Updated on Jun 19, 2024 10:16 IST

Philosophy courses are pursued by candidates who have an ardent interest in Philosophical concepts and theories. Academia is one of the largest job-providing sectors for Philosophy graduates. Just as the philosophy of water which takes the shape of the container it is placed in, Philosophy graduates can fit into various job roles. These job profiles require some specialized skills and knowledge that can be learned by graduates from any field. Human Resource Manager, Journalist, Professor, Content Writer and Business Executive are some job profiles that can be pursued by Philosophy graduates.

Philosophy graduates can equip themselves for the job market by pursuing advanced degrees such as MA in Philosophy and PhD in Philosophy. They can also pursue an MBA or MA in English that would open up career opportunities in the corporates and consultancies.

Table of Contents
  1. Philosophy Jobs in India: Quick Facts
  2. Top Job Profiles in Philosophy
    • 2.1 Government & Private Sector Jobs in Philosophy
  3. Emerging Trends in Philosophy
  4. Philosophy Scope in India: Jobs, Salary and Further Education
    • 4.1 Competitive Exams after Philosophy
    • 4.2 Courses after Philosophy
    • 4.3 Top Recruiters for Philosophy Graduates in India
  5. Best Philosophy Colleges for Placements (In India)
  6. Philosophy Career 2024: FAQs

Philosophy Jobs in India: Quick Facts

Below mentioned are some facts related to a career in Philosophy:

  • Philosophy is a well-known optional subject in the UPSC CSE exam. It includes the history of Philosophy, the issues associated with Philosophy in Paper 1 and social, political and religious philosophy in Paper 2.
  • The average salary of a Philosophy Professor in India with over 8 years of experience is INR 78 LPA.
  • A Philosophy Professor in the United States can earn up to $166,000 per year.

Top Job Profiles in Philosophy

Philosophy graduates can work in various domains and sectors that offer generic jobs.

Government & Private Sector Jobs in Philosophy

The candidates must note that there are no job profiles that can be exclusively pursued by Philosophy graduates expect in academia. Most of the below-mentioned jobs are open to all graduates. Philosophy graduates can learn some additional skills to equip themselves for various job profiles.

Given below are some job profiles that are suitable for Philosophy graduates:

Job Profile

Average Salary (in INR)

Human Resource Manager

10.9 LPA

Journalist

2.9 LPA

Professor

15.4 LPA

Content Writer

3.6 LPA

Business Executive

3.6 LPA

Note: The job description mentioned above is generic and the salaries may vary depending on the company offering the jobs

Emerging Trends in Philosophy

Given below are the emerging trends in the field of Philosophy:

  • AI-based Philosophy: The field of Philosophy has gone beyond textbooks and reached the digital world through Artificial Intelligence. This tool provides answers to users on philosophical and thought-provoking questions.
  • Redefining Educational Philosophy: The scope of educational philosophy has been redefined and new goals have been set in the fields. The goals are framing an effective curriculum, promoting new modes of learning such as online learning and promoting the holistic development of students.

Philosophy Scope in India: Jobs, Salary and Further Education

Philosophy graduates can work in various sectors, some of which are mentioned below:

  • Government Sector: Philosophy graduates can pursue a career in the government sector as many government jobs are open to all graduates.
  • Corporate and Consultancies: They can pursue a career in various job profiles such as Content Writer, Video Editor, Sales Executive etc.
  • NGO: NGOs offer a wide range of career options that can be pursued by Philosophy graduates such as Social Workers, Canvassers, Fundraising Specialists etc.

Competitive Exams after Philosophy

Given below are some of the popular competitive exams through which candidates can secure government jobs:

Philosophy Competitive Exams

Description

UPSC CSE

UPSC CSE is a national-level competitive exam conducted annually to recruit candidates to All India Group A and Group B Sevices in various cadres.

SBI PO

SBI PO is a national-level banking exam conducted in three phases to recruit Assistant Managers in various branches of the State Bank of India.

IBPS PO

IBPS PO is a national-level banking exam conducted to recruit Assistant Managers in various government banks and Public Sector Banks in various locations in India.

