Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

Ph.D. (Medical Sciences) at KS Hegde Medical Academy (KSHEMA), Mangalore is a full-time doctoral research programme offered under NITTE (Deemed to be University), accredited NAAC A+ and ranked 80th in NIRF 2025. The programme is designed for medical graduates and postgraduates seeking to pursue advanced research in biomedical and clinical sciences, with access to KSHEMA's well-equipped Central Research Laboratory and a 1,000-bed NABH-accredited teaching hospital. The minimum duration is 3 years, and the annual tuition fee is Rs. 20,000, making it one of the most affordable doctoral programmes in the country. Admission is through the NITTE University PhD Entrance Test, and the programme is popular for its strong research infrastructure, international collaborations, and fellowship support for meritorious candidates.

Admissions for the 2026-27 batch are upcoming. Based on the previous year's pattern, NITTE University typically releases the PhD admission notification in the first quarter of the calendar year, with the entrance test usually conducted between February and April. Candidates are advised to monitor the official NITTE website (nitte.edu.in) for the 2026-27 PhD admission notification.

Key Points

Full-time PhD programme with access to KSHEMA's Central Research Laboratory and clinical research facilities
NITTE University PhD Fellowship offered to meritorious candidates selected through the entrance test
Intramural research grants specifically available to support PhD research
International research collaborations with Wake Forest University (USA), University of Toronto (Canada), BARC Research Center, and St. John's Research Institute
Part-time PhD option available for in-house faculty members of NITTE institutions
PhD thesis submission format and regulations are governed by NITTE (Deemed to be University) PhD regulations

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

KSHEMA Ph.D. (Medical Sciences) Fees

The Ph.D. (Medical Sciences) programme at KSHEMA carries an annual tuition fee of Rs. 20,000 under the Full-Time category, making the total 3-year minimum fee outgo Rs. 60,000. This is exceptionally affordable compared to most private deemed university doctoral programmes. Additional charges such as registration fee and examination fee may apply as per university norms.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Per Year (Rs.)	3 Years Minimum (Rs.)
Tuition Fee (Full-Time)	20,000	60,000
Total Fees (Minimum - 3 Years)	20,000	60,000

The above fee is for the Full-Time PhD programme
Part-time PhD is available for in-house NITTE faculty; fee structure may differ
Additional charges such as registration fee, library fee, and examination fee may be applicable as per university norms
NITTE University PhD Fellowship is awarded to meritorious candidates, which may include a monthly stipend
Intramural research grants are available to support PhD research expenses
Fee is subject to revision each academic year

KSHEMA Ph.D. (Medical Sciences) Admission 2026

Admission to Ph.D. (Medical Sciences) at KSHEMA is conducted through the NITTE University PhD Entrance Test, followed by an interview. Candidates must hold a postgraduate degree (MD/MS/MSc or equivalent) in a relevant medical or biomedical science discipline with a minimum of 55% marks. The programme is offered in the Medicine faculty and is hosted at KSHEMA, Mangalore. Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET/JRF or equivalent national-level research fellowships may be exempted from the entrance test as per university regulations.

PhD Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date
PhD Admission Notification Release	January - February 2026 (Tentative)
Online Application Start	February 2026 (Tentative)
Last Date for Application	March 2026 (Tentative)
NITTE PhD Entrance Test	February - April 2026 (Tentative)
Interview / Research Proposal Presentation	April - May 2026 (Tentative)
Admission and Registration	June - July 2026 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree (MD/MS/MSc or equivalent) in a relevant discipline from a recognized university with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC candidates)
Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET/JRF, ICMR-JRF, DBT-JRF, or equivalent national fellowships may be considered for direct admission/exemption from entrance test as per university norms
Candidates must identify a research guide from the approved list of PhD guides at NITTE (Deemed to be University) before applying

Admission Process

Monitor the official NITTE website (nitte.edu.in) for the PhD admission notification
Submit the online application form along with the required documents and application fee
Appear for the NITTE University PhD Entrance Test (written examination)
Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview and research proposal presentation
Final selection is based on combined performance in the entrance test and interview
Selected candidates must register for the PhD programme and pay the prescribed fee
Candidates must submit a research proposal and get it approved by the Doctoral Committee

