PhD in Plan: PhD in Planning
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Program brief
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program at the Faculty of Planning is designed to prepare independent researchers and future academic leaders in urban planning and allied fields. The programme emphasises theoretically informed, methodologically robust, and policy-relevant research addressing contemporary challenges of urbanisation, infrastructure provision, governance, housing, mobility, and environmental change.
Situated within one of India’s leading centres for planning education and research, the programme offers a distinctive Global South perspective, grounded in rich empirical contexts while remaining strongly connected to global intellectual debates. Doctoral candidates benefit from close faculty mentorship, structured coursework, interdisciplinary dialogue, and opportunities to engage in teaching and sponsored research. Graduates of the program are well prepared for careers in academia, advanced research organisations, international development institutions, and policy-oriented professional practice.
The PhD program at the Faculty of Planning pursues excellence in research in the following areas:
- Spatial planning and urban design
- Urban governance
- Urban housing
- Urban infrastructure
- Urban transport
Doctoral Program in the Faculty of Planning | CUPDF: CEPT Urban Planning and Design Foundation (CUPDF), a Centre of Excellence under CEPT University offers Doctoral Research Fellowship in the areas of urban planning and urban design for doctoral scholars at the Faculty of Planning. Fellowship support shall be provided in the form of coverage of the doctoral program registration fee and a monthly stipend for the first two years, subject to an annual review of performance. Continuation of the fellowship beyond this period shall be contingent upon the Centre’s review and approval process. The monthly stipend shall range from ₹50,000 to ₹70,000, depending on the candidate’s prior experience.
Seats available: FIVE
President’s Scholarship: The applicants (other than the above Fellowship awardees) are eligible for a President's Scholarship, amounting to *Rs 40,000 per month during the coursework residency period (subject to review after the first semester). The selection for this scholarship is based on their performance during the admission process.
Seats available: ONE
*subject to change on the University’s discretion
There will be an opportunity to work on campus as teaching or research associates or tutors, as applicable, for students outside the CUPDF fellowship program. They shall be paid as per the University norms for each position.
Scholarship & Fellowship Opportunities
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Message from Program Chair
Faculty of Planning
Program Structure
- Degree Title
- Doctor of Philosophy (Planning)
- Duration
- 4.5 Years (Full Time)
- Total Credit
- 30 - 36 credits in one year of coursework
Key Features
The PhD program has been designed for an optimum duration of four and a half years. The first year is devoted to full-time, in-residence coursework that builds advanced theoretical, conceptual, and methodological foundations. During this period, doctoral students may also engage in teaching assistance and/or faculty-led research projects.
At the end of the coursework phase (semester 3), the students undergo a qualifying examination to demonstrate competence in their disciplinary field and proposed area of specialisation. The successful candidates are then awarded the PhD candidacy in the program.
During semester 4, the PhD candidates develop and defend a detailed doctoral research proposal under the guidance of their Dissertation Advisory Committee. On clearing this stage, the candidates are given up to two and a half years (until the end of Semester 9) to complete and submit their doctoral dissertation for external examination.
*The program structure and courses indicated above are based on previous years’ offerings and are subject to change.
Program Testimonials
Advance your doctoral journey with a global perspective.PhD programs at CEPT University offers international exchange opportunities, competitive fellowships, and collaborative research engagements with leading institutions worldwide. Gain meaningful academic exposure, strengthen your scholarly network, and contribute to impactful research in an increasingly interconnected world.
Doctoral Programs at CEPT offers an interdisciplinary approach to pursuing your research aspirations with its diverse pool of expertise in built environment and habitat studies. The University offers President's Scholarship during the residency period to the selected applicants based on their performance in the admission entrance exam. The support is available for ONE seat in each Faculty (Architecture, Planning, Technology).
