PhD without a thesis? IIT Ropar's product route swaps dissertation for a Rs 10 lakh sale
By TUF News Desk · Published 27 October 2026 · 4 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
Sell a product worth Rs 10 lakh, and that can be your PhD. That is the deal on offer at the Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, where a Product/Startup-Driven PhD pathway lets scholars graduate on work that reaches the market instead of a conventional thesis.
The institute’s brochure describes the pathway as academic research mixed with product development, technology transfer or startup creation, meant to connect doctoral research with industry and innovation.
How it differs from a regular PhD
A conventional PhD usually means years of original research written up as a thesis and examined by experts. That research can lead to patents, prototypes or products, but those outcomes are rarely the main measure of the degree.
IIT Ropar turns that order around. On this pathway, the product, the startup or the transfer of a technology out of the lab sits at the centre of the doctorate. A scholar might develop a product, take a lab technology into practical use, or build a startup from the research.
Director Rajeev Ahuja told India Today that scholars on this pathway do not need to write any PhD thesis.
The Rs 10 lakh example
Associate Dean Sarang Gumfekar gave the clearest picture of how the target works. “You have freedom. You have only one target. You sell the product, earn 10 lakh rupees, show it to me. You get PhD,” he said.
That figure is an example of the kind of target a scholar can be set, rather than a fee or a fixed rule for every student. The work still has to be doctoral research. What changes is the proof: a product that sells, instead of a document that is examined.
The trade is plain. The writing load drops away, but the work has to survive outside the university, in front of buyers, users or an industry partner. Anyone comparing doctoral options should read the guide to choosing a university in India alongside the programme brochure first.
Who can apply
The route is not open-ended. Shortlisted candidates may face a written test and an interview, and applicants must meet the minimum academic qualifications plus any extra criteria set by the relevant department. Applicants should check the official programme brochure for their department.
A wider shift in doctoral degrees
IIT Ropar is not alone in testing this idea. The IIT Council has reportedly discussed a project-first PhD model, with clearer research goals, structured timelines and closer industry collaboration. BITS Pilani runs PhD-DRIVE, which pairs deep-tech research with venture creation, entrepreneurship coursework and mentoring. China has also introduced a route letting engineering doctoral candidates present practical achievements, such as products, techniques or deployed systems, in place of a conventional dissertation.
Whether product-first doctorates spread further will depend on how the first cohorts are judged by examiners, employers and the market for what they build. For now, IIT Ropar has put a number on it. Ten lakh rupees of product sales, shown to the institute, can stand where a thesis used to.
Frequently asked questions
Can you really get a PhD from IIT Ropar without writing a thesis?
Yes, under its Product/Startup-Driven PhD pathway. Director Rajeev Ahuja has said scholars on this route do not need to write any PhD thesis; their doctoral work is judged on a product, a startup or a technology transfer outcome instead.
What is the Rs 10 lakh target in IIT Ropar’s product PhD?
Associate Dean Sarang Gumfekar described it as one example of the goal: build a product, sell it for Rs 10 lakh and show the result. It is the kind of concrete commercial target the pathway uses in place of a written dissertation.
How are candidates selected for the product-driven PhD?
Shortlisted candidates may be required to take a written test and an interview. Applicants must also meet the minimum academic qualifications and any additional criteria set by the relevant department.
Are other Indian institutes offering similar PhD routes?
BITS Pilani runs PhD-DRIVE, which combines deep-tech research with venture creation, entrepreneurship coursework and mentoring. The IIT Council has also reportedly discussed a project-first PhD model.
Frequently asked questions
Can you really get a PhD from IIT Ropar without writing a thesis?
Yes, under its Product/Startup-Driven PhD pathway. Director Rajeev Ahuja has said scholars on this route do not need to write any PhD thesis; their doctoral work is judged on a product, a startup or a technology transfer outcome instead.
What is the Rs 10 lakh target in IIT Ropar's product PhD?
Associate Dean Sarang Gumfekar described it as one example of the goal: build a product, sell it for Rs 10 lakh and show the result. It is the kind of concrete commercial target the pathway uses in place of a written dissertation.
How are candidates selected for the product-driven PhD?
Shortlisted candidates may be required to take a written test and an interview. Applicants must also meet the minimum academic qualifications and any additional criteria set by the relevant department.
Are other Indian institutes offering similar PhD routes?
BITS Pilani runs PhD-DRIVE, which combines deep-tech research with venture creation, entrepreneurship coursework and mentoring. The IIT Council has also reportedly discussed a project-first PhD model.
Sources: Deccan Herald, IIT Ropar