+91-9801012345
Apply Now
Haridwar University Logo

Doctoral Programme

Advancing knowledge through rigorous research and academic excellence. Explore our comprehensive doctoral programmes.

ACADEMIC GUIDELINES 2025-26

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PhD) PROGRAMMES

All academic guidelines must be adhered to during the conferral of PhD degrees in the different HU programs, a requirement ensured through internal operations governed by the Academic Guidelines. These Academic Guidelines support the internal operations.

Eligibility for Admission to Ph.D. Programme

The following are eligible to seek admission to the Ph.D. programme:

  • A 1-year/2-semester master's degree programme after a 4-year/8-semester bachelor's degree programme or a 2-year/4-semester master's degree programme after a 3-year bachelor's degree programme or qualifications declared equivalent to the master's degree by the corresponding statutory regulatory body, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed.
  • A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and other categories of candidates as per the decision of the Commission from time to time.
  • Candidates who have completed the M.Phil. programme with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed.

Duration of the Programme

  • Ph.D. Programme shall be for a minimum duration of three (3) years, including course work, and a maximum duration of six (6) years from the date of admission to the Ph.D. programme.
  • A maximum of an additional two (2) years can be given through a process of re-registration as per the Statute/Ordinance of the Higher Educational Institution concerned; provided, however, that the total period for completion of a Ph.D. programme should not exceed eight (8) years from the date of admission in the Ph.D. programme.
  • Female Ph.D. Scholars may be provided Maternity Leave/Child Care Leave for up to 240 days in the entire duration of the Ph.D. programme.

Procedure Of Admission

  • The admission shall be based on the criteria notified by the University, keeping in view the guidelines/norms issued by the UGC and other statutory/regulatory bodies concerned, and taking into account the reservation policy of the State Government from time to time.
  • All the applicants shall have to appear in the Haridwar University Research Entrance Test (HURET), which will be conducted by the University, except for foreign nationals. The validity of the result of the HURET shall be for one year (two semesters). All the candidates selected through HURET followed by interview are enrolled provisionally till they clear all components of the course work.
  • The students who have qualified for UGC-NET (including JRF)/CSIR UGC-NET (including JRF)/SLET/GATE/GPAT/CEED/ICAR/Teacher fellowship holder or have passed M. Phil. Programme and similar National level tests will be exempted from the HURET First Stage Process i.e. Written Test and will be admitted on the basis Second Stage Process i.e. Interview.
  • The syllabus of HURET shall consist of 50% of questions on Research Methodology and 50% of questions on Discipline-specific. The Entrance Test (HURET) will be conducted at Haridwar University Campus, twice a year. It will be an MCQ-based exam of two (2) hours. In Special circumstances, the written test may be conducted online mode using a pre-approved platform, with the prior approval of the Vice Chancellor.
  • Applicant who have secured 50% marks in HURET are eligible to be called for the interview. Haridwar University reserves the right to limit the number of candidates to be called for interview.
  • A relaxation of 5% marks will be allowed in the entrance examination for the candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/differently-abled category, Economically Weaker Section (EWS), and other categories of candidates as per the decision of the Commission from time to time.
  • For the selection of candidates based on the entrance test conducted by the University, a weightage of 70% for the entrance test and 30% for the performance in the interview/viva-voce shall be given.

Ph.D. through Part-time Mode

Ph.D. programmes through part-time mode will be permitted, provided all the conditions stipulated in these Regulations are fulfilled.

The University concerned shall obtain a "No Objection Certificate" through the candidate for a part-time Ph.D. programme from the appropriate authority in the organization where the candidate is employed, clearly stating that:

  • The candidate is permitted to pursue studies on a part-time basis.
  • His/her official duties permit him/her to devote sufficient time for research.
  • If required, he/she will be relieved from the duty to complete the course work.
Research Laboratory

World-Class Research Facilities

Access state-of-the-art laboratories and research infrastructure to support your doctoral journey

Place of Work / Research Centre

Every PhD Scholar shall work at HU University campus or National Research Laboratories, R&D Organizations, PSUs, etc. having MOU with HU University (partner Institutions), having required research facilities.

Course Work - Credit Requirements

The Credit requirement for the Ph.D. coursework is a minimum of 12 credits, including a "Research and Publication Ethics" course as notified by UGC vide D.O. No. F.1- 1/2018 (Journal/CARE) in 2019 and a research methodology course. The Research Advisory Committee can also recommend UGC recognized online courses as part of the credit requirements for the Ph.D. programme. All courses of study shall be at post-Master's degree level, and will need the approval of RAC for course registration.

Research Registration

After successfully completing the pre-PhD course work, within the duration of six (06) months, the PhD scholar will be required to develop a synopsis under the guidance of his/her Research Supervisor(s), which shall be presented before the Research Advisory Committee (RAC). The RAC will give its recommendation for the final approval of the proposed research topic.

Cancellation of Registration

The Vice Chancellor shall be authorized to cancel the registration of a PhD scholar in the following conditions:

  • On the recommendation of Research Advisory Committee (RAC) due to unsatisfactory Research progress in two consecutive RAC meetings.
  • Violation of discipline rules of the University.
  • Submission of fake information at the time of registration.

Guidelines for Thesis

The thesis will be submitted as per the guidelines/format of the University. No other format will be accepted. It is the responsibility of the candidate to adhere to the appropriate format.

Colour of the cover for hard bound Ph.D. thesis would be brown with black printing in standard format given by the University. Candidate and Supervisors will ensure that the Ph.D. thesis has been submitted in accordance with the guidelines given by the University (e.g. text font, style, size, spacing etc.) and the name of the specialization will strictly be printed on the cover page as given in the guidelines. Thesis would not be accepted if it is not as per guidelines of the University.