A PhD in Electrical Engineering is a course that leads to a doctorate degree. The program lasts a minimum of two years (three years for external candidates) and a maximum of five to six years from the date of registration. In general, the course syllabus entails investigating new technologies in the fields of electric machines, semiconductors and diodes, and electric circuits, among others.
Students with a PhD in Electrical Engineering are well-versed in all aspects of electronics and electromagnetics. You’ll also learn about advanced VLSI, circuits, images and vision, communications, networks, information theory, microwave antennas, and other topics. Furthermore, this course thoroughly examines and researches digital signal processing as well as electromagnetics.
Samsung Electronics, Bajaj Auto, Google, Zydus Cadila Group, Cactus Communications, and others are among the top recruiting firms.
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PhD Electrical Engineering: An Overview
The major details and highlights of the PhD Electrical Engineering program are listed below.
| Level of Course | Doctorate |
| Also referred as | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering |
| Duration of Course | 3 years |
| Type of Examination | Semester wise |
| Eligibility Criteria | Post graduation in Electrical or Electronics stream with more than 55% marks. |
| Process of Admission | GATE, UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR-NET |
| Fee for the Course | INR 20,000 – INR 3,00,000 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 4,00,000 – INR 20,00,000 |
| Top Employing Firms | Samsung Electronics, Bajaj, Google, Zydus Cadila group, Cactus Communications, etc. |
| Positions of Job | Electrical Engineer, Application Engineer, Sales Engineer, System Engineer, etc |
PhD Electrical Engineering Eligibility
- Candidates must have a post-graduate degree in electronics, electrical engineering, or a related field with a grade point average of at least 55 percent.
- Some colleges, such as IITs, require 65 percent marks at the postgraduate level.
- At both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, there should be no backlog in any subject.
- Colleges and universities require students to pass an entrance exam and a personal interview.
PhD Electrical Engineering Syllabus
A PhD in electrical engineering takes three years to complete. Each year is divided into two semesters. Exams are held twice a year, semester by semester. The PhD in Electrical Engineering has a semester-wise syllabus.
| First Semester | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| Applied Science | Applied Mathematics II |
| Applied Mathematics I | English Communication |
| Mechanical Engineering Sciences | Electrical Circuits |
| Elements of Electrical Engineering | Electronics I |
| Applied Science Lab | Computer Aided Engineering |
| Electrical Writing Lab | Electrical Circuit Technology |
| Basic Computer Skills | Electronics Lab |
| Third Semester | Fourth Semester |
| Electrical Machines I | Electrical Machines II |
| Computer Networks | Electrical Power Generation |
| Electrical Measurements | Transmission |
| Electronics II | Power Electronics |
| Electrical Measurements Lab | Electrical Machines Lab |
| Electronics Lab II | Power Electronics Lab |
| Computer Aided Electrical Drawing | — |
| Fifth Semester | Sixth Semester |
| Estimation Specification | Industrial Drives |
| Switchgear Protection | Utilization of Electrical Energy |
| Embedded Systems | Basic Management Skills |
| Electrical Workshop | PLC |
| CASP | Project Work II |
| Project Work 1 | Industrial Visit |
PhD Electrical Engineering Admission Procedure
- For final selection, most colleges and universities use entrance exams and personal interviews.
- Top colleges, such as IIT Bombay and others, administer a written test after shortlisting some candidates based on entrance exam scores.
- Some colleges and universities choose students based on their post-secondary grades.
- The qualifying examination has a minimum grade requirement of 55 percent to 65 percent.
- Direct admission is also available after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in electrical or electronic engineering.
- For direct admission after graduation, the candidate must have commendable research experience and a graduation GPA of at least 75 percent (7.5 GPA).
Admission based on Entrance
The majority of colleges and universities admit PhD electrical engineering students based on entrance exams such as GATE, UGC-NET, and CSIR-UGC-NET.
The stepwise procedure followed is discussed below.
- Step 1: Students must first register on the university’s official website.
