UGC PhD Regulations 2026 - New Guidelines for PhD Scholars
- UGC PhD Regulations 2026 - New Guidelines for PhD Scholars.
UGC PhD Regulations 2026 - New Guidelines for PhD Scholars.…
What are the guidelines for pursuing a PhD program?
The University Grant Commission (UGC) has decided, starting in the 2026 academic year, that NET scores will be used for PhD admissions. This will replace the entrance exams that universities and higher education institutions used to hold. This change was announced on March 27, 2024: Related Programmes Global PhD Programs PhD After MBA Doctorate for Working Professionals PhD for Working Professionals Part Time PhD Programs PhD Distance Learning Pre Doctoral Program Online MBA DBA Dual Programs PhD Abroad Global DBA Three criteria are used to group NET scores: Award for JRF & Assistant Professor Appointment is the first category : If you meet the requirements, you can be considered for a PhD program, you are eligible for a Junior Research Fellowship, and an Assistant Professor appointment. Promotion to Assistant Professor and PhD Admission is the second category : The Junior Research Fellowship is not available to candidates in this category. You are still able to get a PhD and be assigned as an assistant professor, though. PhD Admission Only the third category: only PhD admission is eligible for this category. It is not possible for you to be appointed as an Assistant Professor or get a Junior Research Fellowship. Moreover, 30% of the weight for PhD admission comes from the interview, and 70% comes from your NET score. For categories 1 and 2, the NET score is valid for a year; therefore, you must submit a PhD admissions application within a year of passing the UGC NET.
Who is eligible for a PhD Program?
1-Year Master’s Degree: Candidates with a 1-year Master's degree divided into 2-semester Master’s degree, must have completed an undergraduate of 4 years with at least 55% marks or a 'B' grade on the UGC 10-point scale can apply to a PhD program. Or you must have an equivalent degree from an accredited foreign university are also accepted. 2-Year Master’s Degree: Candidates with a 2-year divided into 4-semester Master’s degree must meet the same eligibility as above. Bachelor’s Degree: Candidates with a 4-year divided into 8-semester Bachelor’s degree are only allowed not with a 3-year bachelor’s degree for Research need a minimum CGPA of 7.5/10. Or a 75 percent mark in the graduation.
M.Phil. Candidates:
Candidates who completed the M.Phil. coursework with at least 55% marks or a 'B' grade on the UGC 10-point scale are eligible. Equivalent degrees from accredited foreign institutions are also accepted. If the M.Phil. dissertation is evaluated and recommended for the award, candidates can be admitted to the Ph.D. program provisionally before the viva voce. Note- As per the new regulations of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the M.Phil. program has been discontinued
Relaxations:
Marks Relaxation: A 5% relaxation in marks (from 55% to 50%) or equivalent grade relaxation is allowed for SC/ST/OBC category, Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS), and other categories as per the Commission’s decision. CGPA Relaxation: A relaxation of 0.5 in the CGPA score (to 7/10) or an equivalent grade is allowed for the same categories mentioned above. Note: The 55% eligibility marks (or equivalent grade) and the 5% relaxation for specific categories are based only on qualifying marks without including grace marks.
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