AIIMS Rishikesh PhD Admission 2025 (July)

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh invites applications for PhD admission for 2025 (July).

Eligibility Criteria

For Medical Candidates:

• MBBS degree or equivalent with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks or equivalent percentile in professional examinations.
• MD/MS/MDS/DM/MCH in the subject concerned or Diplomate of National Board of examinations or equivalent degree recognized by MCI/DCI.
• Master’s degree after BAMS, BHMS, and BNYS will be eligible for Ph.D. in AYUSH.
• Minimum of 55% marks or equivalent in the last eligibility examination qualified.

Nursing Qualification:

• Candidates holding an M.Sc. degree with a minimum 55% aggregate marks or equivalent percentile in Nursing Speciality will also be eligible for Ph.D. admission in the College of Nursing.

For Non-Medical Candidates:

• Master’s degree (02-year course) awarded by an Indian University or equivalent in a subject as per project requirements.
• Candidates holding M.Sc. (other than M.Sc. Nursing), M. Biotech /M. Tech degree / M Com/ MBA / MPH will be eligible under the non-medical qualification category.
• Candidates possessing a Master’s Degree through a distance learning course shall not be eligible.
• Minimum of 55% marks or equivalent in the last eligibility examination qualified.

NOTE: A relaxation of 5% may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-abled and female candidates.

Eligibility Criteria for External Candidates in Permanent Employment

• Candidates who are permanent employees of external Institutions (Central Govt/ Semi Govt/ Autonomous organization) should submit their application through proper channels (i.e., their employer). They will be required to submit a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from their employer/Head of Institute.
• In addition, such candidates will have to provide a certificate at the time of joining from their employer stating that in the event of selection to the Ph.D. course, the candidate will be granted a minimum period of 03-year study leave with full pay and permission to work at AIIMS Rishikesh to pursue a full-time Ph.D. Course.

Eligibility Criteria for In-service Candidates from AIIMS Rishikesh

For In-service Medical Candidates:

1. Members of the medical faculty can apply for registration to the Ph.D. course as an In-service candidate. He/She will be exempted from appearing in the entrance examination.
2. The individual should be a regular employee of the institute and should have rendered a minimum of two years of continuous service at the institute.
3. The individual should have a minimum of 5 years of active service left in the institute at the time of application.
4. The medical faculty member should have at least 3 original research publications (not case reports) during the last three years immediately preceding the date of his/her application, either as a first author or as a communicating author, in a peer-reviewed journal.
5. The candidate will be considered an In-service candidate provided that the Head of the Department certifies that the work of the department will not suffer and no additional staff will be asked for.
6. The candidate seeking admission under this category will have to identify a faculty member in the same department (senior to the candidate) who is willing to be the chief-guide of the candidate. The candidate should submit a letter of acceptance/undertaking from the concerned faculty member in this regard.

For In-service Non-Medical Candidates:

1. The individual should be a regular employee of the institute and should have rendered a minimum of five years of continuous service at the institute.
2. He/She should fulfill all the eligibility criteria for the Ph.D. course, will appear in the entrance examination, and must score a minimum of 50% marks.
3. The individual should have 5 years of active service remaining in the institute.
4. The candidate should have a proven track record of active involvement in research/academic activities of the department. He/she should possess good written and verbal communication skills in the English language, to be certified by HOD/Chief of Center.
5. The candidate should have at least 3 original research publications (not case reports) during the last three years immediately preceding the date of his/her application, either as a first author or as a communicating author, in a peer-reviewed journal.
6. The candidate will be considered an in-service candidate provided that the Head of the Department certifies that the work of the department will not suffer and no additional staff will be asked for.
7. The candidate seeking admission under this category will have to identify a faculty member in the institute who is willing to be the chief-guide of the candidate. The candidate should submit a letter of acceptance/undertaking from the concerned faculty member in this regard.