- Step 2: Following the examination, the site will post a cutoff list. Candidates will be assigned seats based on their entrance exam scores.
- Step 3: For final selection, some colleges conduct personal interviews and written tests.
- Step 4: If a student is found to be eligible, he or she will be offered admission.
Based on merit
A few colleges admit students to this program based on their performance on the qualifying exam. Below is a step-by-step guide to the admissions process.
- Step 1: Students must complete an online application form in accordance with their eligibility.
- Step 2: The college’s official website will post the cutoff list.
- Step 3: Students will be called for a Personal Interview Round, during which they will be asked numerous subject-related questions.
- Step 4: Candidates who have been shortlisted will be offered admission to the course.
PhD in Electrical Engineering: Focus Areas
- Electrical Machines, Electromagnetism and Electromagnetic Devices, Generators, Motors, Electric Circuits, and other topics are covered in the PhD Electrical Engineering course.
- Students will learn how to create new electric circuits and improve the quality of electronic devices so that they can perform better in this course.
- Resistors, capacitors, transistors, inductors, semiconductors, LEDs, and other components will be used.
- This program allows you to collaborate with well-known researchers in fields such as image and video processing, wireless communications, and more.
- Students conduct research in one of these areas and attempt to design new gadgets and circuits as a result of their findings.
- The research paper must be submitted for evaluation at the end of the course.
PhD Electrical Engineering: Preparation Plan
- Candidates should be familiar with the fundamentals of topics covered in electrical engineering, electronics, and related fields.
- They should be familiar with the entire UG and PG Electrical Engineering syllabus in order to answer any subject-related questions.
- Create a study plan based on the previous year’s paper that will allow you to cover the syllabus and revise it effectively.
- Try and solve as many sample question papers and practice tests as you can. This will undoubtedly be advantageous because students will be able to assess the question pattern as well as their time management abilities.
- Make a list of all the important topics from the previous year’s papers and allot enough time for each one.
- Candidates must have an outstanding academic record in order to secure a spot in a good college for a PhD in Electrical Engineering.
- Keep an eye out for updates on eligibility, cut-offs, selection criteria, admissions, application procedures, and other information that will help you prepare better.
- GATE 2020 has a 33.4 cutoff for electrical engineering papers and a 28.8 cutoff for electronics and communication engineering papers.
- In Papers 1 and 2 of the UGC NET, the qualifying cut-off marks for the general category are 40%, with a 5% relaxation for reserved categories.
- Candidates should devote time and effort to the entrance exam and be prepared for a personal interview.
- They should be well-versed in their research topic so that their research idea can impress the interview panel.
PhD Electrical Engineering: Important Documents Required
- Research Proposal
- passing/degree certificate of the last qualifying degree examination.
- Documentary proof of the date of birth
- A character certificate (from the head of the institute from which the student has obtained his qualifying degree)
- Mark-list of the last qualifying degree examination
- Gap certificate (if applicable)
- Migration Certificate (No objection certificate from the university last attended)
Students should be aware that if the aforementioned certificates are not attached to their application, their application will not be taken into account for admission.
PhD Electrical Engineering: Important Entrance Exams
The majority of colleges and universities use entrance exams to determine who gets into the PhD Electrical Engineering program. Below are brief descriptions of some of the most popular entrance exams.
- GATE: The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, or GATE, is an entrance exam administered by the Indian Institute of Technology Council for admission to postgraduate and doctoral engineering programs. The exam is primarily based on topics covered in undergraduate courses.
- UGC-NET: This exam is administered by the National Testing Agency on behalf of the University Grants Commission. Admission to the various doctorate-level courses is granted to qualified candidates. This test is also used to determine whether or not a candidate is eligible for a JRF or Assistant Professor position in colleges and universities.
