Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Ph.D. (Microbiology) programme at Assam University, Silchar is a full-time, campus-based doctoral research programme offered by the Department of Microbiology, which started functioning from the session 2009-10. The programme spans a minimum of 3 years and can extend up to 5 years, comprising one semester of mandatory course work followed by original research and thesis submission. With 14 seats available for the 2026-27 session, the department offers research in areas including Environmental Microbiology, Bioremediation, Molecular Parasitology, Veterinary Microbiology, Molecular Biology, and Medical Microbiology. Faculty members receive research grants from prestigious agencies including DST, DBT, MoEF, ICMR, and CSIR, providing PhD scholars with access to funded research projects and well-equipped laboratories.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session were conducted in November 2026, with course work commencing on 25th November 2026. The next admission cycle (2027-28) is expected to open around September-October 2027, based on the previous year's schedule. As of March 2027, the 2026-27 batch is currently undergoing course work. Candidates interested in the upcoming cycle should monitor the official website (www.aus.ac.in) and the examination portal (ausexamination.ac.in) for notifications.

Key Points

Faculty members receive research grants from DST, DBT, MoEF, ICMR, and CSIR, providing scholars with opportunities to work on externally funded projects.
The department has well-equipped specialised laboratories including a Molecular Microbiology Lab, Soil and Environmental Microbiology Lab, Industrial Microbiology Lab, Medical Microbiology Lab, PG Practical Lab, and LAF room.
Research areas span Environmental Microbiology, Bioremediation, Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), Molecular Parasitology, Veterinary Microbiology, and Medical Microbiology.
Students have been regularly placed in industries and prestigious research laboratories since the department's inception.
Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET/JRF or CSIR-NET/JRF are exempted from the written entrance test but must appear for the personal interview.
The university provides Non-NET Fellowship to full-time PhD scholars (subject to availability of UGC funds).

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FAQs

AU Ph.D. Microbiology Fees

The Ph.D. (Microbiology) programme at Assam University is highly affordable, being a Central University with nominal fee components. The total fee for the entire programme (approximately 3 years) is estimated at around Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 22,000, covering admission, tuition, registration, and annual charges. The fees are payable at the time of admission and annually thereafter. Refundable caution deposits (laboratory and library) are collected at the time of admission and returned upon completion of the programme.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Admission Fee	500
Tuition Fee (Course Work, per month x 12 months)	2,400
Identity Card	50
Laboratory Fee (Annual)	1,500
University Registration Fee	250
University Development Fund (Annual)	600
Library Fee (Annual)	400
Sports Fee (Annual)	100
Basic Primary Health Service	100
Students Co-curricular Fund (Annual)	200
Students Aid Fund (Annual)	100
Magazine Fee (Annual)	100
Title Registration Fee	200
Examination Fee - Course Work	1,000
Examination Fee - Thesis Evaluation	3,000
Laboratory Caution Money (Refundable)	1,000
Library Caution Money (Refundable)	2,000
Total Fees (Approx., excluding refundable deposits)	~10,500 (1st year) + Annual charges thereafter

Laboratory Caution Money (Rs. 1,000) and Library Caution Money (Rs. 2,000) are refundable upon completion/exit.
Annual charges (Laboratory Fee, University Development Fund, Library Fee, Sports Fee, Health Service, Co-curricular Fund, Aid Fund, Magazine Fee) are payable each year.
Examination fees for Course Work and Thesis Evaluation are payable before the respective examinations.
Application fee (separate from course fee): Rs. 1,000 for General/OBC (Creamy Layer); Rs. 900 for OBC (NCL)/EWS; Rs. 800 for SC/ST/PWD.
Fee structure is based on the university's historical prospectus; candidates should verify the latest fee schedule from the official admission portal at the time of admission.
Hostel fee: approximately Rs. 25,000 per year (optional, subject to availability).

AU Ph.D. Microbiology Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Microbiology) programme at Assam University are conducted annually, typically in the October-November period. The selection process involves an online application, a Research Entrance Test (RET)/Viva Voce for shortlisted candidates, and preparation of a merit list. For 2026-27, 14 seats were available in the Department of Microbiology (UR: 6, SC: 2, ST: 1, OBC: 4, EWS: 1, PWD: 1). The next cycle (2027-28) is expected to follow a similar timeline.

