Eligibility
First Class or 60% marks (55% marks for SC/ST) in the qualifying degree, as specified in the General Eligibility Criterion. Specific qualifying degrees for each area of specialization are listed below.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) Program
Ph.D. program at CTIKS, IITB has been introduced from Academic Year 2026-27
02 DEC 2026Written testIn person
03 DEC 2026InterviewIn person
Doctoral Programme
Ph.D. Programme
Advanced doctoral research driving original contribution, interdisciplinary collaboration, and academic innovation.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Admission Procedure
Candidates who satisfy the minimum eligibility criteria will be shortlisted and they will be asked to appear for a written test and / or interview to be conducted by CTIKS. The final selection will be based on their performance in the test and interview.
Fellowship
As per the rules of IITB – Refer to the PhD Admission Brochure
Course credit requirement
As per the rules of IITB – Refer to the PhD Admission Brochure
Areas of Specialization
IKS1 – Indian Mathematics and Astronomy
Qualifying Degree (any one of the following):
- M.Tech. / M.E. or equivalent degree in Engineering / Technology
- MBA or equivalent degree (with B.Tech. / B.E. or equivalent degree)
- B.Tech. / B.E. or equivalent degree in Engineering / Technology
- B.S. (4-year) degree in Mathematics / Physics
- M.Sc. or equivalent degree in Mathematics / Physics
Candidates with a B.Tech./B.E., B.S., or M.Sc. qualification must also fulfil one of the following:
- Valid GATE score
- Selected through UGC NET (including lectureship / Assistant Professorship)
- Selected through a national-level examination conducted by MoE or its agencies (UGC / IIT / IISc / IIIT, etc.)
- Selected provisionally for the DST-INSPIRE Fellowship (provisional award letter required)
- Minimum of two years of professional experience after obtaining the qualifying degree
Reasonable familiarity with Sanskrit is desirable.
Research Areas: Textual & Critical Studies of Primary Sources, Computational Techniques (including Vakya system), Pedagogy & Knowledge Transmission, Kerala School & Late Medieval Developments, Planetary Models & Observational Astronomy, Astronomical Instruments (including masonry) & Observational Practices, Cross-Cultural Studies on the History and Evolution of Astronomy.
IKS2 – Linguistics and Language Technology
Qualifying Degree: M.A. in Sanskrit / Prakrit / Pali / Sanskrit Linguistics
Candidates must be selected through UGC NET (including lectureship / Assistant Professorship).
Familiarity with Python programming language and competence in traditional knowledge explicitly displayed by clearance of relevant exams (e.g., Vedashastrottejaka Sabha, Pune) is desirable.
Research Areas: Mathematical modeling of Paninian grammar, Shabdabodha and indivisibility of the sentence, Discourse Analysis, Yogyata Relations and Automatic Script Generator, Accent generator, Wordnet of Indian Languages, and other relevant topics in Vyakarana.
IKS3 – Yoga and Wellness Science
Qualifying Degree: As specified in the General Eligibility Criteria.
Post Graduate Degree or equivalent in Psychology, Management, or Yoga is desirable.
Research Areas: Language and Wellness, Psychological aspects of Yoga-based practices at individual and organizational levels, Study of classical texts in Yoga, Cultural/Social/Historical Studies of Yoga, Application of Yoga in therapy, sports, and management.
IKS4 – Ancient Water Management Systems
Qualifying Degree: M.Tech. / M.E. or equivalent in Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering / Irrigation Water Management / Architecture / Agricultural Engineering.
Background in Epigraphy, manuscriptology, and archaeology is desirable.
Research Areas: Sustainable Water Management drawing from inscriptional sources, Community-based sustainable large-scale rainwater harvesting, Temple tanks and their heritage, Management of Tank-Irrigation Systems (socio-hydrological approach), Stepwells and water management, Water management in the Forts of 12 UNESCO heritage sites in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
IKS5 – Heritage Structure Conservation
Qualifying Degree: M.Tech. / M.E. or equivalent in Geotechnical Engineering / Construction Technology / Structural Engineering / Construction Materials / Conservation.
Research Areas: Analysis of jointless structures in temples and temple tanks, Heritage Impact Assessment, Characterization of ancient construction materials and methods, Interventions to existing heritage structures.
IKS6 – Indian Financial and Business Models
Qualifying Degree: As specified in the General Eligibility Criteria.
Research Areas: Traditional Indian foundations of Business, Commerce, Finance and Economics; Arthashastra & Ancient Economic and Business Thought; Indigenous Financial, Banking and Business Systems; Accounting, Measurement & Wealth Reporting; Sustainable Business and Circular Economy; Behavioral Finance; Family Business, Intergenerational Capital; Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Corporate Governance and Leadership; Ethics, Trust & Informal Governance; MSMEs & Informal Economy.
Application Procedure
Step 1
Visit the IIT Bombay Admissions page for the latest Information Brochure, Application Forms, and Admission Schedule.
Step 2
Fill in the online application form as per the instructions on the admissions page.
Step 3
Candidates must submit a Statement of Purpose in the specified format, mentioning the titles of topics of interest with a detailed justification of how their academic background is suitable for research in that area.
Application Categories
There are two broad types of applicants:
- Full-Time Research Scholar – works full-time towards the Ph.D. degree (categories: TA, RA, SW, SF, FA)
- Part-Time Research Scholar – employed with an organization and works part-time towards the degree (categories: IS, PS, EX, CT)