Skip to content

Aimlay

PhD in Astronomy

Astronomy is the scientific study of the universe and the objects that exist in the Earth’s atmosphere including Sun, Moon, Stars, Galaxy, Tiny Particles along with the Dark Matter. Throughout the careers of astronomers, their work is to present an undivided attention on their research work to find the answer to some of the darkest questions that remain unanswerable.  

A PhD in Astronomy is a doctoral program that focuses on the study of celestial bodies and related phenomena. The study of astronomy has captivated the imagination of many around the world, making it one of the most trending and demanding fields. Because the astronomy training emphasizes a good set of problem-solving skills, many of the researchers change their careers to the related field of study including aerospace, technology, public policy and related fields.  

In this blog, we will get to know in detail about PhD in Astronomy along with its eligibility, admission process, future careers, and much more. This is particularly helpful for individuals who want to work in and around the field of astrology. 

Table Of Content


PhD in Astronomy: Overview

Course LevelDoctorate
Course NameDoctor of Philosophy in Astronomy
Course LevelDoctorate
Course Duration3 – 5 years, depending on the university and research work
Admission EligibilityMaster’s degree in Astronomy, Physics, Space Science or related fields with an aggregate of 55% or above with an entrance exam.
Course FeeINR 50,000 – 3 lakhs
Top InstitutesIndian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Various IITs, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), IUCAA and much more.
SalaryINR 6 – 15 LPA
Job PositionsAstronomer, Astrophysicist, Observatory Scientist, Research Scientist, Space Scientist, Data Analyst and much more.
Entrance ExamsCSIR NET, UGC NET, GATE and other university-based entrances.
Recruiting SectorsResearch Institutes, Space Agencies like ISRO, NASA, Universities, Government Observatory, Private Aerospace Company and much more.

What is a PhD in Astronomy?

Astronomy is the study of the universe and the celestial body which is beyond the reach of humans. It relies on fixed laws and meticulous research methods which allows the researchers and scientists to make their accurate prediction on any field of study related to it. 

The duration of the course program is 3 – 5 years, depending on the university and research work. It is a fully research-based project work, while the projects may be theoretical or observational. Much of the research work now focuses on combining Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Machine Learning which are also one of the emerging fields sneaking up in every career. 

PhD in Astronomy: Eligibility Criteria 

PhD in Astronomy is a straight-forward career building course which provides an individual with an end-to-end opportunity. But first, an individual should be aware of the eligibility criteria and PhD in astronomy requirements. Mentioned below are the criteria. 

1.An individual should have a master’s degree in Astronomy, Physics, Astrophysics, Space Science or related fields scoring an aggregate of 55% or above from a recognized university. 

2.The individual must appear in the entrance exams scoring including CSIR NET, UGC NET, GATE or JEST, depending on the individual. Many of the universities conduct their own entrance tests to test an individual. 

3. A candidate who has appeared in the national-level entrances are exempted from university-based entrances.  

4. Some of the universities also take up interviews of some selected candidates and research proposal presentation.  

5. It is recommended that an individual should have a strong background in Mathematics and Physics along with research experience. It is not a mandatory requirement but could help individuals in understanding the concepts with ease. 

PhD in Astronomy: Admission Process

A PhD in Astronomy is a research-based degree requiring an individual to learn in-detail about the universe and the objects which exist beyond our reach. It consists of stars, moon, sun, galaxy, and other celestial bodies. PhD in Astronomy helps in finding new knowledge and innovations related to this field.  

Mentioned below are the admission process for a PhD in Astronomy. 

Step 1: Researching: An individual needs to research about the universities which provide a PhD in Astronomy. One needs to research various sub-fields including eligibility, admission process, faculty, curriculum and research guidelines to observe if they align with your interests. 

Step 2: Admission Form: Once an individual has selected universities of their own preference, the next step is to fill in the admission form. It is recommended that the admission form is filled with the original documents to avoid any errors. 

Step 3: Entrance Exam: Appearing in an entrance exam is very crucial for the final selection process. National-Level entrance exams include CSIR NET, UGC NET, GATE, or JEST that an individual can appear in. Many of the universities conduct their own entrances which an individual is exempted from if they have appeared in national exams. 

Step 4: Personal Interview: Based on the entrance exams and other eligibility criteria, an individual is selected for the final round, i.e., personal interview. For a personal interview, an individual needs to present their research proposal to the committee members who examine the research and how it aligns with the university’s guidelines. 

Step 5: Result Declaration: Once all the basic requirements are completed, an individual must then wait for 2-3 weeks for the result announcement. The results are usually announced on the website, and the candidates are sent an email as their rejection and selection to the program. 

