Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

Ph.D. (Humanities and Social Science) at Prabhat Kumar College, Contai is a 3-year full-time doctoral research programme offered through the college's Research Centres in Humanities and Social Sciences, affiliated to Vidyasagar University. The programme is interdisciplinary in nature, covering subjects such as Bengali, English, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, and Sanskrit. The application fee is Rs. 500, and the total programme fees are minimal as it is a government-aided institution. Admission is based on UGC/CSIR NET (JRF/LS), SET, or the Vidyasagar University Research Eligibility Test (RET), followed by a Viva-Voce (Personality Test). The programme is popular among postgraduate students from the Purba Medinipur region seeking to pursue advanced research in humanities and social sciences under experienced faculty.

Admission for the 2026 cycle (2024-25 session) was conducted in January 2026, with the online application window open from 2 January 2026 to 16 January 2026 (extended to 27 January 2026). The list of eligible candidates for the Personality Test was published on 22 January 2026, and the Personality Test date is to be announced as per Vidyasagar University order. The next admission cycle (2025-26 session) is expected to open tentatively in January 2027, based on the pattern of previous years.

Key Points

The Ph.D. programme is offered under two broad research centres: Humanities and Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences.
Candidates who have qualified UGC NET (JRF/LS), CSIR NET (JRF/LS), or SET are directly called for the Viva-Voce without a written test.
Candidates without fellowship qualifications must clear the Vidyasagar University RET (Research Eligibility Test) before appearing for the Viva-Voce.
Employed candidates selected for admission must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer before commencement of Course Work.
After successful completion of Course Work, scholars opt for a PhD Supervisor and research theme in consultation with the concerned department faculty.
The Pre-Registration Seminar for the 2022-23 batch was held on 11 March 2026 at Vidyasagar University Campus, indicating active research activity.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

Prabhat Kumar College Ph.D. (Humanities and Social Science) Fees

The Ph.D. programme at Prabhat Kumar College is offered at a very nominal cost, as the college is a government-aided institution affiliated to Vidyasagar University. The primary fee payable at the time of application is Rs. 500 as the online application fee. Course Work and registration fees are governed by Vidyasagar University norms and are typically minimal. Hostel facilities are available at the college at Rs. 400 per month rent plus Rs. 200 admission fee.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Application Fee	Rs. 500
Course Work / Registration Fee (as per VU norms)	To be confirmed at time of admission
Hostel Rent (per month, optional)	Rs. 400
Hostel Admission Fee (one-time, optional)	Rs. 200
Total Fees (excluding hostel)	Rs. 500 + Course Work fees as per VU

The application fee of Rs. 500 is paid online at the time of submitting the PhD application form.
Course Work fees and registration fees are determined by Vidyasagar University and are payable separately.
Hostel accommodation is optional and available for both boys and girls at Rs. 400/month rent.
No EMI or instalment options are mentioned; fees are paid as per the schedule notified by the college/university.

Prabhat Kumar College Ph.D. (Humanities and Social Science) Admission 2026

Admission to the Ph.D. (Humanities and Social Science) programme at Prabhat Kumar College is conducted annually, typically in January, through an online application portal. The selection process involves shortlisting eligible candidates based on their qualifying exam scores (NET/SET/RET), followed by a Personality Test (Viva-Voce) conducted at Vidyasagar University campus. The 2026 admission cycle has been completed; the next cycle is expected tentatively in January 2027.

College-Specific Admission Dates

Event	Date
Online Application Commencement	2 January 2026
Last Date of Online Application	16 January 2026 (extended to 27 January 2026)
Last Date of Submission of Printed Application Form to College	19 January 2026 (2:00 PM) (extended to 28 January 2026)
Publication of List of Eligible Candidates for Personality Test	22 January 2026 (extended to 30 January 2026)
Personality Test (Viva-Voce)	To be announced as per Vidyasagar University order
Publication of Result of Selected Candidates	To be announced
Pre-Registration Seminar (2022-23 Batch)	11 March 2026

Qualifying Exam Dates

Exam	Conducting Body	Exam Date / Schedule	Remarks
UGC NET (December 2025 session)	NTA	31 December 2025 to 7 January 2026	Qualifying score exempts from RET; direct Viva-Voce
UGC NET (June 2026 session)	NTA	Expected June 2026 (notification expected April 2026)	Qualifying score exempts from RET
CSIR NET	NTA	As per NTA schedule	For science-related humanities interdisciplinary areas
Vidyasagar University RET	Vidyasagar University	As notified by VU	Mandatory for candidates without NET/SET/GATE

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree or equivalent from a UGC-affiliated university with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PH/OBC-A/OBC-B categories).
The candidate must have completed a minimum total period of 5 years in UG and PG studies combined from a UGC-recognised institution.
The candidate must not be currently enrolled in any full-time course or registered for a PhD at any other university.

