Calcutta University offers PhD programmes across 32 departments in Cycle 1 of 2026, spanning sciences, engineering, technology, social sciences, and humanities. The programme runs full-time or part-time with a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years. Admission requires a qualifying score in UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, or GPAT followed by a departmental interview. No application fee is charged.
📋 Admission Status: Applications for the 2026 Cycle 1 are closed. Department-wise interviews are underway in July 2026.
Key Points
- UGC-NET JRF holders (Category-1) are admitted purely on the basis of a personal interview, with no weightage to the qualifying exam score.
- All admitted scholars must complete a minimum of 12 credits of coursework within the first 2 years, including the mandatory Research and Publication Ethics module.
- Women candidates and PwD scholars (more than 40% disability) receive an additional 2-year extension beyond the standard 6-year maximum programme duration.
Calcutta University PhD Fees 2026
The PhD programme at Calcutta University has a modest fee structure. Full-time course fees are INR 4,000 per semester. One-time charges include registration and security deposit fees. Thesis submission and viva fees apply at the end of the programme.
| Fee Component | Amount |
|---|
| Registration Fee | INR 500 |
| Security Deposit (one-time) | INR 1,000 |
| Course Fee per Semester (Full-Time) | INR 4,000 |
| Course Fee per Semester (Part-Time) | INR 10,000 |
| DRC Fee | INR 2,000 |
| Thesis Submission Fee | INR 5,000 |
| Viva Fee | INR 3,000 |
- Fees are indicative and subject to revision by the university.
- Verify exact amounts with the PhD Administration Office.
Calcutta University PhD Admission 2026
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|
| Cycle 1 Admission Notice Published | 9 June 2026 |
| Extension Notice Issued | 6 July 2026 |
| Application Deadline (Extended) | Mid-July 2026 |
| Department-wise Interview Notices | July 2026 onwards |
- Interview schedules are notified 15 days prior on caluniv.ac.in.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- A Master’s degree with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/EWS) from a UGC-recognised university in the relevant subject.
- A 4-year Bachelor’s degree with at least 75% marks (70% for reserved categories) is also accepted as a qualifying degree.
- Candidates in the final semester of their qualifying degree may apply provisionally and must produce mark sheets before the interview date.
Admission Process
- Download the prescribed form from caluniv.ac.in and submit it physically to the relevant Department or Centre office. No online application is accepted.
- Stage 1: Valid qualifying exam score in UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, GPAT, or SET in the relevant subject is required for shortlisting.
- Stage 2: Personal interview before the Departmental Committee (100 marks). NET JRF holders are selected on interview alone. Non-JRF candidates are evaluated on 70% qualifying score and 30% interview.
- Select departments (Economics, History, Psychology) conduct a Research Eligibility Test (RET) for candidates without NET/GATE/GPAT qualification.
- International students are exempt from entrance tests and are evaluated through research proposal and interview.
Calcutta University PhD vs Other Colleges
Here is how Calcutta University PhD compares with similar universities on admission exams, fees, and Collegedunia ratings.
| College | Fees | Exams | Cutoff | Salary | CD Rating |
|---|
| Calcutta University | INR 4,000/semester | UGC-NET
CSIR-NET
GATE
GPAT | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Rated |
| Jadavpur University | Not Disclosed | UGC-NET
CSIR-NET
GATE
JUPET | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | 4.3/5 |
| Banaras Hindu University | Not Disclosed | UGC-NET
CSIR-NET
GATE
BHU RET | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | 3.9/5 |
| University of Delhi | Not Disclosed | UGC-NET
CSIR-NET
GATE
DU Entrance Test | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | 4.2/5 |
✓ Opt for this if
- You hold a UGC-NET JRF and want admission through interview alone.
- You are targeting interdisciplinary research across sciences, humanities, or engineering.
- You want to study in Kolkata with access to established departmental research infrastructure.
- You are a working professional needing a part-time enrolment mode.
✗ Skip if
- You want a fully online or remote PhD programme.
- Your research area needs specialised infrastructure unavailable at Calcutta University.
