PhD Admission

2022-23

Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad

Email: office@che.iith.ac.in Tel: +91 40 2301 6200
Website: https://che.iith.ac.in Kandi, Sangareddy 502 284, TS
5 02285
 2

MESSAGE
The Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Hyderabad (ChE@IITH) is one of the fastest
growing Chemical Engineering Departments in the country and has an excellent reputation in
teaching and research, built over the last 13 years. With 22 faculty members engaged in cutting
edge research, we provide quality programs in chemical engineering education, research, and
expert consulting support to process industries.

“To deliver world-leading research, education, and inspiration

in chemical engineering and practice what we learn as a
chemical engineer to serve the country and society at large.”

With IITH standing tall in the NIRF ranking, ChE@IITH is committed to set new heights for
excellence in engineering education and research. We will achieve this ambitious goal by (i)
instilling our fractal teaching approach which provides our students the extreme flexibility of
need based learning, (ii) amalgamating the theoretical concepts and practical training of
chemical engineering that makes this ever green stream of engineering to be more adorable to
our students, (iii) attacking the hard pressed social problems through an interdisciplinary
research approach helping our students and faculties to become more socially responsible
citizens, (iv) implanting the culture of productization and start-up in the young mind of our
students to think big and green for future, and (v) making high quality education accessible to
the citizens of the country at their ease.

Professor Kishalay Mitra

HOD, ChE
e-mail: head@che.iith.ac.in
 3

VISSION, MISSION AND AIMS

Our Vision

To be recognized by academia and industry worldwide as the leading Indian

Chemical Engineering Department and a preferred place for students to learn,
recruiters to recruit, faculty and staff to join and serve the country .

Our Mission

To deliver world -leading research, education, and inspiration in chemical

engineering and practice what we learn as a chemical engine er to serve the
country and society at large .

Our Aims

The Department of Chemical Engineering’s mission is to make the world a better

place through Research and Education, in line with the overall Institute strategy.
We strive to deliver world leading research, education and leadership in
chemical engineering and its transformational application to industry and
society.
 4

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
The Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad offers BTech, MTech and PhD
programs to prepare them to become leaders of tomorrow who can transform the chemical
industries to solve the socio-economic problems in a sustainable manner. The core of the
undergraduate curriculum is designed to build strong foundations in chemical thermodynamics,
reaction kinetics, fluid mechanics, process control, and principles of mass and transfer. The
department also offers advanced compulsory courses to strength their fundamentals to an even
higher level. The department also offers a large number of electives in the areas of energy and
environment, advanced materials, CFD, chemical processes and biological engineering,
mineral processing, soft matters, multiphase flow, AI&ML, atomistic simulation and bio-
engineering and system biology. The advanced electives along with training on live projects
prepares our students to address problems that cuts across the boundaries of conventional
chemical engineering.

B.Tech

B.Tech Dual Degree

Features:
(B.Tech + M.Tech)
• Total credit requirement is 129.
• B.Tech (Hons) is also offered by Features:
the department.
• A project work is compulsory for ▪ A student can choose to continue for
B.Tech (Hons) students higher program by converting to
• Students can opt for ChE as minor dual degree.
▪ Master thesis is compulsory for all
or major through earning specified
dual degree student.
additional credits.
▪ Dual degree students are eligible to
Duration: 4 years (8 Semesters) receive fellowship in last two
Entrance: Admission through JEE semester as per regular MTech
Advanced student.
Duration: 5 years (10 Semesters)
Entrance: Admission through JEE
Advanced
 5

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

MTech

Regular MTech Self-sponsored MTech

Features: Features: Self sponsored MTech is
• Total credit requirement is 52, which nonsubsidized master’s degree
includes 17 core courses, 7 program. Academic requirement is
electives, and 4 laboratory courses. similar to the regular MTech program.
• M. Tech thesis credit requirement is Candidates are required to pay tuition
24. fees on per credit basis. Such
• Several M. Tech thesis topics are candidates are not eligible for financial
motivated by the industry. assistantship under MHRD.
• Industry lectures have been
introduced in the M. Tech curriculum
to get the students acquainted with
Duration: 2 years (4 Semesters)
Entrance: Minimum CGPA 7.0 and
different topics of industry interest.
based on the performance in written test
Duration: 2 years (4 Semesters) and or interview.
Entrance: Admission through GATE. IIT
graduate with minimum CGPA 8.0 without
GATE score.

