Amazing Opportunity: Central University of Karnataka PhD Admission 2025-26 Instructions Revealed
CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF KARNATAKA (Established by an Act of the Parliament in 2009)
Aland Road, Kadaganchi-585367, Gulbarga Dist., Karnataka,
Table of Contents
Introduction and Application Process
The Central University of Karnataka (CUK) has released the INSTRUCTIONS FOR ROLLING ADMISSION TO PH.D IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING PROGRAMMES FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2025-26. The instructions were issued on 25.09.2025.
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.
Ensuring the eligibility for applying to a particular programme will be the sole responsibility of the candidate. Please read the eligibility criteria and other requirements before submitting the application form. Attending the interview through online mode is mandatory for the admission to the Ph.D programme.
Eligibility for Direct Interview (Test Exemption)
The following candidates can register through the online SAMARTH registration portal for the Central University of Karnataka PhD Admission 2025-26 in science and engineering programmes, and eligible candidates shall directly appear for an interview (i.e., they are exempted from the Entrance Test):
- Candidates who have qualified for national level examinations [such as JRF (UGC/CSIR/DBT/ICMR), 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-(i) to (v)).
Key Dates for Admission
The tentative schedule for registration, declaration of eligible candidates, interview dates, and admission are as follows:
| Item No. | Tentative time |
|---|---|
| Date of registration | 26-09-2025 to 24-10-2025 |
| Date of declaration of eligible candidates | 27-10-2025 |
| Date of addressing grievance on eligibility | 27-10-2025 to 30-10-2025 |
| Date of interviews | 31-10-2025 to 04-11-2025 |
| Date of declaration of selected candidates | 06-11-2025 |
| Date of admissions and fee payment | 10-11-2025 |
| Date of commencement of classes | 17-11-2025 |
Registration Fee Structure
All candidates must pay the non-refundable registration fee as per the following categories:
| Category | Non-refundable registration fee (Rs.)* |
|---|---|
| General, OBC (Non-creamy layer), EWS | 500-00 |
| SC/ST/PwD | 100-00 |
(Registration fee is excluding transaction charges)
Disciplines & Detailed Eligibility Criteria for Central University of Karnataka PhD Admission 2025-26
The eligibility criteria for various Ph.D programmes are as follows-
| PROGRAMME | ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA / MINIMUM QUALIFICATION FOR ADMISSION |
|---|---|
| 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 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. 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 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. 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 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. 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 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. 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. |
| PhD-Mechanical Engineering | B. Tech/B.E 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 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 four years duration from a recognized University/Institute. |
*Note: The table above reflects the 10 distinct Ph.D. programs detailed in the eligibility sections of the source document.
Selection Process and Weightage Criteria
The selection process for PhD admission are as follows:
- 70% weightage to JRF, NET and allied qualification, PG programme, and online test conducted by the concerned department.
- 30% weightage for online presentation and viva-voce.
Detailed Weightage Calculation
| Weightage | Criteria | Range | Total marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70% | JRF / Fellowships / NET / GATE Score | JRF (UGC/CSIR/DBT..etc): 50 marks | Max. 50 marks |
| DST-INSPIRE/other. Fellowships: 45 marks | |||
| NET (UGC/CSIR), NET-PHD only, GATE, etc: 40 marks | |||
| PG programme marks | >80%: 10 marks; >60%: 8 marks; >55% (50 others)-60%: 6 marks. | Max. 10 marks | |
| 70% | 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.
Important Instructions & Notes
- A list of candidates whose applications are received with the prescribed fee, along with the details of eligibility, will be displayed on the university website. The eligible candidates shall directly appear for the interview. Students who have any grievances regarding their eligibility may contact the relevant department.
- The candidates applying under the reserved categories shall need to submit the category Certificates (SC/ST/OBC Non-Creamy Layer Certificate/ EWS) issued by the competent authority in the prescribed format at the time of registration and produce the same in original for verification at the time of admission. The candidates are advised to visit the website for the concerned certificate format.
- Deans/HODs/Coordinators of concerned programmes will communicate the credentials of the online exam/interview link to the candidates registered Email ID (candidates provided Email ID on SAMARTH registration portal) only to participate in the selection process and admission to the corresponding programmes.
- The University reserves the right not to offer the programme in any particular discipline due to administrative reasons or if the response to the programme is inadequate. The decision of the University will be final in this regard.
- Reservation/relaxation will be given as per Government of India/University Rules adopted by the University from time to time.
- These instructions are subject to alterations & modifications, and the same will be notified on the University website. These instructions are for information only and it does not constitute a legal document. Candidates are advised to visit the university website regularly for further information and instructions.
Registrar
Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi-585 367