Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

The Ph.D. in Microbiology at Katihar Medical College (KMC), Katihar is a research-focused doctoral programme offered under the Faculty of Medicine, Al-Karim University. The programme is available in both full-time (3 years for M.Sc holders; 2 years for MD/MS holders) and part-time (4 years for M.Sc holders; 3 years for MD/MS holders) modes, making it suitable for both fresh postgraduates and working medical or research professionals. With an annual intake of 4 seats in Microbiology, the programme offers an intensive and personalised research experience within a functioning 750-bed teaching hospital equipped with advanced microbiological and molecular biology facilities. The total fee for a full-time PhD (3 years for M.Sc holders) is Rs. 5,75,000 (excluding hostel and amenities). The course is particularly sought after by M.Sc Medical Microbiology graduates, MD Microbiology holders, and MBBS graduates looking to pursue a career in academic research, clinical microbiology, or infectious disease research.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are currently open. Al-Karim University conducts admissions in three rounds through a written entrance examination followed by a personal interview. Round 1 applications are open from 9 March 2026 to 31 March 2026, with the entrance exam scheduled on 12 April 2026 (Sunday). All candidates who qualify the written test must appear for a personal interview before the selection committee.

Key Points

The PhD programme is offered under the Faculty of Medicine at Al-Karim University, a UGC-recognised private university established in 2018 under the Bihar Private Universities Act, 2013.
PhD in Microbiology is available in both full-time and part-time modes; working professionals from government departments, recognised hospitals, R&D organisations, or private industries with at least 3 years of relevant experience can apply for the part-time programme.
The programme requires a minimum of one publication in Thomson Reuters and/or SCI or Scopus indexed journals before thesis submission, ensuring research quality and international standards.
Research scholars must attend at least 4 RAC (Research Advisory Committee) meetings (full-time) or 6 RAC meetings (part-time) after course work completion.
The university's Microbiology department is equipped with facilities for molecular biological studies, microbiological investigations, and a Central Research Laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment.
Katihar Medical College is a minority institution; 50% of seats are reserved for Muslim minority candidates and 50% for general category candidates.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

KMC Ph.D. (Microbiology) Fees

The fee structure for PhD in Microbiology at Katihar Medical College varies based on the mode (full-time or part-time) and the qualifying degree of the candidate. For M.Sc holders pursuing full-time PhD (3 years), the total fee is Rs. 5,75,000, comprising a one-time admission and registration fee of Rs. 25,000, annual course fee of Rs. 1,50,000 per year (Rs. 4,50,000 for 3 years), examination fee of Rs. 10,000 per semester (Rs. 60,000 for 6 semesters), and a thesis submission and evaluation fee of Rs. 40,000 payable at the time of thesis submission. For MD/MS holders pursuing full-time PhD (2 years), the course fee equivalent to 3 years is paid over 2 years. Student Amenities Fees are charged additionally. Hostel accommodation is available on campus but is optional.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Full-Time PhD (M.Sc holders, 3 years)	Part-Time PhD (M.Sc holders, 4 years)
Admission and Registration Fee (one-time)	Rs. 25,000	Rs. 25,000
Course Fee (per year)	Rs. 1,50,000	Rs. 1,25,000
Total Course Fee (3 or 4 years)	Rs. 4,50,000	Rs. 5,00,000
Examination Fee (per semester)	Rs. 10,000	Rs. 10,000
Total Examination Fee (6 semesters / 8 semesters)	Rs. 60,000	Rs. 80,000
Thesis Submission and Evaluation Fee (one-time)	Rs. 40,000	Rs. 40,000
Student Amenities Fee	Additional	Additional
Hostel Fee (optional)	As applicable	As applicable
Total Fee (excluding hostel and amenities)	Rs. 5,75,000	Rs. 6,45,000

For MD/MS holders enrolling in full-time PhD (2-year duration), the fee equivalent to 3 years of full-time PhD is paid equally over 2 years.
For MD/MS holders enrolling in part-time PhD (3-year duration), the fee equivalent to 4 years of part-time PhD is paid equally over 3 years.
Annual course fee is payable through Bank Draft before the end of June each year.
A fine of Rs. 500 per day is charged from 1st July onwards for late payment.
Examination fee is payable one month before the university examination date.
A late fine of Rs. 600 is charged for delayed payment.
Thesis submission and evaluation fee must be deposited at the time of thesis submission.
Student Amenities Fees (transport, sports, gymnasium, Wi-Fi, etc.) are charged additionally.
Fee concession is available for eligible students (see Scholarships section).
In case of cancellation of admission, the student is liable to pay the full course fee as per university ordinance.

