Defence Institute of Advanced Technology – DIAT Pune PhD Admission 2026 (Jan)

4 October, 2025

Full details for Defence Institute of Advanced Technology – DIAT Pune PhD Admission 2026 (Jan).

Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) Pune, Deemed to be University (DIAT) under Dept. of Defence R&D / DRDO – Ministry of Defence, invites application for PhD Admission for 2026 (Jan).

Vacancy

Department /School-wise area of Research [Institutional Scholarship Category]

In addition, Project Staff (JRF/SRF/RA) and Candidates with CSIR-NET, DST, UGC-NET or any other National fellowship / scholarship available to them are also eligible to apply for Ph. D. admission in any subject area of the concerned Department / School.

Metallurgical and Materials Engg.
- Polymer Composite, Biotechnology / Microbiology / Biochemistry/ Nanocomposites/ Flexible Electrodes/ Textile Materials/ Biomaterials/ Bio nano technology / Bio nano polymer, High Entropy Alloys, High Temperature Materials, Coating/ Corrosion, Supercapacitor and battery type electrode materials, Piezoelectric materials, Armor materials, Coating materials, Composite materials, High Temperature coating and Ceramics, Additive manufacturing, Texture Thermomechanical Processing of Metallic Materials Electrical Steel, Additive Frictions stir Processing/Welding, Corrosion Behaviour in Metallic Materials, Polymer Nanocomposites for energy storage and water treatment, polyurethane foam for acoustic absorption and oil-water separation and carbon foams for energy storage, Polymer blend structure property relationship.
Electronics Engg.
- Antennas, Computational Electromagnetics, Energy Harvesting, Metamaterials, Radar, Radar Signal Processing, RF Photonics, RF/Microwave/Millimetre wave Passive and Active circuits, RFID, Microwave Imaging and Non-destructive Testing., EMI/EMC, Shielding material, Stealth Technology, UAV, Signal Processing, Robotics, UAV Surveillance, Underwater Acoustic, Intelligence, Embedded System, VLSI, FPGA, SoC, SDR, AI &ML, Electronic Warfare, Wireless Power Transfer, Localization.
Computer Science & Engineering
- Block Chain Technology, Cryptography, Secure Software Engineering, Post Quantum Cryptography, Artificial Intelligence, LLM, Game Theory, QML, ML for IoT, Cyber Security for AI, Cyber Security, AIML, DL Applications, Computer Vision, AI for Cyber Security, Deep Neural Networks, Generative AI, XAI, Responsible AI, AI for Cyber Security, Operating System, Malware Analysis, NLP, Secure Programming/Processing, Computer N/W, HPC, Multicore Architecture, Hardware Security, Cloud Computing and IoT.
Applied Mathematics
- Applied Mathematics, Convection in Porous Media, Computational Numerical Method’s for Differential Equations (AI / ML, Finite Element Method (s)), Mathematical Modelling, Cryptography, Fluid Mechanic with AI & ML, Numerical Solution to PDF, Machine Learning, Image Processing, Deep Learning, Computer Science Electronics, and Communication Engineering Robotics, Signal Processing, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, ML, DL, Fuzzy Metric Spaces, Probability Statistics.
Applied Chemistry, Energy and Environment
- Synthesis and Applications of Ionic Liquids, Membrane Process Green Solvents, Combustion of Hydrogen, Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation, Biomass to Fuel, Fuel Cell Membranes, Adsorption of Solutes, Wastewater Treatment, Co2 sequestration, Nanotechnology, Nanomaterial chemical synthesis QDs noble metal & metal hybrid chalcogenides for opto-electronics & energy application, Organic Chemistry, Organic Synthesis, Energetic Materials, Organic Hybrid Nanomaterials, Nanocomposites, Catalysis, Biomaterials Characterization, Biomimecity, Hydrogels, Sol-Gel Synthesis, Mesoporous Materials, Heat transfer enhancement, Heat Exchangers, Refrigeration and Air conditioning, Solar thermal application, Photovoltaics, Desalination, IC Engine, CFD, Bio-fuels, Water to Energy, Hydrogen Fuel Cell, Energy Management, Phase Change Materials, CFD and Heat Transfer, Hydrogen Storage, Electric Vehicles, Artificial Intelligence and Optimization, Solar Energy, Gas recovery from hydrates, Environmental Impact, Sustainability and Climate Science.
Mechanical Engg.
- Indentation, Deformation behaviour, Impact Mechanics, Surface Engineering, Tribology, Avionics, FEM, Vibration & PEGT, Broad area of Mechanical Engineering & its allied Branch, Composite material processing, Additive manufacturing, Micro Machining, Surface Engineering, CFD, Fluid Mechanics, Blast, Hardened Structures, Terramechanics, CFD, FSI, Shock tube Blast Valve, Heat Transfer, Composite structures, Fracture Mechanics, Functionally Graded Structures, Impact Mechanics, Heat transfer, Fluid Mechanics, Flow Control.
Aerospace Engg. and Autonomous Systems
- Robotics Control, Control of Autonomous System, Underwater Robotics, Humanoid Robot, Aerial Robotics, Control & Guidance in Aerospace Engineering.
Applied Physics
- Memristors, Photosensors, Microfluidic Lab-on-chip systems, Electronics-Nose for chemical VOC sensor, Radar Absorbing Materials, Metamaterials, Photoacoustic/Optical Communications, Optical Nano Materials, Fiber laser & amplifiers, solid state lasers, Biophotonics / Optics, Photonics, Optics, Lasers, Terahertz.
School of Defence Technology Management
- Behavioural Sciences, Aviation Management, Project Management, Supply Chain Management, Quality Management, Operation Research, Industrial Engineering, Aviation Technology, Maritime Surveillance, Applied AI/ML in Technology & Management.

