ELIGIBILTY TO BECOME A PROFESSOR?
How to Become a Professor: Quick Facts
| Industry | Teaching & Education |
| Eligibility | PhD in relevant subjects |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 4,50,000 – 6,00,000 |
| Top Recruiters | Colleges and Universities |
What does a Professor Do
Professors provide education in courses of specialisation at colleges and universities. They instruct students who are studying for a degree or a certification. They also play the role of supervisors for research scholars and may also carry out independent research for publishing scholarly papers and books. They even participate in the development of curricula for courses and in preparation of textbooks.
- Professors are incharge of teaching subjects and interact with students while clearing their doubts
- Professors plan lessons and assignments and assess the progress of students through grading papers and tests.
- Professors conduct research and experiments to advance knowledge in their field
- Professors supervise and guide students working toward doctoral degrees
- A Professor is responsible for sharing knowledge and expertise with their students in their relevant field of study
Types of Professors
Career as a Professor offers immense scopes in the education sector in terms of stability and requirements. They are classified into different roles as mentioned below:
Associate Professor
| Job Profile | Associate Professor is responsible for conducting research activities, solving administrative issues, attending conferences, supervising students, teaching etc. This job role is considered amongst low ranks of teaching. |
| Average Salary | INR 8.49 LPA |
HOD
| Job Profile | HOD is the Head of the Department who looks after the management of the leading particular education department. They are required to exercise leadership, demonstrate vision, and empower others in their faculty. |
| Average Salary | INR 11.09 LPA |
Assistant Professor
| Job Profile | An Assistant Professor is responsible for providing guidance and supervision to the students, assisting the senior Professors in their departmental meetings, providing academic support and overviewing the different aspects of teaching. |
| Average Salary | INR 5.67 LPA |
Professor
| Job Profile | They provide academic leadership to the institution. Based on the knowledge level of their expertise. They are excelled in their teaching abilities, policy developments at various levels. |
| Average Salary | INR 4.35 LPA |
Researcher
| Job Profile | A Researcher is responsible for conducting research activities in their specialized stream and writes papers on the defined findings. |
| Average Salary | INR 2.17 LPA |
How to Become a Professor in India
Becoming a Professor in India needs a lot of dedication and hard work with years of experience in the relevant field of teaching. Students who wish to become a Professor must select their preferred stream in their higher studies.
Students who wish to become a Professor can opt for any stream of the subject of their choice. Candidates can pursue various degree, diploma, certificate, integrated degree courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Candidates can also appear for various entrance exams conducted at bachelor’r, master’s and research level to add points to their academic career.
Candidates also need to have teaching experience with professional certification established through independent research and publications in journals. There are different kinds of assistantships available depending upon the academic departments of the students.
- School Level Preperation: In order to become a Professor, students can opt for any stream depending on the subject that they wish to pursue. Students aspiring to become a Professor, can pursue Arts, Science and Commerce courses, depending on the subjects that they want to study further.
How to Become a Professor in India After 12th
Some of the key steps that should be followed to become a Professor across various educational stages post clearing class 12th are listed below for your reference.
- UG Level Preperation: Students need to follow certain steps in order to become a professor in India. After the completion of 10+2, students have to clear the entrance examination conducted in some institutions. Some colleges offer seats based on their merit marks. The students are required to get 50% marks in their bachelor’s degree.
- PG Level Preperation: Students must plan for a Master’s in the relevant subject. It takes minimum 2 years to complete a master’s in India after which students can go for a PhD degree if they are interested in the research field which takes 3-5 years to complete.
Aspirants also need to clear the competitive examinations conducted at national or institute level to become professors. Candidates can also start working in private universities and colleges to gain experience and knowledge.
PhD Courses
Some of the top courses that are essential to pursue in order to become aProfessor are listed below for your reference,
PhD Science
PhD Science involves research and study in any of the Science specialization such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology etc. Any candidate with an MSc or MTech background can opt for this course.
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Duration | 3-5 Years |
| Examination Type | Semester Wise |
| Eligibility | Master’s degree in relevant discipline with 55% aggregate marks |
| Admission Process | Entrance Based |
| Average Course Fee | INR 50,000 – INR 1,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 6 LPA – INR 20 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | KPMG, Google, Apple, IBM, CITI bank, BP, Black rock, Aecom, AMEC, Atkins |
PhD Commerce and Management
PhD Commerce and Management is a specialised degree in the field of finance, banking, management, economics etc.
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Examination Type | Semester Wise |
| Eligibility | Master’s degree in Commerce or equivalent with 55% aggregate marks |
| Admission Process | Entrance based |
| Average Course Fee | INR 30,000 – INR 3,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 3 LPA – INR 40 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | Businesses, Marketing, Finance sectors, Public Sectors etc |
PhD Engineering
PhD Engineering involves the study of engineering related subjects such as EEE, ECE, IT, CSE etc. Candidates with an engineering background can opt for this course.