PhD

Direct PhD Regular PhD

Features: Total credit requirement is 24. Features: Total credit requirement is 12.
Duration: 5 years with Fellowship Credit requirement is 24 for candidates with
Eligibility criteria: B.E/B.Tech with valid MSc degree.
GATE Score and minimum CGPA of 8.5 Duration: 5 years with Fellowship
Eligibility criteria: M.E/M.Tech with
department specified cut off CGPA or
External/ Sponsored PhD equivalent.
MSc with UGC/CSIR NET score and
Features: Total credit requirement is 24. department specified cut off CGPA or
Candidates from national laboratory, equivalent.
academics and industry are eligible. IITH project sponsored candidates are also
Duration: 5 years with no fellowship eligible to apply.
Eligibility criteria: M.E/M.Tech with
minimum 2 years of experience.
 6

RESEARCH AREAS
Research spans a wide variety of exciting areas including fluids, mineral processing, catalysis,
materials for energy and biological applications, nanotechnology, bioengineering, process
control, optimization, microfluidics, and DFT studies. The department now hosts about 60 PhD
students. Our strong commitment to research is evidenced by INR 30 crores extramural funding
that our faculties have obtained. Faculties are actively involved in hosting conferences and
outreach workshops benefitting the students and faculty across several institutes in India. The
Department also houses state of the art research and teaching equipment. Faculty productivity
is indicated by their publication record in leading journals.

Energy
The energy research in the Department of Chemical Engineering spans across bio-fuels to fuel
processing to fuel cells and batteries. The faculty members are actively involved in Solid Oxide
Fuel Cell (SOFC) research and onboard fuel processing for SOFC-auxiliary power unit
applications along with design and materials aspect of rechargeable batteries.

Catalysis
Our research is also focused on the design and development of catalyst materials – ranging
from zeolite, and supported metal/metal oxide – with improved reactivity, stability, and
selectivity. The catalysts are tested for various industrial processes (e.g., steam reforming,
water-gas shift reaction, CO2 conversion and fine chemicals) and biomass-based fuels and
chemicals. These study aims to produce hydrogen, bio-fuels, and value-added chemicals and
utilizes renewable feed stocks, low-value by-products, and waste materials. The design and
optimization of chemical processes using Aspen Plus are also integral part of this research. An
integrated approach considering experimental and density functional theory (DFT) calculations
is applied for rational design of catalyst.
Fluid Mechanics
We pursue research on a variety of problems of fundamental and applied interest in fluid
mechanics, and heat and mass transfer using a combination of tools ranging from basic
 7

RESEARCH AREAS
modeling, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and linear stability analysis. Fluid mechanics
research conducted in the department spans a wide range of topics such as multiphase flows,
spatially developing flows in complex geometries, micro-fluidics, and biological flows. A major
focus of our research is on understanding the transition to turbulence, with high emphasis on
the laminar-turbulent transition.

Mineral Processing
In mineral processing research, we are involved in flow sheet development and optimization
for various mineral beneficiation plants. We study dense medium cyclones (DMC), hydro-
cyclones (HC), feed slurry distributors, grinding mills and flotation devices for understanding
the process by using computational modeling techniques (multi-phase CFD/discrete element
methods/coupling CFD-DEM models). New innovative/novel improved mineral processing
equipment designs through integrated CFD/DEM studies and physical modeling is our major
focus. Mathematical models based on industrial data and inputs from CFD/DEM are also being
developed using non-linear model building techniques for various mineral processing units.

Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering

The key to understanding the role of chemical engineers in biological engineering research is
to recognize that biological systems are inherently chemical in nature. Chemical Engineering
provides a unique integrated systems perspective across a wide range of length scales
(molecular to macroscopic) that makes it well suited to attack problems of great interest in
modern biology. Specifically, the thrust of our research is on developing a mechanistic
understanding of intercellular interactions involved in pathophysiological processes such as
infection, inflammation, thrombosis, and cancer metastasis. In addition, our efforts are focused
on developing multi-scale computational models for vascular processes such as leukocyte
rolling over the endothelium, and bulk phase intercellular interactions in blood flow.
 8

RESEARCH AREAS
Haemodynamics and Haemostasis
Pathologies of the cardiovascular system due to coagulation abnormalities are greatly
influenced in their progression by the mechanics of vascular tissue, by the flow behavior of
blood in blood vessels, and by the biochemistry of the reactions in the coagulation cascade and
fibrinolysis. The thrust of our research is to better understand these pathologies by
characterizing the rheological and biochemical variables in flow situations that present in the
human vasculature, and by identifying conditions that precipitate potentially life-threating
events (like thrombo-embolisms and strokes). Towards this end, we use various tools like
computational modeling of blood flow in the presence of clot formation and lysis, experimental
characterization of blood and clot rheology, and constitutive modeling of blood, clot, and vessel
walls.

Drug Delivery
Many newly developed specialized polymers are increasingly being applied for delivering drugs
in more controlled and sustainable way. In this important area of application, an effort is going
on at IITH to develop new methods and mechanisms to achieve 'controlled, targeted and
sustainable release of drugs' with the help of specialized polymers. We are also interested in
investigating the fundamental forces between the polymer and drug molecules at various
conditions.

Nanoscience and nanotechnology

Nanoscience and nanotechnology is a rapidly emerging interdisciplinary field at the interface
between physics, chemistry, materials science, electronics, and biology. Broad activities in this
fast-changing arena of research include synthesis of a wide range of nanomaterials, their
characterization and applications in energy and environment. Presently, we focus on synthesis,
fabrication of carbon-based nanostructures and their applications in energy storage devices
such as Li ion rechargeable batteries etc. We also deal with nanopatterning of soft matters for
various applications such as superhydrophobic surfaces.
 9

RESEARCH AREAS
Process control and Stochastic Control
Process Control deals with the use of automatic control strategies to improve efficiency of a
chemical process. Apart from the applications of standard control techniques, we develop novel
sensor technologies (known as "soft sensors") based solely on data obtained from a running
plant. For example, the data could be in the form of images, sound or just input output data of
a process stored in a chemical plant. We also study the application of non-linear and stochastic
control techniques.

Polymers
Conventional polymers are currently facing a lot of issues related to the environment as well as
their petroleum origin. Our research program aims to address these aspects by coming up with
new grades of environment friendly polymers and/or building knowhow of making
biodegradable polymers with customized features for specific applications. The main focus is
on building polymerization technology through modeling, optimization, and lab scale
implementation and then optimally linking with rheology and processing with desired end use
properties. Our program also includes research on other polymeric soft materials such as
colloids and biopolymers where, we are integrating fundamental, and application driven
projects to efficiently create advanced materials of tunable properties.

Machine Learning in Process Systems Engineering

Recent improvements in infrastructures and their affordability, automation, ubiquitous
connectivity resulted in generation, processing and management of enormous amounts of
heterogeneous data in the domain of Process Systems Engineering (PSE). The research in
this direction is to investigate how deep supervised / unsupervised learning methods can be
used to solve PSE problems (e.g., surrogate optimization, system identification and control,
image based sensing, uncertainty quantifications, optimal control) more efficiently. Targeted
applications are wind farm layout optimization, new alloy discovery, monitoring climate change
parameters, fast charging protocols in Li+ battery, bio-fuel supply chain, systems biology to
name a few.
 10

