Central University of Karnataka PhD Admission 2025-26

Central University of Karnataka (CUK) invites application for PhD admission in various disciplines for 2025-26.

Eligibility Criteria

The following candidates can register through the online SAMARTH registration portal for Ph.D. Admission and eligible candidates shall directly appear for an interview:

• Candidates who have qualified for national level examinations [such as JRF (UGC/CSIR/DBT/ICMR / ICSSR), NET (UGC/CSIR), GATE or equivalent, etc.)].
• Candidates who have qualified National Eligibility Test (NET) under PH.D only (Category-3).
• Candidates who have secured a DST-INSPIRE Fellowship.
• Candidates with Central Government and State Government sponsored fellowships
• National/State level Teacher fellowship holders.
• Candidates admitted under various research projects (Fulfilling any of the above points).

Minimum Qualification

Ph.D – Hindi

• M.Phil. or Master’s degree in Hindi from any University or a degree recognized by the University for this purpose or its equivalent in the relevant subject with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

Ph.D-Kannada

• M.Phil. with course work or Master’s degree in Kannada from any University or a degree recognized by the University for this purpose or its equivalent in the relevant subject with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

Ph.D – English

• M.Phil. with course work or Master’s degree in English from any University or a degree recognized by the University for this purpose or its equivalent in the relevant subject with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

Ph.D-Economics

• M.Phil. with course work or Master’s degree in Economics from any University or a degree recognized by the University for this purpose or its equivalent in the relevant subject with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

Ph.D. Management

• M.Phil. with course work or Master’s degree in Management from any University or a degree recognized by the University for this purpose or its equivalent in the relevant subject with at least 60% marks (55% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and nonmigrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

Ph.D-Psychology

• M.Phil. with course work or Master’s degree in Psychology from any University or a degree recognized by the University for this purpose or its equivalent in the relevant subject with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

Ph.D-Commerce

• M.Phil. with course work or Master’s degree in Commerce from any University or a degree recognized by the University for this purpose or its equivalent in the relevant subject with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

Ph.D-Social Work

• M.Phil. with course work or Master’s degree in Social Work from any from any University/Institute recognized by the UGC/MHRD for this purpose with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized. University/Institute.

Ph.D-Physics

• M.Phil with course work or Master’s degree in different branches of Physics from any University/Institute recognized by the UGC/MHRD for this purpose with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

Ph.D-Chemistry

• M.Phil with course work or Master’s degree in different branches of Chemistry from any University/Institute recognized by the UGC/MHRD or foreign university (as per the AlU foreign equivalence list) with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute

Ph.D. Mathematics

• M.Phil with course work or Master’s degree in Mathematics from any University/Institute recognized by the UGC/MHRD or foreign university (as per the AIU foreign equivalence list) with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute

Ph.D.-Life Sciences

• M.Phil. with course work or Master’s degree in different braches of Life sciences from any University/Institute recognized by the UGC/MHRD or foreign university (as per the AIU foreign equivalence list) with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

Ph.D.-Geology

• M.Phil. with course work or Master’s degree in Geology from any University/Institute recognized by the UGC/MHRD or foreign university (as per the AlU foreign equivalence list) with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute

Ph.D Electronics and Communication Engineering

• M.E/M.Tech degree in Electronics and Communication Electronics/ Communication/ Microwav Engineering Engineering from any University/ Institute recognized by the UGC/MHRD/AICTE or foreign university (as per the AIU foreign equivalence list) with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of four years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

Ph.D Electrical Engineering

• M.E/M.Tech degree in Electrical Engineering from any University/ Institute recognized by the UGC/MHRD/AICTE or foreign university (as per the All foreign equivalence list) with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of four years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

Ph.D. Geography

• M.Phil with course work or Master’s degree in Geography from any University/Institute recognized by the UGC/MHRD or foreign university (as per the AIU foreign equivalence list) with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

Ph.D-Computer Science

• M.Phil. with course work or Master’s degree in Computer Science/ Master of Computer Applications from any University/Institute recognized by the UGC/MHRD or foreign university (as per the AIU foreign equivalence list) with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER). PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute

Ph.D. Computer Science & Engineering

• M.E/M.Tech or equivalent qualification in Computer Science & Engineering or relevant fields from any University/Institute recognized by the UGC/MHRD/AICTE or foreign university (as per the AIU foreign equivalence list) with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON-CREAMY LAYER), PWD, and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrant students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent degree of four years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

PhD-Linguistics

• M.Phil. with course work or Master’s degree in Lingustics from any University/Institute recognized by the UGC/MHRD or foreign university (as per the AIU foreign equivalence list) with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

