Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP) PhD Admission 2026-27 is now open. This notification (No. COE/2-2/11/CUHP/26/9676 dated 13.07.2026) invites eligible candidates for PhD programmes across 29 departments. Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET, GATE, CEED or equivalent national-level exams can apply directly for the first stage (Interview). The University follows UGC norms and offers reservation as per Government of India rules. The application window opens July 31, 2026 and closes August 12, 2026.
The selection is based on a composite score (70% test + 30% interview). Candidates with JRF or valid fellowship are exempted from the written test and awarded full 70 marks. Others receive marks based on their national exam score. Interviews are scheduled from August 17-19, 2026. The University also has a second stage (University Entrance Test) for Kashmir Studies, Deendayal Upadhyaya Studies and any leftover seats.
Apply Now (Samarth Portal)- Master’s degree (1-year/2-sem after 4-year bachelor OR 2-year/4-sem after 3-year bachelor) with at least 55% aggregate (or equivalent grade). 5% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/Differently-Abled.
- 4-year/8-sem bachelor’s with minimum 75% aggregate (or equivalent grade).
- M.Phil. with at least 55% marks (5% relaxation for reserved categories).
- Qualified any one of the following national-level exams: UGC/CSIR-JRF, UGC/CSIR-NET, UGC-NET (PhD only), GATE, CEED, or equivalent recognised by UGC.
- Employees of universities/institutions/PSUs/R&D etc. must submit NOC from employer and study leave sanction for minimum 6 months (before coursework). Internal employees of CUHP must complete coursework concurrently without affecting official duties.
- Interdisciplinary programmes (Remote Sensing & GIS, Nanoscience & Materials) have separate subject eligibility as per Annexure-A (see below).
- Composite score = 100 marks (Test 70% + Interview 30%).
- Test marks:
- JRF / valid fellowship holders → 70 marks (full).
- UGC-NET (Cat II & III) / GATE / CEED etc. → 70% of their score.
- NET qualified before 27.03.2024 → 50 marks + 20 marks based on Master’s percentage.
- Interview/Viva-Voce (30% weightage) is mandatory for all eligible applicants. Held in the concerned department from August 17-19, 2026.
- Second Stage (University Entrance Test) for Kashmir Studies, Deendayal Upadhyaya Studies, and vacant seats if any – separate notification will be issued.
The University follows Government of India reservation policy. Department-wise vacant seats are given in Annexure-B (summary below). Seats may increase or decrease as per University decision.
| Department | SC | ST | OBC | UR | EWS | PWD | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPKVBS (Business School) | 4 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 24 |
| Commerce | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Hindi | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| English | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Sanskrit | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| Punjabi & Dogri | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Journalism & Mass Comm | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 13 |
| New Media | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| Education | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Tourism & Travel | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| Centre for Promotion of Ecological… | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Environmental Science | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Remote Sensing & GIS | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| Geology | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Plant Science | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Animal Science | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Centre for Computational Biology | 3 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 21 |
| History | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Political Sciences | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Social Work | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 13 |
| Sociology | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Kashmir Studies* | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Deen Dayal Upadhyay Studies* | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Mathematics (Srinivasa Ramanujan) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| Library & Information Sciences | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Computer Science & Informatics | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Visual Arts | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| Physics & Astronomical Sciences | 5 | 3 | 9 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 32 |
| Nanoscience & Materials | 3 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 23 |
| Total | 40 | 20 | 70 | 120 | 13 | 13 | 263 |
* Admission to Kashmir Studies and Deendayal Upadhyaya Studies will be through Second Stage (University Entrance Test).
| Category | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC (Cream) | 500/- |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 400/- |
| SC / ST / Divyang | 200/- |
The application fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Opening of Online Applications | July 31, 2026 |
| Last Date for Submitting Application | August 12, 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Tentative Date of Interview | 17 to 19 August 2026 |
| Display of First Selection List | August 20, 2026 |
| Deposit of Fees (First List) | August 20-21, 2026 |
| Display of Second & Final Selection List | August 22, 2026 |
| Deposit of Fees (Second List) | August 22-23, 2026 |
Remote Sensing & GIS / Geoinformatics: Candidates qualifying UGC-CSIR NET/GATE or equivalent in Remote Sensing & GIS, Geology, Environmental Sciences, Disaster Management are eligible for first stage.
Nanoscience & Materials: Candidates qualifying UGC-CSIR NET/GATE or equivalent in Physics, Chemistry, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Electronic Science, Environmental Science, Material Science/Metallurgical Engg., Chemical Engg., Biotechnology, Computer Science, or any relevant branch of Engineering/Technology are eligible for first stage.
Second Stage: For Kashmir Studies, Deendayal Upadhyaya Studies, and vacant seats after first stage, admission will be through University Entrance Test (UET) – separate notification will be issued.
Important: Students must regularly visit the University website for updates. For subject-related queries, contact the concerned Department/Centre.
Admission Helpdesk (09:30 AM – 05:30 PM, working days):
- Admission queries: 01892-224377 | Email: admission@hpcu.ac.in
- Form/Technical issues: 01892-238008 | Email: technical@hpcu.ac.in
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