Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

Smt. Chandibai Himathmal Mansukhani College (CHM), Ulhasnagar, Thane, Maharashtra offers a Ph.D. in Botany under the affiliation of the University of Mumbai. The programme is a full-time research degree with a minimum duration of 3 years (6 terms) and a maximum of 6 years (12 terms), conducted on campus. The Botany department at CHM has an active research centre with experienced faculty guiding scholars in areas such as plant taxonomy, ecology, ethnobotany, and molecular botany. The college has 16 approved seats for Ph.D. in Botany (by research), making it one of the larger research centres for Botany in the Thane-Ulhasnagar region. The annual fees for Ph.D. (Science) at CHM College are approximately Rs. 20,365 per year, making it an affordable research option for aspiring botanists.

Admissions for Ph.D. (Botany) 2026-27 are currently open. The college issued an admission notice (Ref No. 2568/2025, dated 19 April 2025) inviting online applications from eligible candidates who have qualified in the Mumbai University PET or are exempted from PET (NET/SET/JRF holders). The next admission cycle for 2027-28 is expected to open around April-May 2027 based on the previous year's pattern.

Key Points

CHM College is a recognised Ph.D. Research Centre for Botany under the University of Mumbai.
The department has 16 approved seats for Ph.D. (Botany) by research.
Scholars must complete a mandatory coursework as per University of Mumbai norms (VCD/947 of 2018).
NET/SET/JRF holders are exempted from the University PET requirement.
Research areas include plant taxonomy, ecology, ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and molecular botany.
The programme is available in full-time mode only; part-time options are subject to university approval.

Official Link:

Go To Website

Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

CHM Ph.D. Botany Fees

The Ph.D. (Botany) programme at CHM College is offered under the Science faculty and is affiliated to the University of Mumbai. The fees are regulated by the university and are among the most affordable for a research degree in Maharashtra. The annual fee for Ph.D. (Science) is approximately Rs. 20,365, which includes tuition and other charges. An application processing fee of Rs. 100 is charged at the time of admission.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Per Year)
Tuition Fees	Rs. 18,000
Other Charges (University fees, exam fees, etc.)	Rs. 2,265
Application Processing Fee (one-time)	Rs. 100
Total Fees (Per Year)	Rs. 20,365

Fees are as per the CHM College Prospectus 2023-24 (Ph.D. Science category: Rs. 20,365 per year).
Fees are subject to revision as per University of Mumbai and Government of Maharashtra directives.
Reserved category students (SC/ST) pay a concessional fee as per government norms.
No hostel facility is specifically mentioned for Ph.D. scholars; hostel availability is subject to college norms.
Refund of fees on cancellation is as per University of Mumbai Ordinance O.2574.

CHM Ph.D. Botany Admission 2026

Ph.D. (Botany) admissions at CHM College are conducted as per the University of Mumbai Ph.D. Ordinance (VCD/947 of 2018). The college invites applications from candidates who have qualified in the Mumbai University PET or are exempted (NET/SET/JRF holders). The 2026-27 admission notice was issued in April 2026, and the next cycle (2027-28) is expected to follow a similar timeline.

College Admission Dates

Event	Date
Ph.D. Admission Notice (2026-27)	April 19, 2026
Application Submission (2026-27)	April-May 2026 (as per notice)
Ph.D. Admission Notice (2027-28, Tentative)	April-May 2027
Application Submission (2027-28, Tentative)	April-May 2027
Interview / Selection	As announced by the college
Batch Commencement	June-July (tentative, as per university calendar)

Entrance Exam Dates

Event	Date
PET Notification	July 12, 2026 (tentative)
PET Application Start	July 15, 2026 (tentative)
PET Application Last Date	August 30, 2026 (tentative)
PET Entrance Exam	September 19-20, 2026 (tentative)
PET Result	October 10, 2026 (tentative)
Interview	October 25 - November 10, 2026 (tentative)
Final Merit List	November 25, 2026 (tentative)
Last Date of Admission	December 10, 2026 (tentative)

Note: Candidates with valid NET/SET/JRF/GATE scores are exempted from PET.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold an M.Sc. degree in Botany or a related subject from a UGC-recognised university with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for reserved category candidates).
Candidates must have qualified in the Mumbai University PET, or hold a valid NET/SET/JRF/GATE certificate (PET exemption).
A research proposal is mandatory at the time of application.

