Its liberative to understand someone who already have gone through major doubts. The article offers 10 major Frequent Doubts before pursuing PhD in India. While there is esteemed hype regarding pursuing PhD especially in Tourism and Hospitality sector. For the newcomers, it become difficult to find out what to do next after qualifying NTA UGC NET and JRF.
What to Do, How to do, Whom to Ask…it seems asking from anyone does not properly sort out what exactly info we are looking for.
Here is the list of 10 frequent doubts everybody faces while thinking of pursuing PhD:
Doubt 1: Is a PhD in tourism worth it?
-> There are many options after or while pursuing PhD in tourism. A lot of students each year give UGC NET exams but it depends how much passionate you are towards doing and learning research or earn a doctorate in tourism.
- After or while pursuing PhD, you can easily apply for Assistant professor Job in central, state or private universities. I understand, the numbers of colleges and universities are less but competition is everywhere and your work in your research can make your future in teaching field.
- Universities/Colleges also puts vacancies for contractual teaching post which is not permanent but get renewed depending on performance on yearly basis. You just need to keep checking their official websites.
- Along with above, you can work as a full time researcher in big firms who continuously need expert researchers from tourism sector.
- Colleges/ universities also gets lots of Projects especially government institutes where you can also work along with your PhD and be paid extra depending on the budget of the project.
- If you are good in research and have published good research papers, you can also work as a freelancer in providing assistance to many PhDs who constantly need help in writing research papers and thesis.(highly in demand).
- Your research work in PhD would help you widen your horizon about the topic you chose for your research and it will surely help you big in future in many ways.
Doubt 2. In the current scenario, what is the actual monthly pay of a JRF including HRA and all? Is it sufficient to cover expenses and living?
-> Currently, UGC is offering JRF which is for 2 years after getting registration in PhD which is INR 31,000 plus HRA which is INR 7,440.
-> After two years, your performance would be reported via your university to UGC NET and JRF will convert to SRF with increment of INR 10,000/- per month plus HRA.
-> On top of that, you will be getting Contingency of INR 10,000/- year when you will submit your payment receipts of stationary items.
Doubt 3. How much time it typically takes every day for classes and course-related work? Can one pursue something part-time apart from the Ph.D.?
-> I recommend for opting for regular PhD from university/college where you have to regularly maintain your attendance for 3 years as many vacancies asks for regular PhD applicants only. You have to be present in university at official hours (10-6). But it varies, according to different institutions.
-> Also, you will be allotted to take some classes which is also a part of pursuing PhD, you will not get paid for this.
-> You can do part –time job but it depends on how you manage your time.
-> You can pursue job after completing 3 years of PhD but have to report to your university, for you will be stopped of any fellowship
-> The average amount to time taken to submit a PhD thesis is around 4 years.
Doubt 4. How much fieldwork is required while pursuing the Ph.D.? Do we have an option for more fieldwork?
-> Well, about fieldwork, you need to understand certain points:
Firstly, you need to choose a research topic where you want to do research and then a research study area. For ex- My research topic is Branding Pushkar as a Smart Destination and research area is Pushkar where I will be performing and studying my research.
Secondly, you need to define your research method like if its exploratory like mine then you needs to prepare questionnaire for your research area and collect primary data. For this, you will get official leave from university.
So, fieldwork totally depends on your research interest and what kind of research methodology you adopt.
Doubt 5. Does the research scholar being given the opportunity of teaching assistantship or jobs in his institute? And if one’s paid extra?
-> You will be asked to take classes which are part of pursuing PhD and there is no extra payment for that. Although, Universities offers invigilation duties for different exams for which you will be paid.
Doubt 6. Is there any difference between a Ph.D. in hospitality & a Ph.D. in travel and tourism?
-> There is no such difference in pursuing PhD from Hospitality or Tourism except vacancies for tourism happens way more than Hospitality.
Doubt 7. Do you think pursuing a Ph.D. from a private university like Amity University is worth it?
-> You can pursue PhD from anywhere. There is some major difference I faced like
Jamia or Central University
- Fees is very minimal around INR 7000/- per year
- Better experienced Professors and guides
- Ample opportunity for self study, not much restriction
- Chance of getting involved in Projects or Chapter writing is more.
- Demand and Recognition is way more than any universities
Private University
- Fees is way higher per annum
- Qualifications and experience of Professors are not guaranteed
- Mandatory attendance and closely monitoring
- One have to face competition for getting into some chapter writings or involved in projects
- No fellowship from University except JRF.
Doubt 8. Do we have to choose a research topic of our own? If yes, then what if the chosen topic isn’t the expertise of the guiding professor? Or even, how to choose a proper guide?
-> Yes you need to choose yourself with guidance of your allocated guides and professors. You do not get opportunity to choose your guide.
Doubt 9. Do we have research positions open at colleges and Universities?
-> I would recommend to keep checking official websites of different universities and with you as JRF holder, you will directly get to the interview round as well as have an advantage of getti9ng selected as JRF is always preferred anywhere. Some important Universities for PhD in Tourism are:
- Sikkim university
- Jamia Millia Islamia
- HNBGU, Garhwal, Uttarakhand
- Dehradun University
- IITTM, Gwalior and Noida Campus
- IGNOU
- IGNTU, Amarkantak
Doubt 10. In your opinion, who are some of the great guiding professors and universities in the tourism domain?
-> Every university has their own reckoned professors who have well recorded publications in reputed journals nationally and internationally.
Hope this solves some of your doubts.
