Tips and sample questions for PhD interview from IIT prof | PhD Admission 2022

In this video, I discuss some tips to help students who are going to sit for PhD interviews.
I highlight the thought processes behind the technical questions and the expectations that PhD interviewers have from the students.
Through example questions based on the Reynolds number, I discuss some of the ways students may be tested.
The most important thing is for students to explain their own thought processes. Even if their final answers may not be completely correct, many a time students are selected on the basis of the way that they try to attack a problem.
I also give some examples of questions from solid mechanics.
This video is part of a KZbin playlist where I give various general advice to students at different levels (Bachelor, Master, PhD):
• Advice to students
Video by: Dr Jeevanjyoti Chakraborty, Mechanical Engineering Department, IIT Kharagpur
Website: www.facweb.iitkgp.ac.in/~jeeva...
GitHub: github.com/jeevanjyoti4
Twitter: / jeevanjyoti
Blog: jchakraborty.wordpress.com/
Disclaimer: I am a faculty member in the Mechanical Engineering Department of IIT Kharagpur. However, the views expressed in this video are my own and do not necessarily represent those of my Department or my Institute.
#jc #PhD #PhDAdmission

[@akashri3319]

Thank you very much Prof for sharing your experience and knowledge with society. Its rare; grateful to you. 🙏

[@madcapprof]

1. In the interview, the panel wants to get the best out of you. Not how well you can memorize. 2. If the question wasn't clear, do not try to 'guess' and answer. Ask for a clarification. 3. Research and get an idea of what are the areas in which the department/school faculty work in. There is no point in stating an area of interest that is not being pursued by any of the faculty members. 4. It is possible for the interviewer to ask a question which does not have a clear correct answer. Such questions can be used by you to 'pitch your research/thinking capability'. 5. If you have time, ponder about the concepts that you had learnt in your UG days and had accepted them on face value. Eg : For the circuits (and systems) folk; In your UG days, you had learnt about 1st and 2nd order system analysis. However, in practice systems are more complicated than order 2. So, why is analysis of order > 2 skipped??

[@chandankumardas07]

Thanks a lot ❤️ for making this video sir.its just amazing...I also preparing for phd admission...Learns a lot of things from you🥰hope I will get a great opportunity for phd.

[@UnnatiNigam]

Amazing video, sir! I belong to a central university and am applying to few IITs for PhD in Statistics. While preparing for the interviews, I always wondered about what a potential supervisor (specially in IITs and NITs) looks for in any applicant. This video was very informative in that regard. Thank you very much, sir.

[@Prof_JC]

Thank you for the kind words and all the best for your interviews!

[@UnnatiNigam]

Thank you, sir.

[@sayandevbej3109]

Very useful for Automobile Engineering background students is well, specifically for those who want to pursue Mtech/P.hd like me. Thank you professor JC. Subho Noboborsho.

[@Prof_JC]

Right! Shubho Noboborshor Shubhechcha tomakeu!

[@avneetsingh5839]

Thanks for the insight!

[@RESEARCH_AT_NATURE]

Thank u so much sir for this broad informative video so we can more effective way to handle an interview Incredible sir 👍 And thanks a lot and waiting for more videos.....

[@Prof_JC]

Thank you for the kind words! Let me know what other kind of videos you would be interested in.

[@arindamdas31]

Thank you very much sir. I think these tips will helped me a lot in my phd interview and শুভ নববর্ষ sir...

[@Prof_JC]

All the best for your interview! Shubho Noboborshor Shubhechcha tomakeu.

[@jdjadav]

Thanks a lot sir it was really helpful!!

[@shaileshkundalwal8195]

Indeed, you revealed the style of PhD candidates' interview, especially at IITs. Now, the candidates will be less burdened and may try to interact with good mood and answer during their interview.

[@arijitchakraborty6184]

Thank you so much sir for sharing those important tips. Hope those tips will be equally helpful for MS(Research) interviews.

[@Prof_JC]

All the best! Yes, they will be.