Note: The candidates applying for Ph.D. Programme will be given opportunity to opt for a Joint Supervision in Ph.D Programme, with the Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) and CSIR – Central Scientific Instruments Organizations (CSIR-CSIO), Chandigarh.

For MoD Sponsored /Self Sponsored (DRDO, Tri-Services), Industry Sponsored/Industry Self Sponsored, Other R&D Govt. Organizations category – check notification for research areaa and vacancies.

About DIAT Pune

Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) is Technological Institute of National repute for higher learning. The Institute imparts education and training in Advanced Technologies used for Tri-services, DRDO, DPSUs, etc. DIAT found its roots in 1952 as a training institute that has grown over the years into a premier teaching and research institute for DRDO and the Armed Forces.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualification

A candidate seeking admission to the Ph.D. program shall be required to have passed the qualifying examination securing at least 55% marks or equivalent CGPA/DGPA. A relaxation of 5% of marks may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer) / PWD – (Divyang) categories. The qualifying degrees are: –

Master of Engineering/Master of Technology (or equivalent) for Ph.D. in Engineering/Science. OR
Master in Science (M.Sc. or equivalent) for Ph.D. in Science OR
A 1-year / 2-semester master’s degree programme after a 4-years / 8-semesters bachelor’s degree programme or 2-year / 4-semester master’s degree programme after a 3-year bachelor’s degree programme, or qualifications declared equivalent to the master’s degree by the corresponding statutory regulatory body, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in point scale wherever a grading system is followed.
Provided that a candidate seeking admission after a 4-years/8-semester bachelor’s degree programme should have a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed. A relaxation of 5% marks or equivalent grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer), Differently-Abled/EWS and other categories of candidates as per the decision of the Commission from time to time.
For School of Defence Technology Management:
- ME/M.Tech/MBA in a relevant discipline / (Science, Engineering, Management). OR
- A 1-year / 2-semester master’s degree programme after a 4-years / 8-semesters bachelor’s degree programme or 2-year / 4-semester master’s degree programme after a 3-year bachelor’s degree programme, or qualifications declared equivalent to the master’s degree by the corresponding statutory regulatory body, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in point scale wherever a grading system is followed.
- Provided that a candidate seeking admission after a 4-years/8-semester bachelor’s degree programme should have a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed. A relaxation of 5% marks or equivalent grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer), Differently-Abled/EWS and other categories of candidates as per the decision of the Commission from time to time.
A candidate who has passed the qualifying examination with the requisite percentage of marks as prescribed above and who fulfills the following requirements may be considered for admission to the Ph.D. programme:-
- Qualified in a national- level test such as CSIR/UGC NET, JEST, Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering (GATE), Rajiv Gandhi National fellowship, NBHM etc. DIAT will decide the subject-wise and category-wise GATE/NET cut-off. OR
- A candidate who is a recipient of National Doctoral Fellowship or other fellowships from government / semi-government organization such as Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), University Grants Commission (UGC), INAE, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Dept. of Biotechnology (DBT), Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and similar organizations.
Project Staff [JRF/SRF/RA] from DRDO Laboratories & DIAT working under sponsored projects may be allowed to register for PhD, subject to fulfilling eligibility criteria AND / OR qualified GATE/NET examination. After completion of project, if the student is qualified in GATE/NET or any other national exams etc. he/she may be eligible for DIAT fellowship as per DIAT rules.

