Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

Pillai College of Engineering (PCE), New Panvel, Mumbai, offers a full-time Ph.D. in Electronics Engineering under the University of Mumbai, established in 2022 with a sanctioned intake of 10 seats per batch. The programme spans a minimum of 3 years and up to 6 years, with an annual fee of Rs. 1,25,000, making the total tuition fee Rs. 3,75,000 for the minimum duration. Admission is through the University of Mumbai's Ph.D. Entrance Test (PET), and the programme focuses on cutting-edge research areas such as VLSI, IoT, Embedded Systems, Machine Learning, Antenna Design, and Communication Engineering. The course is offered in full-time, on-campus mode and is well-suited for candidates aspiring to careers in academia, advanced research, or high-tech industry.

Admissions for the 2026 cycle are upcoming. Based on the University of Mumbai's PET schedule, the notification is expected in July 2026, with the online entrance exam tentatively scheduled for September 19-20, 2026. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official PCE website (www.pce.ac.in) and the University of Mumbai portal for updates.

Key Points

Research areas include VLSI, IoT, Embedded Systems, Image Processing, Signal Processing, Machine Learning, Smart Grid, Control Systems, Robotics, Power Electronics, Antenna Design, and RF and Microwave Engineering.
The department has a specialised Industry 4.0 Lab equipped with CST Studio Suite (Research Licence), PCB fabrication facilities, and a full 2-port 8GHz VNA.
Three experienced faculty guides are available covering VLSI/IoT/Embedded Systems, Smart Grid/ML/Power Electronics, and Antenna/RF/Communication Engineering.
The programme was established in 2022, making it one of the newer Ph.D. programmes at PCE with a focus on emerging technology domains.
Scholars are expected to produce quality research publications as part of their doctoral work.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

PCE Ph.D. Electronics Fees

The Ph.D. (Electronics Engineering) programme at PCE charges Rs. 1,25,000 per year as tuition fees, amounting to Rs. 3,75,000 for the minimum 3-year duration. Hostel facility is available on campus but is optional; hostel fees are approximately Rs. 1,00,000 per year (non-AC, including meals). The total cost including hostel for 3 years would be approximately Rs. 6,75,000.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount
Tuition Fee (per year)	Rs. 1,25,000
Tuition Fee (3 years total)	Rs. 3,75,000
Hostel Fee (per year, optional)	Rs. 1,00,000 (approx.)
Hostel Fee (3 years, optional)	Rs. 3,00,000 (approx.)
Total Fees (without hostel)	Rs. 3,75,000
Total Fees (with hostel, 3 years)	Rs. 6,75,000 (approx.)

Hostel is optional and not mandatory for Ph.D. scholars.
Fees are payable annually.
University-level fees (PET registration: Rs. 1,000; Registration: Rs. 2,000; Exam fee: Rs. 1,500; Thesis submission: Rs. 5,000; Viva fee: Rs. 3,000) are payable separately to the University of Mumbai.
Fee structure is subject to revision by the university/college each academic year.

PCE Ph.D. Electronics Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Electronics Engineering) programme at PCE are conducted through the University of Mumbai's Ph.D. Entrance Test (PET). The process involves online application, PET, personal interview/research proposal presentation, and final merit list preparation. The 2026 admission cycle is upcoming, with the PET expected in September 2026 based on the previous year's schedule.

Important Dates

Event	Tentative Date
Notification Release	July 12, 2026
Application Start Date	July 15, 2026
Application Last Date	August 30, 2026
PET (Online Entrance Exam)	September 19-20, 2026
PET Result Declaration	October 10, 2026
Interview / Research Proposal Presentation	October 25 - November 10, 2026
Final Selected Candidate List	November 25, 2026
Last Date of Admission	December 10, 2026

Entrance Exam Details

Exam	Conducting Body	Purpose	Remarks
University of Mumbai PET	University of Mumbai	Ph.D. Entrance Test for admission	Mandatory; conducted online; 100 MCQs (50% research aptitude + 50% subject)
UGC-NET / JRF	NTA	National Eligibility Test	Candidates with valid NET/JRF may be exempted from PET as per UGC norms
GATE	IITs / IISc	Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering	Valid GATE score may support exemption from PET; also useful for fellowship applications

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed a Master's degree or equivalent with at least 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates of Maharashtra).
Candidates appearing in the final year/semester of their Master's programme may apply provisionally.
Candidates must appear in the University of Mumbai PET in the relevant subject (Electronics Engineering) unless exempted via UGC-NET/JRF.

