PhD in Anthropology is a doctorate course. It has a minimum duration of 2 years and a maximum duration of 6 years. The course is available at some of the most prestigious institutes of India like Sikkim University, Ranchi University, University of Delhi, Punjab University, Amity Institute of Anthropology and many more.
PhD in Anthropology course deals with social, cultural and biological anthropology. It talks about the contributions of all the social reformers.
Some of the subjects which are taught to the students are Paradigms in social-cultural anthropology, Contributions of social reformers and thinkers to Indian society and culture, Research methodology, etc.
In order to stand eligible for this course, the students must complete their master’s degree in Philosophy from a reputed institute. Some institutes also accept postgraduate students from other disciplines. Admission is done either on the basis of the marks acquired by the candidates in their post-graduation or on the basis of entrance test results.
Here are some of the top colleges from where you can pursue the anthropology doctorate course.
| NIRF Ranking | College Name | Admission Process | Average Fee (First Year) | Average Salary |
| 15 | University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad | Entrance Test | INR 8,980 | INR 6-7 LPA |
| 63 | Amity University, Noida | Entrance Test | INR 1,00,000 | INR 4.5 LPA |
| 81 | Pondicherry University, Pondicherry | Entrance Test | INR 36,283 | INR 4 LPA |
| Unranked | Utkal University, Bhubaneswar | Entrance Test | INR 9,500 | INR 5.5 LPA |
| Unranked | Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi | Entrance Test | INR 16,800 | INR 4 LPA |
The average tuition fee of the PhD in Anthropology course is INR 7,000 to INR 1,30,000. After completing the course, the candidates may acquire jobs in anthropology museums, colleges/universities, heritage management companies and so on.
Few of the popular job positions include clinical psychologist, research scientist, associate professor, etc. The average starting salary of a PhD in Anthropology candidate is INR 7-8 LPA.
PhD in Anthropology: Course Highlights
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Full-form | Doctorate of Philosophy in Anthropology |
| Duration | 2-6 years |
| Eligibility | Master degree in Philosophy or any other subjects. |
| Admission Process | Direct Admission or on the basis of Entrance test. |
| Course Fee | INR 7,000 to INR 1,30,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 7-8 LPA |
| Job Positions | Research scientist, clinical psychologist, technical director, assistant professor, general manager. |
| Top Recruiting Areas | Museums, educational institutes, administrative departments, conservative centers, etc. |
PhD in Anthropology: What is it about?
Anthropology is one such discipline that has always been really popular in India. Let us see what the Ph.D. in Anthropology course is all about.
- Ph.D. in Anthropology deals with the paradigms of social, cultural and biological anthropology. It also focuses on the immense contributions of the Indian anthropologists.
- The candidates also examine the role of the social thinkers and the reformers in bringing about various reforms in the country. The students are also educated about the various social movements which took place in the country from time to time.
- The course explores everything that is happening around us and gives us a better perspective of the world which was earlier lacking in the students.
- The knowledge obtained from the Ph.D. in Anthropology course can help the students to carry out research and fieldwork in various topics related to Anthropology. They may come up with new ideas that may benefit society at large.
- Some of the important topics covered in the Ph.D. in Anthropology course are Research ethics, Paradigms in biological anthropology, Overview of National health problems in India, etc.
Why Ph.D. in Anthropology?
Ph.D. in Anthropology is a very prosperous course and can give you excellent career options. Here we have pointed out a few important reasons regarding why you should go for a PhD in Anthropology course:
- PhD in Anthropology is an excellent course to explore your own ideas and think about new strategies to bring about social reforms in the country.
- This course largely benefits the educational sector of the country and gives the students the opportunity to engage themselves in research activities.
- The Ph.D. in Anthropology course also helps the students to develop a deep understanding of the various paradigms of the society. This further enables them to come up with ideas to aid society.
- The PhD in Anthropology candidates may be recruited in various sectors like educational institutes, research organizations, technology firms and many more.
