Is a PhD from a tier-4 or lower college worth it?

[Bhavin]

One of my relatives is urging me to start a PhD at a little-known college in Delhi. They promise that if I finish the PhD there, I'll get a professor job at the same place. The college isn't even in the top-100. Should I go for it or aim for a PhD from IITs or NITs? My parents are pushing me to skip the GATE exam, saying I'm already over 30 and shouldn't waste time. What score do I need for a PhD? Can I get admission without GATE/NET? My qualifications: BTech and an MS in AI from a foreign university.

[Varun]

A PhD at an IIT or NIT usually takes 4-6 years or sometimes longer. Also, think about whether you want an academic career or have other plans in mind.

[Neeraj]

If you have good marks – say above 8 CGPA in your BTech and MS – you can still apply for a PhD at government institutes like IITs, IISc or NITs. Being 30 isn't a barrier; many people start PhDs after 30, especially if they have teaching or industry experience. Choose the college only if it offers a stipend and decent research facilities. If you're confident you can crack GATE, NET or JRF in a year, taking a gap to prepare might be worth it. A PhD from a government college carries value, whereas a private college may leave you teaching there for life with a basic salary, and the degree's worth can be uncertain.

[Isha]

Don't do it! They're offering this because they're desperate. A PhD is tough even at good institutes where funding and resources are already sorted. In a tier-3 or tier-4 college you may not even find a decent supervisor, and publishing a quality paper becomes hard. If they ask for a fee and give no stipend, that's a big red flag. Even if you finish, you'll likely only be employable at that same college, limiting your career. Take a PhD only if you're truly interested in research, and then aim for a top institute. Even the lowest-ranked IIT is far better than this.