Instructions pertaining to Reservation of Seats, Fees, general eligibility criteria and Exam pattern for PhD Entrance Test – 2023

1. Submission of application for PhD Programme will be online only. The candidate can only apply for one Programme as the Entrance Test shall be conducted for all the Programmes on the same day.
2. Application Fee for  submission of online application is  Rs 1000.  
3. Application fee is  non-refundable.
4. The number of seats to be advertised in different categories (GEN/OBC/SC/ST/EWS) is as per the Reservation Policy for Research Degree Programmes and DOPT,Govt of India .norms amended from time to time.  Appendix II of the Information Brochure  may be referred in this regard. 
5. No request for   change in reservation category,   shall be entertained once the application has been successfully submitted.
6. Five percent (5%) seats shall be reserved for Persons with Disabilities (with not less than 40% disability). However such candidates shall be adjusted against the appropriate category (Gen/SC/ST/OBC/EWS) to which they belong (Ref.Annexure II of Information Brochure 2023).
7. Candidates awarded with fellowship/scholarship in UGC-NET/UGC- CSIR NET/GATE/CEED and similar National level tests, as per the validity specified by the regulatory bodies, shall be exempted from Entrance Test and their selection will be based on interview. These candidates shall be considered as Category- A. Such candidates have to upload their valid fellowship award letter from the concerned implementing / awarding agency.
8. All other Candidates except mentioned at “7” above are mandatorily required to appear in Ph.D Entrance test. These candidates shall be considered as Category- B.
   1. For Category A Candidates, interview shall carry 100% weightage. All eligible candidates from Category A will be called for the interview.
   2. For Category B Candidates, the Entrance Test shall carry a weightage of 70% and 30% weightage shall be given to the interview. Those who secure at least 50% marks in the Entrance Test (45% marks in case of SC/ST/OBC (Non Creamy layers) / Differently abled persons and EWS) will be shortlisted for the interview in order of merit subject to the maximum limit of five times of the available seats.

Stage II: Interview:

1. Eligible candidates from Category A & Category B shall be called for interview before the Discipline Specific Admission committee. Information in this regard shall be uploaded on the University website. The respective disciplines/ schools will communicate regarding the requirement for the interview.
2. The interview shall have three components comprising Research Methodology (40%) Subject domain (40%) and Communication Skills (20%).
3. Admission to the Ph.D Degree Programmes is strictly on merit, based on the performance in the Entrance Test and Interview taken together.
4. Offer letters for admission will be sent to the Selected Candidates only
   • A candidate will be eligible for admission and registration for the PhD programme, on the fulfillment of the following conditions :
5. Candidates who have completed:
6. A 1-year/2-semester master's degree programme after a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s degree programme or a 2-year/4-semester master’s degree programme after a 3-year bachelor’s degree programme or qualifications declared equivalent to the master’s degree by the corresponding statutory regulatory body, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed or equivalent qualification from a foreign educational institution accredited by an assessment and accreditation agency which is approved, recognized or authorized by an authority, established or incorporated under a law in its home country or any other statutory authority in that country to assess, accredit or assure quality and standards of the educational institution.
7. A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade is allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and other categories of candidates as per the decision as per the decision of the UGC from time to time. Provided that a candidate seeking admission after a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s degree programme should have a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed.

• A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and other categories of candidates as per the decision of the Commission from time to time.

In case, a candidate does not meet these minimum eligibility criteria and appears in the written examination, it is at the candidate’s own risk and cost, and if at any stage, it is found that the minimum eligibility requirements are not fulfilled, the admission, if granted, shall be cancelled ipso facto.

Syllabus and Question paper

1. a) The syllabus of the Entrance Test is as per the ‘University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022 comprising 50% on Research methodology and 50% on specific subject. The syllabus for each discipline is annexed at Appendix III of information brochure.
2. b)  The question paper shall have questions consisting of 50% on research methodology and 50% on specific subject.  

Help desk contact details:

You may contact the Research Unit at 01129537326 during working hours.

You may also mail at researchunit@ignou.ac.in

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