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Doctor of Philosophy in History or Ph.D. in History is the highest academic degree possible in history in India. Duration of Ph.D. History in India usually varies from 3-5 years depending on the university and the candidate’s performance. In the first years of the program, the students are expected to do coursework in the related fields and pass the major exam. This is then succeeded by a research phase under the supervision of a faculty member and results in a dissertation, which presents a new historical knowledge. The candidate’s dissertation is examined by external examiners before they can be awarded with the Ph.D. degree.
Presently, there is no unified common level test for students wishing to pursue a Ph.D. in History at a national level. In many universities, individual examinations and interviews are held for the students or they are selected directly depending upon their performance in the relevant tests like UGC NET, JRF, SLET, GATE. Some colleges and universities also provide direct admissions for the Master degree holders on merit basis.
| Course Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Doctor of Philosophy in History |
| Duration | 3-5 years |
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Eligibility | Master's degree in History or related field with minimum 55% marks |
| Top Colleges | Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), University of Delhi, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), University of Calcutta, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) |
| Entrance Exam | UGC NET, JRF, CSIR NET |
1. The candidates must have passed the Master’s degree in the subject of History securing a minimum of 55% of the total marks conducted by any university.
2. Ph.D. entrance examination that exists for a particular university or universities and those recognized like UGC NET or the exams conducted by the university of your choice.
3. The candidates who are finally short-listed are called for a written test and interview to test their research ability and subject knowledge.
4. After completing the written test and group interview, the final choice is made depending on the results achieved by the candidates according to the University standards.
5. Prepare and present a research proposal in the area of specialization one wants to take and this is approved by the department.
6. Satisfy any other conditions that may be imposed by the specific university such as prior work experience, previous scholarly productions etc.
| Subject | Important Topics |
|---|---|
| Research Methodology | Historical research methods, Source criticism, Historiography, Archival research, Quantitative methods |
| Ancient History | Prehistoric period, Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic period, Maurya and Gupta Empires, Early medieval India |
| Medieval History | Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Regional kingdoms, Bhakti and Sufi movements, Medieval economy and society |
| Modern Indian History | British colonialism, Indian National Movement, Economic changes, Social reform movements, Post-independence India |
| World History | Renaissance and Reformation, Industrial Revolution, World Wars, Cold War, Decolonization |
| Historiography | Major historians and their works, Schools of historical thought, History of history writing, Historical debates |
| Cultural History | Art and architecture, Literature and philosophy, Religion and rituals, Social customs, Cultural interactions |
| Economic History | Agrarian history, Trade and commerce, Industrialization, Labor history, Economic policies and reforms |
| Social History | Caste and class, Gender and family, Education and society, Health and disease, Social movements |
| Political History | State formation, Governance and administration, Diplomacy and international relations, Political ideologies, Revolutions |
| Specialization | Average Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Academia (Professor, Researcher) | 5,00,000 - 10,00,000+ |
| Historian (Museums, Archives, Heritage Organizations) | 4,00,000 - 8,00,000 |
| Research Analyst (Government, Private Firms) | 4,50,000 - 9,00,000 |
| Content Writer/Editor (Educational Materials, Historical Publications) | 3,50,000 - 7,00,000 |
| Consultant (Historical Research, Public History Projects) | 4,00,000 - 8,00,000 |