[@rupachowdhury6164]

Thank u sir for brain storming session... Your phd students will be absolutely lucky to have a guide like you... I wish I was in engeenering department ❤❤

[@Prof_JC]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@musicn4498]

Though I am a student of literature I have been benefitted a lot from your tips and your communicative competence is something to be emulated.

[@Prof_JC]

Thank you! English literature?

[@musicn4498]

yes sir ,a student of English literature

[@muralikrishna-lm4dv]

Excellent information sir 👏👏👏

[@dharmaaryayoga]

Thank you so much sir🙏🏼

[@ankitmehra5797]

Thank you so much sir 🙏😇

[@ankushwalia6650]

Thank you.

[@vishnushantan4274]

Sir, great video. I am a graduate from NIT Warangal, applying to IITs for Jan intake. My broad research interests lie in Thermal Engineering and Fluid Mechanics. But few IITs and IISc could ask questions from Engineering Mathematics too. So if you could please guide on interview preperation tips for Engg Maths - The Breadth and Depth of concepts and problems generally expected by the panel in Mathematics.

[@sugatachakraborty1781]

It really gives a lot of joy when being a 1st year undergrad you get to know "What is reynolds number ?" is a PhD interview question and immediately (rho)vd/(eta) (Concepts of Physics ch-13 (or 14))springs up in your mind ha ha ha. Subho Noboborsho Sir!! Seeking your blessings for my future endeavors.

[@Prof_JC]

It is indeed true that no matter how advanced we may go in our studies we have to keep going back to the basics! Shubho Noboborsho to you too!

[@sundernarayan2643]

Very interesting and informative presentation. In my interview, one of the key qualities the panel was looking for whether I had the ability to carry out a research independently. Also, your point on "beating around the bush" is even applicable to job interviews. It is better to be honest than to go around in circles.

[@Prof_JC]

If you don't mind me asking, could you perhaps share how the panel asked questions to gauge your independent research ability.

[@sundernarayan2643]

@@Prof_JC I am doing my PhD from Heriot-Watt, Scotland (ofcourse as part time offshore student) so I trust the process is slightly different. So coming back to the question, they asked me directly, if I can give instances of where I done independent research as PhD will require you to. So my answer was, the two master's research was predominantly independent with support from my supervisors and also citing the instances of paper's published was helpful.

[@Prof_JC]

@@sundernarayan2643 Heriot-Watt, if I remember correctly, has a very high reputation especially in Maths (I think Professor Sir John Ball was there before going to Oxford). Thanks for sharing your experience especially from an overseas interview.

[@sundernarayan2643]

@@Prof_JC Yes, We also have a very good department on built environment especially the construction project management course. For me one of advantages in the interview was that I has done my Masters in construction Project Management from the same university but Malaysia campus and my master's supervisor was a part of the panel :). Also since I had a Master's in structural engineering from Madras University and my thesis during that was on expert systems. So that too helped. In overseas process, first you have to approach the professors as they have to endorse your scholarship application.

[@Prof_JC]

@@sundernarayan2643 Great knowing. All the best for your PhD.

[@sahebparamanik9692]

Sir please make a video on joint mtech phd program at iit kgp. Its very confusing.

[@debangsu3181]

Thanks a lot, professor for this informative video, arrived just in time when I am preparing for MS(R) interviews. It will be incredible if in any upcoming video you give us an idea about how can someone find out the research gap, and how can they present the research proposal in their application. Once again thanks a lot and wishing you a very happy bengali new year, subho noboborsho.

[@Prof_JC]

Here we don't have the system of students presenting a research proposal during the selection stage. So I don't think it will be right for ne to give expert tips in that. Let me know if you wish to know anything else. Shubho Noboborsho to you too!

[@sundernarayan2643]

Finding the research gaps comes from reading the past literature. One section which you could focus on is, most of the papers will talk about shortcomings or scope for future work. That is a good way to start.

