Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib, offered the M.Phil. (Economics) programme, a research-oriented postgraduate degree affiliated to Punjabi University, Patiala. However, it is important to note that the University Grants Commission (UGC) has discontinued the M.Phil. programme across India as per the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2022. UGC has reiterated that M.Phil. is no longer a recognised degree and has directed all Higher Educational Institutions to stop offering M.Phil. admissions. Students are advised to verify the current status of this programme directly with Mata Gujri College or Punjabi University, Patiala before applying.

As of the current date (March 2026), fresh admissions to M.Phil. programmes are not being conducted at most institutions in India in compliance with UGC directives. Students interested in research in Economics are advised to consider direct Ph.D. admission, which is now the standard research pathway after postgraduation.

Key Points

M.Phil. (Economics) was a research-oriented programme affiliated to Punjabi University, Patiala
UGC has discontinued M.Phil. as a recognised degree under NEP 2020 and UGC Regulations 2022
Students are advised to verify the current status of this programme with the college before applying
Candidates interested in research in Economics should consider direct Ph.D. admission
Ph.D. in Economics is available at Punjabi University, Patiala, and other universities
UGC NET/JRF qualification is the standard pathway for research fellowships and assistant professor positions

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

Mata Gujri College M.Phil. (Economics) Fees

As M.Phil. is discontinued by UGC, fee information for fresh admissions is not applicable. Students who were enrolled in M.Phil. (Economics) before the discontinuation were charged fees as per Punjabi University norms. For current fee details of any ongoing research programmes, students should contact Mata Gujri College directly.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Status
M.Phil. (Economics) Fees	Not applicable (programme discontinued by UGC)

UGC has directed all Higher Educational Institutions to stop offering M.Phil. admissions as per NEP 2020.
Students enrolled before the discontinuation may continue their programme as per university rules.
For research opportunities, students should explore Ph.D. programmes at Punjabi University, Patiala.

Mata Gujri College M.Phil. (Economics) Admission 2026

Fresh admissions to M.Phil. (Economics) are not being conducted in compliance with UGC directives under NEP 2020. Students interested in research in Economics should explore the following alternatives:

Ph.D. in Economics at Punjabi University, Patiala (direct admission after M.A./M.Sc. Economics with 55% marks)
UGC NET/JRF in Economics for research fellowships and assistant professor eligibility
Integrated Ph.D. programmes at central universities and IITs

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for Ph.D. in Economics (as alternative):

Candidates must have passed M.A./M.Sc. in Economics or a related discipline with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD) from a recognised university.
Admission is through a Ph.D. entrance test conducted by the respective university.

Mata Gujri College M.Phil. (Economics) Scholarships 2026

Students pursuing research in Economics can apply for the following fellowships and scholarships:

Scholarships and Fellowships

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	Qualify UGC NET with JRF; age up to 30 years	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF) + HRA
UGC Senior Research Fellowship (SRF)	After 2 years of JRF; based on performance	Rs. 42,000/month (SRF) + HRA
CSIR JRF (for Science Economics)	Qualify CSIR NET with JRF	Rs. 37,000/month + HRA
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF)	Minority community students pursuing M.Phil/Ph.D.	As per government norms
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF)	SC students pursuing M.Phil/Ph.D.	As per government norms
Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child (PG)	Single girl child at PG level	As per government norms

UGC NET/JRF is the primary gateway for research fellowships in India.
Students should apply for fellowships through the National Scholarship Portal or UGC official website.
Fellowship amounts are subject to revision by the respective funding agencies.

Mata Gujri College M.Phil. (Economics) FAQs

Ques. Is M.Phil. (Economics) still offered at Mata Gujri College?

Ans. As per UGC directives under NEP 2020, M.Phil. is no longer a recognised degree in India, and Higher Educational Institutions have been directed to stop offering M.Phil. admissions. Students are advised to verify the current status directly with Mata Gujri College or Punjabi University, Patiala before applying.

Ques. What is the alternative to M.Phil. (Economics) after the UGC discontinuation?

Ans. Students interested in research in Economics can pursue direct Ph.D. admission at Punjabi University, Patiala, or other universities. Ph.D. is now the standard research pathway after postgraduation. Qualifying UGC NET/JRF in Economics is also a recommended step for research fellowships and assistant professor positions.

Ques. What is the eligibility for Ph.D. in Economics at Punjabi University, Patiala?

Ans. Candidates must have passed M.A./M.Sc. in Economics or a related discipline with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD) from a recognised university. Admission is through a Ph.D. entrance test conducted by Punjabi University.

Ques. Can M.Phil. (Economics) graduates from Mata Gujri College use their degree for teaching or research?

Ans. UGC has clarified that M.Phil. degrees awarded before the discontinuation are valid and recognised. However, for new admissions, M.Phil. is no longer offered. Graduates who completed M.Phil. before the discontinuation can use their degree for teaching and research purposes.

Ques. What is UGC NET/JRF in Economics and how does it help?

Ans. UGC NET (National Eligibility Test) in Economics is conducted by NTA twice a year. Qualifying NET makes candidates eligible for assistant professor positions in colleges and universities. Qualifying NET with JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) additionally provides a monthly fellowship of Rs. 37,000 for Ph.D. research.

Ques. Is there any research facility available at Mata Gujri College for Economics students?

Ans. Mata Gujri College has a PG Department of Economics that has been running MA Economics for several years. The department has qualified faculty and provides a strong academic foundation for students aspiring to pursue research. Students interested in Ph.D. research should contact the department directly for guidance on research opportunities.