The Department of Biodiversity at Abasaheb Garware College, Pune, is a recognised Ph.D. centre of Savitribai Phule Pune University for Environmental Science research. The department is known for field-based and experimental ecology research, with collaborations with MoEF-GoI, DST-GoI, ISRO, and DBT-GoI. Located on Karve Road, the NAAC A Grade (3rd Cycle) autonomous college provides doctoral scholars with access to biodiversity fieldwork sites, ecological laboratories, and registered guides for research in environmental biology, conservation ecology, and biodiversity assessment.
Ph.D. admissions at Abasaheb Garware College proceed under the SPPU Research Admission notification published at unipune.ac.in. Candidates apply on the SPPU online research portal; those with a valid UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, or MH-SET qualification are exempt from the SPPU-PET entrance test.
Key Points
- Full-time Ph.D. (Environmental Science) conducted through the SPPU-recognised Department of Biodiversity at Abasaheb Garware College; minimum 3 years, maximum 6 years.
- Total fees for the 3-year minimum are ₹80,300 per the SPPU Science discipline fee structure; Year 1 fee is ₹32,300.
- Eligibility: Master’s in Environmental Science, Biodiversity, Life Sciences, Ecology, or an allied biological or earth science with minimum 55 percent aggregate.
- UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, or MH-SET holders are exempt from SPPU-PET and attend the departmental interview directly.
- The Department of Biodiversity has collaborative research projects with national bodies including MoEF-GoI, DST-GoI, ISRO-UoP, and DBT-GoI.
Garware College Pune Ph.D. (Environmental Science) Fees
Ph.D. (Environmental Science) Fee Structure
| Component | Amount (INR) |
| Year 1 Fee (includes registration and coursework) | ₹32,300 |
| Year 2 Fee | ₹24,000 |
| Year 3 Fee | ₹24,000 |
| Total Fees (minimum 3-year duration) | ₹80,300 |
- Fee figures follow the SPPU Ph.D. fee structure for Science disciplines. Year 1 includes the one-time registration charge of ₹1,300 and the Ph.D. course work fee of ₹7,000 in addition to the annual university fee of ₹24,000.
- A refundable library deposit of ₹1,000 is collected in the first year and returned on successful completion of the programme.
- Milestone charges are payable separately as research milestones are reached: re-registration (₹1,300), synopsis submission (₹1,300), thesis submission (₹6,500), and viva voce (₹6,500). Programme duration is 3 to 6 years per SPPU regulations.
Garware College Pune Ph.D. (Environmental Science) Admission 2026
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| SPPU Ph.D. Research Notification | August 2026 |
| Online Application on SPPU Portal | August-September 2026 |
| SPPU-PET or Qualifying Exam Verification | October 2026 |
| Departmental Interview at College | November 2026 |
| Admission Confirmation and Fee Payment | November-December 2026 |
| Research Work Commences | December 2026 |
Entrance Exam Dates
| Exam | Registration End | Exam Date | Result |
| UGC-NET Phase 2 (exempting exam) | April 29, 2026 | June 22-30, 2026 | July 1, 2026 (Tentative) |
| CSIR-NET (exempting exam) | June 8, 2026 (Tentative) | July 25-27, 2026 | September 4, 2026 (Tentative) |
- Ph.D. admission at Abasaheb Garware College is governed by SPPU research admission norms. All applications are submitted through the SPPU online research portal at unipune.ac.in.
- Candidates holding a valid UGC-NET (JRF or LS), CSIR-NET, GATE, or MH-SET are exempt from the SPPU Ph.D. Entrance Test (SPPU-PET); all others must appear for SPPU-PET.
- The college’s departmental research committee conducts a personal interview and selects candidates based on the combined performance in the qualifying exam and the interview.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Biodiversity, Life Sciences, Ecology, or an allied biological or earth science from a recognised university with a minimum of 55 percent aggregate marks (50 percent for SC, ST, OBC-Non-Creamy Layer, and Divyang candidates as per SPPU norms).
- Candidates with a valid UGC-NET (JRF or LS), CSIR-NET, GATE, or MH-SET score are exempt from the SPPU Ph.D. Entrance Test (SPPU-PET). All other applicants must clear SPPU-PET.
- Final selection is made by the departmental research committee at Abasaheb Garware College on the basis of the qualifying exam score or SPPU-PET rank and the personal interview. Research in Environmental Science at Garware College is conducted through the Department of Biodiversity, an SPPU-recognised Ph.D. centre known for field-based and experimental ecology research, with collaborations with MoEF, DST, and ISRO.
Admission Process
- Watch for the SPPU Ph.D. research notification published at unipune.ac.in, typically in August, and apply through the SPPU online research portal within the notified window.
- Submit the online application with postgraduate mark sheets, provisional degree certificate, category certificates, and a short research statement of intent.
- Upload a valid UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, or MH-SET score certificate if claiming exemption from SPPU-PET; otherwise register for and appear in the SPPU-PET on the notified date.
- Attend the departmental research committee interview at Abasaheb Garware College on the date communicated by the department.
- On selection, pay the first-year registration and programme fee at the college office and complete the SPPU title registration formalities through the BCUD office at Savitribai Phule Pune University within six months of joining.
Garware College Pune Ph.D. (Environmental Science) Scholarships 2026
Ph.D. (Environmental Science) Scholarships Available
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility |
| SC/ST Government Freeship | Full fee waiver (no income limit) | SC and ST students as per Maharashtra state norms |
| OBC/SBC/VJNT Government Scholarship | Partial fee concession | Family income below Rs 8,00,000 per annum |
| Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulka (EBC) | Tuition fee waiver | Open category students with family income below Rs 8,00,000 |
| HTBF Scholarship (visually challenged) | Variable grant | Visually challenged students facilitated by the college |
- Government scholarships and freeships are applied for through the Maharashtra DBT portal at mahadbtmahait.gov.in after admission.
- Students may avail only one type of scholarship or freeship per academic year as per state government rules.
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