Note:

1. DM, MCh, PDCC candidates, and others pursuing a full-time academic course at AIIMS Rishikesh cannot apply for a Ph.D. programme.
2. If a faculty is registered as a guide of a Ph.D. scholar, he/she will NOT be eligible to apply for the Ph.D. course as a Ph.D. scholar until the submission of thesis work by the research scholar under him/her.
3. Any faculty pursuing a Ph.D. course himself/herself is NOT allowed to guide a student.
4. All In-service candidates should clarify the latest rules and regulations from the Ph.D. Cell, AIIMS Rishikesh.

Eligibility Criteria for Transfer for Ph.D. Credit in Case of Re-location

In case of re-location of a Ph.D. scholar due to marriage or otherwise, the research period and research data shall be allowed to be transferred to AIIMS Rishikesh, subject to the condition that the Research Scholar has either joined as an employee/on deputation and has cleared the entrance exam (Stage I and Stage II) conducted by AIIMS, Rishikesh, and is willing to enroll as a full-time Ph.D. Research Scholar. The scholar will give due credit to the parent guide and previous Institution for the part of research already done.

Selection Process

Admission to the Ph.D. Course will be based on merit scores derived from a multi-stage evaluation process. All candidates, with the exception of in-service medical faculty of AIIMS Rishikesh, must undergo three stages of the entrance examination:

Stage I: Aptitude-Related MCQs

• Marks: 30 marks (30 MCQs, 1 mark each)
• Content: This section covers aptitude-related multiple-choice questions focusing on English (written and verbal skills), Biostatistics, Research Methodology, Cell Biology, and Lab Technology.

Stage II: Subject-Related Theory MCQs

• Marks: 40 marks (40 MCQs, 1 mark each)
• Content: This stage consists of subject-related theory based multiple-choice questions, set at the MD/MS/MDS/M.Sc. Entrance level.

Combined Scoring for Stages I & II

• Total Marks (Stage I + II): 70 marks (30 + 40)
• Total Duration (Stage I + II): 90 Minutes
• Marking Scheme: Each correct MCQ answer will be awarded 1 mark. More than one answer will be treated as a wrong answer. Zero marks will be given for wrong answers, questions not answered, or those marked for review.

Eligibility for Stage-III

• To be eligible for Stage III, candidates must score at least 35 marks in Stages I and II combined. Candidates who do not meet this criterion will not be eligible for selection.

For Special weightage see prospectus.

Application Process

• For applying for admission to PhD Course each candidate is required to fill the form available on the website.
• For applying for admission to PhD Course each candidate is required to submit hard copy of signed application form provided on the website to Dean (Exam), AIIMS, Rishikesh, Veerbhadra Marg, Rishikesh 249203 through registered post/ speed post. The envelope should be super scribed as “APPLICATION FORM FOR PHD ADMISSION JULY 2025.”
• Candidate should fill in the Form taking utmost care. Candidate should fill in the Application form correctly. Incorrect filled form may lead to rejection.
• No candidate should register more than one application.

• Date of uploading prospectus for filling up of application form opens on: 21 May, 2025
• Last date for receipt of hard copy of Application form through Speed Post/Registered Post only at AIIMS Rishikesh: 9 June, 2025
• Status of application & Rejected application with reason for rejection. Applicants are required to check the status on AIIMS Rishikesh website: 13 June, 2025
• Last date for submission of required documents for Regularization of Rejected Application: 16 June, 2025
• Issue of Admit cards for Ph.D. entrance examination to eligible candidates via e-mail: 20 June, 2025
• Written Test at AIIMS Rishikesh- Stage I& II: 24 June, 2025
• Expected date of publication of merit list of stage I& II: 25 June, 2025
• Stage III Assessment: 26 June, 2025
• Final Result: 30 June, 2025
• Last date for joining the Ph.D. Program: 21 July, 2025

• PhD Prospectus
• Application Form
• AIIMS Rishikesh Website