learned knowledge are all part of the degree practice and teaching.
    • The PhD holders have a speciality in the field or subject they have studied extensively.
    • Due to their ability to impart knowledge that goes much beyond what is stated in the curriculum, PhD holders as faculty seem to be a perfect fit.
    • A strong command of the subject, communication skills, analytical abilities, people management, comprehension of human behaviour, assessment skills, empathy, etc., are a few of the skills required to be a Professor.
2. Research Associate
  • The research associates are in charge of several different activities, including data collection, preparation, analysis, reporting, and research. After identifying the issue, they set about trying to solve it.
  • It is regarded as one of the most desired positions available. One can choose from a number of industries and professions to pursue a career in. This research benefit society in many areas, including history, science, art and culture, society, policy-making, etc.
  • Most experts these days choose to switch from academic research to business research, where the information obtained via research is employed well because academic research can occasionally become monotonous and underwhelming.
3. Consultancy
  • Given the enormous demand for specialised expertise in the modern world, PhDs and other postgraduate degrees enable students to excel in consulting.
  • PhD holders in all disciplines are recruited by large consulting firms. The goal is to use valuable data and get insightful knowledge to support business decision-making.
  • Since PhD holders have a strong aptitude for critical thought, there are several benefits to working as consultants. They have the aptitude to solve issues rationally and successfully.
4. Government Sector
  • PhD holders have an original viewpoint that enables them to analyse complex issues, comprehend them, and make pragmatic diplomatic decisions.
  • These highly skilled individuals aid in better decision-making by providing government employees with a more in-depth and educated perspective.
  • There are numerous prospects here, starting with the military industry (e.g. military research), a position as a state or federal government policymaker is an option for those interested in politics.
  • They can work in a variety of government departments, including those responsible for formulating policy, rural development, transportation, science research, the military, and foreign affairs, among others.
5. Entrepreneur
  • Students with PhDs are very likely to succeed when they enter entrepreneurship since research suggests that entrepreneurial journeys and PhDs are far more comparable than they seem.
  • Apart from other parallels, there is one thing that entrepreneurs and PhDs have in common: an aptitude for creativity and research. Both of these professionals recognise a social issue that has to be resolved and create a model to do so. Thus, PhD holders naturally seem to be a logical step in the transition to entrepreneurship.
6. Digital Media Company
  • Preparing reports with in-depth analysis and context on a range of subjects is part of the job description. Creating reports on artistic and cultural events is another aspect of it. 
  • One can develop strong writing and research skills as a result of doing a PhD. These come in quite handy while looking for writing jobs at media companies. 
  • So, it is a good career option, if someone does not wish to go to teaching post completing the PhD.

Interested candidates can also learn about the detailed IAS Salary, in the linked article.

PhD In Different Specialisation

Employment for PhD candidates is also based on the Specialisation in which they have completed their doctoral studies. The PhD programme offers a wide variety of specialisations with various career profiles, including PhDs in Management, PhDs in the Arts, PhDs in Engineering, PhDs in Medicine, PhDs in Legal Studies, etc. The details are given below:

  • PhD Medical: Hospital Administrators, Medical Scientists, Professors and Researchers.
  • PhD Engineering: Research Scientists, Mechanical Design Engineers and Executive Engineers. 
  • PhD Mechanical Engineering: Executive Engineer, Research Scientist, Professor, Mechanical Design Engineer.
  • PhD Arts: Content Writer, Economist, Professor and Clinical Psychologist.
  • PhD Marketing: Deputy Manager, Marketing Manager, New Product Manager, Marketing Executive.
  • PhD Psychology: Research Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Professor, Therapist.
  • PhD Management: Management Consultant, Business Analyst, Data Analyst and Human Resource Manager.
  • PhD Economics: Professor, Banker,Financial Managers, Accountant and Economists.
  • PhD Mathematics: Accountant, Cashier, Finance Manager, Professor, Loan Counsellor.
  • PhD Biology: Professor, Microbiologist and Research Biologist
  • PhD Computer Science: Website Developer, Software Developer, Hardware Engineer and Network Engineer.
  • PhD Chemistry: Forensic Chemist, Junior Scientist, Chemical Researcher, Medical Technologist.

