A PhD is a postgraduate doctoral degree, awarded to scholars who complete an original thesis providing a substantial new contribution to knowledge in their subject in a strict accordance with UGC rules, an apex body in India for regulating higher education. PhD qualifications are available in all subjects and are usually the highest level of academic degree a person can obtain. It takes a tremendous amount of time, inventiveness and dedication from each candidate, and the benefits of such hard work are wonderful. The PhD program prepares a person for a variety of respected careers in many fields such as an instructor, educator, researcher, or scientist. Requirements for obtaining a PhD degree are not very different in universities as they are governed by the standards established by the apex bodies under MHRD.

Rules can differ significantly from undergraduate degrees in research to higher doctorates. A person who has been able to successfully complete a philosophy doctorate is automatically given the academic title of "doctor". Although the students are typically referred to as doctoral students, scholars or PhD researchers when completing the program. However, after the student has completed all the course work and its exams, they are often referred to as doctoral researchers or PhD researchers working on their thesis.