Doctoral Programmes at NIFT

The Scholars shall normally submit their thesis within a period of FOUR years, with the option of submitting in three years from the date of their initial registration for the PhD Programme. However, as a special case, this limit may be extended to a maximum of five years by the DG-NIFT after which the registration shall stand automatically cancelled. However, the scholar will not receive any financial assistance in this extended period.

The Scholars shall normally submit their thesis within a period of SIX years, with the option of submitting in four years from the date of their initial registration for the PhD Programme. However, as a special case, this limit may be extended to a maximum of seven years by the DG-NIFT after which the registration shall stand automatically cancelled.

NIFT offers financial support to the deserving scholars in the following capacity:​

1. NIFT Teaching Fellowship​
2. Project Fellowship working on sponsored projects/Industry Chair Fellowships (ICF)​
3. Sponsored by Public Sector Undertaking/a Government Department/ Research/Development Organization/ or a private industry or an Educational Institution.​​
4. Self-Financed, including those on Study Leave (SF)​

1. NIFT Teaching Fellowship (NTF)- The scholars under this category are entitled to financial support of ₹ 31,000/- per month for the first two years and ₹ 35,000/- per month for the next two years. On-campus housing will be provided to NTFs only if it is available. In case on-campus housing is not available, HRA of ₹ 7000/- pm. towards off-campus housing will be paid. Other than the Fellowship, a Contingency Amount of ₹ 20,000 per year shall be allocated to all NTF scholars on the recommendation of the concerned Supervisor after their yearly review. The NIFT teaching fellows will be present in NIFT campus as per rules and regulations of NIFT, for the duration of the PhD enrolment. The number of vacancies for the academic year 2024-25 PhD admission is 05 (Reservations will apply as per extant orders of Government of India).

The following criteria to be met by the NTF’s Scholars for getting/continuation of Teaching Fellowship:

1. Scholars concerned must assist in teaching or research, as assigned by the respective Academic Unit to the extent of 8 hours of work per week.
2. Satisfactory performance of the Research Scholar in Academic as well as other duties assigned by the Academic Unit.
3. The scholars should not be an employee on the rolls (with or without pay) of any organization.
4. They will provide proof of being relieved from their employment within 30 days from the date of declaration of final result or the date of commencement of Academic program whichever is earlier.

Teaching Fellowship will be awarded initially for one year and after an annual performance review of the scholar by the supervisor and SIAC-R, it may be renewed annually for a maximum period of 04 years. Under no circumstance the fellowship will be granted after completion of 04 years.

The fellowship to NTF shall stand terminated under the following conditions:

1. on completion of 04 years from date of initial registration,
2. The date of PhD viva-voce.
3. From the date of resignation of the NTF.

At the time of admission, fellows will be required to give an undertaking that they have applied for admission to PhD in NIFT under the NTF scheme and they are not employee on the rolls (with or without pay) of any organization or they will resign on the declaration of result. (Format-3).

2. Project Fellowship (PF) working on funded research projects/Industry Chair 

Fellowship (ICF)

A) Project Fellowship (PF)

1. Candidates working on Funded Research projects in NIFT shall also be eligible to register for PhD, with the due approval of the Principal Investigator. The leftover period of the project should not be less than 02 years at the time of application.
2. Special Projects Undertaken by NIFT or its SPVs which require research associates in area(s) in which the project is undertaken in case the project is terminated/ finished early the candidate may be transferred to the NIFT Teaching Fellowship category based on recommendation of SIAC-R and approval of DG. The admission procedure and other requirements for PFs in various projects/schemes in the institute who wish to enroll for the PhD Programme are the same as applicable to NTF. However, they will be paid Assistantship/fellowships as per the norms of the project and sanctioned amount and approved Project budget. Scholars who wish to be considered for the award of fellowships must specify this in the admissions form (1)

At the time of joining, fellows are required to give undertaking that they have applied for admission to PhD in NIFT under the specific scheme (Annexure 12B).

B) Industry Chair Fellowship (ICF)

NIFT constitutes Industry Chairs on a regular basis. A Chair at a University/institute is a framework for engaging a Professor who works in a specified area for objectives. Distinguished Academicians and experts from the Industry and R&D establishments or from other walks of life are carefully selected to occupy these Chairs. The institute expects to benefit from their expertise though their teaching, and leadership in research and development activities in areas identified jointly with the donors.

NIFT PhD applicants can apply specifically for ICF with the due approval of the Chair professor. The leftover period of the constituted Chair should not be less than 02 years at time of application. In case the Chair is terminated/ finished early the candidate may be transferred to the NIFT Teaching Fellowship category based on recommendation of SIAC-R and approval of DG.

