VIT PhD Admission 2027: VITREE, Apply by 20 November

The Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) has opened applications for VITREE 2027, the January session, covering the PhD, Direct PhD, PhD (Deep Technology) and PhD (Industry) programmes across the VIT group of institutions. Every candidate is admitted through the VITREE entrance test, and every full-time research scholar admitted gets a VIT Research Fellowship.

The last date to submit the online application is 20 November 2026, and the VITREE computer-based test is scheduled for 6 December 2026 in 25 cities. Personal interviews follow on 12 and 13 December 2026, with results on 21 December 2026 and reporting at VIT, Vellore in January 2027.

VIT PhD admission for the January 2027 session - VITREE exam on 6 December 2026 and apply by 20 November 2026

Table of Contents

VIT PhD admission 2027: quick facts

Quick facts2026-27

Scholarship from	Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) – the VIT Research Fellowship, paid to every admitted full-time PhD and Direct PhD research scholar
Last date to apply	20 November 2026 (online application opened on 17 August 2026)
Official website	VIT research admissions page (official website)

Go to official website

VITREE 2027 January session: important dates

The official page and the information brochure mark this calendar as tentative, so confirm each date on the VIT research admissions page before you plan around it:

Issue of online application: 17 August 2026.
Last date for submission of the online application: 20 November 2026 (Friday).
VITREE computer-based test: 6 December 2026 (Sunday), forenoon, conducted in 25 cities across India.
Personal interview: 12 and 13 December 2026 – hybrid mode for the Vellore campus, physical mode for the Chennai campus and online mode for the VIT-AP and VIT-Bhopal campuses.
Declaration of results: 21 December 2026.
Last date for paying tuition fees online: 31 December 2026.
Reporting in person at VIT, Vellore: January 2027.
Last date for selecting a research guide: 7 January 2027.
Last date for document submission: 1 February 2027.

VIT Research Fellowship: monthly amounts

The brochure states that a Research Fellowship will be awarded to all admitted full-time research scholars by VIT. The monthly amounts depend on the campus, the programme and whether you hold a GATE score above the 60th percentile with a qualified NET score:

PhD, Vellore / Chennai / VIT-AP campuses: Rs 35,000 in the first year and Rs 40,000 in each of the second and third years with a GATE score above the 60th percentile and a qualified NET score; Rs 31,000, Rs 35,000 and Rs 35,000 for others.
PhD, VIT Bhopal campus: Rs 31,000, Rs 35,000 and Rs 35,000 for the GATE-plus-NET category; Rs 25,000, Rs 31,000 and Rs 31,000 for others.
Direct PhD, Vellore and Chennai campuses: Rs 26,000 for the first two years and Rs 35,000 for the third and fourth years for the GATE-plus-NET category; Rs 21,000 and Rs 30,000 for others.
Direct PhD, VIT Bhopal campus: Rs 21,000 and Rs 30,000 for the GATE-plus-NET category; Rs 16,000 and Rs 25,000 for others.
PhD (Deep Technology) – Chancellor Fellowship: Rs 40,000 in the first year and Rs 50,000 in each of the second and third years for the GATE-plus-NET category; Rs 35,000, Rs 45,000 and Rs 45,000 for others.

VIT PhD tuition fees and other charges

PhD Internal Full Time: Rs 40,000 per annum.
PhD External Part Time (Teachers): Rs 60,000 per annum.
PhD External Part Time (Industry): Rs 75,000 per annum.
Direct PhD and PhD (Deep Technology): Rs 40,000 per annum each.
Refundable caution deposit: Rs 3,000.
Thesis fee: Rs 10,000, paid only at the time of thesis submission.
Application fee: Rs 1,200 including GST, non-refundable.
Hostel accommodation is available for research scholars.

VIT PhD eligibility requirements

For all research programmes, the previous UG and PG degrees must have been studied in regular, full-time mode. The qualifying degree must carry first class with 60% marks in aggregate or a CGPA of 6.5 on a 10-point scale where letter grades are awarded:

PhD in Engineering: a master’s degree in the relevant engineering/technology discipline, an M.Sc. (Engineering) or a master’s degree by research in engineering/technology. Postgraduates in science, integrated M.Tech. holders and MCA graduates may do a PhD in a related engineering branch, with two extra M.Tech.-level courses if the department asks for them.
PhD in Sciences and Languages: a master’s degree in the relevant discipline.
PhD in Management: an MBA or a master’s degree in engineering or technology.
Direct PhD (non-engineering stream): a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 75% marks or a CGPA of 7.5 on a 10-point scale. Direct PhD is offered as Internal Full Time only.
PhD (Deep Technology) Chancellor Fellowship: a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering/technology, or an M.Sc. (Data Science), with a valid GATE score of 80 percentile and a minimum of 75% marks or a CGPA of 7.5. It is offered at the Vellore, Chennai and VIT-AP campuses.

