Connect with IDC Faculties & Phd Alumni

Applications

Admissions to the PhD programme at IDC are conducted periodically in accordance with IIT Bombay regulations. Applications are invited through official institute notifications, and candidates are shortlisted based on their academic background, research interests, and relevant experience.

Prospective applicants are advised to refer to the Updates section on this page for the current admission cycle. This section contains year-specific information on available research areas, application timelines, and detailed eligibility requirements, which may vary across admission cycles.

IITB-Monash PhD Program

The IITB–Monash Research Academy is a collaborative venture between IIT Bombay and Monash University offering a joint PhD degree awarded by both institutions. Students conduct high-impact research under co-supervision from faculty at both IIT Bombay and Monash, and typically spend the majority of their candidature at IIT Bombay with a research stay of several months to a year at Monash University in Australia.

The programme spans about 3–4 years of full-time study and includes opportunities for professional development, international exposure, and industry engagement. Generous scholarships and support are provided, with tuition fees at Monash waived for academy students and a stipend funded through the programme. Prospective applicants should refer to the official IITB–Monash Research Academy website for details on research themes, eligibility, application procedures, and updates

International Students Applying for PhD

International applicants seeking admission to the PhD programme at IDC, IIT Bombay are required to apply through the international admissions process of IIT Bombay, in accordance with institute regulations. Applicants must hold qualifications equivalent to the prescribed Indian degrees and demonstrate adequate academic preparation and research capability.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to participate in interviews or presentations, which are typically conducted online. Admission timelines, eligibility criteria, and documentation requirements for international students are announced through official IIT Bombay admissions notifications. Prospective applicants are advised to regularly check the institute’s international admissions pages for updates and detailed instructions.

PhD Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria and Qualifying Degree for PhD admission (any of the following):

1. MDes / MTech / MPhil (2­year course) / MFA / MArch /  MURP /  MA (Design) / Postgraduate Diploma in Design (2­year course), or equivalent degree with First Class or 60% marks (55% marks for SC/ST) as specified in the General Eligibility Criterion.
2. Any other Masters degree with First Class or 60% marks (55% marks for SC/ST) as specified in the General Eligibility Criterion; has demonstrated competence in design-related areas and has substantial design-related work.
3. BDes / BTech / BArch / BFA / Undergraduate Diploma in Design, or equivalent degree with First Class or 60% marks (55% marks for SC/ST) as specified in the General Eligibility Criterion, and has demonstrated competence in design-related areas.

Eligibility Criteria for TA/TAP/RA/RAP:

Candidates in Eligibility Criteria 2 and 3 will be eligible for TA/TAP/RA/RAP if they also have a valid CEED / GATE score. 

Candidates in Eligibility Criteria 1 are eligible for TA/TAP/RA/RAP. 

Research Areas

IDC School of Design invites candidates to apply for the PhD programme across the following core domains: Industrial Design, Communication Design, Interaction Design, Animation and Film, Mobility and Vehicle Design, and Human Factors and Ergonomics. In addition to these core domains, the PhD programme encourages an open and interdisciplinary approach, engaging with areas such as engineering, social sciences, media, and education.

Before applying, candidates are strongly advised to refer to the Updates section listed above for the current admission cycle. This section provides information on faculty research areas, suggested research topics, and other intake-specific details relevant to the year of application.

Candidates are encouraged to contact and discuss their research interests with individual faculty members at IDC School of Design prior to applying, in order to gain a clearer understanding of ongoing research directions. Where appropriate, candidates may also engage with faculty members for a limited period before applying, to further refine their research interests in alignment with current focus areas.

PhD Categories

To understand the different full-time and part-time PhD categories available at IIT Bombay, the candidates must read the section ‘APPLICATION CATEGORIES AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT’ of the latest IITB Information Brochure. Please read it carefully before you begin the application process so that the correct category is chosen.

Check PhD Rules and Guidelines through the official IITB home page.

Full-Time Research Categories  

1	Teaching Assistantship (Financial support as per MHRD norm)	TA
2	Teaching Assistantship through Project	TAP
3	Fellowship Award (QIP, CSIR, UGC, DAE, DST, DBT, NBHM, etc.)	FA
4	Sponsored Candidates	SW
5	Self-­financed Indian Nationals / Foreign Nationals (including those on Study Leave)	SF
6	Foreign Nationals with Indian Council for Cultural Relation Award	ICCR

Part-Time Research Categories  

1	Institute Staff, for Institute Staff of IIT Bombay	IS
2	Project Staff, for Project Staff of IIT Bombay	PS
3	Research Assistantship	RA
4	Research Assistantship through Project	RAP
5	External candidates, sponsored by recognized R & D organizations	EX
6	College Teacher: Candidates working in Colleges / Educational Institutes	CT

Fees and Scholarships

PhD scholars at IDC are required to pay the institute-prescribed fees as applicable to doctoral programmes at IIT Bombay. Eligible full-time PhD students may receive financial support in the form of institute fellowships or externally funded scholarships, subject to prevailing rules and availability. Details regarding fee structure, fellowship amounts, and eligibility criteria are governed by institute and funding agency norms and are announced through official notifications.

PMRF

The Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) is a prestigious national fellowship scheme offered to exceptional doctoral candidates pursuing research at institutions such as IIT Bombay, including the IDC School of Design.

PMRF fellows are selected through a rigorous, merit-based process and are required to demonstrate strong academic credentials, research potential, and alignment with nationally relevant research areas. Selected candidates receive a generous monthly fellowship, along with a research grant to support travel, conferences, and other academic activities.

At IDC, PMRF scholars undertake advanced research under faculty supervision, contributing to interdisciplinary and practice-led research in design. Eligibility criteria, application modes (direct entry or lateral entry), selection timelines, and detailed guidelines are defined by the PMRF authorities and announced through official PMRF and IIT Bombay channels. Applicants are advised to regularly check these sources for updates.

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