UPPSC PCS

UPPSC PCS is a state-level civil service exam conducted to recruit candidates in Group A and Group B services.

Courses after Philosophy

Candidates can pursue various courses after Philosophy courses to enhance their career opportunities in various fields as per their preferences and interests.

Courses after Philosophy

MA in Philosophy

PhD in Philosophy

MBA

MA English

Top Recruiters for Philosophy Graduates in India

Given below are some top companies that recruit Philosophy graduates in India:

Top Philosophy Courses Recruiters

Chandigarh University

Abbott

Lucknow University

Adani Agro

NDTV

Helpage India

UNICEF

Goonj

CRY (Child Rights and You)

Smile Foundation

Best Philosophy Colleges for Placements (In India)

Given below is the list of colleges that offer lucrative placement opportunities to Philosophy graduates:

Philosophy Colleges

Average Salary (in INR)

Kolhan University - KU

19.8 LPA

Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi

5 - 15.5 LPA

Lakshmibai College, University of Delhi

4 - 15.5 LPA

Janki Devi Memorial College, University of Delhi

5 - 15.5 LPA

Delhi University (DU)

5 - 15.5 LPA

University of Mumbai [MU]

15 LPA

University of Lucknow

9 - 14.4 LPA

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

3 - 11.68 LPA

Scottish Church College

10.57 LPA

Jadavpur University

8 - 10 LPA

Note: The salaries mentioned above may vary depending on the companies offering the jobs.

Philosophy Career 2024: FAQs

Q. What can I do with a Philosophy degree?

A. Numerous options that are open for Philosophy graduates. They can either pursue further studies in the same field. Those who have pursued PhD in Philosophy can apply for the post of Assistant Professor and Professor in various colleges. They can also work in various jobs that are open to all graduates such as SEO specialist, Content Writer and Social Worker. Those who wish to explore job prospects in the field of management can pursue an MBA and seek career prospects in private firms.

Q. Can Philosophy offer a good career?

A. Having a good career in any field depends on the candidate’s potential, abilities and interests. Apart from these, various external factors such as job location, the condition of the economy and competition determine the career prospects in a field. Philosophy graduates can work in universities and colleges as professors. It is the most relevant job for a Philosophy graduate. They can also pursue jobs in other fields depending on their interests and preferences.

To have a good career it is essential to one has to recognize one’s interests, establish well-defined goals, get to know about the field they are interested in and equip themselves with the skills and knowledge required for the job.

Q. What is the difference between a Philosopher and a Philosophist?

A. A Philosopher and a Philosophist are different from each other though they are often used interchangeably. 

A Philosopher is a person who studies Philosophy and questions rationality, logic, culture and existence. They try to comprehend the intricate details in the world and try to answer questions related to human existence and the principles of morality.

A philosopher is a person who has a superficial knowledge of the Philosophical works of various scholars. Philosophists discuss philosophical concepts without trying to find the intricate meanings and interpretations.

Q. What is the syllabus of Philosophy optional subject in UPSC?

A. There are two papers for Philosophy optional subject. Paper 1 has topics related to the history of Philosophy and the problems associated with the field. Paper 2 has Sociopolitical philosophy and the philosophy of religion.

The topics in Philosophy Paper 1 and Philosophy Paper 2 are as follows:

Philosophy Paper 1 Syllabus

Plato and Aristotle: Ideas; Substance; Form and Matter; Causation; Actuality and Potentiality.

Rationalism (Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz); Cartesian Method and Certain Knowledge; Substance; God; Mind-Body Dualism; Determinism and Freedom.

Empiricism (Locke, Berkeley, Hume): Theory of Knowledge; Substance and Qualities; Self and God; Scepticism.

Kant: Possibility of Synthetic a priori Judgments; Space and Time; Categories; Ideas of Reason; Antinomies; Critique of Proofs for the Existence of God.

Hegel: Dialectical Method; Absolute Idealism.

Moore, Russell and Early Wittgenstein: Defence of Commonsense; Refutation of Idealism; Logical Atomism; Logical Constructions; Incomplete Symbols; Picture

Theory of Meaning; Sying and Showing.

Logical Positivism: Verification Theory of Meaning; Rejection of Metaphysics; Linguistic Theory of Necessary Propositions.