Admission Process

Submit the online application form along with the application fee of Rs. 100 (via online transfer to the college's Axis Bank account).
Attach required documents: PET marksheet/NET/SET certificate, M.Sc. Part I and II marksheets and degree certificates (self-certified), caste certificate (if applicable), and research proposal.
Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview/research proposal presentation.
Final selection is based on PET score (or exemption status) and interview performance.
Admission is confirmed upon payment of fees and submission of all original documents.

CHM Ph.D. Botany Scholarships 2026

Ph.D. scholars at CHM College may avail of various government and university-level scholarships and fellowships. The college, being a government-aided institution, facilitates access to several financial assistance schemes for eligible research scholars.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount	Details
UGC-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	NET-JRF qualified candidates	Rs. 37,000/month (1st-2nd year); Rs. 42,000/month (3rd year onwards)	Awarded by UGC; application through CSIR-UGC NET exam
DST-INSPIRE Fellowship	Top 1% in graduation/post-graduation or NET/GATE qualified	Rs. 31,000/month + Rs. 20,000/year contingency	Awarded by DST, Government of India
CSIR-SRF (Senior Research Fellowship)	CSIR-NET qualified	Rs. 42,000/month	For science disciplines; awarded by CSIR
Government of Maharashtra Post-Matric Scholarship	SC/ST/OBC/NT/VJ/SBC candidates	As per government norms	Applied through MahaDBT portal
University of Mumbai Financial Assistance	Needy students, tribal students, backward class students	As per scheme	Applied through the college

JRF/SRF fellowships are awarded by UGC/CSIR and are not college-specific; scholars must apply separately.
DST-INSPIRE applications are made online through the DST portal.
Government of Maharashtra scholarships are processed through the MahaDBT portal; application deadlines are typically announced annually.
Scholars receiving fellowships must submit progress reports as per the funding agency's requirements.

CHM Ph.D. Botany FAQs

Ques. Does CHM College have a recognised Ph.D. Research Centre for Botany?

Ans. Yes, CHM College has a recognised Ph.D. Research Centre for Botany under the University of Mumbai, with 16 approved seats. The department has experienced faculty guiding research in areas such as plant taxonomy, ecology, ethnobotany, and molecular botany.

Ques. Is it mandatory to qualify in the Mumbai University PET to apply for Ph.D. (Botany) at CHM College?

Ans. Candidates who have qualified in the Mumbai University PET are eligible to apply. However, candidates holding valid NET/SET/JRF/GATE certificates are exempted from the PET requirement and can apply directly.

Ques. What is the minimum duration of the Ph.D. (Botany) programme at CHM College?

Ans. The minimum duration is 3 years (6 terms) and the maximum is 6 years (12 terms), as per University of Mumbai norms.

Ques. Is a research proposal mandatory at the time of application?

Ans. Yes, a research proposal is mandatory and must be submitted along with the application form. The topic and synopsis of the thesis must be approved by the University of Mumbai prior to the student's registration.

Ques. What are the research areas available for Ph.D. (Botany) at CHM College?

Ans. Research areas include plant taxonomy, ecology, ethnobotany, phytochemistry, molecular botany, and environmental botany. Specific research topics are guided by the available faculty supervisors in the Botany department.

Ques. Can working professionals apply for Ph.D. (Botany) at CHM College?

Ans. The Ph.D. programme at CHM College is primarily offered in full-time mode. Working professionals may apply for part-time Ph.D. subject to University of Mumbai guidelines and the availability of a suitable supervisor. Candidates are advised to contact the Botany department directly (Dr. Lalsahab Yadav, Contact: 9764043855) for clarification.