APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University offers PhD programs under Full-time, External Part-time and Part-time registrations. The university reserves 40% of seats for the SC/ST/OBC(Non-Creamy Layers)/Differently-abled category candidates. A relaxation of 5% is given to the quota category students. 

• APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University offers PhD in 13 specializations with full-time, part-time and external Part-time registrations.
• PhD program admissions are conducted once in a year.
• Candidates should score an overall 45% in the entrance exam and 50% in the personal interview round conducted by the university.
• Students are to submit their online application at the official website: ktu.edu.in. 
• Candidates will be selected purely on the basis of score obtained in the entrance exam and personal interview round. 

KTU Kerala Admission

KTU PhD Admissions 2023: Highlights

KTU PhD Admissions 2023: Eligibility Criteria

Below are the conditions for applying into a PhD course:

• Master’s degree in Engineering/Technology, Architecture or aMaster’s degree by research in Engineering/Technology with a minimum CGPA* of 6.5
• Master’s degree in Basic Sciences or Mathematics with a minimum CGPA* of 6.5
• Master’s degree in Computer Applications with a minimum CGPA* of 6.5
• Quota category students with Masters degree can apply for the PhD program with a minimum CGPA of 5.5.
• External Part-Time working with the KTU approved institutes are eligible to apply for the PhD program.

KTU PhD Admissions 2023: Selection Process

The selection shall be through discipline wise common written tests and/or personal interview as decided by the University from time to time.

Selection Of the candidate will be provisional until the final approval by the University. AICTE QIP/NDF scholars and candidates with CSIR /UGC JRF fellowship are exempted from appearing for the test and interview.Such candidates can avail admission in the odd or even semester.

KTU PhD Admission 2023: Entrance Exam Pattern & Weightage

The selection process will consist of an entrance test for maximum marks of 70 marks and an interview evaluated out of 30 marks. The entrance test comprises of 2 parts i.e. Part A: 35 marks and Part B: 35 marks. 

Part A: Research Aptitude (35 marks, cutoff: 3.5 marks) Analytical Skills (18 marks) + Basic English (5 marks) + Research Methodology (12 marks). 

Part B: Specialized Subject (35 marks, cutoff: 14 marks). There will be a minimum of 5 specialization sections (which includes compulsory sections also) based on the branch, with each section carrying 7 marks. All candidates will have to attempt 4 sections. 

The section on their area of interest will carry twice the weightage (14 marks) while the other three sections will carry 7 marks each.

Exemptions for Appearing in Entrance Test and PI

Below candidates will be exempted from the Part A entrance exam:

1. Those candidates with GATE score/NET/CAT/KSCSTE fellowship holders or other recognized National level examinations / M Phil holders with minimum CGPA of 6(General Category) and CGPA of 5.5 Quota category candidates (with more than 40% disability will have to appear for only Part A of the entrance test.
2. Candidates who are selected under the QIP and candidates with UGC-JRF/AICTE fellowship are exempted from the entrance exam and Personal Interview.

KTU PhD Admissions 2023: How to Apply?

Students can follow the below steps to apply for the PhD course at KTU:

Step 1: Visit the official website: ktu.edu.in

Step 2: Click on the Admissions tab. 

Step 3: As the drop-down list appears, select PhD Admission

Step 4: From the Admissions page, click on the Apply Online link.

Step 5: Before filling up, applicants have to register.

Step 6: Fill up the details of candidature and upload all the required documents.

Step 7: Make payments and submit the application form. Keep a copy of the acknowledgement slip.

*Note: The application fee for the PhD. admissions is INR 1,000 for general candidates and INR 500 for SC/ST Candidates.

KTU PhD Admissions 2023: Documents Required for Submission

Students need to submit the below document at the time of application:

• NOC in the format attached – part time PhD (external & internal) 
• Selection letter - full time PhD (NDF,QIP & JRF)
• Certificate from the Head of Institutions (for M Tech on-going)
• Course completion certificate from Institution (M Tech completed, result awaiting)

KTU PhD Admissions 2023: Course Description

KTU offers a 3-year PhD program with various specializations. 

• Computer Science & Engineering and allied branches
• Electronics Engineering and allied branches
• Mechanical Engineering and allied branches
• Electrical Engineering and allied branches
• Civil Engineering and allied branches
• Chemical Engineering and allied branches
• Biotechnology* and allied branches
• Physics
• Mathematics
• Chemistry
• Management
• Architecture and Planning
• Computer Applications

The Doctoral Committee of KTU in its first meeting, shall prescribe two compulsory courses and four electives to be undergone by the scholar. The scholar has to undergo any two of the courses from those electives, as prescribed by the DC.

KTU PhD Admissions 2023: General Instructions

1. All part-time research scholars irrespective of their place of working have to undergo a residential period of 180 days at their place of research, in a single spell or two, by availing eligible leave. Part time applications without NOC in prescribed format from the Appointing authority will summarily be rejected.
2. Out of the 8 scholars that a Professor Supervises, at least 3 shall be full-time scholars with fellowship. Out of these 6 scholars, that an Associate Professor supervises, minimum 1 scholar shall be a full-time scholar with fellowship.
3. A registered research scholar shall submit a written progress report in the prescribed format annually for the first three years, and every six months thereafter.
4. The maximum duration of Ph. D. program is 5 years for full time scholars and 6 years for part time scholars. Extension requests of full time scholars will be examined by the DC and extension of 1year will be granted only for genuine cases.
5. The scholars should submit the synopsis along with the first draft of thesis in hard and soft copies at the synopsis meeting. However, a maximum of two months’ time will be given to improve the thesis and to incorporate changes/suggestions made by the DC before the final submission.

About KTU

APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University also known as Kerala Technological University is a State university located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The University was inaugurated on May 21, 2014, by the State Government of Kerala. The college offers UG, PG and Ph.D courses in various streams like Architecture, Engineering, Computer Applications and Management,