- The students work as a general manager, sales promotion manager, curator, business development manager, researcher and many more. The average salary offered to them is INR 7-8 LPA.
- The students may also open up ventures of their own or conduct research activities in their field of interest. There are various research labs in India which employ PhD in Anthropology students.
What is the PhD Anthropology Admission Process?
The various stages of the admission process may differ from college to college. In most colleges, the students who fulfill the eligibility criteria are admitted based on their performance in the entrance test. However, in some colleges, direct admissions are done based on the marks scored by a candidate in the entrance test.
The applications can be filled up both physically as well as online methods. Some colleges also conduct an interview process. The students must positively submit their application form prior to the last date. Only then will they be considered for the admission process.
PhD in Anthropology: Direct Admission
There are numerous colleges that grant direct admission to the aspirants based on their Master’s merit. Here is what you need to do to grab a direct admission in a college that is providing PhD in Anthropology.
Step 1: Fill The Application Form
The students must fill up their application form in physical or in online mode. All the details must be filled in extremely carefully.
Step 2: Appear for The Interview
An interview may be conducted in some colleges. Your performance in the interview will determine whether you will be shortlisted for admission.
Step 3: Admission to The College
Once you get shortlisted by the college, you will be allowed to take admission. For that, you need to submit the admission fee and other required documents.
Ph.D. in Anthropology Admission Process: Entrance Test
Step 1: Fill The Application Form
You will get the admission form from the college campus itself. You will also be able to submit the application form in online mode.
Step 2: Appear for The Entrance Test
After you submit your application form, you will have to sit for the entrance test. The pattern of the entrance test may vary from college to college.
Step 3: Admission to the college
If you clear the cut-off of the entrance test, you will be able to take admission to the college of your choice. For that, you will have to submit all the documents required for admission and also pay the admission fee.
What is the PhD in Anthropology Eligibility Criteria?
The PhD in Anthropology candidates must fulfil certain eligibility criteria. Only then will they be able to seek admission to a particular college. The eligibility criteria have been discussed below:
- The candidates need to finish their post-graduation in Philosophy. Some colleges also accept candidates who have completed their master degree in any other discipline.
- The students must also clear the cut-off of certain entrance tests like the National Entrance Test (NET). Various other entrance tests are conducted from time to time.
- The candidates must have at least 50% marks in their graduation and post-graduation. The minimum marks requirement may differ for the SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates.
What are the Types of Ph.D. in Anthropology Entrance Exam Held Across India?
Many Universities conduct entrance tests for admitting Ph.D. in Anthropology students. The examination pattern may vary depending on the conducting board. The examination forms are released shortly after the post-graduPh.D.on the results are declared. Here, we have listed a few of the top PhD in Anthropology entrance exams in India:
- UGC NET: UGC NET is the primary entrance examination for admission to the various Ph.D. institutes of the country. The examination is conducted in online mode and the total time for the same is 3 hours.
- UGC CSIR NET: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – National Eligibility Test is also an entrance test for the PhD students. The examination is conducted in offline mode and it is held twice every year.
-
GATE: Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering is the main entrance test for the graduate engineering students. You can sit for the examination in February. It is conducted by IISc and the top IITs of the country.
-
JNU PhD Entrance Exam: Jawaharlal Nehru University conducts an entrance test for PhD students. It is a 3-hour online test and is generally held in the month of June.
| Entrance Test | Mode of Examination | Date of Application | Date of Examination |
|---|---|---|---|
| UGC NET | Online |
To be Announced |
To be Announced |
| UGC CSIR NET | Offline |
April 30 – May 30, 2022 |
July 9 – July 12, 2022, and August 12 – August 14, 2022 |
| GATE | Online | August 30, 2022 – October 7, 2022 | February 4, 5, 11 and 12, 2023 |
| JNUEE | Online |
October 31 – November 20, 2022 |
December 07 to December 10, 2022 |
How to Prepare for The PhD In Anthropology Entrance Test?
