Mahatma Gandhi University – MGU Kerala PhD Admission 2026 (June)

Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU Kerala) invites application for PhD Admission for the year 2026 (June Session).

Eligibility

The following candidates are eligible to seek admission to Ph.D Programme: Candidates who have completed:

• 1-year/2-semester Master’s degree programme, after a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree programme, or a 2-year/4-semester Master’s degree programme, after a 3-year Bachelor’s degree programme, or qualifications declared equivalent to the Master’s degree by the corresponding statutory regulatory body, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed.
• Equivalent qualification from a foreign educational Institution/University under the 1500 QS global ranking/The Times Higher Education ranking.
• 4 year/8 semester Bachelor’s Degree (honours with research) having a minimum of 75 % marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed.
• 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 University Grants Commission from time to time.
• This relaxation to the categories mentioned above are permissible based on the qualifying marks without including the grace marks. Eligibility / qualification for application must be attained on or before the date of Notification.

All Candidates seeking admission for Ph.D Programme in a particular subject under this University shall satisfy any of the following requirements:

• Candidates with fellowships from CSIR-UGC/ KSCSTE/ DSTINSPIRE/ RGNF/DBT/ ICMR/CEED/AICTE or any similar agencies of Government of India or Government of Kerala in the relevant discipline as approved by the university from time to time. They can join research at any time, provided they satisfy other academic requirements.
• Candidates who have qualified NET/GATE/ GPAT/JEST/ SLET recognized by UGC or other tests conducted by Government bodies such as UGC, CSIR, ICAR, ICSSR and ICMR or Research Fellowships of Central or State Government departments/agencies as approved by the university, as the case may be.
• DST Women Scientist Awardees and candidates under Visvesvaraya Ph.D. Scheme.
• Foreign students duly selected by MoU, UCIC under relevant national bodies.
• Students holding Master’s degree from foreign universities under 1500 QS global ranking/Times Higher Education ranking (latest or at the time of awarding degree).
• Candidates who are working in research projects funded by Central/State Govt./Govt. agencies in the Schools/Departments/Inter University Centers/ Approved Research Centers with assured fellowship for at least two years.

The following categories of candidates can apply for the Ph.D. registration at any time, if there exists vacancies under the supervising teachers:

• CSIR UGC-JRF/ KSCSTE-JRF/ DBT-JRF/ DST-INSPIRE/ ICSSR/ MANF/ RGNF/ CSIR-SRF Fellowship Awardees
• Candidates under Viswesvarayya Ph.D. scheme
• DST Women Scientist Awardees International students
• International students

Selection Process

Admissions to the Ph.D. Programme will be made on the basis of the following:

• Doctoral Interviews of each subjects will be conducted as per the directions in the relevant University Orders.
• For calculating the total marks for selection, 70% of weightage will be given for NET Score and 30% weightage for the interview to the candidates qualified through the UGC-NET Examination 2024 onwards. But the total marks will be in 100 for interview only, for those who have qualified the NET examinations before the year 2024 (NET qualified without any grade classification).
• The minimum marks for qualifying the Doctoral Interview is 50% for all candidates (all categories).
• The selection will be on the basis of the marks obtained for the Doctoral Interview and as per the available vacancy in each subject. Faculty members with less than three years of service before superannuation shall not be allowed to take new research scholars under their supervision.
• Qualifying the Doctoral Interview alone will not ensures admission for research, needs remarks as ‘Recommended’ for admission by the Doctoral Committee.

Application Process

• Candidates shall apply Online for the Aptitude/Entrance Test for Ph.D Programm by accessing the University Website https://researchonline.mgu.ac.in/
• Candidates belonging to the SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layers)/Differently Abled category shall upload copies of the documents in proof of the same along with the application.

General Instructions

• Incomplete / Defect applications will be summarily rejected.
• Fees once remitted will not be refunded.
• Original supporting documents should be produced at the time of Doctoral Interview / at the time intimated by the University.
• Ensure that the documents uploaded are clear and readable.

• Online application start date: 1 Jan, 2026
• Last date of submission of Application: 31 January, 2026

• Notification
• Application
• MGU Kerala Website