Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Kottayam, an Institution under the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India governed by an Act of Parliament; Valavoor (PO), Pala, Kottayam, Kerala – 686635; has invited applications for admission to Ph.D. Programme, January 2026.

Ph.D Programs are offered in Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Computational Mathematics, Management, Digital Humanities. The major areas of research in each subject is given in the advertisement at https://phd.iiitkottayam.ac.in/

Admissions will be given in the following categories: (i) Scholarship Holders (Full-Time) - Student works full-time for Ph.D. degree, receiving assistantship/fellowship from INSPIRE/ CSIR/UGC/NBHM or any other recognized funding agency.

(ii) Sponsored (Full-Time)- Candidate is sponsored by a recognized R&D organization, academic institution, government organization or industry or are QIP candidates doing research on a full-time basis. Candidate must be a regular employee of the sponsoring organization with at least one year of professional experience in the respective field. Institute does not provide any financial assistantship/fellowship. A sponsorship letter must be attached with the application.

(iii) Self-Financed (Full-Time) - Candidate works full-time towards Ph.D. Programme. Institute will not provide any financial assistantship/fellowship except teaching assistantship to a limited number, on a case-to-case/need basis.

(iv) External Registrants - Those working in Industries/Institutes/Research Organisations can register as an External registrant and can pursue a Ph.D. Programme while continuing the duties of his/her service at the parent organization. Institute does not provide any financial assistantship/fellowship. No Objection Certificate in the prescribed format must be attached with the application. Scholar is required to spend a one-semester residential program preferably in the first year, during the course work. Other academic regulations are the same as those applicable to regular students.

Eligibility for Admission

Computer Science and Engineering: (i) Master’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering/ Information Technology/ Mathematics/ Statistics/ Computer Science/ Computer Applications/ Electronics and Communication Engineering/ Electrical and Electronics Engineering or equivalent area with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of either 6.5 in a 10-point scale or 60% of marks or (ii) Four-year Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering/ Information Technology/ Electronics and Communication Engineering/ Electronics and Electrical Engineering/ Mathematics or equivalent in a relevant area from an institute of national importance with a minimum CGPA of either 8.0 in a 10-point scale or 75% of marks. Such students will be awarded both MS and Ph.D. degrees on completion of Ph.D. programme without any exit option during the programme.

Electronics and Communication Engineering: (i) Master’s degree in ECE/ EEE or equivalent area with a minimum CGPA of either 6.5 on a 10-point scale or 60% of marks in appropriate branches or (ii) Four-year Bachelor’s degree in ECE/ Electrical Engineering from any IITs, NITs, and IIITs/ Other Institutions of National Importance with a minimum CGPA of either 8.0 in a 10-point scale or 75% of marks. Such students will be awarded both MS and Ph.D. degrees on completion of Ph.D. Programme without any exit option during the programme.

Computational Mathematics: Two years M.Sc. / Integrated M.Sc. in Mathematics/ Mathematics and Computing/ Applied Mathematics/Statistics/equivalent degree with minimum 60% aggregate marks in the qualifying examination.

Management: Two-year Master’s degree in Management including MBA, MHRM, MSW-HR etc. or an equivalent PG degree or 2 years PG Diploma in management from a recognized/ approved Institution/ University, with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of either 6.0 in a 10-point scale or 55% of marks. Candidates with graduation in Engineering and Master’s degree as above, with an interest in interdisciplinary research, may be preferred.

Digital Humanities: Two-year Master’s Degree in Humanities, Sciences, Arts, Linguistics, Media, Communication, Engineering or related disciplines from a recognized/ approved Institute/ University, with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of either 6.5 in a 10-point scale or 60 % of marks. Candidates with graduation in Engineering and master’s degree as above, with an interest in interdisciplinary research, may also apply.

Application can be submitted at https://phd.iiitkottayam.ac.in/ latest by 14th November 2025. Brochure is also available here.

Application Fee: Application fee is Rs.1000/- for general/OBC and Rs.500/- for SC/ST/PWD/Female candidates to be paid via SBI Fee Collect.

Selection: Selection will be based on the performance in the written test and /or interview. Written test and interview will be held during 16th to 20th November 2025.

List of selected candidates will be announced on November 30, 2025. Last date for fee payment is December 14, 2025. Classes commence on January 01, 2026.