Sikkim Manipal University (SMU), located in East Sikkim, offers a full-time PhD program spanning a minimum of 3 years across 28 specializations in Engineering, Medical Sciences, Basic Sciences, and Social Sciences. The total program cost for full-time scholars is INR 1,20,000 for the full duration. Admission is through an SMU entrance exam with a 70:30 weightage formula of test score and interview. Selected full-time scholars are eligible for the TMA Pai Fellowship.
📋 Admission Status: Applications closed. Results for the May 2026 entrance exam are being processed.
Key Points
- SMIT has 13 active research centres funded by DST, DBT, DRDO, AICTE, and ISRO.
- The program spans four academic units: SMIT (engineering and sciences), SMIMS (medical), College of Physiotherapy, and Humanities and Social Sciences.
- Full-time scholars are eligible for the TMA Pai Fellowship of up to INR 30,000 per month with free hostel accommodation.
SMU Sikkim PhD Fees 2026
SMU Sikkim charges an annual tuition plus one-time registration and thesis submission fees. Full-time scholars pay INR 30,000 per year while external part-time candidates pay INR 40,000. Total cost for a full-time 3-year program is INR 1,20,000.
| Fee Component | Amount |
|---|
| Registration Fee (one-time) | INR 10,000 |
| Tuition Fee (Full-time, per year) | INR 30,000 |
| Tuition Fee (External Part-time, per year) | INR 40,000 |
| Application and Entrance Exam Fee | INR 1,000 |
| Thesis Submission Fee (one-time, from 2025 onwards) | INR 20,000 |
| Course Work Exam Fee (per paper) | INR 1,000 |
- Fees are subject to change. Verify with official sources before admission.
- Hostel accommodation is provided free of charge to TMA Pai Fellowship holders.
SMU Sikkim PhD Admission 2026
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|
| Online Application Opens | April 1, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | May 8, 2026 |
| Correction Window | May 9 to May 11, 2026 |
| Mock Test | 3rd week of May 2026 |
| Entrance Examination | May 30, 2026 |
- Applications closed on May 8, 2026 for the current cycle.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- A relevant Master’s degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks or an equivalent grade is required.
- Candidates must score at least 50% in the entrance exam to qualify for the interview. SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and differently-abled candidates receive a 5% relaxation.
- Working professionals must submit an employer No Objection Certificate. Foreign nationals must obtain research visa clearance from the Government of India.
Admission Process
- Submit the online application form with attested academic certificates and pay the combined application and entrance exam fee of INR 1,000.
- Appear for the entrance exam: Research Methodology (10:00 AM to 11:00 AM) followed by a Subject-Specific paper (11:30 AM to 12:30 PM).
- Candidates scoring 50% or above are called for an interview or viva-voce by the respective department.
- Final merit is calculated using a 70:30 formula, with 70% for the entrance test and 30% for the interview.
- Candidates with valid UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, or SLET scores may be exempt from the written entrance exam per UGC Regulations 2025.
- Selected scholars complete annual re-registration and submit progress reports to a Research Advisory Committee throughout the program.
SMU Sikkim PhD vs Other Colleges
Here is how SMU Sikkim PhD compares with similar universities in Northeast India on fees, exams, cutoff, and ratings.
| College | Fees | Exams | Cutoff | Salary | CD Rating |
|---|
| SMU Sikkim | 1.2 L (Full-time, 3 yr) | SMU Entrance Exam
UGC-NET/JRF
CSIR-NET/JRF
GATE | 50% in entrance test | Not Applicable | 4.0/5 |
| Tezpur University | 85 K | TUEE
UGC-NET/JRF
CSIR-NET/JRF
GATE | 55% in Master’s degree | Not Applicable | 4.1/5 |
| Assam University Silchar | 55.4 K | RET (Assam University)
UGC-NET/JRF
CSIR-NET/JRF | 55% in Master’s degree | Not Applicable | 3.6/5 |
| Sikkim University | 17.5 K | PHDET
UGC-NET/JRF
CSIR-NET/JRF | 50% in entrance test | Not Applicable | 3.9/5 |
✓ Opt for this if
- You want funded research with the TMA Pai Fellowship of up to INR 30,000 per month
- You are an engineering or medical researcher seeking government-sponsored project opportunities via DST or ISRO
- You prefer a structured PhD with annual registration and a Research Advisory Committee framework
- You are comfortable with a private deemed university in a low-cost hill-station setting with included hostel
✗ Skip if
- You need a central university degree for government recruitment or academic appointments in certain states
- You are targeting humanities or social science disciplines with a wide supervisor pool
- You require well-established industry and alumni networks for post-doctoral career transitions
SMU Sikkim PhD Scholarships 2026
Full-time scholars are eligible for the TMA Pai Fellowship with a monthly stipend and free hostel. Candidates holding UGC-JRF or CSIR-JRF may also access national fellowship amounts.
| Scholarship / Fellowship | Amount | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|
| TMA Pai Fellowship (SMU) | INR 20,000 per month, up to INR 30,000 for top performers, plus free hostel | Full-time PhD scholars selected through the SMU entrance process | At time of admission |
| UGC-JRF National Fellowship | INR 37,000 per month as JRF, rising to INR 42,000 as SRF | UGC-NET JRF qualifiers enrolled as full-time scholars | As per UGC notification |
| CSIR-JRF National Fellowship | INR 37,000 per month as JRF, rising to INR 42,000 as SRF | CSIR-NET JRF qualifiers in science streams | As per CSIR notification |
- Fellowship amounts are subject to revision by the respective funding agencies.
- TMA Pai Fellowship duration is capped at 3 years and 6 months.
![Sikkim Manipal University - [SMU]](https://image-static.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/logos/1649923194smulogo2020.png?h=71.7&w=71.7&mode=stretch)
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