University of Calcutta Ph.D Bengali Language and Literature: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. No, clearing NET or SLET is not mandatory for Ph.D. admission. Candidates without these qualifications must appear in the university’s internal Research Eligibility Test (RET) and then the personal interview. Those who have cleared NET, SET or SLET, or who hold an MPhil in Bengali, are exempt from the written RET and can directly appear for the interview round.

Ans. The Ph.D. programme in Bengali Language and Literature at Calcutta University has 13 seats per admission cycle. Reservations are applied as per the West Bengal State Higher Educational Institutions Reservation in Admission Act, covering SC, ST, OBC and EWS categories.

Ans. The written RET is for 70 marks and consists of three parts: MCQ questions on the history of Bengali Language and Literature for 20 marks, short-answer questions on Research Methodology and Bengali Literature for 30 marks, and an essay for 20 marks. The qualifying mark is 50% for the general category and 45% for SC and ST candidates. The test is held offline at the Department of Bengali, Asutosh Building.

Ans. The application fee is INR 100, payable online through SBI Collect. Candidates must visit the SBI Collect portal, select Educational Institutions, then choose Calcutta University, select Miscellaneous Fee, and choose the Ph.D. admission category. The payment receipt must be printed and submitted along with the application form at the department office.

Ans. Yes, employed candidates are eligible to apply for the Ph.D. programme. They must attach a No Objection Certificate from their current employer at the time of submitting the application. In-service teacher fellows who hold a valid fellowship and have a college resolution may also apply under the relevant category and attend course work as scheduled by the department.

Ans. Research areas in this programme include Bengali phonology, morphology and syntax, medieval Bengali literature, modern Bengali prose and poetry, translation studies, dialect studies, comparative literature, folklore studies and manuscript studies. The specific research topic and supervisor allocation are finalised during the personal interview based on faculty expertise and the candidate’s proposed research area.