The University of Delhi (DU), one of India’s premier institutions, has announced significant changes to DU PhD admission process beginning in the academic year 2025. In accordance with the latest directive from the University Grants Commission (UGC), the NET score will now serve as a qualifying criterion for Ph.D. admissions, effectively replacing university-specific entrance exams. This change aligns DU’s selection criteria with national standards and ensures transparency, consistency, and equal opportunity for all candidates.

DU PhD Admission 2025 Key Dates and Deadlines

The DU PhD admission cycle at Delhi University for 2025 follows a structured timeline. Below are the important dates to mark in your calendar:

All updates will be available on the Ph.D. Admission Portal and the websites of respective departments or centres.

DU PhD Admission Eligibility

To be eligible for Ph.D. admission at the University of Delhi, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Academic Qualification: A Master’s degree or its equivalent in a relevant or allied subject from a recognized university with at least 55% marks or a “B” grade on the UGC 7-point scale.
• Relaxation: A 5% relaxation is provided to candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer), Persons with Disabilities (PwD), and EWS categories.
• Subject Relevance: Final determination of subject relevance rests with the respective Departmental Research Committee (DRC).

DU PhD Admission Process

DU PhD admission is conducted in two stages:

1. Entrance Test (for non-exempted candidates)
2. Interview Round (mandatory for all shortlisted and exempted candidates)

Entrance Examination (CUET-PhD)

• The Common University Entrance Test (CUET-PhD) will be used for shortlisting candidates.
• Minimum qualifying marks: 50% (relaxed to 45% for reserved categories).
• A subject-wise list of shortlisted candidates and interview schedules will be published online.

Exemption from Entrance Test

Candidates may be exempt from the written entrance exam if they meet any of the following conditions:

• Qualified UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR NET, DBT-JRF, ICMR-JRF, DST-INSPIRE, or any recognized national-level fellowship.
• Faculty members of DU or scientists from recognized institutions with an MoU.
• Completed M.Phil. with minimum 55% marks (or equivalent) from DU or another recognized university.
• Holders of valid CAT scores (for Ph.D. in Management Studies).

Note: All exempted candidates must still appear for the interview round.

Interview Process

The Departmental Research Committee (DRC) will conduct interviews for all eligible applicants.

During the interview, candidates are assessed on:

• Clarity and relevance of the proposed research topic
• Feasibility of conducting research within university resources
• Familiarity with existing research and potential academic contribution
• Preparedness for doctoral-level research

Interview Assessment Weightage

Ph.D Entrance Test Entrance Test Pattern and Syllabus

The Ph.D. Entrance Test comprises two sections:

Part A: Research Methodology (50%)

• Research design, literature review
• Data collection and analysis
• Scientific writing and referencing
• Quantitative techniques
• Language comprehension

Part B: Subject-Specific Topics (50%)

Varies by department, including topics such as:

• Programming, Algorithms, Operating Systems (Computer Science)
• Economic Theory, Statistics (Economics)
• Political Theory, International Relations (Political Science)

The entrance exam is a qualifying exam, not a guarantee of admission.

Application Process for DU PhD Admission 2025

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply:

1. Registration
   Visit the official DU Ph.D. Admission Portal and create a user account.
2. Login and Profile Completion
   Enter personal, educational, and contact details. Upload the following:

• Passport-size photo (Max 50 KB)
• Scanned signature
• Valid ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, etc.)

3. Program Selection and Proposal Submission

• Choose your desired Ph.D. program.
• Provide research proposal (if required) detailing objectives, methodology, and bibliography.
• Mention scholarships or employment details if applicable.

4. 4. Fee Payment
   Use Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI to pay:

5. Final Submission

Carefully review and confirm the application. Submit separately for each program if applying to multiple disciplines.

DU PhD Admission Reservation Policy

Delhi University adheres strictly to the Government of India’s reservation policy:

• No distance mode is available for Ph.D. or M.Phil. programs at Delhi University.
• Dual enrollment in any full-time academic program is not permitted.
• Each department will publicly disclose its available seats, admission criteria, and evaluation rubrics.

• After the interviews, a merit list and waiting list (category-wise) will be published on the official portal and respective department websites.
• Recommendations are finalized by the DRC and approved by the Board of Research Studies (BRS).

Entrance Exams Accepted for DU PhD Admission

Delhi University recognizes the following national-level exams for exemption from the Ph.D. entrance test:

• UGC-NET / UGC-JRF
• CSIR NET / CSIR-JRF
• DBT-JRF, ICMR-JRF, ICAR-JRF
• DST-INSPIRE, AYUSH-NET
• SLET
• CUET (Ph.D.)

Applicants who hold these qualifications are eligible to attend the interview directly, subject to online registration.

Conclusion

The updated DU PhD Admission process provides a more streamlined and merit-based approach to research education. With the adoption of UGC-NET as a standardized entry criterion, DU now aligns with national norms while ensuring inclusivity through its reservation and exemption policies. Whether applying through the CUET-PhD or via exemption, candidates are encouraged to prepare diligently, clearly articulate their research interests, and complete the application process well before the deadlines.

For all official updates, candidates must regularly visit the DU Ph.D. Admission Portal and respective department websites.

DU PhD Admission FAQs