PhD in Electrical Engineering: Top Institutes
PhD programs in Electrical Engineering are available at all of the major engineering and technology institutes, including IITs, NITs, and IIITs. According to the NIRF Engineering Ranking 2020, we have listed some of the top colleges that offer this course in the table below.
| Institute Name | Place | Average Fees (Annually) |
|---|---|---|
| IIT Madras | Chennai | INR 19,670 |
| IIT Delhi | Delhi | INR 42,900 |
| IIT Bombay | Mumbai | INR 73,000 |
| IIT Kanpur | Kanpur | INR 64,050 |
| IIT Hyderabad | Hyderabad | INR 25,095 |
| IIT Indore | Indore | INR 70,900 |
| IIT BHU | Varanasi | INR 46,815 |
| NIT Rourkela | Rourkela | INR 51,500 |
| Institute of Chemical Technology | Mumbai | INR 64,500 |
| NIT Warangal | Warangal | INR 47,000 |
PhD Electrical Engineering: Important Book Recommendations
Here is a list of some well-known books, along with their authors, that every PhD electrical engineering student should read.
| Name of the Book | Name of the Author |
|---|---|
| Network Analysis | M.E. Van Valkenburg. |
| Electrical Machines | Stephen J Chapman. |
| Power System Analysis | Grainer and Stevenson |
| Control Systems Engineering | Norman S. Nise |
| Power Electronics | Ned Mohan, Undeland and Robbins. |
PhD Electrical Engineering: Suitable Candidates
- The course is open to anyone who is willing to accept challenges with all of the tools and knowledge necessary to succeed in such a job.
- Applicants should also have a natural affinity for practical and technical work, as well as excellent problem-solving skills, the ability to complete detailed and precise work, the ability to lead others, and the ability to work under pressure.
- They should also have excellent mathematical, scientific, and IT skills, as well as the ability to produce and interpret accurate drawings, analyze complex problems, evaluate potential solutions, and clearly explain design concepts.
PhD Electrical Engineering and PhD Electronics and Communication Engineering: Key Differences
The PhD Electrical Engineering program is compared to the PhD Electronics and Communication Engineering programs in the table below. In many ways, electrical engineering and electronics and communication engineering are similar, but they also have significant differences. The table below summarizes the major differences.
| Basis of Comparison | PhD Electrical Engineering | PhD Electronics and Communication Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Highlight | PhD Electrical Engineering is concerned with the study of all aspects of the electrical world, including AC and DC machines, networks, and circuits, as well as semiconductors, diodes, and electrical products. | Electronic Gadgets, Semiconductors, and Diodes, among other topics, are studied in depth in PhD Electronics and Communication Engineering. |
| Duration of Course | 3 years | 3 years |
| Eligibility Criteria | Masters degree in Electrical or Electronics with more than 55% marks. | Masters degree in Electronics with more than 55% marks. |
| Process of Admission | GATE, UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR-NET | GATE, UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR-NET |
| Top Institutes | IIT Bombay, IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, among others. | NIT Trichy, NIT Rourkela, IIT Bhubaneswar, among others. |
| Average Annual fees | INR 20,000 – INR 3,00,000 | INR 50,000 – INR 5,00,000 |
| Roles of Job | Electrical Engineer, Application Engineer, Sales Engineer, System Engineer, etc. | Computer Architect, Product Engineer, Communication Engineer, Network Engineer, etc. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 4,00,000 to INR 20,00,000 | INR 8,00,000 to INR 30,00,000 |
PhD Electrical Engineering: Top Foreign Institutes
Doctoral degrees in Electrical Engineering are available from a variety of universities around the world. When looking for a university to attend for this course, look into the research opportunities and academic faculty who will be guiding you throughout your degree to ensure that you get the most out of it. The following are some of the most well-known universities that offer PhD programs in Electrical Engineering:
- The University of Waterloo
- Curtin University
- The University of Tennessee
- RMIT University
- Northwestern University
- The University of Glasgow
- The University of Florida
- The University of Dayton
- The University of Strathclyde
- University of Canterbury
- The University of Exeter
- The University of New South Wales
PhD Electrical Engineering: A Comparison among Institutes
By comparing colleges and universities, students can gain admission to the best ones. They can judge or compare these colleges using the following criteria: overview, cities, average fees, average salary, and company recruiting. Below is a table that compares three prestigious colleges that offer PhD Electrical Engineering programs.