[@debangsu3181]

@@Prof_JC thanks professor

[@debangsu3181]

@@sundernarayan2643 thank you

[@imranahmad8229]

Sir I am biology undergraduate,, preparing for jam and net jrf can you please tell me which field i choose in msc,,,like microbiology, biotechnology,or biochemistry

[@tomson8535]

Sir, can you please make a video regarding direct Phd, application process, test and interviews, things to consider about. Also the fact that I am in btech and have no exposure to research what would be challenges that I will face?

[@LoveEnglishwithCELL2020]

Dear Sir, thanks a lot for this video. I am a prospective PhD English student of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences. I've applied to 5 IITs and waiting for the interview calls. Interview process is a nightmare for me as well.

[@Prof_JC]

All the best for the interviews!

[@ayantikbarmaniitkgp1759]

Sir please give some tip for beginners to engineering drawing

[@physicsguru427]

Hello Sir. Thank you so much for such an informative video. It would be really kind of you if you would make a video on "How to become a faculty in IIT" ?

[@Prof_JC]

Thank you for the kind words! Regarding the video you suggested, I think there already exists such a video involving a senior prof from another IIT. Just search on KZbin.

[@freezegaming1062]

Sir,I am in 10th Standard and want to opt for Mechanical Engineering,then I want to go in railways field.But unfortunately my maths is very weak.Could I get some advice?

[@koraksarkar]

New mic sounding good 😀

[@Prof_JC]

Thanks!

[@arsheekhan6080]

I am already a working professional in a government college. Can we do online course work at IIT as we can't be relieved from duty that easily?

[@fnsjit733]

Sir i have seen many criticizing iit , iisc that they don't have any good research work .. and most of the great scientist of the country have studied in foreign University.. what are your views on this sir ?

[@cricketparadise2614]

Respected Sir, Here you have discussed about engeneering topics. Could you please give some tips related to PhD in physics also? Also the point you stressed about the candidate having the power to channel the interview in a direction of his own liking, Could please demonstrate this with an example? Btw the tips are pure gold. Thank you Sir!

[@Prof_JC]

I am not from Physics! About directing the flow of the interview, suppose you face a question on which you are confident. Then while snswering the question you can say some related things, perhaps mention the underlying assumptions. Such a broad answer can initiate a discussion based on the things which you yourself have said ... that's what I meant by staying on the topic. But if you give a one word type of answer, then the interviewers will move on to something else. And, thanks for the kind words!

[@cricketparadise2614]

Okay Sir. Thanks again for clarifying the doubt!

[@pabitrachakraborty8935]

Sir I am an literature student An MA in English language how can I study in engineering, which engineering is best for me

[@krishanuchoudhury]

Sir does phd interview duration plays any role like many students say that if they take for 20 mins or more they are taking interest in me and it's good?

[@abhishekgoswami2728]

Thanks a lot sir for making these videos. I have also watched your other phd videos and learned a lot. In 10 days from now i have to decide between joining NISER for int phd or taking admission in IIT kanpur for msc. If I'm interested in research, should i pursue my phd from an iit or int phd from Niser.

[@Prof_JC]

Thank you for watching the videos! I don't have any idea about NISER. But IIT Kanpur is a great institute for doing PhD. So if you are getting an opportunity to do PhD from IIT Kanpur, please go there.

[@madhavipawar9107]

Thank you for sharing such important skills. I am currently preparing for PhD in VLSI department. I would like to know about what kind of question would be asked by IIT's & NIT's.

[@Prof_JC]

Since I am from Mechanical, you will have to find that information by discussing with some senior students who have already cleared their PhD interviews. All the best for your preparations!

[@adityad-dg156yp]

Sir, I m genuinely interested in pursuing PhD in IIT.I have an age gap of 3-4 years after completing my Master as I was busy preparing for Government job. Sir, will age gap matter if a candidate want to pursue phd in IIT? Will IIT Committee select a candidate who is repeatedly reapplying for PhD admission at IIT for the 6th times consecutively if he or she secures good rank in GATE exam?Sir, could u please tell what improvement is required from the candidate end in order to get admission in IIT for PhD after getting repeated multiple failures in IIT PhD entrance interviews? Sir, kindly share your idea and clarify this doubt. Sir, your response would be very valuable for all the candidates aspiring to get admission at IIT for PhD.