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The specialisation influences the jobs in the private sector. PhD candidates have multiple opportunities in the private sector because they work in practically every field, although their employment is dependent on their area of specialisation. Private universities, Google, Microsoft, Deloitte, and Infosys are a few of the leading employers in the private sector. In addition to working in the private sector, PhD holders are also recruited in government organisation. After earning a PhD, candidates have a wide range of options to consider, including working for chemical or pharmaceutical businesses, the oil and gas industry, the research sector, NGOs, etc. Both the commercial and public sectors have different salary structures.

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PhD Salary For Different Professions

The PhD salaries for the various PhD specialisations of the candidates are listed in the table below:

Streams PhD Specialisations Average Salary
Arts PhD English Rs 4,00,000 – Rs 12.00,000
PhD Economics
PhD History
PhD Sociology
PhD Psychology
Law PhD Legal Studies Rs 2,00,000 – Rs 13,00,000
PhD Law
Engineering PhD Biomedical Engineering Rs 3,00,000 – Rs 15,00,000
PhD Information Technology
PhD Mechanical Engineering
PhD Bioinformatics
Medical PhD Neuroscience Rs 4,00,000 – Rs 11,00,000
PhD Pathology
PhD Physiotherapy
Management PhD Human Resource Management Rs 4,00,000 – Rs 12.00,000
PhD Marketing
PhD Business Management
PhD Finance
Science PhD Chemistry Rs 4,00,000 – Rs 14,00,000
PhD Computer Science
PhD Biology
Mathematics PhD Mathematics Rs 3,00,000 – Rs 10,00,000

Also, read the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF)

Below is information on PhD salaries in India for Professor, Associate Professor and other positions. Candidates can view the table to see what PhD Professors make in India.

Job Profile Average Annual Salary (Government)
Associate Professor Rs 4 to 8 Lakhs 
Professor Rs 7.80 to 30 Lakhs 
Research Assistant Rs 3.10 to 5 Lakhs
Computer Engineer Rs 4 to 9 Lakhs
Legal Assistant Rs 4 to 8 Lakhs
Consultant Rs 8 to 10 Lakhs
Research Scientist Rs 6 to 12 Lakhs
Senior Writer Rs 10 to 14 Lakhs

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Frequently Asked Questions about PhD Salary

Q1

Q1. What is the typical pay for lecturers in Indian public universities and schools?

Ans. In India, the basic average salary for a lecturer is 9,73,0919, although it also varies depending on the level one is working in.
Q2

Q2. What is a PhD graduate’s highest salary?

Ans. A PhD graduate’s greatest pay ranges from INR 12-26 LPA.
Q3

Q3. What is a researcher’s highest annual salary?

Ans: n India, a researcher can expect to make up to INR 12-20 LPA at the highest.
Q4

Q4. Is an internship necessary to work as a Professor?

Ans. No internship is necessary to become a Professor.
Q5

Q5. What factors influence the pay of a PhD professional?

Ans. An entry-level PhD candidate makes an average salary of Rs 4.3 Lakhs annually with fewer than three years of experience. An experienced PhD scholar with 10-20 years of experience gets an average salary of Rs.12.1 lakhs annually, compared to a mid-career PhD scholar with 4-9 years of experience.
Q6

Q6. From a financial perspective, is a PhD worth it?

Ans: Depending on the chosen sector, expertise, and skill set, the average salary for PhD holders ranges from Rs 6,00,000 to Rs 12,00,000. A PhD holder working as a professor may expect to get an expected average income of Rs 16,73,000 year (or roughly Rs 90k per month).
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