To ace the PhD in Anthropology entrance test, you must be well-prepared. Otherwise, you may not be able to get admitted to the college of your choice. Here are a few tips to prepare well for the examination:
- You must be familiar with all the basics of Anthropology. For that, you can go through the books written by popular authors.
- Most of the questions in the entrance test will be asked from your post-graduation syllabus. So, you should have a really good grasp of the topics covered in your post-graduation.
- Get to know your syllabus thoroughly. Download the syllabus from the official website of the university and go through it carefully so that you do not miss out any important topic.
- Design a proper study plan for yourself. In that way, you will be able to complete the syllabus and also have sufficient time left for revision.
- You should be well accustomed to the examination pattern. This will definitely increase your confidence level and help you to secure a very good score in the examination.
- Practicing previous year’s question papers and sample papers will give you an advantage as you will be familiar with the type of questions that are frequently asked in the examination.
You can find practice papers for UGC NET, UGC CSIR NET, GATE, DUET, JNUEE, etc. Go through the practice papers of the exams and start solving them as many times as possible to secure promising marks.
What are Important PhD In Anthropology Course books to follow?
If you wish to get a very good result in your PhD in Anthropology, you must go through the popular books in the subjects. Here are a few important books for the PhD in Anthropology students:
- Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies (Paperback) by Jared Diamond
- Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (Paperback) by Yuval Noah Harari
- The Interpretation of Cultures (Paperback) by Clifford Geertz
How to get Admission in a Good College?
Getting admitted to one of the top colleges in India is quite a challenge. There are several things that you need to keep in mind if you wish to be a part of any of the prestigious institutes of the country. Here are a few tips for you:
- You must have excellent academic records in your graduation and post-graduation. This will help you to fulfil the eligibility criteria of any of the top institutes of the country.
- If your college or university conducts an entrance test, then you must perform really well in the entrance test so that you are able to clear the cut-off of the examination.
- Check out the course curriculum offered by the institute. The course curriculum is really important for a bright career. See whether the subjects offered by the college matches your field of interest.
- Always check the internet for important details like the last date of submission of the application form, number of vacancies, date of entrance test, etc. You can also check the official website of the university for that purpose.
- Check out the average placement CTC offered by the institute you wish to be a part of.
- Also, you need to be careful while filling up the online application form. Carefully read the guidelines before filling up the form. Try to avoid any kind of mistake. Otherwise, your application form may get cancelled.
Which are the PhD in Anthropology Top Colleges
PhD is taught in a number of universities in India. The average fee for pursuing the course can be anywhere between INR 8000- INR 10,0000 depending on the university. Here, we have mentioned some of the best PhD in Anthropology colleges as per NIRF ranking:
| NIRF Ranking | College Name | City | Average First-Year Fee | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad | Hyderabad | INR 8,980 | INR 6-7 LPA |
| 36 | Andhra University | Visakhapatnam | INR 10,000 | INR 3.5 LPA |
| 63 | Amity University, Noida | Noida | INR 1,00,000 | INR 4.5 LPA |
| 74 | North-Eastern Hill University | Shillong | INR 13,350 | INR 6.5 LPA |
| 81 | Pondicherry University, Pondicherry | Pondicherry | INR 36,283 | INR 4 LPA |
| Unranked | Utkal University, Bhubaneswar | Bhubaneswar | INR 9,500 | INR 5.5 LPA |
| Unranked | Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi | New Delhi | INR 16,800 | INR 4 LPA |
| Unranked | Nagaland University | Zunheboto | INR 30,290 | INR 4 LPA |
| Unranked | University of Rajasthan | Jaipur | INR 40,215 | INR 4-5 LPA |
| Unranked | Shivaji University | Kolhapur | INR 16,374 | INR 5 LPA |
Best PhD in Anthropology College/University Comparison
Out of all the PhD in Anthropology colleges in India, we have drawn a comparison between the top three colleges. All these three colleges have been picked based on their overall rating, and feedback:
| College/ University Name | University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad | Amity University, Noida | Pondicherry University, Pondicherry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | University of Hyderabad was founded in 1974 and it is one of the premier postgraduate institutions of the country. | Amity University is a very reputed private university of India. It accepts students on the basis of their Amity JEE score. | Pondicherry University was established in 1985 and it offers a wide range of postgraduate and doctorate courses to its students. |
| Location | Hyderabad | Noida | Pondicherry |
| NIRF Ranking | 15 | 63 | 81 |
| Average Fees | INR 8,980 | INR 1,00,000 | INR 36,283 |
| Eligibility | Masters in any discipline | Masters in any discipline | Masters in any discipline |
| Admission Process | Entrance test | Entrance test | Entrance test |
| Average CTC | INR 6-7 LPA | INR 4.5 LPA | INR 4 LPA |
| Top Recruiting Company | Amazon, Oracle, Cisco, Cognizant, IBM | SAP, Wipro, Accenture, Amazon, Cognizant. | Oracle, IBM, Wipro, Infosys, TCS, Amazon |
What is the PhD in Anthropology Syllabus?