- You need a university with a stronger national brand for postdoctoral placement.
Calcutta University PhD Scholarships 2026
PhD scholars at Calcutta University access UGC and CSIR fellowships through the university’s Development and Planning Office, along with state-level support for West Bengal domicile students.
| Fellowship | Amount | Eligibility | Tenure |
|---|
| UGC/CSIR Junior Research Fellowship | INR 37,000 per month plus HRA | UGC-NET or CSIR-NET JRF holders admitted to PhD | 2 years (upgradeable to SRF) |
| Senior Research Fellowship | INR 42,000 per month plus HRA | JRF holders on satisfactory 2-year assessment | Up to 3 additional years |
| Contingency Grant (Science) | INR 12,000/year (JRF) and INR 25,000/year (SRF) | Science stream JRF and SRF holders | Annually during fellowship tenure |
| Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship | Up to INR 8,000 per month | West Bengal domicile students below INR 2.5 lakh annual family income | Programme duration |
- Stipend amounts are subject to revision by UGC.
- Apply for JRF disbursal at the Development and Planning Office.
Comments
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Yes, you can apply for admission to the Calcutta University. Check here for the MA in Psychology from Calcutta University.
To apply for the M.Sc Chemistry program of Calcutta University, you must have completed a bachelor’s degree with Chemistry as a subject and a minimum score of 55% in aggregate. Admission to this program will be offered based on the merit of the university’s entrance test.
Admission to the MA programs of Calcutta University is offered based on the merit of the qualifying examination passed. Students seeking admission in the MA programs must have a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks from a recognized college or university.
The University of Calcutta offers a Ph.D in Food and Nutrition program. Students seeking admission in this program must have an M.Sc in Food and Nutrition or a relevant field with at least 55% marks from a recognized university. Many of the departments have started their admission process.
To get admission in the Ph.D program of Calcutta University, you must take the entrance test conducted by the university. Admission is offered based on the merit of entrance test and personal interview conducted by the university. Students who have qualified for UGC JRF/NET/ SET/ SLETDST (Inspire) Scholarship or Teacher Fellowship holders will be exempted from the university’s entrance test.
The University of Calcutta has not released the admission schedule of M.Com. for 2023. It is expected that the admissions will be started in the September 2023.
The minimum educational qualification required to pursue an M.Phil program is to have a master’s degree in the relevant field with at least 55% marks from a recognized university. Moreover, UGC has discontinued M.Phil programs from the 2022 academic year as per the NEP.
From the 2022-23 academic session, M.Phil programs will no longer be offered for admission according to the regulations by UGC. Students who have completed M.Com with at least 55% marks can directly apply for admission in the Ph.D program.
To get admission in the M.Sc Neuroscience course of Calcutta University you must have a B.Sc degree with biology/ biotechnology/ biochemistry/ neurobiology/ neuroscience/ zoology as a subject. Students who have completed MBBS are also eligible to apply. Calcutta University offers hostel accommodations at a very minimal rate and it differs as per the type of accommodation opted for.
Admissions for various courses at Calcutta University are still going on. Based on the information this university has closed the admissions for certificate courses on 8th August 2022. You can still check the dates from the official website.
For more information, refer to this link: Calcutta University Admission 2022
No, there is no entrance required for MA in Linguistics at Calcutta University. You can get the selection based on your merit in the qualifying exam. Students who are from the university already get 60 percent of seats.
For more information, refer to this link: Calcutta University MA Linguistics Selection Criteria
Yes, the university conducts an entrance examination for the MBM course. It conducts a university-level exam, JEE Main examination. You are required to qualify bachelor's with 50% marks.
Calcutta University offers M.Sc courses in four specializations: Genetics and Plant Breeding, Agronomy, Plant Physiology and Agricultural Sciences. To be eligible for admission you must have a bachelor’s degree in the relevant field from a recognized university.
Yes, you are eligible to apply for the Master of Science [M.Sc] (Human Development) for this session as the minimum eligibility set requires one to have a bachelor’s degree in the relevant subject from a recognized board with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.