PGIMER Chandigarh offers a Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] programme in various medical, basic science, and allied health disciplines as a full-time research degree of minimum three years duration. PGIMER is an Institute of National Importance under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and one of the country’s leading academic and research medical institutions. The programme offers supervised research leading to a thesis, with access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure and experienced faculty in clinical and basic sciences. Admission is through the PGIMER PhD CBT and interview; admissions are offered for both January and July sessions. The total course fee for three years is Rs 7,410.
PGIMER PhD July 2026 session: the application window closed on 9 May 2026. The entrance CBT is scheduled for 31 May 2026. Candidates with external fellowships (CSIR, DBT, ICMR, UGC, DST) are exempt from the entrance exam but must apply online. The January 2027 session application window will open around September 2026 (Tentative).
Key Points
- PGIMER PhD is a minimum 3-year full-time research programme in medical, basic science, and allied health disciplines; offered for both January and July sessions.
- Total course fee is Rs 7,410 for three years (Rs 3,470 in year 1); the fee is among the lowest for PhD programmes at a national institute.
- PGIMER offers 6-7 PGIMER Junior Research Fellowships per session at Rs 31,000/month; awarded on entrance merit.
- Candidates holding JRF/SRF from CSIR, DBT, ICMR, UGC, or DST are exempt from the entrance exam and their fellowship stipend continues.
- Research is conducted under a PGIMER faculty supervisor; candidates must submit a thesis and pass an open viva within the maximum period of five years.
PGIMER Ph.D. Fees
Ph.D. Fee Structure
| Component | Amount (INR) |
|---|
| Tuition Fee (Annual) | ₹2,470 |
| Total Fees (3-Year Programme) | ₹7,410 |
- First-year fee is Rs 3,470 (includes one-time charges); subsequent years are lower, making the three-year total Rs 7,410.
- Hostel accommodation is available on campus; hostel charges are payable separately.
- Candidates with PGIMER Junior Research Fellowships receive Rs 31,000/month (fixed) as stipend; external fellowship holders continue their respective agency stipend.
- Candidates must verify the exact fee breakup and payment schedule from the official PGIMER PhD Admission 2026 notification at pgimer.edu.in.
PGIMER Ph.D. Admission 2026
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|
| PGIMER PhD Application Opens (July 2026 Session) | April 16, 2026 |
| PGIMER PhD Application Deadline | May 9, 2026 |
| PGIMER PhD Entrance CBT | May 31, 2026 |
| Result / Interview Shortlisting | June 2026 (Tentative) |
| Interview / Oral Assessment | June 2026 (Tentative) |
| Course Commencement | July 2026 (Tentative) |
Entrance Exam Dates
| Exam | Registration End | Exam Date | Result |
|---|
| PGIMER PhD CBT | May 9, 2026 | May 31, 2026 | June 2026 (Tentative) |
- PGIMER PhD July 2026 session: the application window was open from 16 April to 9 May 2026; the entrance CBT is scheduled for 31 May 2026.
- PGIMER conducts PhD admissions twice yearly: July session (applications April-May, CBT in May) and January session (applications September-October, CBT in November).
- In-service faculty of PGIMER and candidates who hold an external fellowship with stipend from CSIR, DBT, ICMR, UGC, DST, or equivalent agencies are exempt from the entrance exam but must apply online.
- PGIMER offers a limited number of PGIMER Junior Research Fellowships at Rs 31,000/month (fixed) for 6-7 candidates per session, awarded on entrance merit.
- Shortlisted candidates must appear for an oral/interview assessment at PGIMER; original degree certificates, marksheets, NMC registration (for medical graduates), and JRF/fellowship letter (if exempt) must be presented.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Medical candidates: Must hold MBBS, BDS, or Master of Physiotherapy with a minimum aggregate of 55 percent marks from an NMC/DCI-recognised institution; or MD/MS/MDS/MPharm in the relevant subject.
- Non-medical / life science candidates: Must hold M.Sc., MA, or a Masters in Engineering/Technology with a minimum aggregate of 60 percent marks from a UGC-recognised institution, in Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Immunology, or a closely related subject.
- Social and behavioural sciences: Postgraduate degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Nursing, Nutrition, or LLM from a recognised institution.
- Candidates holding a JRF/SRF fellowship from CSIR, DBT, ICMR, UGC, or DST are exempt from the entrance exam; in-service PGIMER faculty are also exempt.
Admission Process
- Register on the PGIMER online portal (pgimer.edu.in) during the application window (April-May for July session; September-October for January session).
- Pay the application fee of Rs 1,500 (General/OBC) or Rs 1,200 (SC/ST); PwBD candidates are exempt.
- Appear for the PGIMER PhD CBT (unless exempt as in-service PGIMER faculty or external fellowship holder).
- Shortlisted candidates receive interview call letters; appear for the oral/interview assessment at PGIMER.
- On selection, report to PGIMER with original degree certificates, marksheets, NMC registration certificate (medical graduates), and identity proof; pay the first-year fee of Rs 3,470 to confirm admission.
PGIMER Ph.D. Scholarships 2026
Ph.D. Scholarships Available
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility |
|---|
| PGIMER Junior Research Fellowship | Rs 31,000/month (fixed) | Merit-based; awarded to 6-7 candidates per session; no separate application -- allotted at admission |
| CSIR/NET-JRF | Rs 37,000/month (1st 2 years) | CSIR/UGC NET-JRF qualified candidates; fellowship continues subject to annual review |
| DBT-JRF / ICMR-JRF | As per agency norms | Candidates holding DBT or ICMR Junior Research Fellowship; continue fellowship during PhD |
| DST INSPIRE Fellowship | Rs 80,000/year | SRF level; candidates with DST INSPIRE JRF; continue during PhD subject to conditions |
- Candidates with an existing external fellowship from CSIR, DBT, ICMR, UGC, or DST are exempt from the PGIMER entrance exam and their fellowship stipend continues during the PhD at PGIMER.
- PGIMER Junior Research Fellowships are limited to 6-7 per session and are awarded strictly on CBT merit; no separate application is needed -- selection is automatic during counselling.
- PhD students without an external fellowship or PGIMER JRF do not receive a stipend; they are responsible for their own funding beyond the nominal tuition fee.
![Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research - [PGIMER]](https://image-static.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/logos/1715079781Screenshotfrom20240507163242.png?h=71.7&w=71.7&mode=stretch)
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