Age limit

Not above 35 years as on July 01, 2026.
Relaxations as per Govt. of India rules apply to SC / ST / OBC / PH applicants.

Note

Women candidates are encouraged to apply for admission.
The Institute shall implement the reservation policy in Ph.D. admission in accordance with the relevant act of Parliament being in force from time to time.
A PWD (Divyang)/ SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer) candidate shall not get double benefit of being an SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer) and also a PWD candidate.

Selection Process

Admission to Ph.D. will be based on performance in the entrance exam (written test) conducted by the department concerned followed by a personal interview.
Since the applications may be shortlisted, merely possessing the prescribed qualifications would not entitle a person to be called for a written test/interview. The Institute may restrict the number of candidates to be called for a written test / interview to a reasonable limit based on qualifications / marks higher than that of the minimum prescribed in the advertisement.
For shortlisting candidates, the department screening committee may decide subject-wise and category-wise GATE/NET Cut off.

Financial Assistance

The selected Ph.D. candidates against this admission notice, admitted as full-time Ph.D. students [Institutional Scholarship category] will be provided financial assistance as per Institute rules, in force from time to time. Currently, the institutional fellowship for the first two years is Rs. 37,000/- and after that Rs. 42,000/- up to 05 years / till the submission of the thesis, whichever is earlier. The Ph.D. students (who are provided Institute fellowship) may also be assigned 4-6 hours per week of teaching/research assistantship for conducting tutorial or laboratory work and evaluation.
In addition to the Ph.D. scholarship, such candidates would also be entitled to a contingency grant (presently Rs. 15,000/- per year) in accordance with the decisions of the Institute.

Boarding / Lodging

Selected candidates will be provided hostel accommodation (Exclusive Girls Hostel available). Mess facilities are available on a payment basis. The present monthly charges towards boarding and lodging are Rs. 7,000/- (subject to revision). However, Rs. 40,000/- is to be deposited at the beginning of each Semester towards lodging and boarding charges in advance. A security deposit of Rs. 10,000/- would need to be paid to the Hostel Office.

Application Process

The application form is available at the Institute’s website http://www.diat.ac.in. An application fee of Rs. 500/- for the General / OBC category (Rs. 250/- for SC/ST & Women candidates) per programme is required to be paid either online (through State Bank collect) or by Demand Draft drawn in favor of Vice Chancellor, DIAT, Pune, payable at Pune-411025.

The filled-in application form in the prescribed proforma has to be forwarded in a sealed envelope, superscribed “Application for Admission to PhD Programme in the Department / School of ______” to the Joint Registrar (Academics), Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Girinagar, Pune 411025 along with the DD / online generated receipt and self-certified copies of mark lists, certificates, and other testimonials.

These documents should reach DIAT latest by on or before 14th Nov 2025. Postal delay will not be entertained. Candidates seeking admission to more than one Department/School need to apply separately (Maximum Two Departments).