Admission Process

Submit online application on the University of Mumbai Ph.D. portal during the notification period.
Appear for the Ph.D. Entrance Test (PET) conducted by the University of Mumbai.
Candidates declared eligible in PET obtain an Eligibility Certificate.
Submit willingness to join PCE as a Research Centre and appear for a Research Proposal Presentation/Interview before the Research Advisory Committee (RAC).
RAC recommends selected candidates; guide/supervisor is assigned from the available faculty guides.
Pay prescribed fees within two weeks of selection to confirm admission.
Produce all required documents at the time of admission.

PCE Ph.D. Electronics Scholarships 2026

Ph.D. scholars at PCE can avail of various scholarships and funding opportunities from government bodies and the institution. National fellowships such as UGC-JRF and DST-INSPIRE provide monthly stipends to eligible research scholars, making the programme financially accessible for meritorious candidates. The college also offers merit-based scholarships and a Student Activities Fund for research-related activities.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Offered By	Amount	Eligibility
UGC-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	UGC / NTA	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	Qualify UGC-NET with JRF; valid for 5 years
DST-INSPIRE Fellowship	DST, Govt. of India	Rs. 31,000/month + Rs. 20,000/year contingency	Top 1% in PG; or qualify GATE/NET
AICTE Doctoral Fellowship	AICTE	Rs. 12,400/month	Faculty members pursuing Ph.D. under AICTE norms
PCE Merit-Based Scholarship	Pillai College of Engineering	Up to Rs. 10,000 per year	Academic toppers in respective year
Government Scholarships (SC/ST/OBC/EBC)	State/Central Govt.	As per scheme	As per government norms

JRF/SRF fellowships are awarded by UGC/CSIR and are not directly provided by PCE; scholars must independently qualify and apply.
Government scholarships (social welfare, EBC) are available as per Maharashtra state government norms.
Students are encouraged to apply to charitable organizations through the college registrar for additional financial support.

PCE Ph.D. Electronics FAQs

Ques. What makes the Ph.D. (Electronics Engineering) at PCE unique compared to other Ph.D. programmes at the college?

Ans. The Electronics Engineering Ph.D. was established in 2022 and focuses on highly contemporary research areas such as VLSI, IoT, Embedded Systems, Machine Learning, Smart Grid, and RF/Microwave Engineering. The department has a specialised Industry 4.0 Lab with advanced equipment including CST Studio Suite and a high-performance VNA, which is particularly valuable for antenna and RF research.

Ques. Who are the available research guides for Ph.D. (Electronics Engineering) at PCE?

Ans. Three faculty guides are currently available: Dr. R. H. Khade (VLSI, IoT, Embedded Systems), Dr. Monika Bhagwat (Smart Grid, Control Systems, Machine Learning, Power Electronics), and Dr. Avinash R. Vaidya (Antenna Design, RF and Microwave Engineering, Communication Engineering). Candidates should align their research interest with an available guide before applying.

Ques. Is GATE score required for Ph.D. (Electronics Engineering) admission at PCE?

Ans. GATE is not mandatory for admission. The primary requirement is clearing the University of Mumbai PET. However, a valid GATE score can support exemption from PET and is also useful for applying for national fellowships and stipends.

Ques. What is the minimum duration to complete the Ph.D. (Electronics Engineering) at PCE?

Ans. The minimum duration is 3 years for full-time scholars. The maximum duration is 6 years. The first year typically involves coursework, followed by dedicated research leading to publications and thesis submission.

Ques. Can a candidate with an M.Sc. (Electronics) background apply for Ph.D. (Electronics Engineering) at PCE?

Ans. Yes, candidates with an M.Sc. in Electronics or a related field with at least 55% marks are eligible to apply, provided they clear the University of Mumbai PET in the Electronics Engineering subject. Candidates from a different PG discipline may need to clear an additional aptitude test as per university norms.

Ques. How competitive is admission to Ph.D. (Electronics Engineering) at PCE given the limited seats?

Ans. With only 10 sanctioned seats and 3 available guides, admission is competitive. Selection is based on PET performance followed by a research proposal presentation before the RAC. Candidates with a strong research background, publications, or industry experience in relevant areas have an advantage.