By Rudra Narayan Sahoo, New Delhi: Doctorate of Philosophy, popularly known as PhD, is one of highest degrees in the higher education system recognized in India and in the world. In India a total number of 21,830 students were awarded PhD level degree during 2014. Out of these 13,252 males and 8,578 females, as per All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2014-15 (Final Report).
A total number of 3,333 students from Tamil Nadu were awarded PhD degree in 2014-15, which is the highest among states. A total number of 2,625 students from Uttar Pradesh were awarded PhD level degree, which is the second highest among states. Meanwhile Maharashtra has seen 2,351 students passing out with PhD degree in 2014-15.
The other states in the top ten position in awarding PhD degree to candidates are as followed: Delhi (1,718), Rajasthan (1,494), Karnataka (1,283), Madhya Pradesh (8,85), Bihar (874), Assam (845) and West Bengal (822).
At PhD level, maximum number of students out-turn is in science stream (5623) followed by social science (2960). Meanwhile, on the other hand at PG level maximum students out-turn is observed in Social Science and Management stream comes at number two.
On enrolment basis, a total of 1.17 lakh students were enrolled in PhD programmes across institutes, universities and colleges in 2014-15. This is less than 0.34% of the total student enrolment in the higher education system. As per AISHE 2014-15, at PhD level, the most preferred stream is Science followed by Engineering and Technology.
In an interesting note, the report revealed the most favorite subjects opted by PhD candidates. Science stream (Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Zoology, etc) has 30,357 students enrolled for PhD. Among science stream, Chemistry is the most popular subject for PhD students. Engineering and Technology stream covering 18 sub-streams has total number of 27,467 students enrolled for PhD in 2014-15.
Social Science & Humanities and Arts Group stream has a total number of 14,226 students enrolled for PhD. Among Social Science group subjects, economics is the most preferred subject for PhD students. There are 773 students enrolled in Sanskrit for PhD during 2014-15.
The share of PhD enrolled student is highest in State Public University (33.2%) followed by Institute of National Importance (22.2%), Central University (17.8%) and Deemed University-Private (11.3%).
Top ten states producing PhD Degree candidates
Tamil Nadu (3,333)
Uttar Pradesh (2,625)
Maharashtra (2,351)
Delhi (1,718)
Rajasthan (1,494)
Karnataka (1,283)
Madhya Pradesh (8,85)
Bihar (874)
Assam (845)
West Bengal (822)
