Welcome to the official notification for the Pondicherry University PhD Admission 2026-27 through the Entrance Examination! This prestigious Central University, accredited with an “A+” Grade by NAAC, has commenced its application process for the academic year 2026-27. This admission cycle opens doors for aspiring scholars to pursue full-time and part-time Doctoral programs across a wide array of Schools, Departments, and affiliated research institutions. The University is renowned for its commitment to innovation, cutting-edge research, and being the first in the country to implement the Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS).

This is your comprehensive guide to the Pondicherry University PhD Admission 2026-27, covering important dates, eligibility criteria, application process, fees, and available fellowships. The admission process relies heavily on an Entrance Examination, followed by a personal interview and academic record evaluation. Ensure you meet the minimum eligibility of a Master’s Degree with at least 55% marks (or equivalent grade) before applying. For the upcoming academic year, we’ve compiled the tentative vacancies across all major disciplines. This is crucial information for planning your application to the Pondicherry University PhD Admission 2026-27.

Table of Contents

Important Dates for Pondicherry University PhD Admission 2026-27

Ph.D. Admission Requirements and Eligibility Criteria

Candidates seeking Pondicherry University PhD Admission 2026-27 must satisfy the following educational qualifications for both Full-time and Part-time modes:

1. Candidates must have qualified for a Master’s Degree under the 10+2+3+2 pattern of education (or 10+2+5).
2. A minimum of 55% marks (or equivalent grade) is required in the P.G. degree for admission.
3. A relaxation of 5% of marks (from 55% to 50%) is allowed for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/differently-abled categories.
4. Candidates must produce the mark sheet/degree certificate proving eligibility before the date notified by the University, even if awaiting final results at the time of application.

For Part-time Ph.D., candidates must also meet specific experience requirements, such as continuous teaching or research experience, depending on their employment type (e.g., University/College teachers, non-teaching staff, or external researchers).

Application Procedure and Entrance Examination for Pondicherry University PhD Admission 2026-27

The application for Pondicherry University PhD Admission 2026-27 must be submitted exclusively online. Candidates can apply for more than one course but must check for overlapping entrance exam slots.

Entrance Examination (CBT Method)

• The Entrance Exam will be a Computer Based Test (CBT) of 120 minutes duration.
• The paper consists of 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ).
• Scoring: +4 marks for a correct answer and -1 mark for a wrong answer (Negative Marking applies).
• Syllabus Pattern: Research Methodology (50%) and Subject Specific (50%).

Entrance Examination Centres

Candidates must indicate 3 centres in order of preference. The final allocation is subject to the University’s decision. Centres include:

• Puducherry, Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Karaikal, Mahe.
• Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Mumbai.
• New Delhi, Chandigarh, Patna, Guwahati, Kolkata, Lucknow, Bhuvaneswar, Jaipur.
• Port Blair (Andaman & Nicobar Islands).

Tentative Vacancies for Pondicherry University PhD Admission 2026-27 (Department-wise)

The table below outlines the tentative intake for various Ph.D. programmes offered directly in the University Departments, Centres, and through its Community Colleges. This is based on the Information Brochure for the Pondicherry University PhD Admission 2026-27.

Ph.D. Programmes Offered in Affiliated Colleges/ Institutions

In addition to the University Departments, the Pondicherry University PhD Admission 2026-27 is available in the following Affiliated Colleges/Institutions:

Selection Procedure for Pondicherry University PhD Admission 2026-27

The final admission merit list for the Pondicherry University PhD Admission 2026-27 is determined by a composite score based on the following weightage:

Minimum Cut-off and Relaxation

The minimum cut-off mark for General candidates shall be half of the average entrance marks scored by all candidates in the respective subject. For OBC/SC/ST/Differently Abled candidates, the cut-off will be 10% below the cut-off marks of the General category.

Fee Structure (Initial Payment) for Pondicherry University PhD Admission 2026-27

The application fee for the Pondicherry University PhD Admission 2026-27 is ₹1500 for General/EWS/OBC candidates, ₹750 for SC/ST, and Nil for PH/Transgender candidates. The initial payment fees for scholars admitted to University departments are as follows:

Financial Assistance and Hostels for Pondicherry University PhD Admission 2026-27 Scholars

Financial Assistance

All full-time scholars admitted to the Ph.D. programmes in the University campus alone will be eligible for the Ph.D. Non-Net Fellowship-UGC. This fellowship provides a monthly amount of ₹8000/- p.m. along with a contingency grant per year. Differently abled students are generally exempted from all fees, including examination fees, but must pay refundable caution deposits and Group Medical Insurance premium.

Hostels

Pondicherry University offers extensive hostel facilities for its students and research scholars. At present, the campus has twenty-one hostels (thirteen for boys and eight for girls). Specifically for research scholars, there are four boys’ hostels and one girls’ hostel. Hostel facilities are also available at the Karaikal and Port Blair campuses. Hostel Fee details will be published on the University website.