KMC Ph.D. (Microbiology) Admission 2026

Admissions to PhD in Microbiology at Katihar Medical College are conducted by Al-Karim University through a written entrance examination followed by a mandatory personal interview for all candidates who qualify the written test. The process is conducted in three rounds, with 4 seats available per year in Microbiology. Both fresh postgraduates and working professionals (for part-time PhD) are eligible to apply. The admission process is merit-based, with selection determined by performance in the entrance test and interview.

Al-Karim University PhD Admission Schedule

Event	Round 1	Round 2	Round 3
Application Period	9 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2026	1 Apr 2026 - 30 Apr 2026	1 May 2026 - 31 May 2026
Entrance Examination	12 Apr 2026 (Sunday)	10 May 2026 (Sunday)	14 Jun 2026 (Sunday)
Result Publication	By 18 Apr 2026	By 16 May 2026	By 20 Jun 2026
Personal Interview	After result declaration	After result declaration	After result declaration
Counselling and Admission	20 Apr 2026 - 25 Apr 2026	18 May 2026 - 25 May 2026	29 Jun 2026 onwards

Note: All PhD candidates who qualify the written entrance test must appear for a personal interview before the selection committee. Admissions continue across rounds until all seats are filled. Candidates should check the official website at alkarimuniversity.edu.in for any date revisions.

Entrance Exam Details

Exam	Conducting Body	Relevance	Remarks
Al-Karim University Entrance Test + Personal Interview	Al-Karim University, Katihar	Mandatory for PhD Microbiology admission	Written test followed by personal interview; no national exam required

Note: Admission to PhD in Microbiology at Katihar Medical College is solely through the Al-Karim University entrance examination and personal interview. No national-level exam is required.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

For M.Sc Medical Microbiology or other relevant Master's degree holders: Minimum 55% marks in aggregate (or equivalent Grade B in UGC 7-point scale) in a full-time Master's degree in a relevant discipline, or a professional degree declared equivalent to a Master's degree by the relevant statutory regulatory body.
For MD, MS, DNB, DM, or MCH holders: Minimum 55% marks in aggregate (or equivalent Grade B in UGC 7-point scale) in the respective postgraduate medical degree.
For part-time PhD: Candidates must be working at a Public Sector Undertaking, Government Department, Recognised Hospital, R&D Organisation, or Private Industry/Educational Institution with a minimum of 3 years of relevant working experience, and must submit a No Objection Certificate from their employer.

Admission Process:

Apply online at alkarimuniversity.edu.in or offline by submitting the application form at the university campus during working hours (9 am to 5 pm).
Application form cost is Rs. 1,500, which covers up to 2 course preferences. Additional courses can be added at Rs. 500 per course (up to 5 preferences per form).
Appear for the written entrance examination on the scheduled date for the respective round.
Candidates who qualify the written test must appear for a personal interview before the selection committee.
Merit list is published on the university website based on entrance test and interview performance.
Attend counselling and complete admission formalities within the stipulated dates.
Submit required documents: passport-size photograph, government-issued ID, address proof, latest mark sheets, and parent's/guardian's PAN card. Part-time candidates must additionally submit a No Objection Certificate from their employer.
Pay the admission and registration fee (Rs. 25,000) and first-year course fee at the time of admission.
After admission, apply for PhD registration after topic and synopsis approval by the Research Advisory Committee (RAC).
Reservation: 50% seats for Muslim minority candidates; 50% for general category candidates.