RESEARCH FACILITIES
Experimental Facilities • Multiplex array reader

• FTIR Spectrometer • Ion chromatography

• UV-vis NIR Spectrometer • Cell counter

• Powder X-ray diffractometer • Flow cytometer

• Physisorption analyzer (N2 • Impedance analyzer

isotherm, BET measurement) • Battery testing Machine
• Chemisorption analyzer • Mask Lithography
(TPR/TPD) • Micron particle size analyzer
• Thermogravimetric Analyzer • Electrical capacitance volume
• LC-MS tomography (ECVT)
• GC-MS • Electrical resistance tomography
• Gel Permeation Chromatography • 2D LDA
• Gas Chromatography • Circular dichroism spectrometer/
• Confocal Microscope polarimeter

• SAXS • 3D optical profiler

• Optical microscope • Dynamic light scattering (DLS)

• Differential scanning calorimetry • Microwave plasma atomic

(DSC) emission spectrometer (MPAES)

• Optical tweezer • High speed Camera

• AFM • Flir imaging system

• HPLC • Fixed bed reactor

• Goniometer • High pressure and temperature

• Nano indentation batch reactor (Parr Inst.)

• Tabletop SEM • Bioreactor

• Rheometer • Fermenter

• 2D micro-PIV Computational Facilities:

• Langmuir Blodgett Department has several high-end

• 3D Printer workstation and computer cluster.

• Ultra-low temperature freezer Software: MATLAB, Material studio,

• CHNSO analyzer Aspen Plus, Fluent-ansys
 11

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Direct PhD
Department of chemical engineering offers direct PhD program with financial assistance for
highly motivated undergraduate student with excellent academic achievements.
• Candidates with BE/BTech degree from govt recognized institute/university in Chemical
Engineering or allied field with valid GATE score (CH GATE paper) are also eligible to
apply.
• CGPA requirement: minimum of 8.5 CGPA or 85% marks for general, 7.6 CGPA or 76%
for OBC and 7.2 CGPA or 72% for SC/ST in the qualifying degree.

Regular PhD
Department of chemical engineering offers regular PhD program with financial assistance.
• Candidates with MTech/ME degree in Chemical Engineering are eligible to apply. A valid
GATE score is not a pre-requisite.
• Candidates with MTech/ME degree in allied engineering disciplines such as Chemical
Technology (Polymer, Petroleum, Petrochemical etc.) and Biotechnology are also
eligible to apply.
• Candidates with MSc degree with valid CSIR/UGC NET fellowship are encouraged to
apply.
• Candidates with fellowship from external funding agency (e.g., DST inspire) are
encouraged to apply.
• Candidates working in a sponsored project at IITH can apply under this category.
• CGPA requirement: BE/BTech in Chemical Engineering or allied discipline with 60%
marks for general, 54% for OBC and 51% for SC/ST and ME/MTech in Chemical
Engineering or allied discipline minimum of 8.0 CGPA (80%) for general, 7.2 CGPA
(72%) for OBC and 6.8 CGPA (68%) for SC/ST.
BSc and MSc with minimum of 8.0 CGPA (80%) for general, 7.2 CGPA (72%) for OBC
and 6.8 CGPA (58%) for SC/ST and valid CSIR/UGC NET qualification.

External/Sponsored PhD
• Candidates from national research laboratories/academic institution/reputed industrial
organizations are encouraged to apply under this category.
 12

• Candidates with MTech/ME degree in Chemical Engineering or allied engineering

disciplines such as Chemical Technology (Polymer, Petroleum, Petrochemical etc.)
and Biotechnology are eligible to apply.
• A minimum two years of research /teaching experience is required.
• CGPA requirement: BE/BTech in Chemical Engineering or allied discipline with 60%
marks for general, 54% for OBC and 51% for SC/ST and ME/MTech in Chemical
Engineering and allied discipline minimum of 8.0 CGPA (80%) for general, 7.2 CGPA
(72%) for OBC and 6.8 CGPA (68%) for SC/ST.

