Taking 32 world-class universities in China as samples, based on the three core elements, i. e. , development scale, development condition and social contribution, the development index of doctoral education in Chinese universities is compiled on the basis of 14 indicators, including the number of doctoral students in universities. The results show the development situation of doctoral education in Chinese universities: the development degree of doctoral education is closely related to the scale of doctoral students; the overall condition for the development of doctoral education is not high; the gradient phenomenon of the social contribution index of doctoral education is obvious; some universities are unevenly developed in terms of development scale, development condition and social contribution, and there are different degrees of early warning. Finally, corresponding research suggestions are put forward. The establishment of the development index of doctoral education in Chinese universities aims to simplify the evaluation process, achieve dynamic monitoring, and promote the high-quality development of doctoral education in China.