What Is the Salary of a PhD Student?

PhD students in India can earn through fellowships, assistantships, and part-time academic work while pursuing their PhD course. The stipend or salary depends on the type of funding secured and the institution. 

The most common fellowship is the UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), awarded through the UGC NET. JRF fellows receive ₹31,000 per month for the first two years, rising to ₹35,000 as Senior Research Fellow (SRF) from the third year. CSIR JRF fellows in science disciplines receive the same rates. GATE scholars at IITs and NITs receive a minimum stipend of ₹12,400 per month, though many institutes pay more. 

Scholars enrolled through DRDO, DBT, DST, ICMR, or other government funding agencies may receive project-specific fellowships ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹54,000 per month depending on the project and designation. 

If you do not have a fellowship, many universities offer teaching assistantships to assist professors in labs or classes in exchange for ₹5,000 to ₹15,000 per month. 

After completing a PhD course, salaries improve significantly. An Assistant Professor at a central university starts at ₹57,700 per month under Pay Level 10 of the 7th Pay Commission, with HRA and other benefits on top. At IITs and IIMs, faculty salaries are considerably higher. 

In the private sector and research industry, PhD holders in Engineering, Data Science, Management, and Life Sciences can earn ₹8 to ₹25 LPA or more. MBA and PGDM holders who go on to complete a PhD and enter industry research roles frequently command top-end salaries in consulting, pharma, and technology firms. 

Aimlay can help you identify PhD programs that come with fellowship opportunities, so you can plan your finances before enrolling.