Category of admission
• Full time Institute Fellowship (MoE):
• Fellowship from external funding agency: Candidates with valid DST Inspire, CSIR/UGC
NET etc. fellowships are encouraged to apply.
• Sponsored project: Candidates working in a sponsored project at IITH can apply under
this category.
• External/Sponsored PhD: Industry, Research Laboratory and Academic Institution
sponsored candidates with a minimum two years of research /teaching work experience.

Reservation policy
Govt. specified reservation policy is strictly followed during selection and admission. 15% seats
for SC candidates, 7.5% for ST, 10% EWS and 27% for OBC are reserved in direct and regular
PhD program. Candidates are advised to apply with relevant category certificate from
competent authority.
 13

FINACIAL ASSISTANCE
• Candidates admitted to the PhD program under direct and regular scheme (full-time) are
eligible for financial assistance from institute (Teaching assistance TA).
• Candidates with TA are required to assist the department for 8 hours of teaching
assistance (TA) work per week. The TA works are related to academic activities of the
department such as laboratory demonstration, tutorials, evaluation of assignments,
quizzes, seminars, research projects etc.
• Renewal of assistance every semester will be contingent on enrolment, satisfactory
progress, and performance in the preceding semester.
• Candidates admitted under various sponsored categories are not eligible for financial
assistance from Institute. However, they are eligible to receive financial assistance from
project (IITH) or sponsoring academic and research institute, industry etc.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Application fee
The details of application fees and payment mode for all categories candidates are given in
IIT Hyderabad PhD admission web portal.

Online Application
Candidates need to apply online through online PhD admission web portal. The instructions
related to online application form fill up are available in online PhD admission web portal.

SELECTION PROCEDURE
• Candidates are admitted based on the performance in written test and or interview.
Depending on the number of applicants, the department reserves the right to conduct
written exam or subject oriented interview for initial screening.
• The purpose of the interview is to gauge fundamental knowledge in Chemical/relevant
engineering and research aptitude of the candidates. In general, candidates will be
tested for clarity of thought, analyzing skills, confidence level, and passion for research.
 14

• The written test and interview are likely to be performed in the same day.

AFTER PhD ADMISSION

Courses
The PhD candidate is required to undergo course work during the first two semesters. The
typical course requirement in the department is 12 credits, with a minimum cumulative grade
point average of 7.0. The candidates, in consultation with their supervisor, may also choose to
take relevant courses from other departments. Candidates with BTech degree and MSc will
have to do extra credits as per institute policy.

Guide selection
The candidates are allocated supervisor either at the beginning of first semester or the end of
the first semester based on the student’s choice. PhD candidates are encouraged to discuss
with department faculty members working in research areas of interest. PhD candidates are
required to provide names of faculty members whom they wish to work with, listed in order of
preference. Supervisor is allocated based on the preferences received from all PhD candidates.

Comprehensive exam
Candidates must appear for comprehensive exam after successful completion of course work
and within 12 months from date of joining in the department. Candidates must pass the
comprehensive exam in order to continue in PhD program. Details of comprehensive exam will
be communicated after joining in the department.

PhD thesis proposal defense

After successful completion of comprehensive exam, all PhD candidates are required to defend
their thesis proposal within 03 months of successfully pass the comprehensive exam. The
thesis proposal consists of a written document outlining the research plan, and the candidates
have to make a presentation before the doctoral committee.

Research progress
PhD scholars are required to regularly apprise the doctoral committee of progress made in
solving the research problem. Continued involvement in the PhD program is subject to
satisfactory progress, as deemed by the doctoral committee.
 15

CONTACT
Department of Chemical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad
Kandi, Sangareddy-502284, Telangana
PhD Admission related query: phd.admissions@che.iith.ac.in
Academics related query: dpgc@che.iith.ac.in (DPGC Convener)
HOD Office: office@che.iith.ac.in
Tel: +91 40 2301 6200
Fax: +91 40 2301 6000
ChE Department Website: https://che.iith.ac.in
IIT Hyderabad website: https://www.iith.ac.in