A PhD stands for Doctorate in Philosophy which is considered as the degree of the highest order. It can be done in various subjects like Geography, Mathematics, Physics, and Biology and even in languages like French, German, English and Urdu etc.
Scholars picking up Urdu for their Doctorate research are supposed to delve deeper into the language and prepare a detailed theory on the literary aspect of it; they choose the literature in the Urdu language as their chosen subject of research.
Some of the top institutes that offer PhD in Urdu are Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Queen Mary's College (Autonomous), University of Kashmir, and Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya.
The course fees for PhD in Urdu varies between INR 2000 - INR 2,00,000 and after completing the course, I might get a job for INR 2,00,000 - INR 20,00,000. The best career option after pursuing PhD in Urdu is being a teacher by profession.
However if one wants to pursue a correspondence degree, they can opt for IGNOU, Nalanda Open University and Jamia Millia Islamia.
Quick Facts
| Course name | PhD in Urdu |
| The average duration of the course | 3-4 years |
| Eligibility | Master’s Degree in a related subject |
| Admission Process | Entrance + Interview |
| Average Course Fee | INR 2000- 2lacs. |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 2-10lacs. |
| Popular Job Areas | Universities, Colleges, News Channels, Embassies, Tuitions, Language Academy |
| Popular Designations | Assistant Professor, Language Trainer, Reporter, Translator, Editor, Customer Support Executive, Tutor, Researcher |
All about PhD in Urdu
A PhD in Urdu is a 3-4 years course that hones the skills of a candidate as a researcher. It provides a thorough knowledge in the chosen domain but the journey from entry to course completion is not easy.
- To pursue a PhD in Urdu, a candidate need to be accountable, detail-oriented persistent with good communication skills. Since a lot of effort is needed to come up with good research work, candidates should be willing to work diligently and passionately.
- The ability to skim and scan journals, books and any other textual information is a prerequisite for the course.
- Candidates must also have a keen interest in the cultural studies of Urdu literature and language and other aspects of the Islamic religion.
- Applicants who are already working as junior research scholars in some university or college and are willing to improve their profile are an ideal fit for the program besides candidates highly interested in it.
Why study PhD in Urdu?
Enrolment in the PhD program in Urdu opens the doors to the plethora of literary as well as linguistic learning.
- A candidate gets to enlighten themselves about rich cultures that are shaped by the language. The richness of the language lies in the fact that it is considered the eleventh most popular language in the world and has an important place in the history of our country.
- A PhD scholar gets to view the language in its entirety whether they choose poetry, drama, fiction or literary criticism.
- Upon successful completion of the degree, candidates are eligible to get jobs in various fields like the education sector, media firms, literary fields etc.
- They can also get a well-reputed job overseas primarily in Gulf countries as translators and researchers.
- One can even establish their own language coaching centres and teach other interested people.
PhD in Urdu Admission
Admission in the field requires clearing the entrance test followed by an interview wherein as per the guidelines given by the university, candidates might be asked to present their research proposal that would be a brief outline about their selected topic for research in the course.
PhD in Urdu Eligibility
- The minimum eligibility for PhD in Urdu is a postgraduate in Urdu with a minimum of 55% from a recognized university.
- Teaching experience in the same would be considered as an advantage.
- M.Phil degree holders are welcome
- Students in the final semester of their M.phil/MA are also eligible to apply for the course.
PhD in Urdu Admission
All candidates looking for admission in the course require registering themselves online on their chosen university’s website and following the instructions.
| University/College | Average course fee |
|---|---|
| University of Delhi | INR 20000 |
| Jamia Millia Islamia | INR 30000 |
| Mumbai University | INR 2000 |
| Banaras Hindu University | INR 9000 |
| Aligarh Muslim University | INR 9285 |
| University of Hyderabad | INR 8980 |
| University of Calcutta | INR 4400 |
| Osmania University | INR 1000 |
| Chaudhary Charan Singh University | INR 3720 |
| Maulana Azad National Urdu University | INR 9000 |
| University of Rajasthan | INR 40215 |
| University of Madras | INR 10970 |
| University of Jammu | INR 75000 |
| Punjab University | INR 14500 |
| Allahabad State University | INR 35500 |
| Deendayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University | INR 5500 |
| Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya | INR 73600 |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University | INR 1381 |
| Patna University | INR 9000 |
| Queen’s Mary College | INR 1335 |
Entrance Examination
Few major universities that conduct entrance tests for PhD in Urdu and the detail of their fees are as follows:
The minimum requirement to appear in any of these entrances is a master’s degree or appearing in the final examination.