| Basis of Comparison | IIT Delhi | Chandigarh University | IIT Bombay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highlight | IIT Delhi (IIT D) offers a B.Tech program with 12 specializations, an M.Tech program with 38 specializations, an M.Sc program with five specializations, an MBA program with three specializations, and a PhD program with 23 disciplines. M.Design and M.S. (Research) programs are also available. The application process for all of the institute’s exams is done online. | Chandigarh University is a Chandigarh-based private university. In the year 2012, it was founded. CU offers a variety of courses in areas such as engineering, management, science, the arts, and commerce. It is one of NIRF’s most recent university rankings. | In the year 1958, IIT Bombay (IIT B) was founded. It is one of India’s most prestigious engineering colleges, with accolades from all over the world. For several years, NIRF has consistently ranked it among India’s top three engineering colleges. |
| Place | Delhi | Chandigarh | Mumbai |
| Ranking by NIRF | 2 | 84 | 3 |
| Average Fees (Annually) | INR 34,900 | INR 85,000 | INR 73,000 |
| Average Salary Per Annum | INR 16,00,000 | INR 12,00,000 | INR 20,34,000 |
| Top Hiring Firms | Flipkart, Uber, Microsoft, Saavn, Amazon, Zomato, etc. | IGATE, NIIT, HP Global, TAFE, etc. | Apple, Tata steel, ITC, CAIRN, IBM, etc. |
PhD in Electrical Engineering: Areas of Specialization
A PhD in Electrical Engineering and related specializations are available in a variety of course formats around the world, including:
| PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering- Advanced Electrical Systems | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Electronic Engineering | PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering- Centre for Microsystems and Photonics |
| PhD in Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering | PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering- Centre for Intelligent Dynamic Communications | PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering- Wind Energy and Control |
| PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering- High Voltage Technologies and Electrical Plant Diagnostics | PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering- Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering | Doctor of Philosophy in Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering | PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering- Power Electronics, Drives and Energy Conversion | Doctor of Philosophy (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) |
PhD Electrical Engineering and PhD Mechanical Engineering: Key Differences
Students can compare the two courses based on criteria such as duration, eligibility, admissions process, top colleges, average fees and salaries, and job roles.For your convenience, the following information is provided:
| Basis of Comparison | PhD Electrical Engineering | PhD Mechanical Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Highlight | PhD Electrical Engineering is concerned with the study of all aspects of the electrical world, including AC and DC machines, networks, and circuits, as well as semiconductors, diodes, and electrical products. | PhD mechanical engineering studies topics such as Engineering Physics, Fluid Mechanics, and Thermodynamics, among others. It improves and maintains mechanical machines and systems by applying mathematics and material science principles. |
| Duration of Course | 3 years | 3 years |
| Eligibility Criteria | Master’s degree in Electrical or Electronics with more than 55% marks. | Master’s degree in Mechanical with minimum 65% marks. |
| Process of Admission | GATE, UGC-NET, CSIR-UGC-NET | GATE, UGC-NET, CSIR-UGC-NET |
| Top Institutes | IIT Bombay, IIT Kanpur, IITM, IIT Delhi etc. | Andhra university, Techno India University, Manipal University, etc. |
PhD Electrical Engineering: Top IITs
Admission to the PhD program in electrical engineering is determined by the results of entrance exams. GATE, UGC-NET, CSIR-UGC-NET, and others are some of the most popular entrance exams. A PhD in Electrical Engineering is offered by almost all engineering colleges in India.
