Pondicherry University PhD Admission 2026-27 (Entrance Based)

Pondicherry University (Central University) invites application for admission to Ph.D. Programmes in various disciplines under entrance examination category for 2026-27.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification (Ph.D. Full-time and Part-time)

• Candidates who have studied under 10+2+3+2 pattern of education (or 10+2+5) and qualified for the Master’s Degree in the subject concerned or in an allied subject and have qualifications as prescribed by the regulations for the subject concerned under all the Schools/ Departments/ Centres of Humanities and Social Sciences, Management, Commerce, Science, Education, Fine Arts and Languages and such other disciplines of Pondicherry University, or a degree accepted as equivalent by the University securing a minimum of 55% marks (or equivalent grade).
• Candidates who have studied under 10+2 pattern of education and qualified for the Master’s degree in the Schools/ Faculty of Law, Engineering and Technology, Agriculture, Veterinary Science or the degree of Doctor of Medicine or Master of Surgery in the Faculty of Medicine/Dentistry/Paramedical of this University or any other University, through regular full time study, recognized by this University securing a minimum of 55% marks (or equivalent grade).
• Candidates who have studied under 10+2 pattern of education and qualified for the Degree of Master of Science of three-year duration in the School/ Faculty of Medicine of this University or of any other university recognized by this University securing a minimum of 55% marks (or equivalent grade).
• Candidates of Indian origin or overseas students who have qualified for a Master’s degree of an accredited overseas university securing a minimum of 55% marks (or equivalent grade).
• A relaxation of 5% of marks, from 55% to 50%, or an equivalent relaxation of grade is allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/differently-abled categories.

Requirement of Experience & Other Conditions Ph.D. Part-Time (Internal)

• Teacher candidates working in College/ University departments and such other institutions recognized by Pondicherry University with at least two years of continuous teaching experience at degree and/ or post-graduate level in the subject concerned.
• Teacher candidates teaching in Recognized School in the Higher Secondary School level/ Polytechnic colleges situated within the jurisdiction of Pondicherry University and have put in at least 5 years of continuous teaching experience in the subject concerned after obtaining Master’s Degree.
• Non-teaching staff employed in a time scale of pay in this University and other affiliated research institutions provided that (i) the candidate has at least 7 years of work experience after obtaining Master’s Degree of which at least two years should be relevant to the field of research, proof of which to be evidenced through two research papers published in UGC approved Journals (wherever applicable) or standard journals OR (ii) the candidate has at least 5 years of work experience with M.Phil. in the subject concerned and published two research papers in UGC approved journals (wherever applicable) or standard journals in the subject concerned.
• Candidates under the regulations of part-time (Internal) shall be required to carry out part time research work in the concerned department or in a department approved for research by this University. Interdisciplinary research for such part-time internal candidates shall be allowed only with the approval of the Chairperson of the Academic Council.
• Candidates under the regulations of part-time (Internal) are prohibited from engaging in any other assignment/employment or joining any other course of study without the prior approval of the Chairperson of Academic Council.

Requirement of Experience & Other Conditions Ph.D. Part-time (External)

• Permanent academic staff of colleges/ universities/ other educational institutions of higher learning/ research & development laboratories and organizations with at least three years of continuous teaching/ research experience.
• Employees with a minimum of ten years of experience after obtaining Master’s degree in Government, Local Bodies, recognized Institutes, Public Sector Undertakings, Non-Governmental Organizations, provided the candidate has experience in the relevant field of research for at least three continuous years out of ten years of service and has published, at least, two papers in UGC approved journals or standard journals or reports/ monologues/ books of equivalent standard or a patent registered, in the concerned subject/ area of research.
• Technocrats, scientists, social scientists & scholars and administrators with at least 10 years of experience in India or abroad after obtaining Master’s degree and educational qualifications as prescribed for Ph.D. full-time and part- time programme, having sufficient exposure in research & development and generated useful data/ patent/ knowledge as evidenced by at least two papers in UGC approved Journals or standard journals or report/ monologues/ book of equivalent standard or patent registered in the concerned subject/ area of research.

Selection Process

• The admission to the Ph.D Programmes shall be made as per the following criteria
  • Entrance Exam – 70 %
  • Personal Interview & Academic Record – 30 %
• The minimum cut off mark for general candidates in respect of Ph.D. Admission shall be half of the average of the entrance examination marks scored by all the candidates in the respective subject. The minimum cut off mark for OBC/SC/ST/ Differently Abled candidates will be 10% below the cut off marks of the general categories.
• 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).
• For the purpose of working out the average, only ‘zero’ and above will be taken into account. Other Conditions
• The entrance examination will be of 2 hours duration.
• Mere appearance in the entrance examination does not entitle a candidate for admission to any programme in this University. He/ she will be granted admission only if he/ she fulfils the eligibility criteria fixed for the programmes. Even if a candidate is placed in the admission list based on his/ her performance in the entrance test but does not meet the eligibility criteria, he/ she will not be granted admission. Candidates are advised to take up the examination only if they satisfy the eligibility criteria.
• Admission granted will be cancelled at any time, if it is found that the information furnished by the candidate is false or incorrect or if, at a later stage, it is found that the candidate does not fulfill the eligibility criteria prescribed for the programme.
• Individual entrance exam mark, rank and the list of selected/waitlisted candidates will be hosted on the University website along with admission schedule/ instructions.
• No individual admission intimation will be sent to the selected/ waitlisted candidates. Hence, the applicants are advised to see the University website regularly for updates regarding admission.
• The candidates selected for admission to Ph.D. Marine Biology and Disaster Management offered in Port Blair Campus should give an undertaking in writing to the University that they are willing to join the programme at their own risk and shall take an insurance policy to the tune of Rs. 5 lakhs.
• The University reserves the right to increase/ decrease the intake of any of the programmes. The University also reserves the right not to offer any of its programmes due to administrative reasons.

Fellowship Offered by University

PhD Non-Net Fellowship-UGC

• All full time scholars admitted to Ph.D. programmes in the Schools/Departments/Centres of the University campus alone will be eligible for a fellowship of Rs. 8000/- p.m. and a contingency grant per year.
• An Undertaking should be given by the scholar saying that in case he/she leaves the Ph.D. programme in between before submission of the thesis/before the course completion, he/she will reimburse the entire amount to the University.

Application Process

• Candidate can fill Application form online through the University Website.
• Read instructions carefully before filling application form.
• Apply separately for each programme.
• Fill in all columns with complete and correct information after going through the Information Brochure. Incomplete/ false/ wrong information will entail rejection of application. Any claim based on wrong information, wrong course code, category (OBC/ SC/ ST/ EWS/ Gen), etc. will not be entertained at a later stage.
• After proper filling of the application form and payment of fee online, candidates can download their printable application from the University website by following the instructions therein.

• Online Registration starts on: 19 November, 2025
• Last Date for Online Registration: 30 December, 2025

• Notification
• Prospectus
• Application Form
• Pondicherry University Website