[@ganesharya3512]

Thanks for your informative question. But please invite professors from chemical Eng dept also

[@Prof_JC]

What kind of information are you looking for?

[@mahadevprasanth1697]

Sir, I am currently preparing for gate. The coaching institute I have enrolled in has adviced me to stick to their material and not read textbooks because of insufficient time. My fear is will such an exam oriented preparation harm my basics and negatively affect me during my mtech or PhD?

[@Prof_JC]

You have to do both. Yo must prepare in an exam oriented fashion for GATE, otherwise you won't even get into a good M.Tech program. But when you are studying a particular topic, make sure that you revise from good textbooks the relevant material. I'd say for the theory background stick to the textbooks but for the practice problems stick to the coaching material.

[@mahadevprasanth1697]

@@Prof_JC One difficulty I face when I am solving problems from textbooks is choosing the correct problems to solve for practice. There are 50-60 practice problems for each chapter and I feel very hesitant to leave certain questions unsolved even though it is physically impossible to solve all of them. Do you have any tips for this, sir?

[@suchetasharma5949]

Good evening, sir! Thank you so much for your valuable insights. How much importance is given to CV of a Phd student ?

[@Prof_JC]

During the interviews we have at IIT, the highest importance we give is to the actual performance of the student in answering the questions. However, the CV (i.e. the academic record) does play an important role in the overall selection process. But you can be quite sure that a student with a great academic record but a poor interview performance may not get selected at all.

[@suchetasharma5949]

@@Prof_JC Thank you so much, sir!

[@niranjanksabu1105]

Sir, during any kind of Q&A session (viva or interview) is it good to put forward a guess if I don't know the answer instead of saying "I don't know"? If yes how should I do that?

[@Prof_JC]

That's an excellent question. What I would do is to say something like this: "I don't know the answer exactly. But if you kindly allow me, I would very much like to try figuring out the answer." Then pause. If they nod (which most likely, they will!), go ahead and try to answer.

[@niranjanksabu1105]

@@Prof_JC thank you sir!

[@jdjadav]

Hello sir, people really emphasizes on the formal clothing for MTech/PhD interviews in IIT's so i want to know is it a myth ? Or is there any logic behind this and professors do mind if we are in not formal clothing ?

[@Prof_JC]

In all the interview panels that I have sat here at IIT Kharagpur, I have never seen any emphasis being given on the student's clothing. Just wear a decent plain shirt and a pair of trousers (avoid jeans). And certainly no need to put on a blazer or necktie or anything fancy like that!

[@jdjadav]

@@Prof_JC Okay sir thanks a lot for this valuable information!!

[@rakeshliveinpeace696]

Sir , request if you can upload a similar video on tips for MTech interviews at IITs…

[@Prof_JC]

Here we don't have the system of interviews for M.Tech selection. So I have personally never sat on any such interview panels. But do note that the sample questions I have discussed in this video would be applicable for such interviews too.

[@rakeshliveinpeace696]

@@Prof_JC Sir, I have been fielded by my govt department as a sponsored candidate for the MTech structural engineering interview from IITKGP . Interview expected in the month of may .

[@Prof_JC]

@@rakeshliveinpeace696 I guess that is in Civil, right?

[@rakeshliveinpeace696]

@@Prof_JC yes sir .. Thank you so much for the informative vdos..

[@Prof_JC]

@@rakeshliveinpeace696 All the best for the interview! Last to last year we had an excellent sponsored student in Mechanical. I forgot which organization he was from though.

[@eemryst]

Thanks sir.... Sir next time can you make videos on job opportunities(mainly as professors in university or college) after phd in physics at iit. And is it worth to do it? 😇

[@Prof_JC]

Since I am from Mechanical Engineering I don't have any insider knowledge about Physics departments or the recruitment culture. But I imagine that broadly it is the same as in other Departments. I will try to see if it is possible to make a general video.