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Duration | 2-5 Years |
| Examination Type | Semester Wise |
| Eligibility | Master’s degree in Engineering Subjects |
| Admission Process | Entrance based |
| Average Course Fee | INR 30,000 – INR 4,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 15 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | DRDO, CSIR, HAL, Microsoft, Google, etc |
PhD Arts
PhD Arts is a specialized research field which deals with the study of Arts, Social Science and Humanities related subjects such as English, Literature, Psychology, Geography etc.
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Examination Type | Semester Wise |
| Eligibility | Master’s degree in relevant subject |
| Admission Process | Entrance based |
| Average Course Fee | INR 15,000 – INR 2,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 4 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | Art galleries, Colleges, Boutiques, Fashion Houses, Textile Industry |
PhD Entrance Exams
Admissions to a doctorate is based on entrance exams mostly. However, few colleges provide admissions based on academic merit followed by personal interviews. Below mentioned are some of them:
| Entrance Exam | Date of Form Published | Exam Date | Result Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIT JAM | September 7 – October 11, 2022 | To be announced | To be announced |
| GPAT | February 16 – March 17, 2022 | April 9, 2022 | May 20, 2022 |
| GATE | September 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022 | February 4, 5, 11 and 12, 2023 | March 13, 2023 |
How to Become a Professor Abroad
Choosing a career path to become Professor abroad is different from India. As in abroad, they require extensive research programs that most foreign Universities demand in a Professor role. The selection process is tricky but the candidates need to have a PhD degree. The candidates have to adapt to the culture, Ethos, Standard, reputation of the University. Countries like Canada, Australia and the USA and so provide PhD and master courses. Work experience is required to become a Professor abroad.
How to Become a Professor in USA
Studying the PhD course in the USA has its perks. Compared to other countries, America shines through its rigorous standard of development and study. Students can have access to develop a more detailed understanding of their dissertation based on their research subject. The candidates are required to earn a master’s degree in a specialized subject. To pursue a fully-fledged career as a Professor, they need to complete their doctoral and post-doctoral degree.
| College Name | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Princeton University, Princeton | 32.97 L |
| Northwest University, Evanston | 52.85 L |
| University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh | 32.44 L |
| Brown University, Providence | 45.15 L |
| Ohio State University, Columbus | 27.49 L |
How to Become Professor in Canada
Ph.D. in Canada allows you to work with leading experts and profit from the modern, high-tech facilities offered at Canadian universities. The country offers you a wealth of research opportunities to expand and enhance your expertise. There are countless research opportunities in Canada to look out for as an international student after completion of their higher education.
| University | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| University of Toronto | 16.77 L |
| University of British Columbia | 16.62 L |
| McGill University | 14.46 L |
| McMaster University | 12.18 L |
| University of Montreal | 15.71 L |
| University of Alberta | 17L |
| University of Ottawa | 15.25 L |
| University of Calgary | 19.29 L |
| University of Waterloo | 10.20 L |
| Western University | 18.51 L |
How to Become Professor in UK
Ph.D. in the UK, also referred to as a doctorate, is a 3 to 4 year full-time and 6 years part-time degree. The cost of a Ph.D. in the UK is around 18,000 GBP to 35,000 GBP per annum at top universities. For an Indian student, it is equivalent to 17 lakhs – 34 lakhs INR per year. This cost can be easily supported by scholarships available in the UK for international students such as studentships, scholarships, grants by UK Research and Innovation, etc.
| Program | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Ph.D. in Computer Science | 32.94 L |
| Ph.D. in Medical Science | 32.05 L |
| Ph.D. in Engineering | 32.95 L |
| Ph.D. in Sociology | 24.22 L |
| Ph.D. in Law | 25.52 L |
How to Become Professor in Australia
PhD in Australia also referred to as Doctorate is a premier research award and the highest qualification on the Australian Qualifications Framework. It is usually three years full-time, some students take longer, but this usually depends on registration and funding arrangements. PhD can be undertaken in all faculties or across disciplines in top universities of Australia and comprises independent research and writing on an approved topic toward a thesis for examination.
| University | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Australian National University | 25.22 L |
| University of Sydney | 27.44 L |
| University of Melbourne | 24.71 L |
| University of New South Wales | 22.81 L |
| University of Queensland | 20.81 L |
| Monash University | 19.09 L |
| University of Western Australia | 19.54 L |
| University of Adelaide | 25.20 L |
Benefits of Career as a Professor
One of the significant advantages of being a Professor as a career is a respected profession. They enjoy a good scope and salary in this profession. A Professor gets to enjoy the benefits of interacting with talented minds of the future generation.
- Professors enjoy the benefits of stability, performance, excellent pay, social status, and Job security.
- A Professor can be promoted to senior Professor.
- A Professor can be promoted to overseas universities. Apart from that, they will travel to different parts of the world for research-based projects and journals.
- They can get many opportunities to travel to various institutions for research or conference visits.
