Application Form For Direct Phd Admission: Fill & Download for Free

1. You should try for the PhD definitely. With applicants dropping in numbers dramatically from the IITs, you'd be surprised at your chances of getting into a top program.2. Adding the sentence is fine. Admission committees do not see this as a negotiation process, i.e. there's no incentive for them to admit you for MS if "you can be had for that price." If they think you are qualified for the PhD, then there's no need to reject you and move you into the MS program. Money does not come into play for PhD admissions, so adding this statement (I think) will not have a negative effect on your PhD admission chances.

From what I understand, all IISERs have their own rules for direct PhD admissions for its own students who graduate with a BS-MS degree. The most recent announcement regarding this at IISER Mohali is quoted below:A student of BS-MS dual-degree progarmme at IISER Mohali can apply for direct admission to the Ph.D. programme at IISER Mohali after completion of eighth, ninth or tenth semester provided his/her CPI is at least 8.0. For students of SC & ST category, the required CPI for direct Ph.D. admissions is at least 7.0. An eligible student can apply for direct admission to the Ph.D. programme at any time after completion of 4 years of BS-MS programme. A student, who applies for direct admission to Ph.D. programme must complete BS-MS dual-degree programme in the required five years period.Those students, who have applied for direct Ph.D. Admission, will be notified after Senate approves their admission in the forthcoming meeting. Eligible students of IISER Mohali can submit application for direct admission to Ph.D. programme along with a brief research proposal (compulsory) to the Academics office on or before 25th July 2020 (5.00 pm).A student admitted directly to the Ph.D. programme is exempted from the compulsory Ph.D. course work (24 credits) and will be required to pass the comprehensive examination.There is a provision of notional registration for students directly admitted to Ph.D. programme at IISER Mohali. Details of Notional registration will be announced after the senate meeting.Which thus limits it to only some of the students registered for a BS-MS degree, however the CPI cutoffs mentioned are definitely achievable by the majority of the student population.I hope this helps!

If you are certain about PhD, then there are three options: direct PhD, MS in USA followed by PhD, MS or M.Tech in India followed by PhD in USA.1. Direct PhD - this is the best you can hope for. I would say if you get a top 20 PhD offer from US univs, then go straight for it. You are very unlikely to get anything better with short term (1-2 year) improvements.Note: There is nothing like "integrated" MS+PhD programs. Its simply direct PhD program where you earn an MS along the way. No reason to explicitly add that MS+ prefix. This is virtually every PhD program in US.From here I assume that direct PhD is not possible for youIf direct PhD is not possible, the problem reduces to picking masters level education either in India or US, that will maximize your chances of a top PhD admit later.Firstly note that MS programs are not funded! If they have funding for you, they would have simply taken you for direct PhD. There are a few exceptions where some programs require an MS before you can join for a PhD, but these are very few, and typically all the MS admits continue for PhD. So this is essentially a direct PhD admit only.2. MS in USA: Purpose of MS programs are to take money from you and give to PhD students as stipends. IMO unfunded MS is a strict no-no if your goal is a PhD. There are very very few MS programs which give funding (like UIUC) and these are MS with thesis. Such options are fine, but MS by coursework is worthless if your goal is PhD. No one cares about grades in MS courses when reviewing a PhD application. Its all about research. In a course based MS, research is nearly impossible.Think about it. You would want to work with top profs in the department. How would you go about doing it as an MS student? You will approach him and ask for RA. But there will be a queue of PhD students with fellowship waiting to work with said prof (meaning he doesn't have to pay). Why should the prof pick you (and pay you) instead of them (free)? You may think you are a better research fit, or a smarter student - then why didn't you get the direct PhD admit? In short, your chances of working with top profs in the department are nonexistent.On top of this, you need to do well in courses and complete all assignments (which are time consuming) to maintain a 3.8+ GPA (needed for competitive PhD applicants). You will need to run behind funding, which will be very hard to come by. So you will end up shelling out 30 lakhs. You may get TA for a semester or so - good luck making time for research with teaching duties and coursework. Note that these arguments work for all universities, regardless of ranking.In short, MS by coursework (nearly all MS programs) is utterly useless for getting a good PhD offer. You only waste two years and spend 30+ lakhs.3. MS/M.Tech in India: Note that you can get an MS by research in India. I am assuming you are targeting only top universities like IITs and IISc. This solves all the problems in previous scenario.You are fully funded (no fees, modest stipend). You can work on research or rather expected to do research. You have as good a chance of working with top professors in the university as anyone else. You can work much more closely with professors in India unlike US, since they have relatively more time. Its possible to get out a paper within 1 year of joining. Hence, come next admission cycle, you will be very competitive for top 20 PhD programs. Nearly all top MS students from IITs/IISc interested in doing research land up at top PhD programs. Most importantly, you are saving 30+ lakhs which you are wasting by doing an MS in USA.In summary, if the ultimate goal is PhD, an MS from IITs/IISc is much better than an MS (by coursework) in the USA - regardless of university ranking.