The PhD Philosophy course offers a thorough study of the Philosophy of mind and consciousness. A PhD in Philosophy usually takes 3 - 6 years to complete, depending on the university, research topic, and whether you enrol as a full-time or part-time student. Applicants with a Master's degree in Philosophy or a related course with 50% marks can pursue a PhD in Philosophy. PhD Philosophy admission is either merit-based or entrance exam-based, depending on the college. A few of the PhD Philosophy colleges include JNU, BHU and Calcutta University.
The candidates who complete their PhD degree in Philosophy can find career opportunities in Research Institutes, Educational Institutes, NGOs, and Human Rights Organisations, etc. PhD Philosophy students can be employed as University Professor/ Lecturer, Research Analyst, Philosophical Consultant, etc. The average starting salary package of a PhD Philosophy fresher is INR 5 LPA to INR 10 LPA.
- PhD in Philosophy Course Highlights
- What is a PhD in Philosophy?
- Why choose a PhD in Philosophy?
- PhD in Philosophy Eligibility
- PhD in Philosophy Admission Process
- PhD in Philosophy Colleges in India
- PhD in Philosophy Syllabus
- PhD in Philosophy Job Profiles
- PhD in Philosophy Future Scope
- PhD in Philosophy FAQs
PhD in Philosophy Course Highlights
Given below are the highlights of the PhD Philosophy course:
Feature | Details |
Course Name | PhD in Philosophy |
Duration | 3 - 6 years (Full-time/Part-time) |
Eligibility | Master’s degree in Philosophy or a related field with at least 50% marks |
Admission Process | Merit-based or Entrance Exam-based (varies by university) |
Colleges | Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Calcutta University |
Key Study Areas | Philosophy of Mind, Consciousness, Ethics, Logic, Metaphysics |
Career Opportunities | Research Institutes, Universities, NGOs, Human Rights Organizations |
Job Roles | Assistant Professor, Lecturer, Research Analyst, Philosophical Consultant |
Average Salary | INR 5 LPA - 10 LPA (Starting salary for freshers) |
What is a PhD in Philosophy?
A PhD in Philosophy is a doctoral programme that systematically studies Philosophy of mind and consciousness. The course deals with research-oriented methods of philosophy, its theoretical foundations, practical applications, and its relevance in contemporary intellectual and societal contexts. It has been planned to suit individuals seeking to contribute towards the academic, clinical, and practical field of Philosophy through investigation and innovation.
Why choose a PhD in Philosophy?
Given below are the benefits of choosing Philosophy PhD programs:
- Enhances critical deep thinking and analytical skills.
- Job opportunities in Research Institutes, Educational Institutes, NGOs, and Human Rights Organisations.
- Philosophy and its impression are globally recognised, with career prospects in India and overseas.
- Freshers are provided with INR 5-10 LPA, with immense scope for growth in various sectors.
PhD in Philosophy Eligibility
Students who wish to pursue PhD in Philosophy eligibility, the students must have completed a Master's in Philosophy or a related field from a recognised university. Entrance exams are conducted by most institutes during PhD Philosophy admissions. The institutes and their requirements determine the students' selection criteria.
PhD in Philosophy Admission Process
The PhD Philosophy admission process is procedural as per the respective colleges’ selection criteria. For example, the PhD Philosophy admission process is as given below for SPPU, Pune:
- Application Form Submission: Offline/online application form submission to the desired college.
- Merit-Based Selection: Direct admission on merit is provided by some colleges.
- Release of the list of selected students on the official college website.
