UAS Dharwad Ph.D Plant Pathology: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. Candidates must hold an M.Sc in Plant Pathology, Plant Science, or an allied agricultural science with a minimum OGPA of 6.50 on a 10-point scale from a recognised university. ICAR SRF/NET qualification exempts candidates from the UAS Dharwad entrance test and makes them eligible for ICAR-funded seats directly. Those without ICAR qualification must appear for the university entrance test followed by an interview and viva voce on campus.

Ans. Research areas include fungal diseases of field crops, bacterial and viral pathogens, integrated disease management, biocontrol of plant pathogens, post-harvest diseases, and molecular characterisation of pathogens using PCR and sequencing techniques. UAS Dharwad has active research on diseases of sorghum, sunflower, groundnut, cotton, and pulses, which are economically significant crops across North Karnataka and the Deccan plateau region.

Ans. ICAR-funded scholars receive INR 31,000 per month as JRF for the first 2 years of their research. The amount upgrades to INR 35,000 per month as SRF from the third year, contingent on satisfactory progress reviewed by the doctoral advisory committee. The fellowship is paid monthly to the scholar’s bank account and effectively covers the annual programme fee of INR 27,000 per year, making the doctorate largely self-sustaining for ICAR-qualified candidates.

Ans. Graduates secure scientist positions at ICAR institutes such as ICAR-NCIPM and ICAR-DRR, plant quarantine roles at the National Plant Quarantine Station, and faculty positions at agricultural universities. Agri-input and crop protection companies recruit plant pathologists for field research and product registration. State plant disease diagnostic laboratories in Karnataka and central government quarantine services are also common employment destinations for UAS Dharwad plant pathology graduates.

Ans. Candidates first appear for the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF exam conducted by NTA. Those qualifying gain direct eligibility for ICAR-funded PhD seats through the national merit list. Non-ICAR candidates must appear for the UAS Dharwad PhD entrance written test, after which shortlisted applicants attend an interview and viva voce. Final seat allotment is announced by the university, and admitted scholars pay INR 27,000 as the first annual fee before joining the programme.