National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) PhD Admission 2025-26

The National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) is a Deemed to be University, fully funded by Ministry of Education, Government of India. It is engaged in research and capacity building in Educational Policy, Planning and Administration.

The NIEPA offers PhD (Full-time and Part-time) programmes in all area of Educational Policy, Planning and Administration from a broader inter-disciplinary social science perspective.

The Doctoral research programme of the NIEPA covers all levels and sectors of education, and it is holistic and multi-disciplinary in its perspective, and is inclusive of comparative and international approaches to education.

The NIEPA has an excellent teaching faculty, with expertise in various area of education, policy, planning, management and with disciplinary backgrounds in the social sciences. The faculty has expertise in leading national and international research.

Eligibility Criteria

Ph.D. (Full-Time):

• Master’s Degree in any of the following Social Sciences and allied disciplines 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:- Sociology/Social Anthropology/ Social Psychology/Psychology/ Political Science/Public Administration/History/ Economics/Social Geography/ Education/ Social Work/ Gender Studies/Environmental Studies/Cultural Studies/Education & Development/Statistics/ Philosophy/Child Development/Human Development/ Rural Development 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 the educational institution. A relaxation of 5% marks in Master’s Degree 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 UGC from time to time. A candidate seeking admission after a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s degree under Integrated programme should have a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed.
• Candidates who have completed the MPhil programme with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in Social Sciences and applied disciplines in any of the subjects defined above, as 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 PhD programme. 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 UGC from time to time.
• Candidates who are yet to clear their final semester examination at the Master Level are also eligible to apply provided they have passed the examination as per the eligibility conditions laid down in the regulation in previous semesters and submit its proof at the time of final admission. In case, because of delay in examinations, a candidate fails to provide the proof of minimum eligible marks, an extension of six months from the date of submission shall be given by the DPC, failing which the admission of such candidate shall be cancelled.
• Those candidates who have qualified NET and have been awarded Junior Research Fellowships by the UGC, with the above-mentioned educational qualifications can also apply.

Ph.D. (Part-time):

• Master’s Degree in any of the following Social Sciences and allied disciplines 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:- Sociology/Social Anthropology/ Social Psychology/Psychology/ Political Science/Public Administration/History/ Economics/Social Geography/ Education/ Social Work/ Gender Studies/Environmental Studies/ Cultural Studies/Education & Development/Statistics/ Philosophy/Child Development/Human Development/Rural Development.
• NOTE: Part Time Ph.D programme is available only for those candidates who are in regular employment in Government Sector/Autonomous Bodies and having a minimum four (04) years full time teaching/research experience.
• A The candidate for a part-time Ph.D programme shall submit a “No Objection Certificate” from the organization where the candidate is employed, clearly stating that:
  • The candidate is permitted to pursue studies on a part-time basis.
  • His/her official duties permit him/her to devote sufficient time for research.
  • If required, he/she will be relieved from the duty to complete the course work.
• Note: It will be compulsory to attend one-year full-time course work for all the part-time and full-time scholars.

Selection Process

• Initial short-listing of applications will be carried out on the basis of the eligibility criteria mentioned above. Short-listed candidates will be required to appear for a written test. Candidates who qualify in the written test, will be invited for a personal interview, to assess their potential. A weightage of 70% for the entrance test and 30% for the performance in the interview shall be given. A final list of selected candidates will be in order of merit.
• The NIEPA follows all mandatory provisions with respect to reservation policy of the Government of India. Admissions to Ph.D. (Full-Time and Part-time) programmes are made purely on the basis of merit following the prescribed criteria of the Institute, and following rules of reservation of the Government of India.
• Those candidates who are applying under reserved category, are required to produce the recent Category Certificate, issued by the Central/State Government at the time of applying for the admission.
• The NIEPA reserves the right to decide the number of seats to be filled in the year 2025-26, the criteria for screening of applications; and the selection procedure of candidates for admission to its PhD programmes.

Application Process

• Candidates should apply online through Samarth Portal in the prescribed online form for admission to PhD programmes of the Institute.
• The link is available at NIEPA website i.e. https://niepaadm.samarth.edu.in/2025/.

• Starting date for Call for online application: 10 March, 2025
• Last date for online application: 30 April, 2025
• Written test: 31 May, 2025
• Declaration of result of Written Test: 3 June, 2025
• Interview: 5 June, 2025 & 6 June, 2025
• Declaration of final results: 13 June, 2025
• Date of admissions: 1 July, 2025 & 2 July, 2025
• Commencement of Ph.D Session/Course work: 14 July, 2025

• Notice
• Application Form
• NIEPA Website