📣 Powerful Announcement: Mahatma Gandhi Central University (MGCU) PhD Admission 2025-26 Notification Out!
Table of Contents
Introduction: Mahatma Gandhi Central University (MGCU) PhD Admission 2025-26
The Mahatma Gandhi Central University (MGCU) PhD Admission 2025-26 process has officially commenced. MGCU invites online applications from interested and eligible candidates for admission to various Ph.D. Programmes across 19 Teaching Departments. Students from all over India and the world are welcome to seek admission, with reservation and relaxations provided as per the policies of the Government of India. The admission in the Ph.D. programme for the Academic Year 2025-26 will be made in terms of the UGC Public Notice No.F.4-1 (UGC-NET Review Committee)/2024(NET)/140648, dated March 27, 2024. Candidates are advised to thoroughly review the eligibility criteria before applying. Failure to deposit the academic fees within the stipulated time frame, if selected, will result in the admission being cancelled and the name being struck off from the merit list.
📅 Important Dates for Mahatma Gandhi Central University (MGCU) PhD Admission 2025-26
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Start Date for Online Application (SAMARTH Portal) | 24th November 2025 (Monday) |
| Last Date for Online Application (SAMARTH Portal) | 26th December 2025 (Friday) |
✅ Eligibility Criteria for Mahatma Gandhi Central University (MGCU) PhD Admission 2025-26
The admission is categorised based on UGC-NET scores:
- Category 1: Eligible for (i) admission to Ph.D. with JRF and (ii) appointment as Assistant Professor.
- Category 2: Eligible for (i) admission to Ph.D. without JRF and (ii) appointment as Assistant Professor.
- Category 3: Eligible for admission to Ph.D. programme only and not for the award of JRF or appointment as Assistant Professor.
Candidates with a valid JRF prior to 2025, as per UGC Guidelines, in the relevant subject are also eligible to apply for Ph.D. programmes.
Minimum Educational Qualification
The following candidates are eligible to seek admission to the Ph.D. programme:
- Candidates who have completed a 1-year/2-semester master’s degree after a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s degree or a 2-year/4-semester master’s degree after a 3-year bachelor’s degree, or equivalent qualifications, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade.
- A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled, EWS, and other categories as per UGC/Commission decision.
- Candidates seeking admission after a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s degree programme must have a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade. The 5% relaxation applies here as well.
- Candidates who have completed the M.Phil. programme with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade are also eligible. The 5% relaxation applies here as well.
Important Note on Tests: For admission under Category 2 and 3, qualifying in UGC-NET/UGC-CSIR/December-2024/June-2025 cycle and similar National Level Tests/GATE/GPAT as per their validity shall be the eligibility criteria for applying. Candidates who have cleared only NET prior to December 2024 are NOT eligible to apply for any of the Ph.D. programmes. The candidates applying must fulfill the eligibility criteria on or before the last date of applying.
📝 Application Process
Online applications are invited through the SAMARTH Portal link: https://mgcubadm.samarth.edu.in/.
- Apply online through the SAMARTH Portal by the last date, 26th December 2025 (Friday).
- Candidates must provide a valid e-mail ID, mobile number, Aadhaar number, and upload readable soft copies of the required documents.
- If a candidate wishes to apply for more than one department, they must apply separately for each programme and submit the registration fees for each.
- Duly completed registration form with the prescribed application fee must be submitted online within the stipulated date and time. No off-line form will be accepted.
- Applicants are advised to apply well in advance of the last date to ensure the form is submitted online and the fee is transferred to the University account.
- Soon after submission, candidates should take a print-out of the application form. This print-out, along with supporting documents, must be produced at the time of the Interview for verification.
💳 Application/Registration Fee
The application fee for admission to various Ph.D. programme of studies for different categories of applicants are as under:
| Category | Application Fee (in Rs.) |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | Rs. 500/- |
| SC/ST/PwBD | Rs. 200/- |
Note on Fee Payment:
- Payment can be made through net-banking/debit/credit card/UPI via the SMARTH portal in online mode.
- A candidate who desires to apply for more than One Programmes of Studies shall be required to pay the prescribed application fee separately for each Programme/Course.
- Application fee once paid shall not be refunded in any case.
🎯 Selection Process for Mahatma Gandhi Central University (MGCU) PhD Admission 2025-26
Admission to all Ph.D. Programmes under all Categories (viz. Category 1, 2 & 3) will be based on a combined merit:
- 70% weightage will be given for valid test scores.
