I just finished my PhD defense last week (Computer Science, IIT Madras) and wanted to share some honest reflections while everything is still fresh.
What went well:
- My advisor was supportive and gave me genuine intellectual freedom
- The collaborative atmosphere in the lab made the isolation of research more bearable
- The depth of knowledge I built in my area is something I am genuinely proud of
What was hard:
- Years 2–3 were brutal. Two major paper rejections triggered serious self-doubt.
- The PMRF stipend still does not cover Bangalore costs comfortably
- The academic job market is brutal.I applied to 22 positions and got 3 interviews
Where I am now: Joining a research lab at Microsoft India. Not the faculty position I originally wanted, but I am honestly excited.
Happy to answer questions from PhD students or people considering the PhD path in India.