Updated October 28, 2022
PhD in Botany or Doctor of Philosophy in Botany is a three-year doctorate in plant science. The program deals with the research-based study of plants and their survival & interaction with other living and nonliving elements of the environment. It includes study components such as Foundations of Medicine, Biomedical Research, Nomenclature, and Biological Conservation.
Candidates aspiring to pursue the Ph.D. in Botany course must have a Postgraduate or Master’s degree from a recognized university/institute of higher learning in the relevant discipline with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks. Admission to the program in India is based on the candidate’s performance in a relevant entrance test and a round of Personal interviews.
Some top institutes in India that offer MSc Botany courses include Christ University (Bangalore), Presidency College (Chennai), Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College (Chennai), Jadavpur University (Kolkata), Indian Institute of Technology (Kanpur). The average fee for the entire course in India ranges from INR 20K to 8 Lakh, depending on the selection of the institution.
Important PhD in Botany Course Details
Below are some key highlights of the Doctor of Philosophy in Botany course, such as course duration, eligibility, eligibility, jobs, salary, etc.
| Course Name | PhD in Botany |
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Full-form | Doctor of Philosophy in Botany |
| Course Duration | Three-years |
| Examination Pattern | Semester-wise |
| Minimum Eligibility | Postgraduate or Master’s degree in the relevant field of study with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks. |
| Admission Process | Based on candidates’ performance in the relevant entrance test and round of interviews. |
| Average Course Fee | INR 20K to 8 Lakh |
| Average Initial Salary | INR 2 to 6 LPA |
| Top employment Areas | Biotechnology Firms, Seed and Nursery Companies, Plant Resources Laboratory, Educational Institutions, Plant Health, Inspection Services, Oil Industry, Arboretum, Forest Services, Land Management Agencies, National Parks, Chemical Industry, Food Companies, Biological Supply Houses, etc. |
| Top Job Profiles | Mycologist, Administrators, Ecologists, Fruit Growers, Plant Biochemists, Foresters, Researchers, etc. |
Ph.D. Botany Admission Process
Admission to the PhD Botany program is made based on the candidate’s performance in a relevant entrance test and a round of Personal interviews conducted by the respective university/institute. Candidates are selected for the program based on both academic record and performance in a nationwide screening test, such as CSIR NET, DBT, UGC NET, etc.
Ph.D. in Botany Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to pursue a Ph.D. Botany Course aspirants must meet the specific conditions. As a minimum eligibility criterion, candidates must meet the below requirements.:
- Aspirants must have a Postgraduate or Master’s degree in botany (MPhil Botany, MSc Botany) or other relevant disciplines from a recognized institute/university.
- They should have scored a minimum aggregate of 55% marks or equivalent grade at the post-graduation level. However, some institutions give a relaxation of 5% marks to SC/ST candidates.
- Since admission to the Ph.D. Botany program is entranced-based, candidates also need to clear the relevant entrance test conducted at the national, state, or university level.
Popular PhD botany Entrance Exams
Numerous institutes in India grant access to the Ph.D. Botany program through a nationwide screening test. Listed below are some popular entrance tests for the program.
- DBT
- CSIR NET
- UGC NET
Top PhD in Botany Colleges in India
India is home to a large number of colleges/universities offering Ph.D. in Botany courses. Students have many options to choose from where to take admission. Listed below are some of the top institutes in India that offer the Ph.D. in Botany course.
- Loyola College, Chennai
- Khalsa College, Amritsar
- GLA University, Mathura
- Christ University, Bangalore
- Presidency College, Chennai
- Jadavpur University, Kolkata
- IFTM University, Moradabad
- KR Mangalam University, Gurgaon
- The Northcap University, Gurgaon
- Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
- Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi
- Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida
- Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
- Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi
- Periyar Maniammai University, Thanjavur
- Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi
- Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur
- Manav Rachna International University, Faridabad
- Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi
- Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College, Chennai
- Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur
- Centurion University of Technology and Management, Bhubaneswar
PhD in Botany Syllabus and Course Description
The Ph.D. in Botany course syllabus comprises two semesters of study. The syllabus may vary slightly from institute to institute, but the crux is maintained throughout colleges across the nation offering the course. Below are some of the subjects and topics students go through while pursuing this doctorate course.
Particulars of PhD in Botany Syllabus
| Semesters | Subject/Topics of Study |
| Semesters I | Research Proposal |
| Research Methodology | |
| Recent advances in Plant Physiology | |
| Recent advances in Mycology and Plant Pathology | |
| Semesters II | Trends in Biotechnology |
| Recent advances in Ecology | |
| Taxonomy, Biodiversity & Conservation |
Scope After Ph.D. in Botany Course
Careers opportunities abound for botany doctorates in areas like Biotechnology Firms, Seed and Nursery Companies, Plant Resources Laboratory, Educational Institutions, Plant Health, Inspection Services, Oil Industry, Arboretum, Forest Services, Land Management Agencies, National Parks, Chemical Industry, Food Companies, Biological Supply Houses, etc. The Ph.D. candidates in botany can build their careers in the field as Soil & Plant Scientists, Biophysicists, Biochemists, Biological technicians, Environmental Scientists & Specialists, mycologists, Plant breeders, horticulturists, etc.
Botany is the study of living plants, fossils, and their interactions with the natural world. The study of the anatomy, physiology, and taxonomy of plants as well as their life processes are specializations in the field.
Popular PhD Botany Jobs in India
Professional avenue for the postgraduates of PhD Botany is innumerable in various fields surrounding the discipline of botany. Listed below are the popular jobs and career options in India after a Ph.D. in Botany.
- Forester
- Ecologist
- Mycologist
- Researchers
- Biophysicists
- Plant Breeder
- Fruit Growers
- Horticulturists
- Plant Biochemist
- Soil & Plant Scientists
- Environmental Scientists
Graduates of PhD Botany Salary in India
The salary of a Ph.D. Botany postgraduates vary depending on location, experience, industry, job profiles, etc. However, the average starting earnings of a graduate in India ranges from INR 2 – 8 Lakh per annum, depending on their designations. Listed below are some top profiles after Ph.D. Botany with average salary trends.
- Ecologist:- INR 7 Lakh Per Annum
- Mycologist:- INR 7 Lakh Per Annum
- Taxonomist:- INR 5 Lakh Per Annum
- Agronomist:- INR 6.5 Lakh Per Annum
- Plant Breeder:- INR 6 Lakh Per Annum
FAQs on Doctor of Philosophy in Botany Course
Ans:- Ph.D. in Botany or Doctor of Philosophy in Botany is a three-year doctorate in plant science. The program deals with the research-based study of plants and their survival & interaction with other living and nonliving elements of the environment.
Ans:- Candidates aspiring to pursue the Ph.D. in Botany course must have a Postgraduate or Master’s degree from a recognized university/institute of higher learning in the relevant discipline with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks.
Ans:- Careers opportunities abound for botany doctorates in areas like Biotechnology Firms, Seed and Nursery Companies, Plant Resources Laboratory, Educational Institutions, Plant Health, Inspection Services, Oil Industry, Arboretum, Forest Services, Land Management Agencies, National Parks, Chemical Industry, Food Companies, Biological Supply Houses, etc.