Apart from that, colleges such as BHU and JNU conduct entrance tests for PhD Philosophy admissions. Below is the list of entrance tests for PhD Philosophy admissions:
Entrance Exam | Conducting Body | Application Deadline | Exam Date |
UGC NET session 1, 2025 | National Testing Agency (NTA) | 14 May, 2025 | 21 June 2025 to 30 June 2025 |
BHU RET | Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | Jan 2026 (Tentative) | Feb 2026 (Tentative) |
PhD in Philosophy Colleges in India
Given below is a list of PhD Philosophy colleges along with their location, accreditation, and rankings:
College Name | Location | Accreditations |
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) | New Delhi | NAAC A++, NIRF #2 |
University of Delhi (DU) | New Delhi | NIRF #6 |
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | Varanasi | NIRF #5 |
University of Calcutta | Kolkata | NAAC A |
Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) | Mumbai | NAAC A |
Jadavpur University | Kolkata | NAAC A+ |
University of Hyderabad | Hyderabad | NAAC A, NIRF #17 |
PhD in Philosophy Syllabus
The PhD Philosophy is a 3-year postgraduate program that provides in-depth knowledge of Philosophical mind and consciousness, preparing students for a career in Philosophy for wellbeing. Given below is the PhD Philosophy syllabus at JNU, Delhi, for a 3-year program, but it might vary based on research areas:
Semester | Coursework / Research Focus |
Semester 1 | Compulsory Courses: Philosophy and Methods in Social Sciences, Approaches, Concepts, and Methods of Political Analysis, Optional Course 1 (Choose 1) |
Semester 2 | Compulsory Courses: Advanced Philosophy Topics (Choose 1), Optional Course 2 (Choose 1), Research Proposal Development |
Semester 3 | Independent Research, Seminar Presentations, Literature Review |
Semester 4 | Comprehensive Examinations, Dissertation Research |
Semester 5 | Dissertation Drafting, Feedback, and Revisions |
Semester 6 | Final Research Presentation, PhD Thesis Submission |
PhD in Philosophy Job Profiles
Given below is an overview of career opportunities and starting salary ranges for professionals post the completion of a PhD in Philosophy:
Job Profile | Job Description | Starting Annual Salary (INR) |
Assistant Professor | Teach philosophy courses at the university level and engage in scholarly research. | 7-10 LPA |
Research Analyst | Conduct in-depth philosophical research, analyse data, and contribute to academic publications. | 6- 8.5 LPA |
Philosophical Consultant | Provide expert advice on ethical considerations and philosophical frameworks to organisations and individuals. | 8-10 LPA |
Public Policy Advisor | Advise governmental and non-governmental bodies on policy development, incorporating philosophical insights. | 9-10 LPA |
Writer / Author | Write and publish articles, books, or essays on philosophical topics for various media outlets. | 5-8 LPA |
Ethics Officer | Develop and oversee ethical guidelines and compliance programs within organisations. | 7-9 LPA |
PhD in Philosophy Future Scope
Upon the completion of a PhD in Philosophy, students can follow the following career paths:
- One can pursue a DSc in Philosophy for further in-depth knowledge in this field.
- Certification courses such as Public Policy or Philosophical Counselling can also be done for upskilling.
- Some colleges offer post-doctoral research in Philosophy and related fields that can help with specialisation.
PhD in Philosophy FAQs
Can a PhD in Philosophy be pursued in distance learning?
It is usually not common that universities offer part-time or distance learning courses in PhD Philosophy, as it requires constant practical training and research work. You are advised to call up some universities to learn about their respective mode of study.
What are the areas of research in a PhD in Philosophy?
Various areas of research while pursuing a PhD in Philosophy are Ethics, Metaphysics, Epistemology, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Science, Aesthetics, Logic, and so on.
Can I pursue a PhD in Philosophy without teaching experience?
Yes, teaching experience is not required for a PhD in Philosophy, but exposure to Philosophy research and practice will be beneficial. Research skills and academic qualifications are accorded top priority by most universities in the admission process.
Is there any scholarship for PhD Philosophy scholars in India?
Yes, some government and university bodies are awarding scholarships to PhD Philosophy students, such as UGC National Fellowship and other fellowships by certain universities as well as Philosophy research centres and private firms.