The Scholars who have been admitted to the PhD program can apply for ICF, once they have completed their course work (Compulsory was well as selected course work).​ Scholars who wish to be considered for the award of ICF fellowships must specify this in the admission form. At the time of joining, fellows are required to give undertaking that they have applied for admission to PhD in NIFT under the specific scheme (Annexure 12B).​ Scholars should apply for extension on the prescribed proforma (Annexure 12C) at the beginning of each month for the release of payment of fellowship for the previous month.

The proforma has to be submitted to the concerned Chair Professor/Supervisor for recommendation based on the performance of the Scholar. The Chair Professor/Supervisor will then submit the same to the Campus Joint Director for the release of the fellowship.​ (It is to be noted that admission to the PhD programme and award of fellowships are not linked. Scholars who are not awarded fellowships can continue with the programme as self- financing Scholars.)

Only one source of fellowships /financial support can be availed by the Scholars at a given point of time. Failure to fulfill above requirements may lead to termination of the financial assistance/deregistration from the PhD programme. The scholars should not be employees on the rolls (with or without pay) of any organization.

3. Sponsored by Public Sector Undertaking/a Government Department/Research/Development Organisation/a private industry/an Educational Institution

An employee of a Public Sector Undertaking, a Government Department, a Research/Development Organization, or a private industry or an Educational Institution may be considered for admission as a sponsored full-time candidate. The sponsorship letter (Annexure 12D) will be required along with the application and a “No Objection Certificate” (Annexure 12F) at the time of admission.

4. Self-Financed, including those on Study Leave (SF)

This category refers to persons who are admitted through the usual admission procedure but are not eligible for financial support from the Institute. (Annexure 12E) If admitted, Self-financed candidates have to complete their programme within the prescribed time without any financial support from the Institute. This category also includes candidates who are released from Governmental or educational institutions on study leave for a period of at least two years.

If selected then, employer’s letter for study leave should be produced at the time of joining. Such applicants can apply for hostel accommodation on campus, if available, it may be provided on payment basis.

Step 1 - The completed application form has to be submitted along with an outline of Research Proposal in prescribed word limit as mentioned below. This Research Proposal is the most important part of the Application. It will be expected to clearly set out an appropriate set of issues to be explored through research. It should include an indication of the approach that the candidate intends to undertake during research (e.g. literature-based/empirical/experimental/practice-based research) and identify what is sought to be achieved as an outcome. The proposed research can be related to any previous work/studies carried out by the candidate.

All applications must be accompanied with the research proposal. The research proposal must include -Statement of topic of research (not more than 100 words)-focus of research, research problem it will address and contribution to knowledge the topic will make.

• Review of Literature (not more than 200 words).
• Overview of key research on the topic and gap in knowledge that the topic will address.
• Objectives of research.
• Research Methodology - Explain the research methods that you will employ to achieve the stated objectives and methodology for data collection and analysis.
• Expected Research Contribution to the field/industry.
• List of References.

All admission applications must be accompanied with the research proposal and be submitted with the consent of the NIFT PhD supervisor (Research Proposal format 1 and consent of NIFT PhD supervisor-format 2).

Step 2 - Written Test & Interview

The students who are shortlisted after step 1 will be called for the written test and personal interview. The written test and interview will examine the candidates’ communication skills, academic disposition, aptitude for research and research co-curricular activities (Subject Areas for written test are placed in the prospectus). The test shall be for two hours with descriptive/objective type questions.

The merit of candidates will be drawn up on the total score of written test.The names of qualifying candidates will be put up on NIFT website, who then have to appear for research proposal presentation and interview (as per the calendar of activities). Admission will be offered to the deserving candidates depending on the number of seats available for the academic year.

(The criteria could be changed by NIFT without prior notice. NIFT may put additional academic performance based short listing criteria. Depending on the number of applications received and considering the constraints of time and other resources for conducting Written Test and Interview).

NIFT will not provide travel and accommodation facilities for applicants appearing for the written test and interview. Candidates must bear all expenses for their travel and accommodation.

Exemptions from Written Test

• Master's Degree holders with minimum 10 years of professional experience (teaching/ working) in the areas of research relevant to NIFT.
• Master's Degree holders who have minimum 10 years of experience and have cleared and hold a valid score UGC NET, CEED, CSIR (JRF) similar tests.​ Applicants meeting the above criteria will be exempted from written test.

Marksheets of class X, XII, Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree (if applicable), Scanned Copies of Degree-Bachelor’s, Master’s (if applicable), work experience certificate(s) on employer letterhead (if applicable), must be uploaded along with application form.

Note:- *These dates are tentative. Notification with final dates will be published on NIFT website i.e. www.nift.ac.in. Admit cards, results and seat allocation schedule will be available on NIFTs website only. No separate communication will be sent by post. Candidates to check website regularly for updates.