Admission Procedure

Please note that applicants to the Mechanical Engineering Department need to submit all of the following documents to be considered for admission to the PhD programme:

• Carefully read the detailed instructions on how to fill the form online is given here .

• Application Form to be filled online is available here )

• At least two Reference Forms from referees who are well acquainted with your work. (forms are available here ). These forms can either be mailed to "The Convenor DPGC, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, UP" or sent by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

• SC-ST, OBC-NCL, PD certificates, if applicable (Forms for SC-ST can be downloaded here , for OBC-NCL can be downloaded here , and, for PD can be downloaded here )

• A 1-2 page Statement of Research should accompany your application form. The Statement of Research can also be mailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

• A 1 page abstract of the work done as part of your MTech thesis (Btech project, in case you are applying after Btech). This should be with your form or can be mailed separately to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Copies of papers that you may have published already in conferences and/or journals.These should be attached with your application form.

Also note that the requirements 4-6 are specific to the ME Department and are mandatory. They should reach us before the interview date, alongwith the completed application form. Your chances of getting admitted will be significantly affected if you do not send all the documents. Read the following FAQs carefully to understand more about the PhD selection process.

FAQ

Why do I need to submit additional documents?

PhD is the most important academic programme of our Department and we select students with great care. In order to build a robust and vibrant research atmosphere, we need motivated and capable students in the PhD programme.

Even before you appear for the interview, we carefully screen your application. We try to figure out, from the documents you have submitted, if you are truly interested and have demonstrated capability towards a career in research.

Your Statement of Research gives us a peek into your idea of research. We may not agree with it but we respect and value well formulated ideas. This statement also conveys something about the level of motivation you possess. A well formulated and original statement of research strengthens your application significantly.

You would have done some research in your MTech/BTech which you should describe in a one page abstract. We look at your ability to clearly and concisely describe your work and bring out the salient contributions you have made. The abstract of your MTech research tells us a bit about the quality of your prior research experience. But most importantly, it speaks about your ability to convey scientific ideas.

The recommendation letters are also very important. We value them greatly. You should try to get them from people who know you well, and can tell us about your latent strengths that are not apparent from your application form. Serious, in-depth recommendations will strengthen your application.

What can I expect during the interview?

The interview committee is drawn from faculty members of our department and some from outside it. The committee has a very wide range of expertise.

Before the interview, we will pre-screen your application. When you enter the interview room, the committee will already have an idea about your application based on the Statement of Research, abstract of MTech work and letters of recommendation that you have submitted.

You will be asked questions mainly in the area in which you want to carry out your research. You will also be asked questions on your Statement of Research and the prior work you have done for your MTech thesis/BTech projects. Additionally, some questions on basic mathematics (at an undergraduate level) are also asked. A list of topics from which questions are generally asked is given here

You should be relaxed and try to reason out rather than remember the answers. We like to see how you are thinking and are not so interested in how much you have memorized. Also, this is an interview for selection, notelimination. The interview board will in general be friendly, helping and patient.

How will I be evaluated?

In general, you will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
1. Academic performance:

• Master's / Bachelor's degree performance.

• GATE score and any other public examination results to substantiate candidate's academic credentials.

• Other significant academic achievements.

2. Acumen for PhD studies:

• Statement of Research.

• Master's / Bachelor's degree thesis / major project work.

• Recommendations.

• Research papers / reports written / published etc.

3. IITK Evaluation:

• Performance during interview or interview and written test.

• Suitability of candidate's interest with interest of faculty members at ME, IITK.

• How many positions are there?

• The tentative number of open positions at the moment varies from year to year. However, the distribution amongst the 4 streams (Solid Mechanics and Design, Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences, Manufacturing Sciences and Robotics) is flexible.

Whom should I contact for further information?

For all matters pertaining to the admission process, you can write a mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . We receive many mails everyday and will be able to reply only if you state your question clearly and concisely?