Updated January 4, 2023
As the highest degree, PhD in Environmental Science or Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science is a doctorate course. It involves the advanced study of the environment & ecosystem and spans a 3 to 5 years. The program is an interdisciplinary study of subjects like Physical Science, Biological Sciences, Ecology, Geography, Atmospheric Science, etc.
PhD Environmental Science aims to provide in-depth knowledge and skills in several facets like sustainable management, environmental pollution control, land management, soil management, etc.
Candidates aspiring to pursue Ph.D. in Environmental Science must have completed a Master’s degree in environmental science (MPhil or MSc in environmental science) or other relevant disciplines with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks or equivalent grade from any recognized university or institution.
Admission to Ph.D. Environmental Science is primarily made through state, national-level, or university-specific entrance examinations. However, some universities also provide access to the course based on the merit of the candidates at their postgraduate level.
More than 150 reputed colleges across India offer Ph.D. in Environmental Science courses. Some best ones include Jawaharlal Nehru University (New Delhi), Banaras Hindu University (Varanasi), University of Calcutta (Kolkata), Amity University (Noida), Banasthali Vidyapeeth (Jaipur), Jadavpur University (Kolkata), Punjab University (Chandigarh), SRM University (Delhi NCR), etc.
The average tuition fee in India for the MSc Environmental Science ranges from INR 25K to 2.5 LPA, depending on the authority (government /public) of the institution candidates attend for the program.
Important PhD Environmental Science Course Details
Below are the key highlights of the PhD Environmental Science Course, such as course duration, course fees, minimum eligibility, average salary, top jobs, etc.
| Course Name | PhD Environmental Science |
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Full-Form | Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science |
| Course Duration | Three to Five Years |
| Course Stream | Environmental Science |
| Eligibility Criteria | Master’s degree in environmental Science or other relevant discipline with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks or equivalent grade from recognized institute. |
| Admission Process | Merit or Entrance Examination |
| Average Course Fees | INR 25K to 2.5 LPA |
| Average Initial Salary | INR 4 to 10 LPA |
| Areas of Employment | Environment Protection Companies, Water Treatment Plants, Agriculture Sector, Weather Departments, Environment Content Writings, Academic Institutes, Waste Management Plants, National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries, etc. |
| Top Job Positions | High School Teacher, Environmental Health & Safety Officer, Research Associate, Environmental Health Manager, Safety Assistant Manager, Country Manager, Auditor, ISO Lead Auditor, Sr Marketing Associate, etc. |
| Top Recruiters | Wildlife Institute of India, Fluor Corporation Pvt Ltd, Jacobs Engineering Group Inc, Godrej, Discovery, Parsons International Ltd, John Deere Pvt Ltd, Emerson Electric Co. India Pvt Ltd, Ramboll IMI-soft Pvt Ltd, ABB India Ltd, etc. |
PhD Environmental Science Admission Process
The admission to the PhD Environmental Science is made based on the performance of the candidates in the entrance exam, which may be at the State, National, or University-level followed by subsequent round of personal interviews. Some universities also provide access to this PG course based on Merit obtained by the candidates at postgraduate level. For admission to the PhD Environmental Science, candidates must meet the minimum eligibility criteria for the course and clear the relevant entrance examination. Those who pass all required criteria will secure a spot on the merit list for admission to the program.
Discussed below are the stepwise admission process of the PhD Environmental Science course that candidates must follow for admission to the program.
Entrance based Admission
- The candidates must apply and appear for an entrance examination (CSIR-NET, UGC-NET, GATE, etc., or any other institute specific entrance examination) for the PhD Environmental Science course.
- They should prepare well for the entrance examination. Generally, the entrance test comprises multiple-choice questions wherein the students are asked about quantitative ability, analytical reasoning, and English.
- The students qualified for the entrances may have to appear for the counseling session or personal interview. Specific colleges also call for group discussions and personal interviews.