PhD Mechanical Engineering

• Tech/BE and M. Tech/ME in relevant fields of Mechanical Engineering from any University/Institute recognized by the UGC/MHRD/AICTE or foreign university (as per the All foreign equivalence list) with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of four years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

PhD-Media Studies

• M.Phil. with course work or Master’s Degree in Media Studies/Journalism & Mass Communication from any University or its equivalent in the relevant subject with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

PhD-Arabic

• M.Phil. with course work or Master’s degree in Arabic from any University or a degree recognized by the University for this purpose or its equivalent in the relevant subject with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

PhD-Spanish

• M.Phil. with course work or Master’s degree in Spanish from any University or a degree recognized by the University for this purpose or its equivalent in the relevant subject with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

PhD-Music (Vocal)

• M.Phil. with course work or MPA /M Music Master’s degree in from any University or a degree recognized by the University for this purpose or its equivalent in the relevant subject with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST. OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

PhD-Tabala

• M.Phil. with course work or MPA (TABLA)/M Music (Tabla) Master’s degree in Tabla Subject from any University or a degree recognized by the University for this purpose or its equivalent in the relevant subject with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

Ph.D.-Public Administration

• M.Phil. with course work or Master’s degree in public administration/Political Science/International Relations from any University/Institute recognized by the UGC/MHRD or foreign university (as per the All foreign equivalence list) with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree. or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

Ph.D. Folklore and Tribal Studies

• M.Phil. with course work folkloristic/anthropology/folk от Master’s degree Folklore Tribal Studies literature/ cultural studies/folk art/literature in Indian languages from any University/Institute recognized by the UGC/MHRD or foreign university (as per the All foreign equivalence list) with. at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

Ph.D.-Law

• M.Phil, with course work or Master’s degree in LLM from any University/Institute recognized by the UGC/MHRD or foreign university (as per the All foreign equivalence list) with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC [NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute

Ph.D-Tourism Management

• Master of Tourism and Travel Management, MTA, MA(Tourism), MTM, MBA (Tourism and Travel Management), MBA (Tourism and Hospitality Management), Master of Tourism and Hospitality Management, MSC Tourism with minimum 55% Marks from UGC/AICTE Recognized Universities/Institutions.

Ph.D-History

• M.Phil with course work or Master’s degree in History from any University or a degree recognized by the University for this purpose or its equivalent in the relevant subject with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students), preceded by a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree of three years duration from a recognized University/Institute.

PhD-Education

• M.Ed degree from a recognized (NCTE) university or institution with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (NON CREAMY LAYER), PWD and Kashmiri Migrant and non-migrants Students).

Application Process

• The candidate must register for Ph.D. admission through the online SAMARTH registration portal (https://cukadm.samarth.edu.in/).
• Submission of the online registration forms is mandatory for Ph.D. admissions.
• The candidates are advised to refer to the user manual for online registration on the SAMARTH portal.

Selection Process

The selection process for Ph.D. admission are as follows:

• 70% weightage is given to JRF, NET, and allied qualifications, PG programme marks, and online test conducted by the concerned department.
• 30% weightage is given for online presentation and viva-voce.

The distribution of marks within these weightages is as follows:

Weightage	Criteria	Range	Total marks
70%	JRF (UGC/CSIR/DBT..etc)	JRF (UGC/CSIR/DBT..etc): 50 marks DST-INSPIRE/Other. Fellowships: 45 marks NET (UGC/CSIR). NET-PHD only. GATE. etc: 40 marks	Max. 50 marks
	PG programme marks	> 80%: 10 marks >60%: 8 marks >55% (50 others) -60%: 6 marks	Max. 10 marks
	Online Written test before interview	10 marks	Max. 10 marks
30%	Online Presentation on a proposed field of research	10 marks	Max. 10 marks
	Online Viva-voce on domain knowledge	20 marks	Max. 20 marks

Candidates securing a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC, ST. OBC {NON CREAMY LAYER}, EWS) in the combined score of the 70% and 30% weightage marks calculations will be eligible to be considered for admission as per the merit list.

• Date of registration: 16 June, 2025 to 16 July, 2025
• Date of declaration of eligible candidates: 21 July, 2025
• Date of addressing grievance on eligibility: 21 July, 2025 to 23 July, 2025
• Date of interviews: 24 July, 2025 to 29 July, 2025
• Date of declaration of selected candidates: 30 July, 2025
• Date of admissions and fee payment: 4 August, 2025
• Date of commencement of classes: 11 August, 2025

• Notification
• Application Form
• Central University of Karnataka Website