[@eemryst]

Yes sir I'll will be so happy to see it😇

[@eemryst]

Sorry bro.... I'm still Preparing for it

[@eemryst]

No bro bsc and try to persuade integrated phd

[@RaviSingh-on2qr]

Sir, i was thinking how acceptable is my reading speed. I mean how much does it takes you to finish a book. Can you guide me with this.

[@RaviSingh-on2qr]

By 'a book' i dont mean any other book than course books.

[@Prof_JC]

@@RaviSingh-on2qr You mean reading speed for textbooks? What is your department?

[@aryanmandal4109]

Namaste Sir!! I hope you are doing well. Sir, it is my utmost request to you to please make a video on how PhD students in current time can commercialize their research with the help of entrepreneurship. It is a high time now where research should actually come to the market. There are many PhD students across all IITs which have incubated their startup on their own research with the help of professors. Please believe me Sir, it is the need of hour and everyone should understand and know it!! It can bring tremendous changes in our country .

[@Prof_JC]

It is a very important topic. But I have myself never been part of such an endeavor. Therefore it will not be right for me to make a video on it giving advice. I think if dome students who have been through the process share their own experiences it can be tremendously helpful.

[@ayantikbarmaniitkgp1759]

Sir subho nobo borsher priti subheccha

[@Prof_JC]

Shubho Noboborshor Shubhechcha tomakeu! All the best for your efforts on the coming year.

[@-BAVADHARANIB]

0:33

[@anuragsadhukhan4819]

Sir, this is a very informative video on how prepare for interview. I got shortlisted for PhD in Mechanical Engineering at IIT Kharagpur. Sir, I want to know that will the written test and interviews will be conducted online or offline?

[@Prof_JC]

This time, after a long time, the plan is to have everything offline.

[@anuragsadhukhan4819]

@@Prof_JC THANK YOU so much Sir for the information. Will it be conducted in IIT Kharagpur itself? Looking forward to meet you soon in IIT Kharagpur Sir 🙌🙌🙌

[@Prof_JC]

@@anuragsadhukhan4819 The Departments will be conducting their own tests and interviews. The venue for the written test will be somewhere within the campus. The venue for the interviews will be inside the Department. For Mechanical, there are usually three panels: one each for Design, Thermal & Fluid, and Manufacturing. I sit in the Design panel.

[@anuragsadhukhan4819]

@@Prof_JC THANK YOU so much Sir

[@Prof_JC]

@@anuragsadhukhan4819 All the best. And please see my earlier reply; I have included some more details.

[@TRitwikS]

Sir can we have a podcast and plz tell where we can talk about it WhatsApp?

[@Prof_JC]

Recently I have agreed to do such a discussion type session with another student. But he already has such a series going on. He has had videos with others. Do you also have something existing like that?

[@TRitwikS]

@@Prof_JC ya I have but in spotify

[@TRitwikS]

@@Prof_JC is there any platform where we can talk about it personally

[@Prof_JC]

@@TRitwikS You can email me: jeevanjyoti4 at gmail dot com.

[@TRitwikS]

@@Prof_JC sir done plz reply there

[@curioussrinija8738]

Sir, Good to see that you are trying to use gender neutral language I suggest you to use "they" pronoun instead of he/she....goal is achieved and also saves time ✨ Thank You sir 😇

[@Prof_JC]

I was doing the he/she so inconsistently that in my latest video I just kept saying he and him for everything. But your suggestion is very good. Thank you! Let me see if I can incorporate that into my natural flow of speaking.

[@curioussrinija8738]

@@Prof_JC pleasure is for the humankind ✨😇 appreciating your efforts sir 🙌

[@Justkiddingbutuknow]

Thanks for your valuable insights.. sir does having a average academic background(60-70% in metric,hs,ug and pg) effect the selection process anyhow?? Although I've qualified net with jef twice in my masters and it's my last sem and I'll qualify again I'm confident. Plz reply sir