- And finally, the students need to pay the required fee to confirm their admissions for the respective academic session.
Merit-based Admission
- Candidates must apply for admission to the colleges of their choice.
- In due course of time, the colleges/institutes release merit lists based on the score of the candidates at their postgraduate level. So, the candidates must check their names in the merit list before proceeding to further admission procedures.
- Some specific colleges also conduct Personal Interview or a Written Test to further asses the candidate’s skills and select the best ones.
- And at last, the selected candidates must pay the relevant fee to confirm their admissions for the respective academic session.
PhD Environmental Science eligibility Criteria
The student must be aware of the eligibility criteria of the PhD Environmental Science course as it is the essential aspect for admission to any program. The minimum eligibility criteria that candidates must meet for access to PhD Environmental Science are as follows.
- Candidates must have completed Master’s degree in environmental science (MPhil Environmental Science or MSc in environmental science) or other relevant discipline with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks or equivalent grade from any recognized university or institution.
- Candidates belonging to the reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy layer)/Differently-Abled, etc.) will be given a 5% relaxation, as determined by the UGC and the Government of India.
- Candidates may also have to clear the relevant entrance test at State or national, or university level, depending on the institute candidates will attend for the program.
Popular PhD Environmental Science Entrance Exams
There is several Common all India Entrance tests for admission to the PhD Environmental Science course. However, several recognized universities in India conduct their own examinations to select the best candidates for the program. The duration of the entrance is nearly an hour long, and its questions check the candidate’s language, analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills. Listed below are some popular entrance tests for the course.
- JNU Entrance Exam
- BHU Entrance Exam
- GATE Entrance Exam
- NBHM Entrance Exam
- UGC NET Entrance Exam
- CSIR UGC NET for JRF Entrance Exam
Top PhD Environmental Science Colleges in India
More than 100 institutes/universities across the country offer PhD Environmental Science courses. Lists below are some of the top colleges for Ph.D. Environmental Science in India.
- Amity University, Noida
- Sharda University, Noida
- SRM University, Delhi NCR
- Doon University , Dehradun
- Jadavpur University, Kolkata
- Banasthali Vidyapeeth, Jaipur
- University of Calcutta, Kolkata
- Punjab University, Chandigarh
- Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
- Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
- National institute of Technology, Durgapur
Detailed Syllabus for PhD Environmental Science Course
PhD Environmental Science is doctorate course that spans for the period of three to five years. Three years is the shortest and six is the longest duration to get awarded the degree. The course syllabus incorporates extensive coursework, seminars and Theme papers. It also includes a thesis work, where the candidates have to choose a specialization. The syllabus and subjects for the Ph.D. in environmental science degree may vary according to the specialization and institution, but below mentioned are the subjects that applicants commonly study.
Particulars of PhD Environmental Science Syllabus
| Papers | Subjects |
| Paper I (Compulsory Paper) | Research Methodology |
| Paper II (One Optional Paper) | Microbial Ecology |
| Environmental Microbiology | |
| Energy Generation from Waste | |
| Microbial Enzymes and Bioremediation | |
| Bio- remediation & Ecological Agriculture | |
| Environmental Impact Assessment and Air Pollution | |
| Plant Microbe Interaction for Sustainable Agriculture | |
| Wastewater and Solid Waste Treatment Technologies | |
| Waste Management and Energy Generation Technologies | |
| Water Resources – Management and Modeling Techniques | |
| Paper ESP | Presentation and Review of Literature |
| Paper ESP | Presentation of Synopsis |
Important Books for PhD Environmental Science Course
Books are essential to any learning in terms of a better understanding of subjects or preparing for examinations. The Books for studying PhD Environmental Science may vary from state to state or institute to institute, but there are various common and popular ones. Enlisted are a handful of books widely used throughout the country for Ph.D. Environmental Science learning.
