| Timeline | Activities |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Course Work |
| Year 2 | Course Work |
| Comprehensive Examination (End of Year 2) | |
| Year 3 | Proposal Work Begins |
| End of Year 3 | Expected Proposal Defense (Earliest) |
| End of Year 4 | Expected Dissertation Defense (Earliest) |
| End of Year 5 | Expected Dissertation Defense (Latest) |
Students are expected to complete the programme within 5 years. On case to case basis (upon the recommendations of supervisor / TAC Chairperson) a candidate may be given extension (without stipend) beyond 5 years for another 1 year. Minimum duration of the programme for students who gain admission (into PhD) with B.Tech degree is 4 years. For all other candidates the minimum duration is 3 years.