KSHEMA Ph.D. (Medical Sciences) Scholarships 2026

NITTE (Deemed to be University) offers fellowship support and research grants specifically for PhD scholars. The NITTE University PhD Fellowship is awarded to meritorious candidates based on their performance in the entrance test and interview. Additionally, government-funded fellowships from bodies such as ICMR, DBT, DST, and UGC are applicable for eligible candidates pursuing PhD in Medical Sciences.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Amount	Eligibility	Details
NITTE University PhD Fellowship	As per university norms	Meritorious candidates selected through entrance test	Awarded to top-ranked candidates; includes monthly stipend
NITTE Intramural Research Grant	Varies	PhD scholars at NITTE institutions	Specifically to support PhD research expenses
ICMR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF)	Medical graduates qualifying ICMR-JRF exam	Apply via ICMR; valid for PhD in biomedical sciences
DBT Junior Research Fellowship	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF)	Life science graduates qualifying DBT-JRF	Apply via DBT; valid for PhD in biological/medical sciences
UGC-NET JRF	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF)	Candidates qualifying UGC-NET with JRF	Apply via NTA; valid for PhD in relevant subjects
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Schemes	Varies	SC/ST/OBC/Minority/PwD candidates	Apply via scholarships.gov.in

NITTE University PhD Fellowship details including exact stipend amount are available from the university's PhD office
Candidates holding ICMR-JRF, DBT-JRF, or UGC-JRF are encouraged to apply as they may be eligible for direct admission and bring their own fellowship funding
Application deadlines for external fellowships (ICMR, DBT, UGC) vary; candidates should apply well in advance
Directorate of Minorities, Government of Karnataka also offers PhD fellowships for eligible minority candidates

KSHEMA Ph.D. (Medical Sciences) FAQs

Ques. What is the minimum duration of the PhD (Medical Sciences) programme at KSHEMA, and can it be extended?

Ans. The minimum duration for the full-time PhD programme at NITTE (Deemed to be University) is 3 years. The maximum duration is typically 6 years for full-time scholars, with possible extensions subject to the Doctoral Committee's approval. Part-time PhD (available for in-house NITTE faculty) has a minimum duration of 4 years.

Ques. Is the PhD (Medical Sciences) at KSHEMA only for MBBS/MD holders, or can MSc graduates also apply?

Ans. Both medical graduates (MBBS/MD/MS) and non-medical postgraduates (MSc in relevant biomedical sciences) are eligible to apply for the PhD (Medical Sciences) programme at KSHEMA, provided they hold a Master's degree with a minimum of 55% marks in a relevant discipline. The research guide's area of expertise and the availability of a suitable guide are key factors in the admission process.

Ques. How does the NITTE University PhD Entrance Test work, and is there any exemption?

Ans. The NITTE University PhD Entrance Test is a written examination covering research methodology, subject-specific knowledge, and general aptitude. Candidates who have qualified national-level research fellowships such as UGC-NET/JRF, ICMR-JRF, or DBT-JRF may be exempted from the entrance test as per university regulations. All candidates, including those with exemptions, must appear for the interview and research proposal presentation.

Ques. What research facilities are available for PhD scholars in Medical Sciences at KSHEMA?

Ans. KSHEMA has a dedicated Central Research Laboratory equipped with advanced instruments for molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, and clinical research. PhD scholars also have access to the 1,000-bed NABH-accredited University Hospital for clinical research, patient data, and sample collection. The institution's international collaborations with Wake Forest University (USA) and University of Toronto (Canada) also provide opportunities for collaborative research.

Ques. Can a working medical professional pursue PhD (Medical Sciences) at KSHEMA on a part-time basis?

Ans. Part-time PhD is available at NITTE (Deemed to be University), but it is primarily offered to in-house faculty members of NITTE institutions. Working professionals from outside NITTE institutions are generally required to enroll as full-time scholars. Candidates are advised to contact the NITTE PhD office directly to clarify eligibility for part-time enrollment based on their specific situation.

Ques. What are the career prospects after completing a PhD in Medical Sciences from KSHEMA/NITTE?

Ans. A PhD in Medical Sciences from a NAAC A+ accredited deemed university like NITTE opens doors to academic positions (Assistant Professor/Associate Professor in medical colleges), research scientist roles in pharmaceutical companies, government research organizations (ICMR, CSIR, DBT), and international research institutions. The growing emphasis on research in Indian medical education (NMC mandates) has significantly increased demand for PhD-qualified faculty in medical colleges across India.