A PhD in English is a doctoral-level degree programme for advanced scholarly research in the English language and literature. There are a total of 417 universities in India that offer a PhD in English programme. 212 universities of them are government universities, and the other 205 universities are private universities that offer a PhD in English programme. Some of the top universities in India that offer a PhD in English programme are Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia, University of Delhi, Banaras Hindu University, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, and more. The top universities in India provide admission to a PhD in English based on some entrance tests, like UGC NET and university-specific tests. To get more detailed information about these top universities in India that offer a PhD in English programme, go through the complete article.
The top 5 universities in India that offer a PhD in English programme are mentioned in the table below, along with their NIRF Ranks 2025.
University | NIRF Rank 2025 | Ownership |
2 | Public | |
4 | Public | |
5 | Public | |
6 | Public | |
8 | Private |
Some of the top private universities in India that offer a PhD in English programme are mentioned in the table below.
University | NIRF Rank 2025 |
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | 8 |
17 | |
22 | |
28 | |
SASTRA University Thanjavur - Shanmugha Arts Science Technology Research and Academy | 29 |
In this section, we have mentioned some of the top government universities in India that offer a PhD in English programme.
University | NIRF Rank 2025 |
JNU Delhi - Jawaharlal Nehru University | 2 |
JMI New Delhi - Jamia Millia Islamia | 4 |
DU Delhi - University of Delhi | 5 |
BHU Varanasi - Banaras Hindu University | 6 |
9 |
The fee for the PhD in English programme at these top universities in India is mentioned in the table below.
University | Fees |
JNU Delhi - Jawaharlal Nehru University | - |
JMI New Delhi - Jamia Millia Islamia | - |
DU Delhi - University of Delhi | - |
BHU Varanasi - Banaras Hindu University | - |
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | - |
The eligibility criteria for a PhD in English at the top universities in India are mentioned in this section. Before proceeding to take admission into one of these top universities in India for a PhD in English programme, students are advised to read the eligibility criteria once.
Students must have completed a Master’s degree in a relevant domain or a BE/B.Tech programme with at least 55% marks from a recognised university or equivalent. Relaxations will be provided to SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)/Differently Abled students as per UGC regulations 2016.
Note: Students are advised to check the university-specific eligibility criteria for the PhD in English programme of the particular university they want to be admitted to.
These top universities in India offer admission to a PhD in English at them based on some national-level or university-specific entrance exams. Some of the popular entrance exams based on which these universities provide admissions are listed below.
University-specific tests
What are the top universities in India that offer a PhD in English?
Ans: The top universities in India that offer a PhD in English programme are:
Jawaharlal Nehru University
Jamia Millia Islamia
University of Delhi
Banaras Hindu University
What are the eligibility criteria for a PhD in English at top universities in India?
Ans: For a PhD in English at top universities in India, students should have completed a postgraduate degree in a relevant field with at least 55% marks from a recognised university.
How many seats are available at JNU Delhi for a PhD in English programme?
Ans: At JNU Delhi, there are a total of 11 seats available for the PhD in English programme.
What is the duration of the PhD in English programme?
Ans: A PhD in English is a minimum 3-year degree programme and a maximum of 6 years.
What after a PhD in English?
Ans: After completing a PhD in English, students can work in various sectors, like academia, publishing, writing, content creation, public relations, communication, government jobs, and other sectors.
NIRF Ranking:
44Careers360
: 42NIRF Ranking:
10Careers360
: 13NIRF Ranking:
101-150NIRF Ranking:
22Careers360
: 10NIRF Ranking:
8Careers360
: 3NIRF Ranking:
23Careers360
: 38NIRF Ranking:
101-150Careers360
: 86NIRF Ranking:
20Careers360
: 11NIRF Ranking:
151-200Ownership:
Dharmanagar, Tripura
Ownership:
Dharmanagar, Tripura
NIRF Ranking:
97NIRF Ranking:
6Careers360
: 8NIRF Ranking:
65Ownership:
Junagadh, Gujarat
Ownership:
Junagadh, Gujarat
NIRF Ranking:
46Careers360
: 40NIRF Ranking:
36Careers360
: 69NIRF Ranking:
76