| Ranking by NIRF | Institute Name | Process of Admission | Average Fees (Annually) | Average Annual Salary |
| 1 | IIT Madras | Entrance Exam followed up by Interview | INR 19,670 | INR 16,10,000 |
| 2 | IIT Delhi | Entrance Exam followed up by Interview | INR 42,900 | INR 16,00,000 |
| 3 | IIT Bombay | Entrance Exam followed up by Interview | INR 73,000 | INR 20,34,000 |
| 4 | IIT Kanpur | Entrance Exam followed up by Interview | INR 64,050 | INR 15,80,000 |
| 5 | IIT Hyderabad | Entrance Exam followed up by Interview | INR 25,095 | INR 18,00,000 |
PhD Electrical Engineering: Top Job Profiles
PhD Electrical Engineering candidates have a variety of career options.They can work as an Electrical Engineer, an Electro Mechanical Engineer, or a Sales Engineer, among other positions.Electrical Engineers are frequently hired by companies such as WIPRO, ABB, and Coal India Limited.
Some of the jobs available to PhD Electrical Engineering candidates are listed below.
| Profiles of Job | Job Role | Average Salary Per Annum |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Engineer | Sales engineers work in a variety of settings, including retail and non-retail. They are in charge of overseeing sales activities. | INR 4,49,000 |
| Computer Architects | Computer Architects are in charge of developing and designing computer hardware and software. | INR 3,50,000 |
| Electrical Engineers | Electrical engineers are in charge of resolving electrical issues as well as troubleshooting circuit and system issues. | INR 3,40,000 |
| Project Manager | Project managers oversee and organize all aspects of a project to ensure that the company’s objectives are met. | INR 8,00,000 |
| Applications Engineer | The Applications Engineer is in charge of designing and developing consumer-oriented software applications. | INR 5,48,000 |
| Research and Development Officer | A company’s Research and Development division is led by a Research and Development Officer. They are in charge of every new research project and every new product that the company develops. | INR 11,93,000 |
| Systems Engineer | Systems Engineers are in charge of maintaining an organization’s hardware and software systems. | INR 3,83,000 |
PhD Electrical Engineering: Benefits and Scope
- Students will benefit from the course if they want to work in industry, research institutions, universities, or government agencies doing research or teaching.
- A doctorate degree allows you to keep up with the ever-expanding frontiers of knowledge and provides research training that is relevant to the country’s current social and economic goals.
- The degree qualifies a person to open their own business/workshop that manufactures, assembles, or repairs electrical goods, parts, and components.
- The most significant benefit of a PhD in electrical engineering is that it allows you to gain experience in conducting detailed research.
- Your Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees are designed to teach you how to learn new things, conduct experiments, report data, and learn from your mistakes, whereas a PhD teaches you how to discover new things, conduct experiments, report data, and learn from your mistakes.
- Candidates work on a wide range of electronic projects during this course, including computers, cell phones, semiconductors, diodes, motors, generators, AC and DC machines, robots, and so on.
- Candidates can work in corporate houses, teach, or conduct research after completing the course.
- They can also conduct their own research and learn about new electronic devices.
- These individuals can also launch their own businesses and become entrepreneurs.
FAQs
No, because they are diametrically opposed to one another. You must make a decision about what you want to do. Choose a PhD if you are prepared to invest several years.
No, contacting members isn’t necessary because the admissions committee makes the final decision. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you want to meet other people.
They can pursue careers in the following fields:
Systems engineer
A network design engineer
Senior electrical engineer
Test engineer
Application engineer
Even if you already have a master’s degree, a part-time PhD means you can finish your degree in six to eight years. You’ll study and earn academic credits in the same way that full-time students do.
Part-time PhDs are better than full-time PhDs because you can learn and study while working.
Yes, 4-year courses are available at some colleges and universities. Aside from that, it’s a three-year program. If you choose part-time, you may be able to finish it in 6–8 years.
This course will help us improve our problem-solving abilities, persuasion skills, and experiment lab skills. This subject helps you become more creative.
No, getting into top universities is not difficult; you simply need to obtain a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and meet the college’s eligibility requirements. It is sometimes contingent on the results of your entrance exam. You will get into a good college if you are aware of the proper syllabus.
To become a better electrical engineer, you’ll need the following skills: the ability to be creative and think outside the box, learning new ways of thinking, experimental lab skills, and so on.