Punjab Agricultural University – PAU Ludhiana PhD Admission 2025-26

Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana invites application for PhD Admission 2025-26.

Eligibility Criteria

College of Agriculture

The minimum qualifications for admission to Ph.D. programme (other than inservice candidates and ICAR nominees) shall be an OCPA of 7.00 out of 10.00 or 70% marks or equivalent at Master’s level and an OCPA of 6.00 out of 10.00 or 60% marks or equivalent at Bachelor’s level.

College of Horticulture & Forestry

The minimum qualifications for admission to Ph.D. programme (other than inservice candidates and ICAR nominees) shall be an OCPA of 7.00 out of 10.00 or 70% marks or equivalent at Master’s level and an OCPA of 6.00 out of 10.00 or 60% marks or equivalent at Bachelor’s level.

College of Agricultural Engineering & Technology

The minimum qualifications for admission to Ph.D. programme (other than inservice candidates and ICAR nominees) under the faculty shall be an OCPA of 7.00 out of 10.00 or 70% marks or equivalent in M.Tech. and an OCPA of 6.00 out of 10.00 or 60% marks or equivalent at Bachelor’s level.

College of Basic Sciences & Humanities

The minimum qualifications for admission to Ph.D. programme (other than inservice candidates and ICAR nominees) in the faculty of Basic Sciences & Humanities shall be an OCPA of 7.00 out of 10.00 or 70% marks or equivalent at the M.Sc. and OCPA of 6.00 out of 10.00 or 60% marks or equivalent at Bachelor’s level.

College of Community Science

The minimum qualifications for admission to Ph.D. programme (other than inservice candidates and ICAR nominees) shall be an OCPA of 7.00 out of 10.00 or 70% marks or equivalent at Master’s level in the respective discipline and 6.00 out of 10.00 or 60% marks or equivalent at graduation level. The graduation degree should be of 4-year (B.Sc. Home Science / B.Sc. (Hons) Home Science / B.Sc. (Hons) Community Science / B.Sc. (Hons) Nutrition & Dietetrics).

For inservice candidates and subject wise eligibility criteria refer to prospectus.

PAU Ludhiana PhD Entrance Test Details

Exam Pattern

• The question booklet will have two parts: Part-A and Part-B to be attempted in 3 hours. Weightage for Part-A and Part-B will be 60% and 20%, respectively.
• Part-A will carry 150 multiple choice questions (MCQs) to be attempted on the OMR sheet. Each correct answer will carry one mark whereas 1/4 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer.
• Part-B will contain two subjective type questions to be attempted in the space provided along with the questions in the question booklet.
• Minimum 20% marks are required in the Entrance Test to be called for Counselling / Interview in Part-A and Part-B, individually.
• Merit list will be prepared on the basis of:
  • Performance in the Entrance Examination 80% (60% MCQ + 20% subjective)
  • Master’s Research by Thesis & Quality of Thesis 10%
  • Interview 10%

Syllabus

PET Syllabus

Application Process

• Candidates can apply online / offline for the PhD Admission at University Website.
• Read prospectus carefully before filling application form.

Selection Process

Minimum percentage of marks required to be obtained in the Entrance Test to be called for Counselling/Interview are 20% (with negative marking) in MCQ & 20% in Subjective test individually.

Basis of Admissions

• Performance in the Entrance Exam: 80% (60% MCQ + 20% subjective)
• Masters’ Research by Thesis & Quality of Thesis: 10%
• Interview: 10%

Note:

• D. students will be sent to other universities/institutes from various departments for their 1st semester. The candidates will be informed about the name of the other university / institute and the date of their registration at the time of counselling.
• The ICAR nominees/foreign students and those students who obtain their Masters’ degrees from a University/Institution other than PAU will have the option to study a semester course at PAU or in other specified SAU’s.
• If any graduate is awarded PG Scholarship (PGS) for M.Sc. by ICAR/CSIR/UGC or any other Government organization through competitive examination and if such a student seeks admission, he/she will be admitted in the University against additional seat without Entrance Test conducted by PAU in the concerned discipline, provided he/she fulfils the minimum requirements. The candidates from other States, who have won the above fellowship, will also be given admission against additional seats likewise.
• No candidate, who has received a stipend as an in-service candidate or who has done his/her M.Sc. on study leave, shall be admitted to Ph.D. programme unless he/she has completed the period of service he/she is bound to for the money received for his/her M.Sc. Such candidates, however, can be considered for admission if they return the money received prior to the last date for receipt of applications.
• The candidates, who are awarded fellowship by ICAR/CSIR/UGC through competitive examinations will be admitted to the Ph.D. programme of the University against additional seats in the concerned discipline without Entrance Test conducted by PAU. The candidates who have not been awarded Fellowship but cleared the examination conducted by ICAR/CSIR/UGC are required to appear in the Entrance Test and Interview conducted by PAU for admission to Ph.D. programme.
• The particulars of the candidates recommended by Selection Committee shall be placed before the Academic Council which will finalize the list of candidates to be admitted.
• Marks given for the interview are for the purpose of selection only and are not to be considered for the grant of Fellowship
• In case of tie in the merit list, a candidate getting higher percentage of marks in the qualifying examination shall be ranked higher in order of merit.
• In case of tie in percentage of marks in the qualifying examination also, the candidate senior in age shall be ranked higher in order of merit

• Last date for receipt of applications (without late fee): 17 October, 2025
• Last date for receipt of applications (with late fee of Rs.1000/-): 24 October, 2025
• PhD Entrance Date: 17 November, 2025 to 09 December, 2025
• Admit Card Availability: Admit card will be uploaded on PAU website 7 days before the conduct of the Entrance Test

• Prospectus
• Application Form
• PAU Website