Undertaking a doctoral study has traditionally considered as a form of academic apprenticeship, and training inevitably has a part to play in producing the well rounded academician. PhD in Architecture is comparatively new in Indian Universities. Present paper discusses what a PhD stands for today with reference to architectural education in India. There are numerous misconceptions about the process and product of doctoral work which is adversely affecting the architectural education as a whole. True meaning of PhD is not known and the role of doctoral research in architectural profession and practice is largely under estimated. There is an urgent need to define PhD education process as well as product in architectural discipline which is aimed at the student’s empowerment and transformation as a professional and academician. It is stressed that doctoral study is not just an academic apprenticeship but it possess capability to develop and promote creative talent and enable students to become professional researchers or researching and scholarly professionals. This paper talks about epistemological and methodological considerations in doctoral studies. Various aspects of PhD education are highlighted , characteristic of a good PhD thesis is put forward which essentially is scholarship, which examiners defined as originality, coherence and student autonomy in addition, a well-argued, logical progression of ideas. Various initiatives to promote doctoral research are discussed in addition to its current status in India. The overarching aim of this paper is to provide an overall picture of doctoral studies in architecture in India in the interests of ensuring the best possible form of doctoral education. It has been found that the doctoral research in Indian architectural schools needs a paradigm shift in order to promote research culture in academia and practice holistically. To achieve this adoption of practice oriented research approach is suggested considering the demand of architectural discipline which is a nascent area of concern in current educational scenario in the country.