Ph.D. Geography, full form Doctor of Philosophy in Geography, is a research-based doctoral course that spans 3 to 5 years. Three years is the shortest, and five years is the most prolonged period to get awarded the degree. The program involves studying lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of the earth & planets, covering topics such as oceanography, transport & trade geography, geomorphology, biogeography, political geography, etc.
The minimum eligibility for this course includes obtaining Post Graduate degree in Geography from a recognized university with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks. Though the minimum required percentage varies from institute to institute, the most reputed colleges demand a minimum of 55% marks in a qualifying degree. Since admission to the program is entranced-based, candidates must score well in the relevant entrance examinations.
Some top institutes/universities in India that offer Ph.D. Geography courses include Banaras Hindu University (Varanasi), Jadavpur University (Kolkata), Jamia Millia Islamia (New Delhi), University of Calcutta (Kolkata), Aligarh Muslim University (Aligarh), Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Marathwada University (Aurangabad), etc. The average tuition fees for the program in India range between 20K to 2 LPA depending on the institution candidates attend.
Major PhD in Geography Course Details
Discussed below are the key highlights of the Ph.D. in Geography Course. So, check out the below to get an overview of the course.
| Course Name | PhD Geography |
| Full-form | Doctor of Philosophy in Geography |
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Course Duration | Three-years |
| Minimum Eligibility | Post Graduate degree in Geography or other relevant disciplines with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks from a recognized university |
| Admission Process | Entrance test followed by a Personal Interview |
| Average Course fee | INR20K to 2 LPA |
| Average Initial salary | INR 4 to 8 LPA |
| Areas of Employment | Businesses, Community, Social & Personal Services, Diplomacy, Publishing Houses, Geography Departments, Health & Social Work, Divinity, Hotels & Restaurants, Insurance Industry, Public Service, Research, Public Administration, Retail Sector Student Affairs, Teaching, etc |
| Top Job Profiles | Water Conservation Specialist, Geomorphologist, Geospatial analyst, Hydrologist, Oceanographer, Geographer, Professor, Teacher, etc. |
Eligibility Criteria for Ph.D. Geography
Candidates seeking admission to the Ph.D. Geography must fulfill the required conditions for the course. Discussed below are the minimum criteria of eligibility that must be met by the aspirants to be part of this course.
- Candidates must hold a postgraduate degree in geography (MSc Geography or MPhil Geography) to be part of this course.
- They must have obtained at least 55% of their master’s degree marks and a minimum of 60% marks in their graduation.
- Since admission to the program is made through entrance tests, a student must clear UGC, CSIR NET, or other relevant entrance tests to be a part of this course. Qualification in the entrance test is mandatory, and students must fulfill this to be called for the further selection process.
Top Entrance Exams for Ph.D. Geography
Entrance exams are a primary means for most colleges to decide which student to be admitted to the Ph.D. Geography course. Numerous colleges around the country have made a name for themselves by conducting internationally acclaimed research projects, and these colleges often conduct entrance exams to grant access to the program. Listed below are some of the popular exams for admission to Ph.D. Geography.
- GATE
- JNU-EE
- UGC NET
- CSIR UGC NET\
- JNU Ph.D. Entrance Exam
- Symbiosis Ph.D. Entrance Exam
Top Colleges for PhD Geography in India
Numerous colleges around the country have made a name for themselves by conducting internationally acclaimed research projects. Mentioned below are some of the best institutes that offer Ph.D. Geography courses in India.
- Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune
- Jadavpur University, Kolkata
- University of Calcutta, Kolkata
- Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
- University of Mumbai, Mumbai
- Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
- Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
- Dr. BR Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad
Doctor of Philosophy in Geography Syllabus
Though the syllabus for Ph.D. may vary slightly from college to college, discussed below is prescribed by most Universities and Colleges offering the program. Tabulated below are the core subjects covered in the course syllabus.
| First Year | Subjects/Topics of Study |
| Climatology | |
| Biogeography | |
| Oceanography | |
| Geomorphology | |
| Political Geography | |
| History of Geographic Thought | |
| Second Year | Cultural Geography |
| Economic Geography | |
| Industrial Geography | |
| Population Geography | |
| Settlement Geography | |
| Agricultural Geography | |
| Geography of Transport and Trade | |
| Third Year | Research |
| Cartography | |
| Social Geography | |
| Regional Planning | |
| Geography of India | |
| Statistical Methods |
Future Scopes for Ph.D. Geography Candidates
A Ph.D. in Geography offers career opportunities in various fields like Businesses, Community, Social & Personal Services, Diplomacy, Publishing Houses, Geography Departments, Health & Social Work, Divinity, Hotels & Restaurants, Insurance Industry, Public Service, Research, Public Administration, Retail Sector Student Affairs, Teaching, etc. Doctorates of the discipline can work in capacities such as Water Conservation Specialist, Geomorphologist, Geospatial analyst, Hydrologist, Oceanographer, meteorologist, environmental consultant, cartographer, urban planner, climatologist Geographer, Professor, Teacher, etc.
The course offers more research and educational opportunities, so, in case you want to pursue an academic profession or research in geography, a Ph.D. can help you achieve your goal.
Many higher study options are also available for students after a Ph.D. degree in Geography. Obtaining higher education in the field help students to better understand the subject and pursue a career in research if they are interested in it. Some popular higher education options for students after Ph.D. Geography includes Advanced Certificate in Geography CMA, etc.
PhD in Geography Jobs and Career Options
A plethora of job options are available for Ph.D. Geography Candidates. Some popular job profiles that candidates can aspire to after completing the program are listed below.
- Hydrologist
- Cartographer
- Meteorologist
- Urban planner
- Oceanographer
- Geomorphologist
- Professor/Teacher
- Geospatial analyst
- Climatologist Geographer
- Environmental consultant
- Water Conservation Specialist
Doctorates of PhD Geography Salary in India
The average salaries of the Ph.D. Geography candidates can vary according to the specialization that the aspirants have pursued. Other factors that affect the wages of the Ph.D. Geography doctorates in India include experience, location, and recruiter. Their salaries can also increase by doing internships and work placements as it would add to their experiences and skills. However, the average initial wage offered to the Ph.D. Geography candidates in India range from INR 4 to 8 Lakh Per Annum. Below are some popular job profiles with average salary trends.
- Cartographer:- INR 7.5 Lakh Per Annum
- Environmental Consultant:- INR 8, Lakh Per Annum
- Human Resources Specialist:- INR 7 Lakh Per Annum
- Nature Conservation Officer:- INR 6 Lakh Per Annum
- Geographical Information System Officer:- INR 5 Lakh Per Annum
FAQs on Doctor of Philosophy in Geography Course
Ans:- Yes, you can pursue Ph.D. in geography from IGNOU. Candidates who aspire to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in Geography course must have a master’s degree from any UGC-recognized institution with at least 55% marks in the previous degree. However, a relaxation of 5% marks is also given to candidates of reserved categories (ST/SC/OBC).
Ans:- Yes, you can pursue Ph.D. in Remote sensing after obtaining a postgraduate degree in the relevant discipline. Aspirants who want to advance their careers in remote sensing technology and contribute to geology, satellite production & development, surveying, and mapping can pursue a Ph.D. in Remote Sensing.
Ans:- Some top jobs and career options for Ph.D. Geography candidates include water Conservation Specialists, Geomorphologists, Geospatial analysts, Hydrologists, Oceanographers, geographers, professors, Teachers, etc.