1. The admission shall be based on the criteria notified by the University, keeping in view the guidelines/norms in this regard issued by the UGC and other statutory/regulatory bodies concerned and taking into account the reservation policy of the State Government from time to time.

2. Admission to the Ph.D. Program shall be made using the following methods:

• The University shall qualify for fellowship/scholarship in UGC-NET/NET-LS/UGC- CSIR NET/SET/GATE (Valid Score)/ JRF/ SRF/ ICAR/ ICMR/DET/DST/CEED and similar National level tests based on an interview.
• The University shall admit students through an Entrance Test conducted at the level of the University. The Entrance Test syllabus shall consist of 50% of research methodology and 50% shall be subject - specific.
• Students who have secured 50 % marks in the entrance test are eligible to be called for the interview.
• A relaxation of 5 % marks will be allowed in the entrance examination for the candidates belonging to SC/ST/DT-A/NT-B/NT-C/NT-D & OBC (non-creamy layer if applicable) /Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and other categories of candidates as per the decision of the UGC from time to time.
• University will decide the number of eligible students to be called for an interview based on the number of Ph.D. seats available.
• Provided that for the selection of candidates based on the entrance test conducted by the University, a weightage of 70 % for the entrance test and 30 % for the performance in the interview/viva- voce shall be given. All exempted candidates will be given 70 marks in written test accordingly.
• An interview will be organized by the University where the candidates are required to discuss their research interest area through a presentation before a duly constituted Department Research Committee.
• The Department Research Committees shall be as under:



A) Admission to University Departments:

• Head of the Department concerned (Chairman);
• Two Subject Experts (One from the Department concerned and One from outside);
• Two nominees of the Vice-Chancellor – One General and One Reservation.



B) Admission to Research Centers at Affiliated Colleges and Recognized Institutions:

• Principal / Director of the Affiliated Colleges and Recognized Institutions concerned (Chairman);
• Two subject experts of which at least one should be from outside the department/Institute.
• Two nominees of the Vice-Chancellor – One General and One Reservation.



C) Admission at Recognized Research Institution:

• Director (Chairman);
• Academic co-ordinator of the institution;
• One Professor from the University Department concerned, nominated by the Vice-Chancellor;
• Reservation nominee appointed by the Vice-Chancellor.



The final interview score will be based on the average of the scores given by the chairman and the two subject experts only.

3. The University departments/research Centers at affiliated colleges and recognized institutions/recognized research institutions shall obtain the nomination of the Vice Chancellor on the Departmental Research Committee as per the constitution mentioned in (viii) of rule no. 3 of the Vice Chancellor's order for the purpose of the admission process.

4. The interview shall be conducted at the respective research centers within a period of not more than Sixty days from the date of declaration of the result of the entrance test.

5. The following aspects shall be considered during the interview, namely:-

• whether the candidate possesses the competence for the proposed research;
• whether the research work can be suitably undertaken at the Department/Institution/College;
• whether the proposed area of research can contribute to new/additional knowledge.

6. The research center shall submit the report of the committee with regard to the interviews to the PG Admission Section of the SPPU within three working days from the date of completion of the interview process. PG Admission Section of the SPPU shall publish the list of candidates selected for admission within a period of not more than fifteen days of completion of the interview process in the Faculty concerned.

7. The Research center shall maintain the list of all the Ph.D. registered students on its website on year-wise basis. The list shall include the name of the registered candidate, the topic of his/her research, name of his/her supervisor/co-supervisor, the date of enrolment/registration etc.

8. University campus Departments and Recognized Research Centers which are eligible to conduct Ph.D. program, shall:

• Notify well in advance on the University’s website specifying the number of seats according to Departments and Recognized Research center for admission, subject/discipline-wise distribution of available seats, criteria for admission, the procedure for admission and all other relevant information for the candidates;
• Adhere to the State-level reservation policy, as applicable.

9. University will maintain a list of Ph.D. supervisors (specifying the name of the supervisor, his or her designation and the department/school/center), along with the details of Ph.D. scholars (specifying the name of the registered Ph.D. scholar, the topic of his/her research and the date of admission) admitted under them on the website of the institution and update this list every academic year. University Departments & Recognized Research Centers shall maintain such data. The link of their website is to be linked to the SPPU website.