Skills Required to Become a Professor
Some of the most crucial skill sets that are essential to become a Professor are tabulated below for your reference,
| Teaching Skills | Creative Teaching Skills | Presentation Skills |
| Writing Skills | Patience | Should be aware of writing research reports |
Top Recruiters for Professors
Some of the top receuiters who hire fresh PhD candidates as well as experienced ones are tabulated below for your reference,
| Private Institutions | Government Institutions |
| Coaching Institutes | Online Coaching Portals |
| Research-based institutions | Colleges and Universities |
Salary of a Professor in India
Professionals enjoy a good salary package in India based on their place, type of organizations, and experience. The starting salary of a professor can be upto INR 5 LPA and may exceed INR 35 LPA. The salary offered usually depends upon the type of institution hiring, skills and experience of a person etc.
The detailed salary based on several parameters is mentioned below:
Average Annual Salary
| Name of the Organisation | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Private | 3.10 L |
| Government | 4.07 L |
Designation Wise Salary
| Work Profile | Average Monthly Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Professor | 44,900 |
| Researcher | 24,800 |
| Assistant Professor | 28,100 |
| HOD | 60,100 |
| Associate Professor | 43,100 |
Experience Wise Salary
| Experience | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Fresher | 5.11 L |
| Mid-Average | 16.73 L |
| Experienced | 23.09 L |
Types of Professor in India
The following are the various employment duties that a professorship can provide:
⦁ Professor: A professor’s profession includes instructing university students in a specific field of study. A professor is essentially a specialized educator of a specific subject who also does research and studies in the field of his expertise.
⦁ Researcher: The position of the researcher is a challenging one. A researcher’s job involves conducting research, performing tests and surveys, and writing articles on the professor’s area of expertise.
⦁ Assistant Professor: As an Assistant Professor, you will be assisting a senior professor with his teaching and course design. You would also have to keep track of all of the academic activities that the senior level professor assigns to his students, as well as various areas of teaching such as course management, lecturing, and lesson preparation.
⦁ Associate Professor: An Associate Professor’s job entails attending conferences, conducting research, teaching, resolving administrative concerns, and overseeing students in their course work, among other things.
⦁ HOD: As a HOD, you would be in charge of leading and managing a certain educational department at a university or higher education institution.
Salary and Pay Scale of Professor in India
In India, an associate professor might make anywhere from Rs 16000-40,000 per month. And a professor might earn between Rs 38000 and Rs 68,000 per month.
The salary or pay scale of a professor based on the sector they are working in are explained below:
| Sector/College Type | Salary |
|---|---|
| Biotechnology Institutes/ Research & Development Institutes | 1.9 Lakhs to 6.3 Lakhs per annum |
| General Education | 2 Lakhs to 8 Lakhs per annum |
| Mechanical Engineering Institutes | 1.8 Lakhs to 6.2 Lakhs per annum |
| Technical Colleges | 1.7 Lakhs to 6.2 Lakhs per annum |
| Universities | 3 Lakhs to 8 Lakhs per annum |
Career Opportunities and Promotions to Professor
According to the stages outlined below, a professor can be promoted to the position of Vice-Chancellor.
⦁ Stage 1: Professor
⦁ Stage 2: Senior Professor
⦁ Stage 3: Professor of Eminence
⦁ Stage 4: Dean/Director
⦁ Stage 5: Pro- Vice-Chancellor
⦁ Stage 6: Vice-Chancellor
⦁ Stage 7: Chancellor
List of Sectors to work as Professor in India
The list of institutions, where a professor can work in India are listed below:
⦁ Private Institutions
⦁ Government Institutions
⦁ Coaching Institutes
⦁ Online Coaching Portals
⦁ Research-based institutions
⦁ Colleges and Universities
Where to find a Professor Job in India?
For those who desire to start their teaching career as professors, there are plenty of good job opportunities. The number of colleges, universities, and professional colleges will grow in the future years, increasing the demand for qualified teachers. A lecturer can advance to become a reader, assistant professor, professor, or associate professor, or department head. The University Grants Commission publishes guidelines that are followed by all Indian universities and institutions (UGC).
Any job hunter who is willing to find a job as a professor can check job opportunities in the following sectors of India:
⦁ Government colleges
⦁ Aided and Non-aided Private colleges
⦁ Universities
⦁ Research Institutes
FAQs on How to Become a Professor in India
1. How to become a Lecturer after 12th?
After completing your 12th grade, you must complete your undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in your chosen subject and clear the UGC NET exam.
2. What is the salary of a university professor in India?
A university professor’s salary ranges from INR 3,00,000 to 4,00,000.
3. Is a Ph.D. required to be a professor in India?
Yes, according to the new UGC policy, a Ph.D. will be required for direct recruitment to the position of assistant professor.
4. How to become a professor in government colleges in India?
In order to become a professor in government colleges of India, aspirants will have to appear in competitive exams such as CSIR NET, SLET, GATE, NET exams.
5. How to become a professor in the UK from India?
In order to become a professor in the UK from India, you will have to earn a Ph.D. degree in the UK.
