General Information

The Integrated PhD programme is a six year programme offered for students admitted after their Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Engineering or other allied fields. Students who already have a Master’s degree or who will receive a Master’s degree at the time of admission are not eligible for this programme. Such students may consider the PhD programmes we offer. The following applies to the Integrated PhD programme in 2024 or later.

The Integrated PhD programme comprises of three stage

Years 1 and 2: The student undergoes rigorous training in Master’s level mathematics with a strong emphasis on Analysis, Probability, and theoretical and numerical study of PDEs. A total of 16 courses, worth 5 credits each, is offered in the first two years of the programme. The detailed syllabus can be found here.

Year 3: The student works under the supervision of a faculty member (prospective PhD supervisor) preparing for PhD research work and the candidacy exam which will happen by the end of the third year. In addition, they will be taking advanced topics courses and courses in Research Methodology, and Research and Publication Ethics.

Years 4, 5, and 6: PhD work under the supervision of a faculty member.

Fellowship

Normal progress in the Integrated PhD programme

A student is deemed to be making normal progress if they satisfy the following.

Years 1 and 2: Pass all the courses. Additionally, students are expected to develop serious interest in a broad area of specialization during this period and identify potential PhD advisor(s). 

Year 3:

• Pass non-reading course(s) totalling 6 credits (typically 3 topics courses of 2 credits each; in some special situations, other arrangements  to meet this requirement may be approved by the GS),

• Complete a year long research project with the potential PhD advisor in the run up to the candidacy exam, and

• Register for a PhD with the thesis advisor by passing the candidacy exam and completing the courses in Research Methodology, and Research and Publication Ethics.

Years 4, 5, and 6:

• Progress is monitored by the Thesis Monitoring Committee of the student (meeting at least once a year), and

• Works on research problems and successfully defends the PhD thesis by the end of the sixth year.

What if normal progress is not maintained at any stage of the Integrated PhD programme?

Years 1 and 2:

• The following may result in an expulsion from the programme.

• Failing in 3 or more courses in the first semester

• Failing in 2 or more courses in semesters two, three, or four

• Failing in 3 or more courses in the first year

• If a student fails a particular course, the Graduate Studies Committee will decide the future course of action in consultation with the concerned instructor.

• If a student fails a course in the second year, and the concerned instructor recommends repeating the course, then the student can take the course again in the subsequent year (without any fellowship).

• If a student has not passed all their courses at the end of the second year, they cannot proceed to the third year of the programme.

Year 3:

• If a student has not passed the mandatory third year courses, they will be asked to take further such courses to satisfy this requirement, and this has to be done prior to their candidacy exam.

• If a student fails the candidacy exam, the Graduate Studies Committee in consultation with the adviser and the Candidacy Exam Committee, may ask the student to give another one in a few months time (without fellowship). If a student fails the candidacy exam a second time, they will be asked to leave the programme.

Years 4, 5, and 6:

• If the Thesis Monitoring Committee finds that the student is not making satisfactory progress, even once, the Graduate Studies Committee may ask the student to leave the programme.

• If a student is not in a position to defend the thesis by the end of the sixth year, an extension of a few months with half the normal salary may be granted subject to some restrictions.

Submission of PhD Synopsis and PhD Thesis

After a student completes their PhD research project, they write their PhD Synopsis and Thesis. The procedures for submission of the synopsis/thesis, the evaluation of the synopsis/thesis, and the PhD thesis defense are available at  https://www.tifr.res.in/academics/academic_procedures.php.

Award of MSc Degree

Students completing their PhD are eligible for the award of an MSc degree. Students who have not completed their PhD can apply for the award of an MSc degree if they have accumulated a minimum of 80 credits.