DU PhD Admission 2026: Application Link, Eligibility & Selection Process
Get comprehensive information on DU PhD Admission 2026, including eligibility criteria, official application links, department-wise seat matrix, selection procedures, fee structures, stipends, and essential documentation.
DU PhD Admission 2026, Apply Till 26 Mar
The application window for DU PhD Admission 2026 remains open until March 26, 2026. Doctoral programs at the University of Delhi are administered through diverse departments spanning Faculties such as Arts, Science, Law, Education, Medical Sciences, Commerce, and Social Sciences. Prospective scholars should monitor the official admission portal and respective departmental websites for real-time updates and announcements.
DU PhD Admission 2026: Overview
All steps of the DU PhD admission process, from initial registration to final application fee payment, must be completed via the University’s centralized PhD portal. Please note that a personal interview is mandatory for all applicants and will be conducted exclusively in a physical format at the department level. Below is the essential overview of the DU PhD Admission 2026 cycle:
| DU PhD Admission 2026: Overview | |
|---|---|
| Particular | Phase II |
| Registration Begins | Tuesday, March 10, 2026 |
| Registration Closes | Tuesday, March 26, 2026 (Last date Extedned) |
| Interview Period | March 27 – April 18, 2026 |
| DRC and BRS Recommendation | Till April 22, 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | Till April 26, 2026 |
| Admission Portal (Phase II) |
|
| NET Scores Accepted | June 2025 & December 2025 |
| Mode of Interview | Physical (In-person) |
| Notification | |
DU PhD 2026 Vacancy
The University of Delhi offers a wide range of PhD positions across numerous departments, distributed according to various reservation categories. Below, you will find a consolidated view of the seat matrix for key departments covering both admission phases.
Apply Link of DU PhD Admission 2026
Aspiring PhD scholars must submit their applications through the University’s official portals. Applicants from Phase I who are eligible for Phase II must re-apply via the dedicated Phase II portal using their existing login credentials. Access the specific application links for each phase below:
Official Application Portal: DU PhD Admission Phase II 2026 (Deadline Extended)
Steps to Apply for DU PhD Admission 2026
The DU PhD 2026 application process is conducted entirely online. If you intend to apply for multiple PhD programs, you must submit separate applications for each, utilizing your registered credentials and completing the individual fee payment for each course. Follow the specified online instructions to finalize your application.
For New Applicants:
- Register Online: Visit the PhD admission portal (Phase I or Phase II as applicable). Click on “New User Registration” and register using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Create Login Credentials: Furnish personal details as per your certificates, create a password (maximum six characters), and confirm registration via the confirmation link sent to your email.
- Complete the Application Form: Log in using your Username (email ID) and Password (or Mobile Number and OTP). Fill in all required details in the application form including academic qualifications, category details, and upload necessary documents.
- Select the PhD Program: Choose “PhD” and select the department in which you wish to apply. Check mandatory requirements such as submission of a research proposal, if applicable.
- Pay Registration Fee: Pay the applicable registration fee online through Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI. The application will be considered complete only after realization of payment.
- Apply to Multiple Programs (if desired): Candidates wishing to apply to more than one PhD program must apply for each program separately using the same login credentials and pay the fee for each program individually.
For Phase I Registered Candidates (applying for Phase II):
- Visit the Phase II portal at phd-ph2-2025.uod.ac.in and click “Login.”
Log in using your Phase I Username and Password. - View and edit your profile submitted in Phase I; once submitted/locked, no further edits are allowed.
- Select the PhD programs you wish to apply for in Phase II and check all mandatory requirements.
- A Wallet system will auto-calculate differential fees based on Phase I payments — pay the difference if applicable. No refund of excess wallet balance will be made.
DU PhD 2026 Application Fees
The registration fee for DU PhD Admission 2026 is non-refundable and is determined by your category. Please be aware that the University will not issue refunds if a candidate is deemed ineligible at any stage of the process. The fee structure is outlined as follows:
| DU PhD 2026 Application Fees | |
|---|---|
| Category | Registration Fee (Per Program) |
| SC / ST / PwBD | ₹300 (Rupees Three Hundred Only) |
| UR / EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹750 (Rupees Seven Hundred Fifty Only) |
Documents Required for DU PhD Admission 2026
Ensure all required documents are organized and ready for upload during the application process and verification upon selection. Candidates invited for the interview must bring a physical copy of their submitted application form. Generally required documents include:
- Printed copy of the online application form submitted on the DU PhD portal.
- Class 10th Mark Sheet & Certificate (for date of birth verification).
- Class 12th Mark Sheet & Certificate (self-attested copy).
