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Ph.D. (Liberal Arts) at DBS Global University, Dehradun is a 3-year full-time doctoral programme offered on campus under the Doon School of Liberal Studies. The programme covers a wide range of disciplines including English Literature, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, Philosophy, Economics, Geography, Linguistics, Cultural Studies, Governance and Public Policy, and International Relations. The total fees for the programme is Rs. 3.30 Lakhs for the minimum duration of 3 years, with admissions held twice a year for January and July sessions. The programme is popular among working professionals and academics seeking to advance their research credentials in humanities and social sciences, and is conducted in full-time on-campus mode with mandatory coursework, seminars, and progress presentations.

Admissions for the July 2026 batch are currently open. Applications can be submitted online at admissions.dgu.ac with a last date of 31st July 2026. Candidates must appear for the Ph.D. Entrance Test (PET) followed by an interview, unless exempted due to a valid UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE or equivalent national-level qualification.

Key Points

Interdisciplinary research environment with specialisations spanning 14+ Liberal Arts domains
Both Full-Time (minimum 3 years) and Part-Time (minimum 4 years) formats available; this course is Full Time
Candidates who qualify UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, GPAT, ICMR, or DST-INSPIRE within the last 2 years are exempted from the written PET
Mandatory coursework period of minimum 6 months with a comprehensive examination at the end
Selected scholars with CGPA 7.5+ in coursework may be appointed as Teaching/Research Associates with a fellowship of Rs. 40,000 per month
Applications accepted online only; a single form is valid for one programme and one session

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

DBS Global University Ph.D. (Liberal Arts) Fees

The Ph.D. (Liberal Arts) programme at DBS Global University has a straightforward fee structure comprising one-time charges and per-semester academic fees. For a full-time scholar, the total fees for the minimum 3-year duration amounts to Rs. 3,30,000. The one-time charges include Registration, Coursework Examination, and Thesis Evaluation fees of Rs. 10,000 each.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Registration Fee (One-time)	10,000
Course Work Examination Fee (One-time)	10,000
Thesis Evaluation Fee (One-time)	10,000
Academic Fee (Full Time) - Rs. 50,000 per semester x 6 semesters (3 years)	3,00,000
Total Fees (Full Time - 3 Years)	3,30,000
Hostel Fees	Available separately (not mandatory)

Fees are payable on a semester basis (2 semesters per year).
Scholars must pay fees for the minimum period (3 years for Full-Time) and for any additional period until thesis submission, up to a maximum of 6 years.
Sponsored category scholars are charged Rs. 75,000 per semester.
Scholarship/fee concession is available for DBSGU staff, JRF/SRF/RA holders, and national-level fellowship holders as per current university policies.
Fees are subject to revision as decided by the university from time to time.
Application fee for Ph.D. programme: Rs. 750 (online payment via Credit/Debit card).

DBS Global University Ph.D. (Liberal Arts) Admission 2026

DBS Global University accepts Ph.D. applications twice a year for January and July sessions. The selection process involves a Ph.D. Entrance Test (PET) followed by an interview conducted by the Faculty Research Committee (FRC). Candidates holding valid national-level qualifications such as UGC-NET, GATE, or equivalent are exempted from the PET and need to appear only for the interview. For the July 2026 batch, applications are currently open with the last date being 31st July 2026.

Admission Dates

Event	Date
Application Open (July 2026 Batch)	Open (Applications ongoing)
Last Date of Application	31st July 2026
PET Admit Card Download	As per Admission Microsite
Ph.D. Entrance Test (PET)	As per schedule on Admission Microsite
Interview (FRC)	After PET result
Admission Confirmation / Fee Payment	Within stipulated time after selection
Batch Commencement (July Session)	July 2026

Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Event	Date
UGC-NET (Phase 1)	Registration	October 7 - November 7, 2025
UGC-NET (Phase 1)	Exam Date	December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
UGC-NET (Phase 1)	Result	February 4, 2026
UGC-NET (Phase 2)	Registration	April 1 - May 1, 2026 (Tentative)
UGC-NET (Phase 2)	Exam Date	June 2026 (Tentative)
UGC-NET (Phase 2)	Result	July 2026 (Tentative)

A valid UGC-NET score in a relevant Liberal Arts subject exempts candidates from the DBS Global University PET. Candidates must submit the exemption certificate (not scorecard) at least 2 days before the PET date.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Master's degree from a recognised university in a relevant Liberal Arts discipline with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC non-creamy layer/Differently Abled candidates)
Alternatively, a 4-year Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 75% marks or 8 CGPA from a recognised university
Professional qualifications such as CA (ICAI), CWA (ICWAI), or CS (ICSI) with minimum 55% marks are also eligible for admission in relevant fields

