IIT Tirupati opens PhD admissions under Visvesvaraya scheme; apply by Oct 23

By TUF News Desk · Published 18 October 2026 · 3 min read

Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy

Aspirants for a doctorate at an IIT have five days left to act. The Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati has opened applications for its PhD programmes for the 2026-27 academic session, and the window closes on October 23 at 5 pm.

Admissions are being offered under Phase II of the Visvesvaraya PhD scheme for electronics and IT. The scheme carries the approval of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and its stated purpose is to increase the number of doctorates in electronic system design and manufacturing (ESDM) and IT and IT-enabled services (ITES).

According to the announcement, scholars admitted under the scheme will get access to the institute’s research facilities and research ecosystem, along with networking opportunities and an academic environment built for advanced research. Three departments are admitting candidates this cycle: Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Physics.

What you can research

The Computer Science and Engineering department lists theoretical computer science, microelectronics and VLSI, artificial intelligence and machine learning, the internet of things and high performance computing as its research areas.

The Electrical Engineering department is offering microelectronics, VLSI and power engineering. The Physics department lists photonics.

The department list itself says something about where IIT Tirupati is building its doctoral strength. The focus sits squarely on computing, microelectronics and photonics, which are hardware-heavy research fields with strong government backing behind them.

Who can apply

Applicants need an ME, MTech or MS (Research) degree in engineering. Holders of a five-year integrated master’s in engineering, a BTech-MTech dual degree, or a BS plus MS from a centrally funded technical institution are also eligible to apply.

Candidates with a master’s degree in science, humanities, social sciences or management from an IIT need a CGPA of at least 8.0 on a 10-point scale to qualify.

How the selection works

The institute’s selection committee will screen every application against the minimum eligibility conditions and any additional department-level criteria. Shortlisted candidates will then be called for a written test, where the department requires one, followed by an interview.

How to apply

Applications go through the official IIT Tirupati website. Both NDTV and Careers360 advise applicants to read the eligibility criteria for their chosen department carefully before submitting the form. Our admission documents checklist covers the paperwork Indian universities usually ask for, so it is worth keeping the file set ready before the October 23 deadline.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Visvesvaraya PhD scheme?

A Government of India scheme approved by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology that funds doctoral research in electronics and IT. Its aim is to increase the number of PhDs in electronic system design and manufacturing and IT-enabled services.

Which departments at IIT Tirupati are admitting PhD scholars this cycle?

Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Physics. Each department has its own list of research areas, from AI and machine learning to photonics.

What is the eligibility for the IIT Tirupati PhD programmes?

An ME, MTech or MS (Research) degree in engineering, or equivalent integrated or dual degrees from a centrally funded technical institution. Master’s holders in science, humanities, social sciences or management from an IIT need a CGPA of 8.0 or above.

When is the last date to apply?

October 23, 2026, up to 5 pm, through the institute’s official website at iitp.ac.in.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: NDTV, Careers360