Exam dates: The exam dates of the above-mentioned tests are decided by the apex bodies which are as follows:
| Examinations | Registration Date | Exam Dates |
|---|---|---|
| ICAR AICE JRF/SRF | To be Announced | To be Announced |
| CSIR UGC NET (June Session) | 2nd week of March – 2nd week of April 2023 | 3rd week of June 2023 |
| UGC NET (July Session) | December 29, 2022 – January 23, 2023 | February 21, 2023 – March 10, 2023 |
Entrance Examination Preparation Tips
Clearing a PhD exam is an entry to the program. However, it is not easy to get into the program. Hence it is very important that a candidate works hard and prepares very well. Just appearing in the test doesn’t guarantee admission to the course. Hence few pointers are to be kept in mind:
- Update yourself with the current syllabus of the entrance
- Solve previous year papers to get an idea of what kind of questions are to be expected in the entrance exam
- Be thorough with the master’s syllabus of various universities
- Compare and contrast the additions in the syllabus, analyze and prepare accordingly
- Acquaint yourself with the pattern of exam and accordingly prepare for each section
- Decide your area of specialization as in the second phase of the admission a research proposal would be needed and an interview will be conducted on the same.
- Research more about the topics and try to gain as much in-depth knowledge about the language, literature and theories related to Urdu.
- Look for contemporary important literary figures in Urdu, their contributions and their latest achievements.
PhD in Urdu Syllabus
The syllabus of PhD in Urdu is as follows:
| Year | Topic |
|---|---|
| I | Research Methodology |
| I | Method of Research |
| I | Identification, Formation and Delimiting of the Research Problem |
| I | The Research Proposal |
| I | Tools of the Research |
| II | Literary History of Urdu |
| II | Meaning and Scope of literary History |
| II | Different concepts of Urdu literary History |
| II | Literary periods of Urdu literature and their importance |
| II | Literary schools and their significance |
| III | Study of Deccani Literature |
| III | Beginning And Evaluation Of Urdu Literature In Deccan |
| III | Salient Features Of Deccani Linguistics |
| III | Farm Of Urdu Literature “Mathnavi” |
| IV | History of Urdu Literary Criticism And Research |
| IV | Importance Of Literary Criticism |
| IV | Principles Of Urdu Literary Criticism |
| IV | Various Thoughts Of School Of Literary Criticism |
Subjects: The various subjects mentioned in the syllabus are to be studied by the candidate. These subjects would enhance the knowledge while specializing scholars in Urdu fiction as numerous Urdu writers would be studied especially in the paper titled Literary History of Urdu. Modern Literature, as well as Classical Poetry, makes up an important aspect of PhD curriculum.
PhD in Urdu Distance Mode
The distance mode of education offers flexibility to the students as they need not be under the constraints of physically appearing at their university on regular basis. Distance PhD is offered by few universities in India namely Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Nalanda Open University, University of Madras, Punjab University, Jamia Millia Islamia (Centre for Distance and Open Learning) etc.
These universities are well recognized and upon successful completion of the degree, candidates stand an equal opportunity to bag a reputed job offer.
The list of universities and their average fee are as follows:
| Name of University | Average Fee |
|---|---|
| Indira Gandhi National Open University | INR 14000 |
| Nalanda Open University | INR 4400 |
| Jamia Millia Islamia | INR 5000 |
PhD in Urdu in India
The following table provides information about the top universities that provide PhD in the Urdu language along with their ranking.
| NIRF/India Today/Outlook Ranking | College/University Name | Average fee |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF 06 | University of Delhi | INR 20000 |
| NIRF 16 | Jamia Millia Islamia | INR 30000 |
| NIRF 03 | Jawaharlal Nehru University | INR 1381 |
| NIRF 07 | Banaras Hindu University | INR 9000 |
| NIRF 10 | Aligarh Muslim University | INR 9285 |
| NIRF 12 | Punjab University | INR 14500 |
| NIRF 06 | University of Hyderabad | INR 8980 |
| NIRF 52 | University of Jammu | INR 75000 |
| NIRF 22 | University of Madras | INR 10970 |
| NIRF 29 | Osmania University | INR 1000 |
| NIRF 07 | University of Calcutta | INR 4400 |
| NIRF 41 | Queen’s Mary College | INR 1335 |
| NIRF 65 | University of Mumbai | INR 2000 |
| India Today 31 | Patna University | INR 9000 |
| Outlook ICARE 24 | Maulana Azad National Urdu University | INR 9000 |
| India Today 38 | Allahabad State University | INR 35500 |
PhD in Urdu College Comparison
The table below gives a comparison between the University of Delhi and Jamia Millia Islamia. Both of these universities provide PhD in Urdu.