Later Wittgenstein: Meaning and Use; Language-games; Critique of Private Language.

Phenomenology (Husserl): Method; Theory of Essences; Avoidance of Psychologism.

Existentialism (Kierkegaard, Sarte, Heidegger): Existence and Essence; Choice, Responsibility and Authentic Existence; Being-in-the-world and Temporality.

Quine and Strawson: Critique of Empiricism; Theory of Basic Particulars and Persons.

Carvaka: Theory of Knowledge; Rejection of Transcendent Entities.

Jainism: Theory of Reality; Saptabhanginaya; Bondage and Liberation.

Schools of Buddhism: Prat Ityasamutpada; Ksanikavada, Nairatmyavada.

Nyaya—Vaiesesika: Theory of Categories; Theory of Appearance; Theory of Pramana; Self, Liberation; God; Proofs for the Existence of God; Theory of Causation; Atomistic Theory of Creation.

Samkhya; Prakrit; Purusa; Causation; Liberation.

Yoga; Citta; Cittavrtti; Klesas; Samadhi; Kaivalya.

Mimamsa: Theory of Knowledge.

Aurobindo: Evolution, Involution; Integral Yoga.

Schools of Vedanta: Brahman; Isvara; Atman; Jiva; Jagat; Maya; Avida; Adhyasa; Moksa; Aprthaksiddhi; Pancavidhabheda.

Philosophy Paper 2 Syllabus

Social and Political ideals: Equality, Justice, Liberty.

Sovereignty: Austin, Bodin, Laski, Kautilya.

Individual and State: Rights; Duties and Accountability.

Forms of Government: Monarchy; Theocracy and Democracy.

Political Ideologies: Anarchism, Marxism and Socialism.

Humanism; Secularism; Multi-culturalism.

Crime and Punishment: Corruption, Mass Violence, Genocide, Capital Punishment.

Development and Social Progress.

Gender Discrimination: Female Foeticide, Land and Property Rights; Empowerment.

Caste Discrimination: Gandhi and Ambedkar.

Notions of God: Attributes; Relation to Man and the World. (Indian and Western)

Proofs for the Existence of God and their Critique (Indian and Western).

Problem of Evil.

Soul: Immortality; Rebirth and Liberation.

Reason, Revelation, and Faith.

Religious Experience: Nature and Object (Indian and Western).

Religion without God.

Religion and Morality.

Religious Pluralism and the Problem of Absolute Truth.

Nature of Religious Language: Analogical and Symbolic; Cognitivist and Non-cognitive.

Q. Who are the best modern-day Philosophers?

A. Several Philosophers of the present time share their valuable thoughts either through their books or through social media platforms like Wikipedia. They provide insights into contemporary issues and try to answer complex philosophical questions with the help of scientific explanations. Given below are some of the popular modern-day Philosophers:

Modern-Day Philosophers

Noam Chomsky

Steven Pinker

Gerard 't Hooft

Leonard Susskind

Peter Singer

Daniel Dennett

David Chalmers

Martha Nussbaum

Thomas Nagel

Saul Kripke

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Philosophy. Students interested in pursuing a career on Philosophy, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

Jun '24

CT SET 2024 Counselling Start

TENTATIVE

Jun '24

CT SET 2024 Result

TENTATIVE

21 Feb ' 25

SAT Registration Deadline for March Test

25 Feb ' 25

SAT Deadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation, a...

Feb '25 - Apr '25

CUET 2025 Application Process

TENTATIVE

Apr '25

CUET UG 2025 Application Form Correction

TENTATIVE

21 Sep ' 24

Second Phase of Counselling Begins

20 Sep ' 24

Reporting to Respective Colleges

Popular Philosophy Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Philosophy Colleges in India. Learn more about these Philosophy colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
3 Courses
51.6 K - 80.61 K
9.24 - 9.5 LPA