The PhD in Anthropology is just one semester long. This includes 4 compulsory papers and 4 optional papers. Here is all you need to know about the syllabus.
Compulsory Papers
| Topics | Subtopics |
|---|---|
| Research methodology in anthropology | Research process: an overview, Recent approaches, Scientific writing skills, Quantitative methods, Qualitative methods, Software |
| Theoretical and methodical approaches in anthropology | Paradigms in social-cultural anthropology, Research ethics, Unit of contributions of Indian anthropologists, Paradigms in biological anthropology, Contributions of social reformers and thinkers to Indian society and culture |
| Fieldwork, internships, and assignments |
Optional Papers
| Topics | Subtopics |
|---|---|
| Advances in medical anthropology | New theoretical paradigms in medical anthropology, Policy and advocacy, Culture and medicine, International health, Recent Health Initiatives, Overview of National health problems in India, Research methodology |
| Perspectives in Social-cultural anthropology | Social-cultural anthropology: an overview, Social and cultural change in India, Marriage, family and kinship: emerging trends, Dominant processes of Socio-cultural change in India, Religious and popular cults in India. |
| Perspectives in Development Anthropology | Origins and approaches in Anthropology of development, Agencies of development, Perspectives on developments, Development: the Indian case Development planning |
| Advances in Biological anthropology | Current research problems and challenges in the biological anthropology of South Asia, Human biological variation: anthropometric and genetic studies, Nutrition education and community nutrition |
Course Comparison PhD in Anthropology vs PhD in Archaeology
The curriculum of PhD in Anthropology is quite similar to PhD in Archaeology. Even though both the courses are focused on research of the past, the research type is what sets them apart. Archaeology is focused on finding physical evidence of the past, whereas, Anthropology focuses on how things have changed over the years and what caused them to change.
To help you understand the difference better, here we have compared the two courses:
PhD in Anthropology vs PhD in Archaeology
| Parameters | PhD in Anthropology | PhD in Archaeology |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Doctorate in Anthropology | Doctorate in Archaeology |
| Course Overview | PhD in Anthropology mostly deals with various social reforms and the social reformers who are responsible for bringing about constructive changes in the society. | PhD in Archaeology mainly focuses on the historical monuments of the country. The course makes the students aware of the past civilizations of India. |
| Eligibility | Masters in Philosophy or similar subjects | Masters in any discipline |
| Admission Process | Direct admission or entrance test | Direct admission or entrance test. |
| Average Fee | INR 7,000 to INR 1,30,000 per year | INR 6,000- INR 70,000 per year |
| Average Salary | 7-8 LPA | 4 LPA - 8 LPA |
| Colleges | University of Hyderabad, Amity University, Nagaland University, Pondicherry University. | University of Calcutta, Shivaji University-Kolhapur, Cotton University-Guwahati, University of Kerala |
| Recruitment | Anthropology museums, research centres, social-cultural anthropology centres, conservation centres. | Museums, cultural galleries, educational institutions, etc. |
| Top Job Profiles | Researcher, Clinical Psychologist, Administrator, Professor, etc. | Lecturer, archaeologist, surveyor, researcher, museum researcher, etc. |
What are the PhD in Anthropology Job Prospects and Career Options?
