The PhD program is designed for students with strong motivation for doing research in Computer Science. Admission to PhD is open to candidates holding MTech/ME degree or equivalent. Outstanding candidates with strong CS background and having BTech/BE or equivalent degree in any discipline and M.Sc. in Maths, Statistics, Physics are also admitted to PhD.

All PhD students are provided with personal computer, own office spaces and a shared telephone when they join. They also get office support for photocopying, laser printing, mailing, and stationery. PhD students also get generous travel support to present their papers in conferences inside the country and abroad. PhD students get enhanced stipends depending on his/her performance. A number of industry supported fellowships are also available to PhD students.

Excellent candidatures among the Ph.D. applicants may also be entitled for the prestigious Google, IBM, MSR, Qualcomm, TCS, Visvesvaraya etc. PhD scheme. For more information, visit https://phd.dic.gov.in/.

PMRF scheme offers a highly prestigious fellowship for the PhD students with the intention to improve the quality of research in higher educational institutions. The fellowship is very competitive, and the selection process is extremely rigorous. PhD students of IIT Kanpur can apply for PMRF fellowship through their departments. The candidates are nominated by the Departments. A national level committee scrutinizes the nominations received in each subject area and makes the final selection. Calls for PMRF Fellowship are sent out by the Departments, normally at the beginning of the semester. For more details see here.

Institute funded/Sponsored/Part-Time

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Admission to the PhD program is open to candidates with an MTech/ME degree or equivalent in any discipline. However, candidates without a master's degree may also be considered provided they have a strong CS background, as well as a BTech/BE or equivalent degree in any discipline or an M.Sc. degree in Maths, Statistics, or Physics.

  • Institute minimum eligibility requirements click here.
  • Eligibility requirements for Sponsored candidate click here.
  • Eligibility requirements for Part-Time candidate click here.


Selection Process

The merit list for admission to the PhD program is currently prepared based on the following:

  • Aspiring candidates will need to appear for an on-campus written test and a programming test.
  • Candidates shortlisted based on these tests will need to then appear for an interview.



Foreign National

  • Institute minimum eligibility requirements for Foreign National click here.


Walk-In

Walk-in admissions may happen for PhD candidates based on the credentials of the candidates.

You may submit/send the complete application along with the required testimonials to the departments at dpgc@cse.iitk.ac.in (CC: admissions@cse.iitk.ac.in).

  • Walk-in candidates have to visit the CSE department at the IIT Kanpur campus to undergo the selection process.
  • Walk-in candidates will need to appear for an on-campus written test and a programming test.
  • Candidates shortlisted based on these tests will need to then appear for an interview.
  • The advertisement for walk-in admissions to the PhD program may be issued once a year.
  • Normal walk-in admissions to the PhD program may be done on a need-on basis.
  • Written test and a Programming test date will be announced at least three weeks before the exam.
  • Please note that if the normal PG admission cycle is ongoing, you can apply only through that mode. Walk-in applications may not be accepted at that duration.

⮚ Please refer to the departmental PhD Program web page for more information.

⮚ Please refer to PG Manual Click here for more information.