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The Ph.D. in Basic Sciences at FISAT, Ernakulam is a research-oriented doctoral programme offered under APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU), available in both Full Time and Part Time modes. The programme covers disciplines such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and allied basic sciences. There is no fixed seat intake as admissions depend on supervisor availability; the minimum duration is 3 years (Full Time) and up to 6 years (Part Time). Fees are nominal, and the primary entrance exam is the KTU PhD Entrance Examination (with exemptions available via GATE/UGC-NET/CSIR-NET). The programme is particularly suited for science graduates and faculty members seeking to deepen their research expertise in foundational science disciplines.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year were conducted via KTU's centralized notification (KTU/RESEARCH5/1066/2025 dated 30.04.2026). The application window was open from 01 May 2026 to 31 May 2026, with the entrance examination held on 20 June 2026. For the 2027-28 cycle, a fresh notification is expected tentatively in April-May 2027, with the entrance exam likely in June 2027. Candidates with valid GATE, UGC-NET, or CSIR-NET scores are exempted from the entrance examination.

Key Points:

FISAT has an active research supervisor in Basic Sciences (Ayswarya E P, KTU-F5457) registered under KTU.
Basic Sciences candidates can pursue both Full Time and Part Time research; however, a co-guide from a sister institution or research organization with laboratory facilities is mandatory for Basic Sciences scholars.
Full Time scholars are eligible for a KTU Fellowship of Rs. 25,000 per month for 3 years, plus a contingent grant of Rs. 10,000 per year.
Candidates with valid GATE/UGC-NET/CSIR-NET scores are exempted from the KTU PhD entrance examination.
The candidate must identify a supervisor and place of research; qualifying the entrance test and interview alone does not guarantee PhD registration.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

FISAT Ph.D. Basic Sciences Fees

The Ph.D. programme at FISAT under KTU has a very affordable fee structure. The total fee for the Basic Sciences stream is Rs. 57,000 spread over three years, with Year 1 being Rs. 29,000 and subsequent years at Rs. 14,000 each. There are no heavy tuition charges, making it accessible for both full-time and part-time scholars.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3
Tuition / Registration Fee	Rs. 29,000	Rs. 14,000	Rs. 14,000
Other Charges	Included	Included	Included
Hostel Fees	Optional (separate)	Optional (separate)	Optional (separate)
Total Fees	Rs. 29,000	Rs. 14,000	Rs. 14,000

Total Programme Fee: Rs. 57,000 (over 3 years, excluding hostel)

Hostel facilities are available on campus for boys and girls; hostel fees are charged separately and are not mandatory.
Application fee: Rs. 1,100 (General/OBC/EWS); Rs. 550 (SC/ST).
Full Time scholars receiving KTU Fellowship (Rs. 25,000/month) effectively have their fees covered by the fellowship.
Fees are subject to revision as per KTU/Government orders.
Basic Sciences candidates must arrange a co-guide from a sister institution with research laboratory facilities, which may involve additional costs.

FISAT Ph.D. Basic Sciences Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Basic Sciences) programme at FISAT are conducted through KTU's centralized process. For 2026-27, applications were invited in May 2026 and the entrance exam was held in June 2026. For the upcoming 2027-28 cycle, the notification is expected around April-May 2027 based on the previous year's pattern. Candidates holding valid GATE, UGC-NET, or CSIR-NET scores are directly eligible for the interview round, bypassing the written entrance test.

Important Dates

Event	Date (2026-27 Cycle)	Tentative Date (2027-28)
KTU PhD Notification Release	30 April 2026	April 2027 (tentative)
Application Window Opens	01 May 2026	May 2027 (tentative)
Last Date to Apply	31 May 2026	May 2027 (tentative)
KTU PhD Entrance Examination	20 June 2026	June 2027 (tentative)
Interview / Selection	July 2026 (tentative)	July 2027 (tentative)
Admission / Registration	August 2026 (tentative)	August 2027 (tentative)

Accepted Entrance Exams

Exam	Relevance	Exemption from Entrance Test?
KTU PhD Entrance Examination	Primary exam for PhD admission at KTU-affiliated colleges	No (mandatory unless exempted)
GATE (relevant discipline)	Valid GATE score holders are exempted from written test	Yes
UGC-NET (Category 1, 2, or 3)	Valid UGC-NET qualifiers are exempted from written test	Yes
CSIR-NET	Valid CSIR-NET score holders are exempted from written test	Yes

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Master's degree in Applied Sciences, Basic Sciences, or Mathematics with a minimum CGPA of 5.75 (5.25 for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/Differently-abled with more than 40% disability).
Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Architecture with a minimum CGPA of 7.75 (7.25 for reserved categories) is also eligible.
Final semester PG students may apply provisionally, subject to submission of final mark list before admission.