- Graduation & Post-Graduation Mark Sheets and Degree Certificates (all semesters/years).
- M.Phil. Degree and Mark Sheet (if applicable).
- Valid UGC NET/JRF/CSIR NET/GATE/JEST or equivalent scorecard/qualifying certificate.
- Research Proposal (mandatory in most departments at the time of registration)
Category Certificate — SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/EWS/PwBD issued by competent authority; OBC-NCL and EWS income certificates must be issued after March 31, 2025. - Recent passport size photographs and valid Photo ID Proof (Aadhaar/Passport/Voter ID/PAN Card).
- Certified English/Hindi translation of certificates (if originals are not in English/Hindi), duly certified by the Principal/Director of the last institute attended.
DU PhD Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for DU PhD Admission 2026 is strictly governed by UGC regulations and the University of Delhi Ordinance VI. Ensure your credentials align with the following general requirements:
| DU PhD Admission 2026 Eligibility Criteria | |
|---|---|
| Criteria | Details |
| Master’s Degree | 2-year Master’s degree (after 3-year Bachelor’s) or 1-year Master’s degree (after 4-year Bachelor’s) with minimum 55% marks or equivalent CGPA from a recognized university |
| After 4-Year Bachelor’s Degree | Minimum 75% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade |
| M.Phil. Holders | M.Phil. degree with at least 55% marks in aggregate |
| Category Relaxation | 5% relaxation in marks for SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/PwBD/EWS candidates |
| NET/National Test Required | Must have qualified UGC NET/JRF, CSIR NET/JRF, GATE, JEST, DBT-JRF, ICMR-JRF or equivalent |
| NET Scores Accepted (Phase I) | December 2024 and June 2025 |
| NET Scores Accepted (Phase II) | June 2025 and December 2025 |
| Direct Interview Eligible | UGC/CSIR JRF holders, M.Phil. candidates, GATE/JEST/INSPIRE qualified, permanent DU faculty, and scientists from MoU R&D institutes |
| Dual Enrollment | Not allowed — candidates registered in any full-time program at any University/Institution are ineligible |
DU PhD 2026 Selection Process
The selection process for the DU PhD program integrates national-level test scores with a mandatory personal interview, in accordance with UGC guidelines. The primary evaluation criteria are as follows:
70% Weightage for NET/National Entrance Scores: Consistent with the UGC Notification dated March 27, 2024, applicants qualifying under Categories 2 and 3 of UGC-NET or equivalent examinations will have 70% weightage applied to their test scores.
- 30% Weightage for Interview: The remaining 30% weightage is given to the performance in the interview, which is conducted by the respective department.
- Research Proposal: Most departments require a mandatory submission of a research proposal at the time of registration.
- Merit List: The final merit list is prepared based on the combined score of NET marks and interview marks.
- Departments reserve the right not to fill vacant seats if suitable candidates are unavailable.
DU PhD Stipend
PhD scholars at the University of Delhi may be eligible for various fellowships and stipends, subject to their qualifying exam status and funding source. Details regarding the stipend structure for research scholars are provided below:
| DU PhD 2026 Stipend | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fellowship Type | Stipend (Per Month) | Duration | Additional Benefits |
| UGC NET JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) | ₹37,000 | First 2 years | HRA (8%–24%), Contingency Grant, Medical Benefits |
| UGC NET SRF (Senior Research Fellowship) | ₹42,000 | Next 3 years (after JRF upgradation) | HRA, Contingency Grant, Medical Benefits |
| CSIR JRF | ₹37,000 | First 2 years | HRA, Contingency Grant |
| CSIR SRF | ₹42,000 | Next 3 years | HRA, Contingency Grant |
| DBT-JRF | ₹37,000 | First 2 years | HRA, Contingency Grant |
| ICMR-JRF | ₹37,000 | First 2 years | HRA, Contingency Grant |
| Non-NET University Fellowship | ₹8,000 | As per University rules | Limited benefits |
| PMRF (Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship) | ₹70,000–₹80,000 | Up to 5 years | Research Grant, Contingency |
DU PhD Admission 2026: FAQs
The initial Phase I registration opened on October 18, 2025, while the Phase II registration process officially commenced on March 10, 2026.
The registration fee is set at ₹300 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates and ₹750 for UR/EWS/OBC-NCL candidates per PhD program.
Yes, the personal interview is a mandatory requirement for all applicants and must be attended in person at the relevant department.
Phase I accepts scores from December 2024 and June 2025; Phase II accepts scores from June 2025 and December 2025.
Yes, submitting a formal research proposal is a mandatory component for most departments during the online registration process.