VITREE 2026: PhD and Direct PhD Admissions Open for January Session - Apply by November 20
The Vellore Institute of Technology Research Entrance Examination (VITREE 2026) applications are currently live for the January 2026 intake across the prestigious VIT campuses in Vellore, Chennai, Andhra Pradesh (AP), and Bhopal. This is a crucial opportunity for aspirants looking to pursue a Ph.D., Direct Ph.D., or Ph.D. in Deep Technology. Candidates must note the imminent deadlines to secure their chance for admission. Visit: admissions.vit.ac.in
The Vellore Institute of Technology Research Entrance Examination (VITREE 2026) applications are currently live for the January 2026 intake across the prestigious VIT campuses in Vellore, Chennai, Andhra Pradesh (AP), and Bhopal. This is a crucial opportunity for aspirants looking to pursue a Ph.D., Direct Ph.D., or Ph.D. in Deep Technology. Candidates must note the imminent deadlines to secure their chance for admission.
The online application window is set to close on November 20, 2025, and the entrance examination is scheduled for December 7, 2025. Aspiring research scholars are advised to complete their registration well in advance of the deadline to avoid last-minute complications.
Key Admission Highlights and Dates
| Event | Scheduled Dates (January 2026 Session) |
|---|---|
| Application Open | Ongoing (Since late August 2025) |
| Last Date to Apply | November 20, 2025 |
| VITREE Exam Date | December 7, 2025 (Sunday) |
| Personal Interview | December 13 or 14, 2025 (Tentative) |
| Result Declaration | December 20, 2025 (Tentative) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | December 31, 2025 (Tentative) |
Interested candidates can register and complete their application online through the official VIT admissions portal: admissions.vit.ac.in. The non-refundable application fee for all categories is ₹1200.
Eligibility and Selection Process Overview
The selection is based on a multi-stage process that includes the VITREE score, academic record, a mandatory Personal Interview (PI), and evaluation of the research proposal.
Eligibility Criteria
The minimum qualification varies by program:
- Ph.D. Program: Candidates must hold a Master's degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum of 60% marks (or a CGPA of 6.5 on a 10-point scale).
- Direct Ph.D. Program: Candidates must possess an outstanding academic record in their Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 75% marks (or a CGPA of 7.5 on a 10-point scale).
GATE/NET qualified candidates can also apply and may be eligible for scholarships as per AICTE norms.
VITREE 2026 Examination Pattern
The VITREE is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) lasting 2 hours and consists of 100 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs). There is no negative marking.
- For Ph.D. Applicants: The paper includes 70 questions from the Technical/Subject domain, 15 questions on English Communication Skills, and 15 questions on Statistics & Probability.
- For Direct Ph.D. Applicants: The paper includes 80 Technical questions and 20 questions on English Communication Skills.
Admission Stages
- Online Application and Fee Payment: Submission of the application form and fee.
- VITREE 2026: Appearing for the online entrance examination on December 7, 2025.
- Personal Interview (PI): Shortlisted candidates will attend an interview (likely in hybrid mode) where their academic performance, research proposal (Statement of Purpose), subject knowledge, and communication skills will be assessed.
- Final Selection: Based on the composite score from the VITREE, UG/PG marks, research proposal, and PI.
Aspirants are strongly encouraged to utilize the time before the deadline to prepare for the entrance examination and finalize their research proposal. For regular updates on engineering entrance exams and research admissions, follow Only Education News.