Information for candidates shortlisted for the written test
The following information is relevant to those candidates who have been called for the written test
- TA, TAP, and FA topics: You have to submit your preferences on the TA/TAP/FA topics. TA/TAP/FA topics are available here.
- Information regarding filling out the preference form: Read the information regarding filling out the preference form.
- Online meeting to discuss admission process: An online discussion session will be organised to clarify the queries/issues that the candidates may have on the admission process/topic selection (TA, TAP, FA, etc.) on Saturday, 27-Apr-2024 at 11:30 AM.
ZoomLink: https://zoom.us/j/93978583359?pwd=bmVQV05aRGtnek8vc21lRzQ0SFU1Zz09
- Submission of preference (TA/TAP/FA topics) form: Submit the preference by 30-Apr-2024, 11:59 PM.
Link to submit the preference form: https://forms.gle/8ycW96NUHtsjmtua6
- Submission of presentation slides: The candidates shortlisted for the interviews should make a 5-minute presentation consisting of 3-5 slides on the project/thesis/dissertation work they carried out in the past. The presentation should include i) objectives of the work, ii) methodology used, iii) key results, and iv) conclusions. The presentation should be converted to pdf format and named as RCLxxxx_presentation.pdf (for example,. RCL202410292_presentation.pdf). The presentation should be emailed to phd [dot] chemical [dot] iitb [at] gmail [dot] com on or before 01-May-2024.
- Written test and Interview: The written test will be conducted on 09-May-2024, at Room No. LH101, Lecture Hall Complex, IIT Bombay campus. Reporting time is 9:00 AM. Exam duration: 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Candidates obtaining score above a threshold in the written test will be further shortlisted for in-person interviews to be held on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of May 2024. The final selection will be based on the interview performance.
- Accommodation during written test and interview: To book your accommodation for your upcoming written test and/or interview at the IIT Bombay campus, you will receive information in your admission portal one week before the date of your interview.
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PhD Admission Information
The application process for admission to Ph.D. programme for the Autumn 2024-2025 session has commenced. Please check the IITB admissions website for details. Information regarding the interview process and schedule is available now. The written test and the interview (for the shortlisted candidates) will be conducted on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of May 2024 in the Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Bombay.
1. Introduction
The Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Bombay, has a dynamic post-graduate program with opportunities and a strong emphasis on basic and applied research in various areas, including several interdisciplinary fields. This post-graduate program includes a large number of Ph.D. scholars who primarily contribute to the Department's research activities. The Department recruits Ph.D. scholars two times a year (i.e., in May and December) which is in sync with our semester system.
Candidates with a Master's or Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Technology or a Master's in Science are eligible to apply. Most candidates who apply have Chemical Engineering or Biotechnology backgrounds, but the Department invites candidates from other backgrounds, especially in the context of carrying out interdisciplinary research.
2. Eligibility
For admission to the Ph.D. program in the Chemical Engineering department, the minimum requirements are (one of) the following
- B.Tech./M.Tech. or equivalent degree in Chemical Engineering.
- B.Tech./ M.Tech. or equivalent degree in any branch of Engineering/ Chemical Technology and Interdisciplinary areas.
- M.Sc. in disciplines consistent with the research areas of the Department.
3. Selection procedure
Selection for the Ph.D. program will be through a three-stage procedure.
- Stage-1: Shortlisting: Candidates are shortlisted based on academic performance in qualifying examinations and GATE score and those who satisfy the criteria are called for written test.
- Stage-2: Written test: Shortlisted candidates from Stage-1 has to appear for written-test in-person to be conducted on 9th May 2024 at the IIT Bombay campus.
- Stage-3, Interview: Candidates qualified in Stage-2: written-test have to appear for an in-person interview to be conducted on 9th, 10th, and 11th of May 2024 in the Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Bombay.
4. Written test:
The written test will be focused on a) general aptitude and b) fundamentals of engineering/bio-sciences. For part (b), the candidate has to choose any one option: engineering or bio-science.
5. Interviews will focus on the following areas.
- Project work: If you are shortlisted for an interview, you may be asked to discuss the project/thesis topic you have completed as a part of your qualifying degree.
- Interview on courses done: You have to mention your preference for a couple of courses you have taken in your Bachelor's or Master's program. You will be asked fundamental questions from these courses.
- Research Interest: During the interview, you may be asked about the broad areas of research you are interested in. You should be aware of the recent status of research in that area. It is not mandatory that you have to pursue your research only in that area. However, the purpose is to test your awareness and critical thinking skills in an area you are probably interested in. The Interview panel may ask you about your future objective and how the doctoral program will help you to achieve your goal.
6. Additional information for admission under TA, TAP, and FA categories:
You have to submit a preference for the TAP/FA topics against the topics uploaded on this page on 25th April 2024. Even if you are interested in a TA position, providing a preference on a TAP topic will improve your chances of getting an offer. If you have been awarded a JRF from CSIR/DBT or other funding agency and have your own fellowship, then only you are eligible to opt for FA topics.
You have to submit your topic preferences in the Google form (which will be shared on this web page) on or before 25th April 2024.
Please visit this webpage frequently for updated information.
7. Admission Categories
Admissions to the PhD program of IIT Bombay can be obtained by qualifying under any of the following categories:
- Teaching / Research Assistantship (TA/RA): The best candidates who make it through our selection process are awarded IIT Bombay funded teaching assistantships (TA) or research assistantships (RA).
- Teaching Assistantship through Project (TAP): Candidates are offered financial support originating from sponsored projects. These projects have a faculty from the Department as the principal investigator (PI), and selected candidates pursue a PhD (with that PI as thesis supervisor) in the given topic. The projects are typically funded by the Department of Science of Technology (DST), Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), etc. The student is paid scholarships throughout the length of the project; this could vary from 2.5 to 5 years. In cases where the duration is less than five years, IIT Bombay pays the student equivalent salary for the remaining time at IIT Bombay (i.e., up to 5 years).
- Govt./Semi Govt. Fellowship Award (FA): Candidates have their own sources of funding via scholarships such as those from CSIR, UGC, DBT, ICMR, or DST-Inspire. After joining a lab in the Department, you will have to activate that scholarship. DST-INSPIRE fellow should check the institute policy as mentioned in point A.6.6 in Admission Brochure for details.
- Project Staff (PS): The candidates are already working as Project Staff members at IIT Bombay. Candidate should check the institute policy as mentioned in point A.6.10 in Admission Brochure for details.
- External candidates (EX): Candidates sponsored by recognised government and private R & D organisations, such as BARC, DRDO, Reliance Industries, TCS, etc.
- College Teacher (CT): For candidates working in Colleges / Educational Institutes.
For more details, refer to the information brochure available on the IITB admission page (https://www.iitb.ac.in/newacadhome/phd.jsp)
8. Research Areas
The department is involved in a variety of frontier and traditional areas in chemical engineering research. More details and the list of faculty working in various areas are given here.
- Biological Systems Engineering
- Chemical and Electrochemical Reaction Engineering
- Fluid and Granular Mechanics
- Soft Matter Engineering
- Process Systems Engineering
- Thermodynamics and molecular simulations