Step 6: Document Verification and Fee Payment: The selected individuals receiving an “offer letter” would be asked to get their documents verified physically. Once the documents are verified, an individual needs to complete their fee payment for the semester. With this, an individual would be enrolled in a PhD in Astronomy. 

Research Trends in PhD in Astronomy 

Mentioned below are some of the research trends that an individual can use in their PhD in Astronomy. These can help you to be aware of the current trends while also using them in the near future. Mentioned below are some of the astronomy PhD programs. 

1 Dark Matter and Dark Energy Research: The mysteries of Dark Matter and Dark Energy attract everyone who knows about it. Research Scientists are actively engaging themselves to investigating their role in the expansion of the universe and galaxy through various models. PhD researchers can engage in simulations and data analysis from cosmic surveys including DESI and Euclid. 

2. Radio Astronomy and Pulsar Studies: Radio Telescopes like SKA are driving research into Pulsar, Fast Radio Bursts and Galactic Magnetic Fields. The studies provide insights into stellar evolution and extreme cosmic physics. Study for PhD researchers include developing noise filter techniques, mapping galactic structures and related fields. 

3. Gravitational Waves and High-Energy Astrophysics: With the detection of gravitational waves, it has opened a new observational window into the universe. Current research in this area focuses on neutron star mergers, black hole collisions and other cosmic events. PhD researchers can work on signal analysis methods or developing computational models to interpret these cosmic events. 

Some of the other research trends for PhD in Astronomy focus on Exoplanetary Studies & Habitability, Computational & Data Driven Astronomy, and Space Missions & Instrumentation Development.  

PhD in Astronomy: Career Scope and Salary in India 

A PhD in Astronomy is a degree that provides you with an abundance of career opportunities whether it is in the field of academia, research institutes, government observatory and much more. While getting in a career with a PhD is easy but it also depends on your work experience. An individual who is a fresher will be paid less than the one with experience.  

Mentioned below are some of the career scopes with PhD in Astronomy.  

Career ScopeDescriptionSalary
AstronomerThe work of an Astronomer is to conduct research on celestial objects, phenomena and space structures using observational and theoretical methods. They often work in universities, research centers, and observatories.INR 8 – 15 LPA
AstrophysicistAstrophysicists specialize in studying the physics of stars, galaxies, black holes and cosmologies. Astrophysicists are engaging in academic and government funded research projects.INR 7 – 14 LPA
Observatory ScientistObservatory Scientist manages telescope facilities, conducts sky surveys, and supports international collaborations on space research projects.INR 7 – 12 LPA
Space Scientist (ISRO/DRDO)A Space Scientist contributes to designing, testing and analyzing space mission data, spacecraft systems and astronomical instruments.INR 8 – 16 LPA

Conclusion

A PhD in Astronomy is a   which deals with universal and celestial bodies which are beyond the reach of humans. The duration of the course is 3 – 5, depending on the university and research work. An individual can work in different fields including astronomer, astrophysicist, research scientist, lecturer, data analyst and much more. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the subjects included in PhD in Criminal Law?

Some of the core subjects for the coursework in PhD in Criminal Law include Capital Punishment, Crime & Drugs, Crime Prevention, Sentencing, and much more.

When are the PhD admissions 2025 conducted for astronomy?

The PhD admission for 2025 astronomy is held twice a year, February and July. But some of the universities conduct their admissions all the time in a year.

Can I enroll myself in a fully funded PhD in astronomy? Is it possible?

Yes, full-funded PhD in Astronomy is possible in India as well as abroad. Many of the institutions including IUCAA, IAA, IISc, ISRO-supported programs offer stipends and fellowships to PhD candidates. Along with that, an individual also receives scholarship from fellowship programs conducted by CSIR NET, UGC NET, etc.

Is there an age limit to pursue a PhD in Astronomy?

No, there is no age limit to pursue a PhD in Astronomy. However, some of the fellowships and scholarships do have age restrictions.

What are the eligibility criteria for a PhD in Astronomy in India?

The eligibility criteria for a PhD in Astronomy in India is a master’s degree in a related field with an aggregate of 55% from a recognized university. Along with that, an individual should appear in the entrance exam.

What are some of the emerging fields that are now intersecting with a PhD in Astronomy?

Some of the emerging fields that are now intersecting with a PhD in Astronomy include Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Machine Learning.

Share this Article

Send Your Query

Leave a Reply

Connect with Aimlay
Enter Your Details
Enquire Now