Gujarat National Law University PhD Admission 2025

Gujarat National Law University invites applications in the prescribed form for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programme for the academic year 2025 in Law and other Subjects.

Category of Scholars

Scholars can be registered full time or on part-time basis.

• A full-time scholar has to attend the University regularly and will be subject to the prescribed attendance rules of the University.
• Professionally employed personnel may be allowed to pursue PhD on part-time bases. Such candidates are required to submit a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from their parent organization/department/employer stating that he/she is permitted to pursue studies on a part-time basis and that his/her duties permit him/her to devote sufficient time for research. Part Time Scholars will have to attend the classes for assigned course-work as per the rules of the University/UGC.

Eligibility Criteria

Minimum Qualifications for Admission

• Candidates for admission to the PhD programme shall have a Master’s degree in Law or a professional degree declared equivalent to the Master’s degree by the corresponding statutory regulatory body, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade ‘B’ in the UGC 7-point scale (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed) or an equivalent degree from a foreign educational Institution accredited by an Assessment and Accreditation Agency which is approved, recognized or authorized by an authority, established or incorporated under a law in its home country or any other statutory authority in that country for the purpose of assessing, accrediting or assuring quality and standards of educational institutions.
• A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and other categories of candidates as per the decision of the Commission from time to time. Kindly attach necessary certificates to claim such relaxation.
• Candidates who have completed the M.Phil. programme with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed or equivalent qualification from a foreign educational institution accredited by an assessment and accreditation agency which is approved, recognized or authorized by an authority, established or incorporated under a law in its home country or any other statutory authority in that country to assess, accredit or assure quality and standards of educational institutions, shall be eligible for admission to the Ph.D. programme.
• The applicants who have cleared the entrance test with 50% score as qualifying marks are required to do a presentation on the preliminary research proposal with a statement of the research problem and a literature survey which demonstrates that the research topic is unexplored and an original scholarly contribution can be made on the same.
• A relaxation of 5% marks will be allowed in the entrance examination for the candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/differently-abled category, Economically Weaker Section (EWS), and other categories of candidates as per the decision of the Commission from time to time.

Eligibility Conditions for Admission

• It is desirable that the applicants, who possess minimum prescribed qualifications for admission to the PhD Programme should have academic/professional track record in the relevant discipline. an excellent
• The applicant for part-time PhD should:
  • Prove to the satisfaction of DRC that his official duties permit him/her to devote sufficient time to research.
  • Ensure that facilities for pursuing research are available at his place of work in the chosen field of research, where required.

Selection Process

For UGC NET/JRF passed candidates (exempted from GPAT 2025):

• Registration
• Presentation of the proposed research before the Doctoral Research Committee (DRC) & interview
• Final declaration of provisional selection list for admission to PhD Degree Programme

For candidates appearing for GPAT 2025:

• Registration
• GNLU PhD Admission Test (GPAT-2025)
• Declaration of GNLU PhD Admission Test (GPAT-2025) Result
• Presentation of the proposed research before the Doctoral Research Committee (DRC)
• Final declaration of provisional selection list for admission to PhD Programme

Format of Admission Test & Presentation

Admission Test

• Duration: 60 Minutes
• Mode: Multiple Choice Questions Based Online Examination (100 Questions)
• Focus Areas:
  • Paper I: Research Methodology & English (50 Questions)
  • Paper II: Subject Awareness – Domain Knowledge (50 Questions)

Presentation

• Duration: 15 Minutes
• Mode: PowerPoint Presentation
• Research Intent:
  • Topic of Research
  • Why research on topic?
  • Proposed Research Objectives
  • Literature Review done (if any)
  • Intended outcome of the research

Syllabus

• UGC NET syllabus for both Paper I: Research Methodology & English (50 Questions) and Paper II: Subject Awareness (50 Questions).

Application Process

• The candidates who are interested in seeking admission to PhD Programme can apply directly by filling out the online admission form and paying the application fee of INR 4,000/- (non-refundable).
• The hard copy of the filled-in admission form along with all the relevant certificates shall reach the University through the post latest by Monday, 22 September 2025. The cover shall be clearly marked as “Application for Admission to the PhD Programme – Relevant Subject”.
• Address: The Registrar, Gujarat National Law University, Opposite PDEU Metro Station, Koba, Gandhinagar – 382426 (Gujarat), INDIA.

• Last date for filling out the online application form: 19 September, 2025
• Last date of receipt of application forms (in hard copy): 22 September, 2025
• Date of examination (online): 26 September, 2025
• Date of research proposal presentation (at GNLU Campus): 3 October, 2025 – 4 October, 2025

• Brochure
• GNLU Website