The deep technology domains listed by VIT include advanced artificial intelligence, Industry 4.0 technologies, extended reality and digital twin technologies, autonomous systems, quantum technologies, cyber security, space and aviation technologies, blockchain, smart agriculture, sustainable technologies and biotechnology. Candidates who will complete their qualifying degree in December 2026, or whose results are awaited, are also eligible to apply for VITREE.

VITREE exam pattern and selection process

VITREE is a two-hour computer-based test with 100 multiple-choice questions, held at the test city of your choice. The venue, interview date and programme cannot be changed after applying.
PhD and PhD (Deep Technology) applicants with a relevant master’s degree answer 70 technical questions from the qualifying degree, 15 English communication questions and 15 questions on statistics and probability.
Direct PhD applicants, and Deep Technology applicants with a B.E. or B.Tech. degree, answer 80 technical questions and 20 English communication questions.
One mark is awarded for a right answer and zero for a wrong answer, and the paper is in English except for language subjects.
Final selection combines the VITREE score, the qualifying degree marks, the research proposal and the personal interview.
Every candidate must submit a two-page research proposal with the application on the prescribed template – the Deep Technology Chancellor Fellowship has a separate template.

Who can apply for a part-time PhD at VIT

Teachers working in permanent positions at other colleges, and candidates sponsored by R&D organisations, can apply to work part-time for a PhD. The eligible sponsors listed by VIT are laboratories run by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Space; public sector undertakings with R&D units; private industries recognised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR); and medical industry, institutions and hospitals with approved R&D in the relevant area, with a certificate from the appropriate authority.

How to apply for VITREE 2027

Open the VIT research admission application portal and register as a new applicant.
Fill in your details, upload the two-page research proposal and your certificates, and choose your test city.
Pay the application fee of Rs 1,200 including GST and submit before 20 November 2026.
Download the admit card and appear for VITREE on 6 December 2026.
Shortlisted candidates attend the personal interview on 12-13 December 2026, and results are declared on 21 December 2026.
Foreign nationals and NRI candidates apply through VIT’s separate research admission application link and fee structure.

Frequently asked questions

What is the last date to apply for VIT PhD admission for the January 2027 session?

The last date for submission of the online VITREE application is 20 November 2026. The application window opened on 17 August 2026, and the dates published by VIT are marked tentative.

When is the VITREE 2027 exam held?

The VITREE computer-based test for the January 2027 session is scheduled for 6 December 2026 (Sunday), forenoon, in 25 cities across India. It is a two-hour test with 100 multiple-choice questions.

Does VIT pay a stipend to PhD students?

Yes. The brochure states that a Research Fellowship is awarded to all admitted full-time research scholars by VIT. For a PhD at the Vellore, Chennai or VIT-AP campuses it is Rs 35,000 a month in the first year and Rs 40,000 a month in the second and third years for those with a GATE score above the 60th percentile and a qualified NET score, and Rs 31,000, Rs 35,000 and Rs 35,000 for others.

What is the eligibility for VIT PhD admission?

You need a relevant master’s degree with first class and 60% marks in aggregate or a CGPA of 6.5 on a 10-point scale, studied in regular full-time mode. Direct PhD applicants in the non-engineering stream need a bachelor’s degree with 75% marks or a CGPA of 7.5, and the Deep Technology Chancellor Fellowship needs a valid GATE score of 80 percentile.

How much is the VIT PhD tuition fee?

PhD Internal Full Time costs Rs 40,000 per annum, External Part Time for teachers Rs 60,000 per annum and External Part Time for industry candidates Rs 75,000 per annum. Direct PhD and PhD (Deep Technology) are Rs 40,000 per annum each. A refundable caution deposit of Rs 3,000 and a one-time thesis fee of Rs 10,000 also apply.

Is a research proposal required for VITREE?

Yes. All candidates must submit a two-page research proposal at the time of application using the prescribed template – one template for PhD and Direct PhD, and a separate template for the Deep Technology Chancellor Fellowship programme.

VIT PhD Admission January 2027: VITREE Exam on 6 December