| Name of the book | Author |
| Silent Spring | Rachel Carson |
| Environmental Studies | Benny Joseph |
| Environmental Science | Dr. Y K Singh |
| Global Water: Issues and Insights | David Allendes |
| Earth and Environmental Sciences | Imran Ahmad Dar, Mithas Ahmad Dar |
PhD Environmental Science Scope and Career Opportunities
After obtaining an PhD degree in Environmental Science, the graduates can either go for a job in both the government and private organizations. The employment areas for postgraduates in environmental science include Environment Protection Companies, Water Treatment Plants, Agriculture Sector, Waste Management Plants, Weather Departments, Environment Content Writings, National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries, Colleges and Universities, National Zoological Parks, Wildlife Photography, Animal Research Centers, Wildlife Journalism, Forest Departments, etc.
They can be hired in capacities such as Senior Research Associate, Ecologist, Zoologist, Environmental Scientist, Hydrologist, Assistant Professor, Environment Journalists, Environmental Consultant, etc., and are offered decent salary packages. Those who aspire to an academic profession can join a school/ college as lecturer or professor.
In short, there are endless job opportunities for Ph.D. Environment Science graduates in various fields with decent salary packages.
PhD Environmental Science Jobs and Career Options
Students who pursue an MSc Environmental Science program learn how to manage complicated problems and become effective managers. After completing the course, they can work for the government or private businesses. Below are some top job roles candidates can select after obtaining an PhD degree in Environmental Science.
- Ecologist
- Zoologist
- Hydrologist
- Research Associate
- Wildlife Film-maker
- Environmental Scientist
- Environment Journalists
- Conservation Hydrologist
- Environmental Consultant
- Environment Photographer
- Assistant Professor/ Lecturer
- Director of Waste Management
- Environmental Science Manager
Doctorates of PhD Environmental Science Salary in India
After graduating with an PhD degree in Environmental Science, candidates in India can expect a starting salary ranging from INR 4 to 10 lakh per Annum. The pay scale of the graduates varies according to the job role, recruiters, lob location, etc., and increases with the number of years of work experience.
Listed below are some job profiles for candidates of Ph.D. Environmental Science with average salary trends.
- Ecologist:- INR 7 Lakh Per Annum
- Zoologist:- INR 9 Lakh Per Annum
- Hydrologist:- INR 8 Lakh Per Annum
- Research Associate:- INR 6 Lakh Per Annum
- Environmental Scientist:- INR 5 Lakh Per Annum
- Assistant Professor/Lecturer:- INR 6 Lakh Per Annum
FAQs on Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science
Ans:- After earning a postgraduate degree (M.Sc. or M. Phil) in environmental science or other relevant discipline, students can apply for a Ph.D. in environmental science. Admission to the program is made through both entrances and merit basis. However, those who hold an M. Phil degree are exempt from taking the entrance exam, but all other postgraduates must take the entrance and interview.
Ans:- Some popular and Job profiles and career opportunities for a Ph.D. Environmental Science Graduate include Environmental Scientist, Director of Waste Management, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Science Manager, Environment Journalists, Lecturer, Wildlife Film-maker, Environment Photographer, Conservation Hydrologist, etc.
Ans:- PhD in Environmental Science or Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science is a doctorate course that involves the advanced study of the environment & ecosystem and spans a minimum of 3 years & a maximum of 5 years.
Ans:- After obtaining an Ph.D. degree in Environmental Science, the graduates can work in various government and private organizations such as pollution control boards, the food processing industry, refineries, NGOs, textile industry. Almost all the universities and Government research organizations in India have an Environmental Department. So, they can also start working as JRF or Project Assistants for various projects.
Ans:- After graduating with an Ph.D. degree in Environmental Science, candidates in India can expect a starting salary ranging from INR 4 to 10 lakh per Annum. The pay scale of the graduates varies according to the job role, recruiters, lob location, etc., and increases with the number of years of work experience.
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