| Parameter | Jamia Millia Islamia | University of Delhi |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | It is a Central University that strongly believes in bringing socio-economic transformations. The university offers UG, PG and Doctorate in various courses. | It is the first public central university that got the status of “Institute of Excellence” by UGC. Inspired by a motto of “dedication, steadfastness and truth”, the university offers quality education to its students. |
| Founded | 1920 | 1922 |
| NIRF Ranking | 16 | 06 |
| Location | Delhi | Delhi |
| Average fees | INR 30000 | INR 15-20000 |
| Average starting salary package | INR 20000 | INR 20-25000 |
| Top recruiting companies | DD Urdu, Urdu Times, Air India, DLF, HCL, Maruti Suzuki, NTPC | Akhbar Urdu, Aalami Samay, Squid TV, Doordarshan, Prasar Bharati |
PhD in Urdu from Abroad
PhD in Urdu is not just offered in India but various other countries as well. The popularity of Urdu is found globally and that is why various countries across the globe offer a Doctorate in the language. A list of same is as follows:
| Ranking | Name of University | Average fee |
|---|---|---|
| QS ranking 801-1000 | Ankara University | 24000 Turkish Lira per year |
| QS ranking 1001-1200 | University of Karachi | 48400 Pakistani Rupees |
| CWUR ranking 1806 | University of Peshawar | 107600 Pakistani Rupees |
| QS ranking 443 | University of Konstanz | 650 Euros per semester |
| World ranking 5804 | National University of Modern Languages | 72000 Pakistani Rupees |
| World ranking 8454 | Lahore College for Women University | 61020 Pakistani Rupees |
PhD in Urdu Scope
Urdu is a popular language not just in our country but also globally. According to the data, about a 70million population all over the world speaks Urdu as their first language while a 100million people have it as their second language.
The scope of PhD in Urdu is vast as after completing the course, a candidate would learn so much about the culture of the language as well as its literary aspects. Knowledge of a language has just advantages.
The curriculum of PhD is holistic in nature. One gets to learn about every little detail necessary to be known about the language, how it evolved and literary contributors that are responsible for putting it on to global space.
The research conducted by the candidate in the course enables him/her to explore the beauty of the language. It requires an analytical and detail-oriented mind to do an in-depth study of the language.
The demand for PhD scholars are not just in India but abroad as well. They are paid handsomely and their career flourishes in the field of research and training, media firms and embassies.
They have the option to go into academic jobs as researchers or linguists. Translators these days are greatly in demand. These jobs come with the benefit of security and growth.
Working as a critic, writing books, critic for novels published in Urdu are just a few of the career prospects for a PhD in Urdu scholar.
PhD in Urdu Salary and Jobs
A PhD in Urdu scholar is always in demand and various big companies look for candidates with such degrees. Skills like analytical and observational skills are absolutely required for the growth of the language and promoting it among the common masses so that a beautiful language like Urdu doesn’t suffer the same fate as obsolete archaic languages. Since the language is in demand, various companies recruit PhD scholars to work for them.
Top Recruiters for PhD in Urdu
Top recruiting companies for PhD scholars are:
- HCL
- TATA Consultancy
- Dailyhunt
- Indiatimes
- Zee News
- Accenture
The government sector also hires PhD Urdu scholars. Some government companies are listed below:
- Doordarshan
- Press Information Bureau
- Bureau of Outreach & Communication
- Publications Division
- Various government universities
- Registrar of Newspapers for India
- Electronic Media Monitoring Centre (EMMC)
Job Profiles
It is to be kept in mind that like any job, one needs to find an entry-level point to any job field and then climb the ladder up with time and experience.
After a few years of experience, a candidate can become eligible for higher positions in the selected industry. But the advantage that PhD Urdu candidates get is that their growth is relatively faster in comparison to a graduate or postgraduate.