#1 India Today

2 Courses
2.4 K - 11 K
3.4

#23 India Today

3 Courses
540
7 LPA

#5 The Week

4 Courses
46.55 K
7.2 LPA

#5 India Today

8 Courses
29.06 K - 44.67 K
6.6 - 6.89 LPA

#2 Outlook

47.78 K
4.6 LPA

#6 The Week

Popular Private Philosophy Colleges in India

7.55 LPA

#51 India Today

1 Course
9.41 L

Philosophy Applications open till Jan 21, 2025. Apply Now

3.9 L - 8.16 L

#44 The Week

7 Courses
75 K - 14 L

Philosophy Applications open. Apply Now

2.1 L

#119 India Today

30.68 L - 40.91 L
9.25 - 10 LPA

Popular Philosophy UG Courses

Following are the most popular Philosophy UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Philosophy PG Courses

Following are the most popular Philosophy PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

Popular Philosophy Specializations

Following are the most popular Philosophy Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

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Answered Yesterday

Colleges in Delhi specialize in philosophy

Hindu college

Lady shri Ram College for women 

Hansraj College

Indraprastha College for women 

 

 

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Aparna Vinod T

Contributor-Level 6

Answered Yesterday

Hello!

You are eligible for a UG degree in Ethics if you have completed your class 12th from a recognised board. Students from all streams can go for an Ethics course degree. It is not necessary to study Ethics or Philosophy in class 12th if you want to pursue it.

Most colleges have a minimum eligibil

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muskan

Contributor-Level 6

Answered Yesterday

Students who are interested in learning about Ethics and Philosophy can go through the following popular books:

1. The Moral Philosophers: An Introduction to Ethics by Richard Norman

2. Becoming an Ethical Helping Professional: Cultural and Philosophical Foundations by John Sommers-Flanagan and Rita S

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muskan

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a week ago

BA Philosophy is a theoretical and scholarly degree. There are many skills that are preferable if a student wants to pursue it in their graduation. Some of these skills are: creativity, curiosity, analytical mind, good writing and communication skills, a critical perspective, an understanding attitu

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m

muskan

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a week ago

There is vast scope after a BA Philosophy course. The graduates can find work in many fields. Students can pursue a career in various job profiles such as Content Writer, HR Executive, Teacher, Editor, etc. in corporates and consultancies. BA Philosophy graduartes can also work in the media as journ

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m

muskan

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a week ago

Philosophy is a vast course with many branches and disciplines. There are many specializatons that a student should consider when pursuing a BA Philosophy degree. Some of these are:

SpecializationDescription
EthicsIt studies morality, its evolution and impact on human behaviour.
MetaphysicsIt studies foundational questions like truth, reality and human perception.
LogicIt studies reasoning, understanding and intellect in humans.

There are various other fields that are studied in Philosophy that the students can explore.

m

muskan

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 3 weeks ago

If you're planning to do an M.A. in Philosophy from Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth (TMV), Pune, and want to pursue a Ph.D. later, here's what you need to know:

 

1. Recognized Degree:

TMV is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC), which means its degrees are valid for higher studies like a

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Kartikey Goyal

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 weeks ago

The purpose of modern philosophy is to:

  1. Understand reality better.
  2. Explore how we know things.
  3. Contribute to scientific exploration.
  4. Discuss what's right and wrong.
  5. Think about how societies should be run.
  6. Critique cultural beliefs and norms.
  7. Answer personal questions about life and existence.

In short, mod

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m

muskan

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 4 weeks ago

The curriculum of Modern Philosophy is designed in a manner that provides in-depth knowledge to students about the subject and trains them to be thorough professional.

Main Subjects in Modern Philosophy
Modern Philosophy and the Scientific RevolutionFundamental Assumptions of Early Modern Philosophy
Representational Theory of PerceptionContinental Rationalism and Its Fundamental Assumptions
Western Philosophy: Ancient Medieval & ModernPhilosophical Counselling: Indian &Western
Modern Indian ThoughtGandhian Thought & Peace Studies
Philosophy of MindMoral Philosophy
Philosophy of ReligionApplied Ethics

m

muskan

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

Yes, there are various scholarships offered to SC/ST category students in Philosophy Courses, whether it is at UG, PG or PhD level.

You need to check the website of that College or University for availing the benefits of Scholarships. And you can also check the government 's portal for the Scholarshi

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Sudhanshu Mishra

Contributor-Level 7

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