Madras University offers a three-year, full-time Ph.D Public Affairs through the Anna Centre for Public Affairs. The course is on campus and is built for research on policy, local governance, rural development and social change. The university has NAAC A++ and stands #38 in NIRF University ranking 2025. The full fee without hostel is INR 24,500, and INR 33,500 with hostel. You apply through the University Ph.D portal and submit the hard copy to the department. You need a Master's degree with 55% marks, or 50% for SC and ST. JRF stipend works out to INR 4.44 LPA, and 36 Ph.D holders from the centre were selected as faculty.
The full course costs INR 24,500 without hostel and INR 33,500 with hostel. The tuition fee is INR 24,500. You pay the fee once each year for three years. The university posts fee payment through its online payment link. Hostel adds INR 9,000 across the course if a room is given.
| Fee head | Amount | How it is charged |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee | INR 24,500 | Full course, as published |
| Registration fee | INR 3,000 | One time, after admission letter |
| Application fee | INR 1,770 | One time, before form submission |
| Hostel fee | INR 9,000 | INR 3,000 a year, 3 years |
| Total, no hostel | INR 24,500 | Full course |
| Total with hostel | INR 33,500 | Full course |
The next application window is expected from 1 Dec 2026 to 31 Dec 2026. The entrance test is expected in Jan 2027 and classes start in Apr 2027. Use the portal date first when the university posts it.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Ph.D application form, last date to apply | 1 Dec 2026 to 31 Dec 2026 | Tentative |
| Entrance test | Jan 2027 | Tentative |
| Entrance result and score | Feb 2027 | Tentative |
| Interview and research proposal round | Feb 2027 | Tentative |
| Merit list and seat offer | Mar 2027 | Tentative |
| Admission fee payment | Mar 2027 | Tentative |
| Reporting and document check | Apr 2027 | Tentative |
| Classes start | Apr 2027 | Tentative |
You need a Master's degree with 55% marks, and SC or ST students need 50%. You must follow the 10+2+3+2 or listed study pattern. Part-time applicants also need work within the university area and a No Objection Certificate.
| Requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| PG marks | 55% for General category |
| Relaxed marks | 50% for SC and ST students |
| Study pattern | 10+2+3+2 or another listed pattern |
| Part-time route | Work within the university area and give an NOC |
The University Ph.D portal takes the form, fee and uploaded papers. You then give the hard copy to the department before the last date. The department checks your papers, holds the selection round and sends the joining steps.
| Step | What you do |
|---|---|
| 1. Fill the online form | Choose Ph.D Public Affairs and add your guide details if asked |
| 2. Pay the form fee | Pay online and keep the receipt |
| 3. Give hard copy | Submit the signed form to the department |
| 4. Attend selection | Go through the test or interview set by the department |
| 5. Join and register | Submit joining report and registration fee after the admission letter |
The General route needs 55% PG marks and SC or ST students need 50%. These are eligibility marks, not final selection marks. A strong proposal and guide fit matter after the form is accepted.
| Category | Minimum PG marks | Round and year |
|---|---|---|
| General | 55% | Ph.D rules, 2026 |
| OBC-NCL | 55% | Ph.D rules, 2026 |
| SC | 50% | Ph.D rules, 2026 |
| ST | 50% | Ph.D rules, 2026 |
| PwD | 55% | Ph.D rules, 2026 |
JRF stipend equals INR 4.44 LPA and the centre reports 36 Ph.D holders selected as faculty. It also lists alumni in media, government departments and corporate administration. The Ph.D is for research and teaching roles, not a campus placement course.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average pay used | INR 4.44 LPA, JRF stipend |
| Faculty selections | 36 Ph.D holders selected as faculty |
| Centre alumni | Media, government departments and corporate administration |
| Campus placement rate | Not published |
Schemes can cut the fee by INR 8,000 to INR 24,500. The SC and ST tuition concession gives the biggest waiver. You need a community certificate or income paper before the portal closes.
| Scholarship | Who can get it | Amount or waiver |
|---|---|---|
| SC and ST tuition concession | SC or ST students from Tamil Nadu | INR 24,500 |
| Central Sector Scheme | Income up to INR 8 Lakhs, merit rules | INR 10,000 |
| EWS support | EWS certificate and income up to INR 8 Lakhs | INR 8,000 |
| OBC post-matric support | OBC-NCL, income below INR 2.5 Lakhs | INR 12,000 |
The university stands #38 in NIRF University ranking 2025 and has NAAC A++. NIRF ranks universities on data they file. NAAC checks teaching, research, support systems and campus work.
| Ranking body | Year | Rank or grade |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF University | 2025 | #38 |
| NAAC | Valid cycle | A++ |
| UGC status | 2026 | State university |
Year 1 covers research methods and course work, and later years focus on the thesis. The work is guided by the supervisor and the department. Public policy and local governance topics fit the centre best.
| Year | What you study |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Research methods, course work and proposal work |
| Year 2 | Field work, review of literature and data work |
| Year 3 | Thesis writing, seminar review and submission steps |
Hostel cost used here is INR 9,000 for three years. The course is at the Anna Centre for Public Affairs on the Chennai campus. You should check room status before you plan the fee.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Hostel cost | INR 9,000 for three years |
| Campus | Anna Centre for Public Affairs, Chennai |
| Research areas | Policy studies, local governance and rural development |
| Room status | Ask the hostel office before fee payment |
This course suits students who want policy research and can work closely with a small department.
The 2027 calendar is not out yet. These dates are estimates based on 2026. A date marked Confirmed is official.
Source: University of Madras Ph.D portal and July 2026 Ph.D instructions. Confirm on the official site before you act.
This is the full 3-year cost, not one year. Turn on the toggle to add hostel cost.
Source: University of Madras course page and Ph.D registration instructions. Confirm on the official site before you act.
Pick your category and route. The cutoff ranges use PG marks and selection score ranges.
The PG mark is only the first gate. The safer choice is a proposal that matches a listed guide.
Answer two questions to see what you can claim. Confirm the final amount with the college.
Each chip below says which answer blocked the scheme.
Tap a college to see it next to University of Madras. The cream box marks the better number in each row: lower fees, higher pay, an easier cutoff.
Fees and pay can change. Check each college site before you decide.
Straight answers to what students ask before they decide.
This page is AI assisted and human verified.
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