The following table gives an idea about the job profile, type of job and expected average salary.
| Job profile | Job description | Average annual salary |
|---|---|---|
| Language trainer | The job of a language trainer is to teach the language to people and make them proficient in reading, writing, listening and speaking. | INR 2,66,209 |
| Urdu writer | This job involves creating content in the Urdu language. Their writings can range from thesis, biographies articles etc in the Urdu language. | INR 3,44,100 |
| Editor | Editors are responsible for making changes in the content provided to make it more accurate and clear. They analyze the contents given by authors, journalists and writers. | INR 3,59,978 |
| Private tutor | Private tutors guide the students of schools and colleges and help them with their academic needs. They work with students to enhance their cognitive skills and assign them work that would help them improve their overall grades. | INR 2,91,632 |
| Teacher | A teacher's job is to cater to the needs of a student and hone their cognitive, affective and psychomotor abilities. They prepare lesson plans and deliver the same in the classroom. They are responsible for every student in present in the classroom and hence as an Urdu teacher, the job would involve inculcating respect towards the language and learning and appreciating literature. | INR 1,00,000 |
| Professor | As a professor, the job would involve teaching the contents of the curriculum to the students and access and improve their understanding. | INR 6,00,000 |
| Content writer | A content writer is responsible for producing content as needed by a website or any organization. The content is supposed to be original and plagiarism free. An Urdu content writer produces the content in the Urdu language. | INR 4,45,300 |
| Head of Department | The Head of the Department is responsible for looking after all the professors in the department. They look after the needs of the students and their improvement. | INR 12,94,509 |
| Translator | A translator translates the given language into the target language while keeping the meaning intact. | INR 4,02,092 |
PhD in Urdu Skills
To complete the PhD in Urdu program, a candidate must possess few essential skills as prerequisites. These skills come in handy when one pursues the degree as it is a long journey from enrolment to final thesis approval. Some of these skills are:
- Observational skills: To keep an open eye around the current state of the Urdu language in the country.
- Analytical skills: To analyze the content prescribed in the syllabus, form opinions and carry the research.
- Language skills: Ability to convey the thoughts or opinions of research work with the right choice of words.
- Interpersonal skills: The relationship established while doing PhD goes a long way. Hence it is important to maintain a healthy relationship with colleagues and supervisors.
- Public speaking: The final stage would require presenting the research paper to a panel of professors. Sometimes a PhD scholar is also given classes to conduct while pursuing their course.
- Writing skills: To convey the essence of original research work, a candidate needs to have impeccable writing skills.
- Leadership skills: As a teacher mentors, PhD scholars need to have leadership skills to motivate their students.
- Time management skills: To finish the degree on time, it is essential to manage time effectively and utilize it judiciously.
- Critical thinking: To think critically is the basic need of a PhD scholar especially for a language subject. One needs to evaluate and analyze arguments to come up with their own conclusions.
- Collaboration: Sometimes scholars collaborate with other professors and publish works that add value to their learning.
- Project management: Finishing the research work requires designing a project, making realistic timelines and overcome problems by finding a concrete solution
PhD in Urdu FAQs
Ques. Would it be worth doing a PhD in Urdu?
Ans. In terms of qualification, anyone with a PhD is holding the highest qualification. Hence, it certainly is worth the effort. Not only that, once the degree is finished, the job prospects are wider and better too.
Ques. Can I get admission in PhD Urdu after doing B.A Program?
Ans. It is not possible to get admission in PhD after doing a BA program since the minimum requirement is MA in Urdu. If after the BA program, you complete MA in Urdu, only then can you become eligible to pursue a PhD.
Ques. Can I do a distance PhD?
Ans. Various universities like the Nalanda Open University, IGNOU, Jamia Millia Islamia offer correspondence PhD programs. You can definitely check them out and pursue your dream of a PhD.
Ques. What are the few research topics I can take for my research proposals?
Ans. Various topics as per interest can be taken to prepare a research proposal like Urdu drama post-1947, Iqbal the poet and writer, literary theories in Urdu literature, the contribution of Akhtar Hussain in Urdu literature etc.
Ques. Will I get any job after completing PhD in Urdu?
Ans. As already mentioned, various jobs are available to PhD in Urdu scholars. One needs not to worry about it. The jobs in media firms, the teaching field and even corporate are well paying and of high repute.
Ques. What is the registration process of different universities?
Ans. While each university follows its own timeline for registration, one must keep checking the university website for notification. The steps are very well guided by each university.
Ques. Is there any scope internationally for a PhD in Urdu scholar?
Ans. Many international companies hire PhD Urdu scholars as translators and interpreters. They might even require relocation. Over a period of time, one can obtain citizenship of the country.
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