Admission Process

Apply online through the PKC admission portal (admission.pkcollegecontai.ac.in) within the stipulated dates.
Pay the application fee of Rs. 500 online.
Download the filled-in application form and submit it along with self-attested copies of testimonials to the college office before the deadline.
Candidates with UGC NET (JRF/LS), CSIR NET (JRF/LS), GATE, or SET qualification appear directly for the Viva-Voce.
Candidates without fellowship qualifications must first clear the Vidyasagar University RET and then appear for the Viva-Voce.
The Viva-Voce is conducted at Vidyasagar University campus; final selection depends on performance and availability of seats as per government reservation policy.
Selected candidates complete the mandatory Course Work before registering for the PhD and choosing a supervisor and research theme.
Employed candidates must submit an NOC from their employer before commencement of Course Work.

Prabhat Kumar College Ph.D. (Humanities and Social Science) Scholarships 2026

Prabhat Kumar College PhD scholars can avail of several government-funded fellowships and scholarships. Candidates who qualify UGC NET JRF or CSIR NET JRF are eligible for monthly fellowships from UGC/CSIR, which significantly support their research tenure. Additionally, state government scholarships are available for eligible students.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount	Remarks
UGC JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	Qualified UGC NET JRF	Rs. 37,000/month (initial 2 years); Rs. 42,000/month (subsequent years)	Awarded by UGC; applicable for PhD scholars
CSIR JRF	Qualified CSIR NET JRF	Rs. 37,000/month (initial 2 years); Rs. 42,000/month (subsequent years)	Applicable for interdisciplinary science-humanities areas
Swami Vivekananda Merit cum Means Scholarship (SVMCM)	West Bengal domicile students with 60%+ marks; income criteria apply	Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 24,000 per year	State government scholarship; applicable for PG and research students
Aikyashree Scholarship	Minority community students in West Bengal	As per government norms	State government scheme

UGC JRF and CSIR JRF fellowships are awarded based on the respective national-level qualifying exams and are not directly provided by the college.
SVMCM scholarship requires annual renewal with a minimum of 50% marks.
Students are advised to apply for scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and the West Bengal state scholarship portal.

Prabhat Kumar College Ph.D. (Humanities and Social Science) FAQs

Ques. Does Prabhat Kumar College offer PhD in specific subjects under Humanities and Social Sciences, or is it a general interdisciplinary programme?

Ans. The PhD programme at PKC is offered as an interdisciplinary programme under the broad umbrella of Humanities and Social Sciences. Subjects typically covered include Bengali, English, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, and Sanskrit. The specific subject depends on the availability of a supervisor in the concerned department and the research theme chosen by the scholar after completing Course Work.

Ques. Is it mandatory to qualify UGC NET or CSIR NET to apply for the PhD programme at Prabhat Kumar College?

Ans. No, it is not mandatory. Candidates who have qualified UGC NET (JRF/LS), CSIR NET (JRF/LS), GATE, or SET are directly called for the Viva-Voce. Candidates who have not qualified these exams must first clear the Vidyasagar University Research Eligibility Test (RET) and then appear for the Viva-Voce.

Ques. Where is the Viva-Voce (Personality Test) for PhD admission conducted -- at Prabhat Kumar College or at Vidyasagar University?

Ans. The Viva-Voce (Personality Test) for final selection is conducted at the campus of Vidyasagar University, not at Prabhat Kumar College. Candidates must travel to the Vidyasagar University campus for this interview.

Ques. Can a working professional apply for the PhD programme at Prabhat Kumar College?

Ans. Yes, employed persons can apply. However, if selected, they must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their current employer in original hard copy before the commencement of the PhD Course Work. The programme is full-time, so candidates should plan accordingly.

Ques. What happens after the Course Work is completed? How does a scholar choose a research topic?

Ans. After successfully completing the mandatory Course Work (as prescribed by Vidyasagar University), scholars opt for a PhD Supervisor and research theme in consultation with the faculty of the concerned department at Prabhat Kumar College. The Pre-Registration Seminar is then held at Vidyasagar University, where scholars present their research synopsis before formal registration.

Ques. Is there any hostel facility available for PhD scholars at Prabhat Kumar College?

Ans. Yes, Prabhat Kumar College has hostel facilities for both boys and girls. The hostel rent is Rs. 400 per month, with a one-time hostel admission fee of Rs. 200. However, hostel accommodation is subject to availability and is not guaranteed for all PhD scholars.