Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

Government Kamla Raja Girls Post Graduate (Autonomous) College (KRGC), Gwalior, is a NAAC 'A' Grade accredited, women-only institution affiliated to Jiwaji University, offering a Ph.D. in Fine Arts (Drawing and Painting) through its Department of Drawing and Painting. The programme is a full-time, campus-based research degree with a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years, enabling scholars to undertake advanced research in visual arts, painting traditions, art history, and contemporary art practices. The department has highly experienced faculty including Dr. Kumkum Mathur (41 years of research experience) and Jaya Jain (30 years of research experience), making it one of the most established Fine Arts research departments in Madhya Pradesh. Admission is based on the Jiwaji University PhD Entrance Examination, and candidates with UGC-NET/JRF in Visual Arts may be exempted from the entrance test as per university norms.

Admissions for the 2026 session are currently upcoming. Jiwaji University has announced the PhD Entrance Form for 2026, with the application process active at jiwaji.mponline.gov.in. Based on the previous year's pattern, the entrance exam is typically conducted around March-April, with admissions finalised by June-July 2026. Candidates are advised to monitor the official Jiwaji University website (jiwaji.edu) for exact notification dates.

Key Points

Ph.D. in Fine Arts is offered exclusively for women candidates, as KRGC is a women-only institution.
The Department of Drawing and Painting has faculty with over 40 years of teaching and research experience.
The department offers research in both traditional Indian painting styles and contemporary visual arts.
Candidates holding UGC-NET/JRF in Visual Arts are generally exempted from the university entrance test.
The programme follows the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations 2022.

Official Link:

Go To Website

Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

KRGC Ph.D. (Fine Arts) Fees

The Ph.D. programme at KRGC, Gwalior is offered at highly affordable fees, as it is a government-aided institution. The annual fee for PhD students is charged under the MISC. FEES (PHD/PENALTY/RTI/OTHER FEES) head as per the college's online fee management system. Based on the fee structure for similar research programmes at Jiwaji University-affiliated colleges and the college's own published data, the approximate fee structure is as follows:

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (Per Year)
Tuition Fee	Rs. 3,000
University Enrollment/Registration Fee	Rs. 500
Library Fee	Rs. 200
Other Charges (Development, Sports, etc.)	Rs. 300
Total Fees (Per Year)	Rs. 4,000

The above fees are indicative based on the college's government-aided fee structure.
Exact PhD fees should be confirmed from the college office or the official fee portal at krgcgwalior.org at the time of admission.
No hostel fee is included in the above; hostel facility is available separately for eligible women students.
Hostel fees (if availed): Approximately Rs. 2,000 per month (not mandatory).
No EMI or instalment option is typically available for such low-fee government programmes; fees are paid annually.

KRGC Ph.D. (Fine Arts) Admission 2026

Admissions to Ph.D. (Fine Arts) at KRGC are conducted through the Jiwaji University PhD Entrance Examination. The process is centralised at the university level, and candidates must apply online through the Jiwaji University portal. The 2026 PhD Entrance Form has been released and is currently active. Candidates are advised to apply promptly and track official notifications for exam dates and merit list announcements.

College Admission Dates

Event	Date/Period
PhD Entrance Form Release (2026)	February 2026 (Active)
Last Date to Submit Application (Tentative)	March 20, 2026
PhD Entrance Examination (Tentative)	March-April 2026
Result/Score Card Declaration (Tentative)	April-May 2026
Counselling and Seat Allotment (Tentative)	May-June 2026
Admission and Fee Payment (Tentative)	June-July 2026
Batch Commencement (Tentative)	July 2026

Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Event	Date
UGC-NET Visual Arts (Phase 1)	Registration	October 7 - November 7, 2025
UGC-NET Visual Arts (Phase 1)	Exam Date	December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
UGC-NET Visual Arts (Phase 1)	Result	February 4, 2026
UGC-NET Visual Arts (Phase 2)	Registration (Tentative)	April 1 - May 1, 2026
UGC-NET Visual Arts (Phase 2)	Exam Date (Tentative)	June 2026
UGC-NET Visual Arts (Phase 2)	Result (Tentative)	July 2026

Note: UGC-NET in Visual Arts is the primary national-level exam accepted for PhD Fine Arts admissions. Candidates with valid UGC-NET/JRF scores in Visual Arts may be exempted from the Jiwaji University PhD entrance test.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree (M.A./M.F.A.) in Fine Arts, Drawing and Painting, or an equivalent subject with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates) from a recognised university.
Candidates must qualify the Jiwaji University PhD Entrance Examination, OR hold a valid UGC-NET/JRF score in Visual Arts (exemption from entrance test as per UGC norms).
Candidates must identify a research guide (supervisor) from the approved list of research guides in the Drawing and Painting department at KRGC.

