Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Ph.D. in Electrical 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 offers a comprehensive curriculum blending teaching assistantships, advanced coursework, and original research across areas such as power systems, electric vehicles (EVs), smart grids, renewable energy, IoT, AI and machine learning in electrical systems, advanced electronics, semiconductor technologies, and energy storage and battery technologies. A standout feature is the DST-FIST funded Battery Testing Lab and access to industry-standard software tools including PowerFactory, MATLAB, PSCad, ETAP, and a Thermal Power Plant simulator. 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 a DST-FIST funded Battery Testing Lab for research in extreme charging/discharging and Battery Management System (BMS) testing - a unique facility among Indian universities.
Access to industry-standard software tools: PowerFactory, MATLAB, PSCad, ETAP, and a Thermal Power Plant simulator for simulation-based research.
Faculty mentors are drawn from IITs, NITs, and top QS-ranked universities, ensuring world-class mentorship.
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 grant of INR 2,00,000.
The program is aligned with high-demand industry trends including EV technologies, smart grid development, renewable energy, IoT, AI/ML in electrical systems, and advanced semiconductor technologies.
Teaching assistantship is a structured component, preparing scholars for academic careers alongside research.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

UPES PhD EE Fees

The Ph.D. in Electrical 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 Components

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 EE Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. in Electrical 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 PhD Electrical 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 (Electrical 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 EE Scholarships 2026

UPES offers a comprehensive scholarship and fellowship ecosystem for PhD scholars in Electrical 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 grant, 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 Grant	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 grant 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 Electrical 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 EE FAQs

Ques. What is the DST-FIST funded Battery Testing Lab at UPES, and how does it benefit PhD scholars in Electrical Engineering?

Ans. The DST-FIST funded Battery Testing Lab at UPES is a state-of-the-art research facility that enables scholars to conduct experiments in extreme charging and discharging conditions and Battery Management System (BMS) testing. This is a unique facility among Indian universities and is particularly relevant for research in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and grid stabilization. PhD scholars in Electrical Engineering have direct access to this lab for their research projects.

Ques. What software tools are available for PhD research in Electrical Engineering at UPES?

Ans. The Electrical cluster at UPES is equipped with industry-standard software tools including PowerFactory (for power system analysis), MATLAB (for mathematical modeling and simulation), PSCad (for power systems simulation), ETAP (for electrical power system design and analysis), and a Thermal Power Plant simulator. These tools provide scholars with a practical edge for simulation-based research in power systems, smart grids, and renewable energy.

Ques. What are the key research areas in the PhD in Electrical Engineering at UPES?

Ans. Key research areas include power systems and smart grids, electric vehicles (EVs) and transportation electrification, renewable energy (wind, solar, energy storage), IoT and connectivity in electrical systems, AI and machine learning for electrical system optimization, advanced electronics and semiconductor technologies, and energy storage and battery technologies. The program is aligned with India's smart grid development initiatives and the global push towards sustainable energy.

Ques. Is GATE score required for PhD admission in Electrical 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 Electrical 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 Electrical Engineering from UPES?

Ans. PhD graduates in Electrical Engineering from UPES can pursue R&D roles in technology companies, power sector organizations, and EV manufacturers. Academic roles as professors or lecturers are available at universities and research institutions. Specialized fields include smart grids, power systems, electronics, semiconductors, EV design and charging infrastructure, energy storage, and AI/ML applications in electrical systems. Government research bodies and regulatory agencies also offer roles in compliance and policy development.

Ques. Does the PhD in Electrical Engineering at UPES include teaching responsibilities?

Ans. Yes, the program has a structured teaching assistantship component where scholars participate in leading lab sessions, grading assignments, and eventually gain independence in teaching undergraduate courses under faculty supervision. Professional development workshops on effective teaching methods, classroom management, and communication skills are also provided. This makes the program particularly suitable for candidates aspiring to academic careers alongside research.