Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at UPES, Dehradun is a full-time doctoral program offered by the School of Advanced Engineering. The program spans a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years, with a semester fee of INR 1 lakh; full-time scholars receive a 75% waiver, bringing the effective semester fee down to INR 25,000. The program focuses on advanced research in structural engineering, environmental engineering, transportation engineering, geotechnical engineering, smart concrete, 3D modeling and BIM, bio-geoengineering, and earthquake-resistant construction. A distinctive feature is the program's sustainability clusters equipped with cutting-edge laboratories, and mentorship from faculty from IITs, NITs, and top QS-ranked universities, including 6 international faculty members. Admission is based on the UPES Research Entrance Test (RET), with exemptions for UGC-NET/GATE/SET/GPAT/CSIR/INSPIRE qualified candidates.

Admissions for the July 2026 intake are currently ongoing. Applications opened on March 10, 2026, and the last date to apply is June 1, 2026. The RET exam is scheduled for June 10-11, 2026, with interviews in late July 2026 and the session commencing in August 2026.

Key Points

The program features specialized sustainability clusters with state-of-the-art laboratories dedicated to structural engineering, environmental engineering, and transportation engineering research.
Faculty mentors include experts from IITs, NITs, and top QS-ranked universities, along with 6 international faculty members who provide co-supervision and global perspectives.
Full-time PhD scholars receive a monthly fellowship of INR 25,000 during coursework and INR 30,000 per month after clearing the mandatory coursework examination, valid for up to 3 years.
NET-JRF and INSPIRE fellowship holders receive an additional annual cash award of INR 2,00,000 for scholastic purposes.
Research areas include smart concrete with self-monitoring technologies, AI-integrated BIM and 3D modeling, bio-geoengineering, earthquake-resistant construction, and waste material recycling aligned with UN SDG goals.
UPES is ranked 42nd in the Engineering category and 46th among universities in India as per NIRF 2024.
The program emphasizes digital twins, robotics, green construction, smart cities, resilient infrastructure, and data-driven decision-making as key industry trends.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

UPES PhD Civil Eng Fees

The Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at UPES follows the university-wide PhD fee structure with a semester fee of INR 1 lakh. Full-time scholars benefit from a 75% waiver, effectively paying INR 25,000 per semester. Over the minimum duration of 6 semesters (3 years), the total program fee for a full-time scholar amounts to INR 1,50,000. Additional one-time charges include a registration fee of INR 31,300 and a refundable security deposit of INR 20,000. A thesis submission fee of INR 15,000 is payable at the time of thesis submission.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Program Semester Fee (per semester, before waiver)	1,00,000
75% Waiver for Full-Time Scholars	-75,000 per semester
Effective Semester Fee (Full-Time)	25,000
Total Program Fee - 6 Semesters (Full-Time, minimum 3 years)	1,50,000
Registration Fee (one-time)	31,300
Refundable Security Deposit (one-time)	20,000
Thesis Submission Fee (one-time, at thesis stage)	15,000
Application Fee (non-refundable)	1,000
Total Fees (Full-Time, excluding hostel, including all one-time charges)	2,17,300
Hostel Fee (optional, triple-sharing, per year)	1,83,000

The security deposit of INR 20,000 is refundable (interest-free) at the time of program completion or exit.
The application fee of INR 1,000 is non-refundable.
Hostel accommodation is optional and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Hostel fee is for the Bidholi/Kandoli campus (triple-sharing with common washroom). An additional refundable hostel security of INR 10,000 is charged at the time of registration.
If the PhD extends beyond 3 years (6 semesters), additional semester fees at INR 25,000 per semester (full-time) will apply.
Fee payment is accepted via NEFT/RTGS/IMPS/Cash Deposit/Bank Gateway.

UPES PhD Civil Eng Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at UPES are conducted twice a year - for the January intake and the July intake. The July 2026 intake is currently open with applications accepted until June 1, 2026. The selection process involves the UPES Research Entrance Test (RET), submission of a research proposal (approximately 1,000 words), and an online interview conducted via MS Teams. Candidates with valid UGC-NET/GATE/SET/GPAT/CSIR/INSPIRE qualifications are exempted from the RET.

UPES Ph.D. Civil Engineering Admission Dates

Event	Date
Application Opens	March 10, 2026
Last Date to Apply	June 1, 2026
RET Exam	June 10-11, 2026
RET Result Declaration	June 27, 2026
Research Proposal Submission	(Approx.) Early July 2026
Online Interview Booking/Scheduling	(Approx.) Mid-July 2026
Interviews	July 28, 29 and 30, 2026
Interview Result Declaration	August 12, 2026
Last Date to Pay Fee	August 17, 2026
Orientation and Registration	(Approx.) August 22-25, 2026
Commencement of Session	(Approx.) August 27, 2026

Exemption Exam Dates

Exam	Event	Date
UGC-NET	Phase 1 Exam	December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
UGC-NET	Phase 1 Result	February 4, 2026
UGC-NET	Phase 2 Exam (Tentative)	June 2026
GATE	GATE 2026 Exam	February 1-2 and 8-9, 2026
GATE	GATE 2026 Result	March 19, 2026

Note: UGC-NET (JRF/NET), GATE, SET, GPAT, CSIR, and INSPIRE qualified candidates are exempted from the UPES RET.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Master's degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline (Civil Engineering or related field) with a minimum of 55% marks (or equivalent grade) from a recognized institute. A relaxation of 5% (from 55% to 50%) is available for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-abled candidates as per UGC norms.
Candidates with a 4-year undergraduate degree (B.Tech/BE) with a minimum of 75% marks or 7.5 CGPA (on a 10-point scale) are also eligible for full-time admission, subject to additional conditions including a high-quality research publication from the bachelor's project.
Candidates must meet the minimum academic eligibility as notified by UGC from time to time.