Admission Process

Submit online application at admissions.dgu.ac along with required documents and application fee of Rs. 750
Upload scanned passport-size photograph, Class X marksheet, Post-Graduation marksheet, and a Preliminary Research Idea (not exceeding 1000 words)
Download Admit Card and appear for the Ph.D. Entrance Test (PET) - 90 minutes, 100 MCQs (50 General Aptitude + 50 Subject-Specific); total 100 marks
PET-qualified or PET-exempted candidates appear for Interview by Faculty Research Committee (FRC) - 30 marks
Check selection status on Admission Microsite; download and print Admission Letter
Confirm seat by paying fees within the stipulated time
Part-time candidates must submit NOC from employer at the time of registration and orientation

DBS Global University Ph.D. (Liberal Arts) Scholarships 2026

DBS Global University offers merit-based and special category scholarships applicable across all programmes. For Ph.D. scholars, fee concessions are available through the university's internal scholarship policy for specific categories. Additionally, the university provides a Research Assistantship fellowship for eligible scholars. Scholarship applications must be submitted along with the admission form and no application is entertained beyond 15th July 2026.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Concession	Eligibility	Benefit
Research Assistantship Fellowship	Ph.D. scholars completing coursework with CGPA 7.5+	Rs. 40,000 per month (from 2nd year)
Fee Concession for DBSGU Staff	Academic/Non-academic staff of DBS Global University	As per current university policy
Fee Concession for JRF/SRF/RA	JRF/SRF/Research Associates employed at the university	As per current university policy
Fee Concession for National Fellowship Holders	DST-INSPIRE, UGC-JRF, CSIR-JRF, or equivalent	As per current university policy
Uttarakhand Domicile Scholarship	Students with Uttarakhand domicile	25% of tuition fee
Ward of Defence Personnel	Wards of defence personnel	10% of tuition fee
Ward of Single Mother	Wards of single mothers	10% of tuition fee

Scholarships are open for the first 15% of seats in each programme on a first-come, first-served basis.
No scholarship application will be entertained beyond 15th July 2026.
Candidates should preferably send scholarship applications along with their admission forms.
No scholarship is approved unless issued in writing by the Office of the Registrar.
Scholarship percentages are on tuition fee component only.

DBS Global University Ph.D. (Liberal Arts) FAQs

Ques. Is the Ph.D. (Liberal Arts) at DBS Global University recognised by UGC?

Ans. Yes, DBS Global University is a UGC-recognised university and its Ph.D. programmes are conducted as per UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations. The degree is valid for academic and government positions across India.

Ques. I have cleared UGC-NET in Political Science. Do I still need to appear for the PET at DBS Global University?

Ans. No. Candidates who have cleared a national-level examination such as UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, GPAT, ICMR, or DST-INSPIRE within the last 2 years of the session they are applying for are exempted from the Ph.D. Entrance Test (PET). You will only need to appear for the interview conducted by the Faculty Research Committee. You must submit the exemption certificate (not the scorecard) at least 2 days before the scheduled PET date.

Ques. Can I pursue the Ph.D. (Liberal Arts) while working full-time in a job?

Ans. The Full-Time Ph.D. requires full dedication to the programme with classes on all working days from 9:15 am to 6:10 pm. If you are employed, you should consider the Part-Time Ph.D. option, which has classes on Saturdays and Sundays. Part-time candidates must submit an NOC from their employer and ensure their workplace provides necessary research infrastructure.

Ques. What specialisations are available under Ph.D. (Liberal Arts) at DBS Global University?

Ans. The programme offers specialisations in English Literature, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, Philosophy, Economics, Geography, Linguistics, Cultural Studies, Governance and Public Policy, International Relations, and Public Policy and Governance. You select your specialisation based on your research interest and the availability of a guide at the university.

Ques. What is the minimum attendance requirement for the Ph.D. coursework?

Ans. Ph.D. scholars (both Full-Time and Part-Time) are required to maintain a minimum of 75% attendance in each course to be eligible for end-semester examinations. Full-Time scholars must also achieve at least 75% attendance out of total working days each semester to avoid an "Unsatisfactory" Semester Progress Report. Full attendance (100%) is expected as a norm.

Ques. Is there any financial support available for Ph.D. scholars at DBS Global University?

Ans. Yes. Ph.D. scholars who complete their coursework with a minimum CGPA of 7.5 are eligible to be appointed as Teaching Associates or Research Associates. Selected candidates receive a fellowship of Rs. 40,000 per month from the second year of their Research Assistantship. Additionally, national fellowship holders (DST-INSPIRE, UGC-JRF, CSIR-JRF, etc.) are eligible for fee concessions as per university policy.