- 30% weightage will be given for the Interview.
The Interview shall be conducted only for those eligible candidates who have submitted the online application form and are shortlisted for interview. The interview will be conducted in the respective Departments of MGCU. The department-wise schedule and procedure will be notified in due course on the University Website (www.mgcub.ac.in).
💰 Fee Structure (At the time of Admission)
The fees vary slightly based on the department, particularly due to the Laboratory Fee for Science departments:
| Particulars (in Rs.) | Biotechnology, Botany, Zoology, Physics & Chemistry | All Other Departments |
|---|---|---|
| One Time Fee (A) | ||
| Admission Fee | 2000.00 | 2000.00 |
| Development Fee | 2000.00 | 2000.00 |
| Security Deposit (Refundable) | 5000.00 | 5000.00 |
| Course Work & Examination Fee | 5000.00 | 5000.00 |
| Total (A) | 14000.00 | 14000.00 |
| Annual Fee (B) (Charged in Odd Semester) | ||
| Vidyarthi Medi-Claim (VMC) | 750.00 | 750.00 |
| Cultural Activities | 1000.00 | 1000.00 |
| Games Activities | 1000.00 | 1000.00 |
| Total (B) | 2750.00 | 2750.00 |
| Semester Fee (C) | ||
| Semester Fee | 5000.00 | 5000.00 |
| Laboratory Fee | 2000.00 | NA |
| ICT Facility Fee | 2000.00 | 2000.00 |
| Library Fee | 1000.00 | 1000.00 |
| Total (C) | 10000.00 | 8000.00 |
| Grand Total (A+B+C) | 26750.00 | 24750.00 |
| Other Fee | ||
| Thesis Adjudication (To be deposited at the time of submission) | 10000.00 | 10000.00 |
🗂️ Programme-wise Seat Matrix for Mahatma Gandhi Central University (MGCU) PhD Admission 2025-26
A total of 178 seats are available across 19 departments for the Mahatma Gandhi Central University (MGCU) PhD Admission 2025-26. The University reserves the right to change the number of seats in any Programme of Studies.
| Sl. | Name of the Programme | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ph.D. in Biotechnology | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| 2. | Ph.D. in Botany | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 13 |
| 3. | Ph.D. in Zoology | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 4. | Ph.D. in Chemistry | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 17 |
| 5. | Ph.D. in Mathematics | 6 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11 |
| 6. | Ph.D. in Physics | 12 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 27 |
| 7. | Ph.D. in Commerce | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| 8. | Ph.D. in Management Sciences | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 9. | Ph.D. in Computer Science | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| 10. | Ph.D. in Library & Information Sciences | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 11. | Ph.D. in Media Studies | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| 12. | Ph.D. in Educational Studies | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 13. | Ph.D. in English | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| 14. | Ph.D. in Hindi | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 15. | Ph.D. in Sanskrit | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| 16. | Ph.D. in Gandhian and Peace Studies | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 17. | Ph.D. in Political Science | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 18. | Ph.D. in Social Work | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 19. | Ph.D. in Sociology | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| TOTAL | 80 | 48 | 24 | 12 | 14 | 178 |
⚠️ General Instructions & Important Notes
- The University strictly follows the UGC, Ministry of Education (MoE) guidelines, and Government of India policies regarding reservations in admissions.
- The University reserves the right not to offer the Programme in any particular discipline due to administrative reason(s) or if the response is not adequate. The decision of the University will be final in this regard.
- Candidates working in PSU/Govt. Sector shall be required to forward their application through proper channel or submit NOC (No Objection Certificate) from their present employer at the time of interview (if selected for admission).
- Selected candidates will be offered provisional admission, and their list will be displayed on the University Website.
- Failure to deposit the prescribed admission fee within the stipulated time will result in the admission standing cancelled. The wait-listed candidate, if any, in order of merit will be offered the provisional admission.
- The UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2022, and the Ordinance Governing the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) – 2023 of MGCU shall be applicable to the Ph.D. Scholars admitted in AY 2024-25.
- If any candidate’s certificates are found to be fake/fabricated/falsified at any point, the admission shall be cancelled, or the degree will be declared null and void.
- Applicants must fully satisfy themselves about their eligibility before filling in the application form. Ensuring eligibility will be the sole responsibility of the candidate.
- Candidates are advised to regularly visit the official website (www.mgcub.ac.in) for updated information.