M.S. & Ph.D. Research Programs

Overview

The department offers full-time research degrees at both the M.S. (by research) and Ph.D. levels in Applied Mechanics, Biomedical Engineering, and related interdisciplinary areas. These programs are designed for students who wish to contribute original research to their field under the mentorship of IIT Madras faculty.

Research is active across solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, biomedical engineering, computational methods, AI/ML in engineering, and clinical technologies. Students work within well-equipped labs, benefit from funded travel for conferences, and have access to IIT Madras’s broader research ecosystem.

What the Program Develops

Original Research Independent, publishable research that contributes new knowledge under faculty mentorship

Computational & Experimental Methods Mastery of simulation, modelling, and experimental techniques in your chosen area

Technical Depth Structured coursework and milestones that build deep, specialised expertise

Scholarly Communication Seminars, conference travel, and publication to present work to the research community

Independence & Leadership The ability to define problems and lead research, preparing graduates for academia and R&D

Research Areas

Research is active across three broad areas, each spanning classical foundations and emerging interdisciplinary directions:

Solid Mechanics

Fluid Mechanics

Biomedical Engineering

Solid Mechanics — Mechanics of Materials · Computational Mechanics · Dynamics & Control
Fluid Mechanics — Computational Fluid Dynamics · Thermal Systems · Energy & Sustainability · AI/ML in Fluids
Biomedical Engineering — Modelling & Simulation · Clinical Diagnostics & Implants · Imaging & Instrumentation · Biomechanics · AI/ML & AR/VR in Medicine

Admission Process

Admissions follow a structured three-step process:

Written Test — Subject-area screening exam
Research Aptitude Interview — Discussion of prior work, research interests, and technical depth
Faculty Matching — Shortlisted candidates are matched with faculty whose research aligns with the candidate’s interests

Intake happens twice yearly (January and July). See area-specific eligibility and interview syllabi below.

Eligibility by Research Group

Biomedical Engineering

B.Tech / B.E. in any engineering discipline, or M.Sc. in any of the sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Mathematics, Nanoscience, etc.)

Solid Mechanics

B.Tech / B.E. in any engineering discipline, or M.Sc. in Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, or Nanoscience

Fluid Mechanics

B.Tech / B.E. in any engineering discipline, or M.Sc. in any of the sciences

Financial Support

 HTRA Institute-funded Half-Time Research Assistantship — the primary fellowship for GATE-qualified and direct-entry PhD students 
 Project HTRA Project-funded HTRA for students working on sponsored research projects — equivalent stipend, project-specific work 
 Project NHTRA Non-HTRA project funding for students supported directly through external grants 
 R&D Fellowships Fellowships from industry R&D partnerships, DRDO, DST, and other national agencies for eligible candidates 

PhD Milestones

Milestone	Deadline	Description
GTC Meeting	Within 6 months	Graduate Training Committee meeting to confirm research area and plan
Coursework Completion	Within 2 semesters	Mandatory courses as specified by the department and thesis supervisor
Mid-Term Review	Within 18 months	Formal assessment of research progress by committee
Open Seminar	Within 27 months	Public seminar presenting research findings to the department
Thesis Submission	Within 3 months of seminar	Submission of final thesis for evaluation