Marwadi University Rajkot Ph.D Social Sciences: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. Yes, Marwadi University offers the PhD in Social Sciences under its Faculty of Arts in both Full Time and Part Time modes. The Part Time mode is specifically designed for working professionals such as college lecturers, NGO workers, government officials, social workers, and community development professionals who wish to pursue doctoral research while continuing their employment. Part Time candidates must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer and can pursue research at their workplace and/or at MU.

Ans. The PhD in Social Sciences at MU covers a broad range of research areas including sociology of education, rural and urban sociology, social stratification and inequality, gender and women's studies, development studies, social policy and welfare, community development, migration and displacement, environmental sociology, social movements, tribal studies, and applied social research. The specific research topic is finalised based on mutual interest between the scholar and the assigned supervisor, subject to approval by the Departmental Research Committee (DRC). Scholars are encouraged to propose topics that address real-world social challenges.

Ans. Yes, NGO professionals and government officers are among the most suitable candidates for the Part Time PhD in Social Sciences at MU. As long as you are employed in an organisation (NGO, government department, research institution, or any other employer), you qualify for the Part Time category. You need to submit an NOC from your organisation. The programme allows you to pursue research on topics directly relevant to your work, making it highly practical and career-relevant. Many social science researchers use this programme to combine their field experience with academic rigour.

Ans. The MU PhD entrance exam for Social Sciences follows the UGC-NET Sociology or Social Work syllabus pattern (depending on your specialisation). The exam is computer-based (MCQ format, 1 hour) and consists of 90% subject-specific questions covering topics such as sociological theory, research methods, social institutions, social change, development, and applied social science, along with 10% research methodology questions. Candidates who have already qualified UGC-NET in Sociology or Social Work are exempted from this entrance test and are directly called for the personal interview.

Ans. Before submitting the synopsis (which precedes thesis submission), you must have published a minimum of two research papers in peer-reviewed journals. For Social Sciences scholars, publications in SCOPUS-indexed, Web of Science (Core Collection) indexed, ABDC listed, or UGC CARE listed journals are accepted. You must be the first author of these publications, and the papers must be directly related to your PhD research work. This requirement applies to both full-time and part-time scholars.

Ans. For Part Time PhD scholars, the maximum duration is 7 years from the date of registration. The university may allow an extension of up to 2 years beyond this maximum on the recommendation of the Doctoral Advisory Committee (DAC). Women candidates and Persons with Disability (more than 40% disability) are eligible for an additional 2-year relaxation, and women candidates may also avail maternity/child care leave of up to 240 days during the entire PhD tenure. In any case, the total period for completion cannot exceed 10 years. If the thesis is not submitted within the extended period, the registration is cancelled, and re-registration is not permitted after cancellation.