Admission Process

Apply online for the Jiwaji University PhD Entrance Examination at jiwaji.mponline.gov.in.
Appear for the written entrance test (if not NET/JRF qualified).
Download score card and apply for admission at KRGC through the college/university portal.
Attend counselling/interview with the research guide and the Research Degree Committee (RDC).
Submit required documents and pay admission fees.
Register as a PhD scholar and commence coursework (as per UGC PhD Regulations).

KRGC Ph.D. (Fine Arts) Scholarships 2026

PhD scholars at KRGC, Gwalior can avail a range of scholarships and fellowships from central and state government sources. The UGC-JRF fellowship for NET-qualified candidates in Visual Arts is the most significant, providing substantial monthly financial support. The Madhya Pradesh government also offers several scholarship schemes applicable to PhD students from reserved and economically weaker sections.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship/Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount	Application Portal
UGC-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	UGC-NET qualified with JRF rank in Visual Arts; enrolled in PhD	Rs. 37,000/month (first 2 years); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF, years 3-5)	ugcnet.nta.ac.in
Post-Matric Scholarship (SC Category)	SC category students; family income up to Rs. 6 lakh (for private institutions; no limit for govt.)	Full tuition fee reimbursement + Rs. 570/month (hostel) or Rs. 300/month (non-hostel)	scholarshipportal.mp.nic.in
Mukhyamantri Jankalyan Yojana (Medhavi)	MP domicile; 70%+ in Class 12 (MPBSE) or 85%+ (CBSE/ICSE); family income below Rs. 6 lakh	Full fee waiver for government college courses	scholarshipportal.mp.nic.in
Sambal Yojana	Child of registered unorganised worker (Sambal portal); enrolled in govt./aided college	Full fee exemption (except caution money and mess charges)	scholarshipportal.mp.nic.in
National Fellowship for OBC Students (NF-OBC)	OBC category; enrolled in PhD at recognised institution	Rs. 25,000/month (JRF level); Rs. 28,000/month (SRF level)	socialjustice.gov.in

UGC-JRF is the most lucrative fellowship and is awarded based on UGC-NET rank.
Candidates must be enrolled in a recognised PhD programme to activate the fellowship.
MP state scholarships are applied annually through the scholarshipportal.mp.nic.in portal within the notified dates.
Gaon Ki Beti and Pratibha Kiran are applicable only for UG-level students and are not available for PhD scholars.
Sambal and Post-Matric scholarships are available for PhD students enrolled in government/aided institutions.

KRGC Ph.D. (Fine Arts) FAQs

Ques. What research areas are available in Ph.D. (Fine Arts) at KRGC Gwalior?

Ans. The Department of Drawing and Painting at KRGC offers research in areas such as Indian miniature painting, folk and tribal art traditions of Madhya Pradesh, contemporary Indian painting, art history and criticism, mural painting, and the influence of classical Indian aesthetics on modern art. Candidates should discuss their specific research interest with the available guides before applying.

Ques. Is a portfolio or practical test required for PhD Fine Arts admission at KRGC?

Ans. The primary admission criterion is the Jiwaji University PhD Entrance Examination (written test). However, candidates may also be required to present a research proposal and appear for an interview before the Research Degree Committee (RDC). A portfolio may be requested at the discretion of the research guide.

Ques. Can a candidate with M.F.A. (Master of Fine Arts) apply for Ph.D. (Fine Arts) at KRGC?

Ans. Yes. Candidates holding M.F.A. or M.A. in Fine Arts/Drawing and Painting with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for reserved categories) from a recognised university are eligible to apply for the PhD programme.

Ques. How many research guides are available in the Drawing and Painting department at KRGC?

Ans. The department has three faculty members, including Dr. Kumkum Mathur (Professor, 41 years of research experience) and Jaya Jain (Head of Department, 30 years of research experience). The number of available PhD seats depends on the current supervisory load of each guide.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation available for PhD scholars at KRGC Gwalior?

Ans. Yes, KRGC has a hostel facility for women students. PhD scholars may apply for hostel accommodation subject to availability. Hostel fees are charged separately and are not included in the academic fee. Priority is generally given to outstation students.

Ques. What career options are available after completing Ph.D. (Fine Arts) from KRGC Gwalior?

Ans. A Ph.D. in Fine Arts opens career avenues in academia (Assistant/Associate Professor in Fine Arts departments), art research and curation (museums, galleries, cultural institutions), government art academies (Lalit Kala Akademi, Madhya Pradesh Kala Parishad), art therapy, and independent artistic practice. Candidates can also qualify for UGC-NET post-PhD for teaching positions if not already qualified.