Admission Process

Fill the online application form at the UPES PhD portal and pay the non-refundable application fee of INR 1,000.
Appear for the UPES Research Entrance Test (RET) - exempted for UGC-NET/GATE/SET/GPAT/CSIR/INSPIRE qualified candidates.
Shortlisted candidates (RET qualified and exempted) submit a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words to phd@upes.ac.in.
Book an online interview slot through the link shared by the university.
Appear for the online interview conducted via MS Teams (no campus visit required).
Receive offer letter upon selection; pay the enrolment fee by the specified deadline.
Attend orientation on campus and commence the session.

UPES PhD Civil Eng Scholarships 2026

UPES offers a comprehensive scholarship and fellowship ecosystem for PhD scholars in Civil Engineering. Full-time scholars automatically receive a 75% waiver on the semester fee and a monthly fellowship. Scholars with NET-JRF or INSPIRE fellowships receive an additional annual cash award, making the program particularly attractive for nationally qualified candidates.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Amount / Benefit	Eligibility
UPES PhD Fellowship (Full-Time)	INR 25,000/month during coursework; INR 30,000/month after coursework clearance (up to 3 years)	All full-time PhD scholars (100 seats across all schools)
NET-JRF / INSPIRE Annual Cash Award	INR 2,00,000 per year	Scholars with NET-JRF or INSPIRE fellowship
Semester Fee Waiver (Full-Time)	75% waiver on program semester fee (INR 25,000 effective per semester)	All full-time PhD scholars
Alumni Scholarship	50% fee waiver on Part-Time PhD program fee	UPES alumni (graduated 2021 onwards)
Employee Ward Scholarship	75% on semester fee (Tuition + Academic Service)	Wards of UPES employees (regular/confirmed)
Employee Sibling Ward Scholarship	50% on semester fee	Wards of siblings of UPES employees
Employee Spouse Scholarship	50% on semester fee	Spouses of UPES employees
Vijay Scholarship (Sports)	35%-100% on tuition fee	National/International level sports achievers

The PhD fellowship is available for 100 full-time scholars across all schools and is subject to the university's policy. Continuation after 3 years is based on performance.
The NET-JRF/INSPIRE annual cash award of INR 2 lakh per year is subject to the university's discretionary policy and may be changed/cancelled.
Alumni scholarship for Part-Time PhD requires renewal based on a minimum CGPA of 8.0 with no backlogs and no disciplinary cases.
A student is eligible for only one type of scholarship at a time (except Academic Performance Scholarship from 2nd year onwards, which can be clubbed).
All scholarships are subject to the university's prevailing policy and the decision of the Competent Authority is final.

UPES Ph.D Civil Engineering Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#87 out of 762 in India 2025

#4th in Uttarakhand

NIRF Ranking

#43 out of 300 in India 2025

#2nd in Uttarakhand

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UPES PhD Civil Eng FAQs

Ques. What are the specialized research areas in the PhD in Civil Engineering at UPES?

Ans. The PhD in Civil Engineering at UPES covers research in structural engineering, environmental engineering, transportation engineering, geotechnical engineering, smart concrete with self-monitoring technologies, AI-integrated BIM and 3D modeling, bio-geoengineering, earthquake-resistant construction, waste material recycling, and construction management. The program also aligns with emerging industry trends such as digital twins, robotics, green construction, smart cities, resilient infrastructure, and data-driven decision-making.

Ques. What makes the PhD in Civil Engineering at UPES different from other programs?

Ans. The program stands out for its sustainability clusters with state-of-the-art laboratories, mentorship from faculty from IITs, NITs, and top QS-ranked universities, and the involvement of 6 international faculty members who provide co-supervision and global perspectives. The program also offers a monthly stipend of up to INR 30,000 and an additional annual cash award of INR 2 lakh for NET-JRF/INSPIRE fellowship holders, making it financially attractive.

Ques. Is GATE score required for PhD admission in Civil Engineering at UPES?

Ans. GATE qualification is not mandatory but provides an exemption from the UPES Research Entrance Test (RET). Candidates with a valid GATE score (in Civil Engineering or related disciplines) are exempted from the RET and can directly proceed to the research proposal submission and interview stages. UGC-NET (JRF/NET), SET, GPAT, CSIR, and INSPIRE qualified candidates are also exempted.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after a PhD in Civil Engineering from UPES?

Ans. PhD holders in Civil Engineering from UPES can pursue academic careers as professors or researchers. In R&D, they can contribute to innovation in environmental engineering, construction management, earthquake resistance, and bio-geoengineering. Specializations in smart concrete, predictive modeling, and construction management open roles in leading infrastructure companies. Waste recycling research aligns with sustainable construction and UN SDG goals. Government agencies and regulatory bodies also offer roles in compliance and policy development.

Ques. What is the duration of the PhD in Civil Engineering at UPES?

Ans. The minimum duration is 3 years (6 semesters) for full-time scholars. The maximum duration is 6 years. The program is designed for completion within 3 to 5 years, balancing comprehensive coursework with independent research. If the PhD extends beyond the minimum duration, additional semester fees at INR 25,000 per semester (full-time) will apply.

Ques. Does UPES have international collaborations for the PhD in Civil Engineering?

Ans. Yes, the PhD in Civil Engineering at UPES features 6 international faculty members who actively contribute to the scholarly community by providing guidance and co-supervision. The university also facilitates international internships and collaborative projects through its Global Pathway Program, allowing scholars to gain global research experience. Scholars are encouraged to present their research at international conferences, with financial support provided by the university.