IIIT Dharwad Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme 2026: Recruitment Overview
The Indian Institute of Information Technology Dharwad has released an official notification inviting applications under the prestigious Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme Phase-II. This research engagement offers structured doctoral and postdoctoral positions in cutting-edge technological areas, specifically Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM), Information Technology (IT), and IT Enabled Services (ITES). Candidates seeking premier research appointments can also explore all latest Karnataka Government Jobs to track related institutional openings across the state.
Detailed Vacancy & Eligibility Breakdown
Detailed Vacancy & Eligibility Breakdown
Detailed Vacancy & Eligibility Breakdown
A total of 3 positions are available across doctoral research and postdoctoral research fellowship domains. The recruitment operates on a contractual engagement model, offering up to 5 years of fellowship support for doctoral candidates and up to 1 year for postdoctoral fellows, in alignment with central government scheme directives.
Post-Wise Vacancy Distribution
The available seats under the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme at IIIT Dharwad are categorized across full-time research, industry-integrated part-time research, and advanced postdoctoral work. The exact post allocation is outlined below:
Eligibility Criteria & Educational Qualifications
Candidates must ensure they satisfy the minimum educational requirements, benchmark academic grades, and national-level qualification criteria prior to submitting their registration forms. Candidates who hold postgraduate engineering degrees or those wanting to check more Graduate jobs in Karnataka should evaluate their suitability based on the specific academic parameters below:
- Full-Time & Part-Time Ph.D. Positions: Candidates must hold an M.E., M.Tech., MCA, M.Sc., or equivalent postgraduate degree in relevant disciplines with a valid GATE score, NET qualification, or qualification through a recognized national-level screening examination conducted by IIIT Dharwad or equivalent bodies. Alternatively, meritorious B.E./B.Tech./MCA degree holders may also be evaluated for direct Ph.D. entry under institute regulations.
- Academic Score Cutoff: Candidates must have secured a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA/CPI) of 6.0 on a 10-point scale or aggregate 60% marks for General, OBC, and EWS categories. A relaxed minimum of 5.5 CGPA or aggregate 55% marks applies to SC, ST, and PwD applicants.
- Part-Time Ph.D. Employment Mandate: Applicants for the part-time track must be employed professionals working in recognized industrial organizations, R&D laboratories, or academic institutions and must provide a formal No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer.
- Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF): Applicants must possess a completed Ph.D. degree in a relevant field of study with demonstrated research output such as peer-reviewed publications or patents.
- Age Limit: Ph.D. applicants must follow general institute norms. Postdoctoral Fellowship candidates must be maximum 40 years of age as on the prescribed cutoff date. Category-wise age relaxations are not stated in the recruitment notice.
Fellowship Amount & Financial Support
Selected scholars and fellows under the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme receive structured financial assistance designed to facilitate continuous research advancement:
Selection Methodology
The recruitment process at IIIT Dharwad follows a multi-tier screening framework to select candidates with strong academic aptitude and research orientation:
- Stage 1 (Shortlisting): Initial screening of incoming submissions based on cumulative academic performance, research proposals, valid GATE/NET test scores, and relevant professional experience.
- Stage 2 (Written Test / Interview): Shortlisted candidates will be invited to appear for a subject-specific technical test, a research presentation, or a direct technical interview conducted by the institute's expert selection panel.
- Stage 3 (Final Approval): Final admission and fellowship award decisions are made by the Competent Authority following document verification. Candidates seeking non-academic administrative career tracks can also check the IIM Kozhikode Campus Security Manager Recruitment 2026 recruitment details for alternative opportunities.
Application Fee & Timeline Guidelines
The institute maintains full fee exemption for this research call:
- Application Fee: Rs. 0 (Nil) across all categories, including General, OBC, EWS, SC, ST, and PwD applicants.
- Application Opening Date: 10 October 2026.
- Application Closing Deadline: 31 October 2026.
Step-by-Step Online Application Procedure
Candidates must submit their applications exclusively through official online forms provided by IIIT Dharwad. Follow these steps to register:
- Step 1: Access the Institute Portal: Visit the official web portal at https://www.iiitdwd.ac.in and read the official Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme notification thoroughly.
- Step 2: Choose the Dedicated Application Form: Access the specific Google Form corresponding to your intended program:
- For Full-time or Part-time Ph.D.: Submit via the official Ph.D. form link (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2cuUZE2Fse5e8fr6M-Bs70-41Kz80qEMU_nRNNbBbiCfoZA/viewform).
- For Postdoctoral Fellowship: Submit via the official PDF form link (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf37G6WAkXx30XXJeAFzpjskph1FmdlqnYU9P7BdgM4kMs4mA/viewform).
- Step 3: Enter Academic & Research Details: Carefully input personal particulars, academic percentages, CGPA conversions, GATE/NET credentials, and research proposal abstracts.
- Step 4: Upload Mandatory Certificates: Upload clear digital copies of qualifying degree certificates, scorecards, photo identity proof, and employer NOCs (if applying for part-time).
- Step 5: Final Submission: Verify all filled sections and submit the online application on or before 31 October 2026. Save the submission confirmation email for future correspondence.
Essential Documents Checklist
Applicants must assemble the following documentation before completing the online application process:
- Completed online application form response.
- Secondary (Class 10), Higher Secondary (Class 12), and Graduation mark sheets and certificates.
- Postgraduate degree mark sheets and provisional/degree certificates (for Ph.D. applicants).
- Ph.D. degree certificate and comprehensive list of indexed publications or patents (for PDF applicants).
- Valid national scorecards (GATE, NET, or equivalent national eligibility test).
- Employer No Objection Certificate (NOC) and service experience certificate (mandatory for Part-time Ph.D.).
- Government-issued photo identification proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Passport).
- Recent passport-size colored photograph and digital signature scan.
Critical Candidate Advisory
Applicants must ensure they fill out the correct Google Form link corresponding to their specific category (Ph.D. or PDF), as applications submitted through incorrect forms will not be considered. Part-time Ph.D. candidates must ensure their employer-issued NOC explicitly confirms permission to pursue doctoral research at IIIT Dharwad. Complete and submit all responses well ahead of the final closing date on 31 October 2026 to avoid technical delays.
