I have a Master's in English and I've cleared UGC‑NET three times, once even getting a JRF during my master's, plus I have a GATE score. The problem is I have no idea how to get into a PhD. I did my master's from a just‑okay university where there was zero guidance and the staff seemed more interested in quitting.
It's been over a year since I cleared the UGC‑NET JRF and finished my master's. My final‑year project – the only research I've done – was rushed and I had to rely heavily on AI because it was given to us at the last minute (I know that's not an excuse, but I'm trying to improve).
I have no clue where to start my PhD journey. I've completely forgotten how academia feels after this break (I even forgot how to write properly). I want to aim for NITs and IITs but I have zero research knowledge and I haven't published a paper yet, which worries me a lot. Advice I find online is usually for specific streams; I haven't seen anything for English. What should I do? I feel I've fallen behind my peers. Because of personal issues I can only spare limited time each day. How can I use that time efficiently to move towards a PhD? Are there any good (preferably free) courses for academic writing?
P.S. People around me say I can just buy a PhD, but I really want to do quality research that contributes to society and satisfies my interest.
Edit: How do I write a research proposal for English literature? How should I structure it? How do I decide on the methodology?
Just apply to NITs and the new IITs, you'll get in. There's no special prerequisite; your JRF will help, and you can read a few papers online that match your interest.
I'm in the same field, feel free to connect. By the way, is your username a BTS reference?
I'm in the same boat, don't know where or how to start.
Congratulations on clearing both exams – that's really tough. I only cleared UGC‑NET, and I have an interview next month. I applied as soon as the seats were announced this year, so it's been about six months for me. My sister's supervisor helped me get a chance to apply for a PhD at North Carolina State University because she works in that area. The global conditions and funding didn't suit me, so I dropped the PhD plan and also finished my master's. I did teacher‑training and now I'm preparing for government teaching exams. I can get a good private‑school job near my home, and the salary is comparable to what a professor would earn here, given how well private schools pay in my city.
If you are financially secure and you're set on a PhD only in fields like computer science, maths, finance or other science streams that lead to corporate jobs, then research in English may not give you many job options unless you are at a top institute. I once worked on a topic about using English as a tool for interview preparation and soft‑skill communication in corporate settings. It was appreciated by some overseas professors, but I deleted the draft early. I only posted about it on Instagram a couple of years ago.
The idea was to bridge the gap Indian youth feel when trying to enter global corporate jobs – many struggle to articulate themselves in interviews. My cousin's sister told me this skill isn't discussed enough. Although the topic got some appreciation, I realized I needed a stable job, so I switched careers and handed the topic over to a close friend who is now doing research abroad.