Admission Process:

Apply online through the KTU portal (app.ktu.edu.in) during the application window.
Upload all required documents including NOC (for Part Time applicants), qualifying exam certificates, and eligibility proof.
Appear for the KTU PhD Entrance Examination (Part A: Research Aptitude + Part B: Subject-specific) unless exempted via GATE/UGC-NET/CSIR-NET.
Candidates scoring 50% or above in the entrance test are eligible for the interview (30 marks).
Identify a research supervisor at FISAT (Basic Sciences department) and arrange a mandatory co-guide from a sister institution with laboratory facilities.
The Doctoral Committee recommends registration to KTU upon satisfactory completion of the selection process.
Part Time applicants must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer in the prescribed format.

FISAT Ph.D. Basic Sciences Scholarships 2026

Ph.D. scholars in Basic Sciences at FISAT can avail of fellowships and scholarships from KTU and national bodies. Full Time scholars are the primary beneficiaries of the KTU Fellowship, while CSIR-JRF and UGC-JRF are particularly relevant for Basic Sciences candidates. Part Time scholars typically self-fund or receive support from their employer institutions.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship / Fellowship	Amount	Eligibility	Duration
KTU Fellowship (Full Time)	Rs. 25,000/month + Rs. 10,000/year contingent grant	Full Time PhD scholars selected by KTU	3 years
CSIR-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF) / Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	CSIR-NET qualifiers in Basic Sciences	2 years (JRF) + extendable as SRF
UGC-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF) / Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	UGC-NET Category 1 qualifiers	2 years (JRF) + extendable as SRF
AICTE Doctoral Fellowship	As per AICTE norms	Selected candidates via separate AICTE notification	As per AICTE norms
KSCSTE Fellowship	As per KSCSTE norms	Selected candidates by Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment	As per KSCSTE norms

KTU Fellowship is awarded to eligible Full Time scholars for 3 years; continuation is subject to satisfactory research progress.
CSIR-JRF and UGC-JRF holders are exempted from the KTU entrance examination and are directly eligible for the interview.
KSCSTE fellowship holders need to appear only for Part A of the entrance test (scaled up to 70 marks).
Part Time scholars are not eligible for the KTU monthly fellowship.

FISAT Ph.D. Basic Sciences FAQs

Ques. What disciplines are covered under Ph.D. (Basic Sciences) at FISAT?

Ans. The Basic Sciences category at FISAT under KTU covers disciplines such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and allied foundational science subjects. The specific research area depends on the available supervisor's expertise. FISAT has a registered supervisor (Ayswarya E P, KTU-F5457) in the Basic Sciences department.

Ques. Is a co-guide mandatory for Basic Sciences PhD at FISAT?

Ans. Yes. As per KTU research regulations, Basic Sciences candidates must have a co-guide from a sister institution or research organization that is willing to extend its research facilities and laboratories for the scholar. This is a mandatory requirement specific to Basic Sciences PhD candidates.

Ques. Can a candidate with a B.Sc. degree directly apply for PhD in Basic Sciences at FISAT?

Ans. No. A B.Sc. alone is not sufficient. You need a Master's degree (M.Sc.) in the relevant Basic Sciences discipline with a minimum CGPA of 5.75. However, if you hold a Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Architecture with a CGPA of 7.75 or above, you may be eligible. Final semester M.Sc. students can apply provisionally.

Ques. Is CSIR-NET valid for exemption from the KTU PhD entrance exam for Basic Sciences?

Ans. Yes. Candidates who have qualified CSIR-NET are exempted from the KTU PhD written entrance examination. You will only need to appear for the personal interview (30 marks). You must still apply online through the KTU portal and upload your valid CSIR-NET certificate.

Ques. How does the Basic Sciences PhD at FISAT differ from a PhD in Engineering at FISAT?

Ans. The key difference is the mandatory co-guide requirement for Basic Sciences candidates, who must arrange a co-guide from a sister institution with laboratory facilities. Engineering PhD candidates do not have this mandatory requirement. Additionally, the entrance test syllabus differs, with Basic Sciences candidates attending the test under the respective Engineering stream as per KTU guidelines.

Ques. What is the scope of a PhD in Basic Sciences from a KTU-affiliated college like FISAT?

Ans. A PhD in Basic Sciences from a KTU-affiliated institution opens doors to academic positions in colleges and universities, research roles in government laboratories (DRDO, ISRO, CSIR labs), and R&D positions in industries. The degree is recognized by UGC and is equivalent to PhD degrees from other recognized universities, making it valid for Assistant Professor positions as per UGC norms.