Anthropology is an extremely exciting course and provides numerous career options to the students. You may opt to become an educationist and teach at various colleges and Universities. You may also look after the administrative side of such academic institutions. Government colleges and universities also employ PhD in Anthropology students.
PhD in Anthropology course gives placement opportunities to the students in various sectors like anthropology museums, conservation centers, social-cultural anthropology centers, heritage management companies, etc. Few of the popular job profiles for the PhD in Anthropology students are researchers, scientists, professors, education administrator, technical director.
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Scientist | Their main job is to collect information and results from lab experiments and use the results of the experiment for practical purposes. | INR 5.99 LPA |
| Assistant Professor | They impart academic knowledge to the students in the field of Anthropology and other related fields. | INR 4.27 LPA |
| Clinical Psychologist | They meet with patients, identify their mental and emotional issues and help them to get rid of their problems. | INR 3.68 LPA |
| Educational Administrator | Their responsibility is to oversee the various proceedings of an academic institution | INR 3.30 LPA |
| Technical Director | Technical director plans and directs all technical activities within a certain project. | INR 24.13 LPA |
What is the PhD in Anthropology Future Scope?
PhD in Anthropology is the highest degree that a student can achieve in the field of Anthropology. It offers a very bright future for the students.
- There is a wide array of career options available for the students. They may become a part of educational institutes, anthropology museums, research centers, health and welfare organizations and many more.
- The candidates start their own ventures in the field of Anthropology. They may also carry out research activities in various fields in Anthropology. Various research centers recruit PhD in Anthropology students.
- The PhD in Anthropology students may teach at academic institutes. They may also apply for jobs at various government schools and colleges. However, for that, they need to sit for an examination. Other government job options are also open to them.
- Some of the most popular job profiles for the PhD in Anthropology students are researcher, technical director, administrator, etc. Regardless of what their job positions are, they will get a handsome salary.
PhD in Anthropology FAQs
Ques. Are there any good career opportunities in anthropology in India?
Ans. Yes, there are a lot of career options. You can pursue research in various fields. You can also take up jobs in different private or government sectors.
Ques. What is the eligibility criteria for PhD in Anthropology?
Ans. The candidates must have a Master degree in Philosophy. Some colleges also accept candidates from other disciplines.
Ques. What is the placement scenario for the PhD in Anthropology students?
Ans. The PhD in Anthropology students may seek jobs in various sectors like museums, conservation centers, administrative sectors, etc.
Ques. How long will it take to complete my PhD in Anthropology?
Ans. Do I have to appear for an admission test to apply for PhD in Anthropology?
It would take a minimum of 2 years. It can extend up to 6 years.
Most colleges accept students on the basis of their results in the entrance test. Some colleges, however, provide direct admission as well.
Ques. What are the most population entrance tests for the PhD in Anthropology candidates?
Ans. The most popular entrance test is the National Entrance Test or NET. Various other universities conduct their own entrance test.
Ques. Is appearing for an interview compulsory for my PhD in Anthropology admissions?
Ans. No, the interview process is not compulsory. However, some colleges do conduct an interview before the final stage of admission.
Ques. What is the average tuition fee for the PhD in Anthropology students?
Ans. The average tuition fee is between INR 7,000 to INR 1,30,000 per year.
Ques. What is the average CTC for PhD in Anthropology students?
Ans. The average CTC is around 5-6 LPA.
Ques. When will the application forms for the PhD in Anthropology course be released?
Ans. The application forms are mostly released shortly after the declaration of PG results. You can check the exact dates from the official website of the university.
Ques. Has the PhD in Anthropology examination dates been deferred because of COVID-19?
Ans. Yes, the exam dates have been postponed because of the COVID-19 crisis. The new dates will be released very soon.
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