KMC Ph.D. (Microbiology) Scholarships 2026

Al-Karim University offers an institutional fee concession scheme for eligible PhD students, which can significantly reduce the financial burden for deserving candidates. The concession is merit-cum-means based and is available to students who are domicile of Bihar and belong to SC, ST, BC, EBC, Women, or Economically Weaker Section categories. PhD scholars in Microbiology may also explore national fellowship schemes such as UGC-JRF or DBT-JRF, which are particularly relevant for life sciences and microbiology research.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Concession	Amount	Eligibility
Full Fee Concession (Institutional)	100% of course fee	1/5th of 25% eligible students; BPL domicile of Bihar from SC/ST/BC/EBC/Women/EWS; must score above 60th percentile in entrance exam
50% Fee Concession (Institutional)	50% of course fee	2/5th of 25% eligible students; same criteria as above
25% Fee Concession (Institutional)	25% of course fee	Remaining 2/5th of 25% eligible students; same criteria as above
UGC-NET JRF	Rs. 37,000/month (1st 2 years) + Rs. 42,000/month (subsequent years)	Candidates who qualify UGC-NET with JRF; confirm applicability at Al-Karim University
DBT-JRF (Biotechnology)	Rs. 37,000/month + HRA	Candidates who qualify DBT-JRF; relevant for microbiology/life sciences research
Bihar State Scholarship (Post-Matric)	As per government norms	SC/ST/OBC/EBC students domicile of Bihar; apply via Bihar government scholarship portal
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Schemes	As per scheme	Minority community students; apply via scholarships.gov.in

To be eligible for institutional fee concession, all four criteria must be met: (i) domicile of Bihar, (ii) belongs to SC/ST/BC/EBC/Women/EWS category, (iii) family is BPL-entitled, and (iv) scores above 60th percentile in the entrance examination.
The institutional fee concession applies to course fee only; examination fee, thesis fee, and amenities fee are not covered.
UGC-NET JRF and DBT-JRF eligibility and applicability at Al-Karim University should be confirmed directly with the university's research office.
Original documents must be submitted at the time of counselling for institutional fee concession.

KMC Ph.D. (Microbiology) FAQs

Ques. Can an M.Sc Microbiology (non-medical) graduate apply for PhD in Microbiology at Katihar Medical College?

Ans. Yes, graduates with an M.Sc in Microbiology (including non-medical streams such as M.Sc Microbiology from a science college) with a minimum of 55% marks are eligible to apply, as the eligibility covers any full-time Master's degree in a relevant discipline. However, since the programme is under the Faculty of Medicine, candidates with a medical microbiology background or clinical exposure may have an advantage in the research environment.

Ques. What research areas are available for PhD in Microbiology at Katihar Medical College?

Ans. The PhD in Microbiology at Katihar Medical College covers research in clinical and medical microbiology, including bacteriology, virology, immunology, parasitology, mycology, molecular microbiology, and infectious disease research. The department is equipped with facilities for molecular biological studies and microbiological investigations, and the college's 750-bed teaching hospital provides access to clinical samples and patient data for research.

Ques. Is a publication mandatory before submitting the PhD thesis?

Ans. Yes. Before the pre-PhD presentation, the research scholar must have at least one publication in a Thomson Reuters and/or SCI or Scopus indexed journal, in addition to either one additional paper or two paper presentations at a national conference or seminar. This is a mandatory requirement and ensures the research meets international quality standards.

Ques. What is the total fee for PhD in Microbiology (full-time, 3 years) at Katihar Medical College?

Ans. The total fee for a full-time PhD (3 years, for M.Sc holders) is Rs. 5,75,000. This includes the one-time admission and registration fee (Rs. 25,000), annual course fee of Rs. 1,50,000 per year (Rs. 4,50,000 for 3 years), examination fee of Rs. 10,000 per semester (Rs. 60,000 for 6 semesters), and thesis submission and evaluation fee (Rs. 40,000). Student Amenities Fees and hostel charges are additional.

Ques. How many seats are available for PhD in Microbiology, and what is the reservation policy?

Ans. There are 4 seats available per academic year for PhD in Microbiology at Katihar Medical College. Of these, 50% (2 seats) are reserved for Muslim minority candidates and 50% (2 seats) for general category candidates. If reserved seats are not filled by candidates of the respective category, the vacant seats are filled by general category candidates.

Ques. Can an MD Microbiology holder complete the PhD in less than 3 years at Katihar Medical College?

Ans. Yes. For candidates who have completed MD, MS, DNB, DM, or MCH, the full-time PhD duration is 2 years (instead of 3 years for M.Sc holders). However, the fee equivalent to 3 years of full-time PhD is paid equally over these 2 years. The part-time PhD for MD/MS holders is 3 years (instead of 4 years for M.Sc holders), with the fee equivalent to 4 years paid over 3 years.