Admission Schedule

Event	2026-27 Dates	Tentative 2027-28 Dates
Opening of Admission Portal	26 September 2026	September 2027 (Tentative)
Last Date of Online Application	29 October 2026	October 2027 (Tentative)
Verification by Departments	Up to 31 October 2026	October 2027 (Tentative)
Entrance Test and Viva Voce	7 November 2026	November 2027 (Tentative)
Publication of First Merit List	12 November 2026	November 2027 (Tentative)
Admission from 1st Merit List	12-14 November 2026	November 2027 (Tentative)
Admission from 2nd Merit List (if any)	19-24 November 2026	November 2027 (Tentative)
Commencement of Course Work	25 November 2026	November 2027 (Tentative)

Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Registration Period	Exam Date	Result
UGC-NET (Phase 1, 2026-27)	Oct 7 - Nov 7, 2026	Dec 31, 2026 - Jan 7, 2027	Feb 4, 2027
UGC-NET (Phase 2, 2027, Tentative)	Apr 1 - May 1, 2027	June 2027 (Tentative)	July 2027 (Tentative)
CSIR-NET (Life Sciences)	May 1 - May 21, 2027 (Tentative)	July 25-27, 2027 (Tentative)	September 2027 (Tentative)
GATE 2027 (Life Sciences - XL)	Aug 28 - Oct 13, 2026	Feb 7-8, 14-15, 2027	March 19, 2027

Note: UGC-NET/JRF and CSIR-NET/JRF (Life Sciences) qualified candidates are exempted from the written entrance test at Assam University. GATE score is not directly used for PhD admission at Assam University but is relevant for fellowship eligibility.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree (M.Sc. in Microbiology or equivalent) with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate from a recognised university.
A relaxation of 5% marks is applicable for SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)/PWD/EWS candidates (i.e., 50% minimum).
Candidates with an M.Phil. degree in the same or allied subject with at least 55% marks in course work may apply for direct PhD registration without fresh course work, subject to selection.

Admission Process

Apply online at ausexamination.ac.in within the notified application window.
Pay the application fee online (Rs. 1,000 for General/OBC; Rs. 800 for SC/ST/PWD).
Shortlisted candidates appear for the Research Entrance Test (RET) and Viva Voce at the university campus.
UGC-NET/JRF or CSIR-NET/JRF qualified candidates are directly called for personal interview (no written test).
Merit list is prepared based on composite score (qualifying exam marks + entrance test + interview).
Selected candidates complete fee payment and enrol for the one-semester course work.
After clearing course work with minimum 55% marks, candidates are provisionally registered for the Ph.D. programme.

AU Ph.D. Microbiology Scholarships 2026

PhD scholars at Assam University can avail multiple fellowship and scholarship options. The university actively disburses Non-NET Fellowship to full-time PhD scholars who do not hold any other fellowship. Scholars who qualify CSIR-NET/JRF (Life Sciences) or UGC-NET/JRF receive substantially higher fellowships directly from CSIR/UGC. Additionally, faculty members with funded projects from DST, DBT, ICMR, and CSIR may offer project-based fellowships to selected scholars.

Fellowship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount	Remarks
UGC-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	UGC-NET qualified with JRF	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	Contingency: Rs. 12,000/year (Sciences)
CSIR-JRF (Life Sciences)	CSIR-NET qualified with JRF	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	Most relevant for Microbiology PhD scholars
Non-NET Fellowship (AUS)	Full-time PhD scholars not receiving any other fellowship	Rs. 8,000/month	Subject to availability of UGC funds; disbursed by Assam University
DBT-JRF (Biotechnology)	DBT-JRF qualified candidates	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	Relevant for Microbiology/Biotechnology scholars
ICMR-JRF	ICMR-JRF qualified candidates	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF)	Relevant for Medical Microbiology scholars
National Fellowship for SC/ST (NFSC/NFST)	SC/ST candidates enrolled in PhD	As per UGC norms	Applied through National Scholarship Portal (NSP)

Non-NET Fellowship is disbursed bi-monthly/quarterly by Assam University and is subject to availability of funds from UGC.
Scholars receiving JRF/SRF or any other fellowship are not eligible for Non-NET Fellowship simultaneously.
Faculty members with funded projects from DST, DBT, ICMR, and CSIR may offer project-based fellowships (typically Rs. 25,000-31,000/month) to selected scholars working on their projects.
Applications for government scholarships are submitted through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP); the university verifies and forwards applications.

AU Ph.D. Microbiology Placement 2026

Placement Record

Career Opportunities	Details
Industries and Research Labs	Students have been regularly placed in industries and prestigious research laboratories since the department's inception.
Academic Positions	Assistant Professor, Researcher
Research Organisations	CSIR labs, ICMR institutes, DBT-funded institutes
Industry Roles	Pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, environmental consulting, food safety, public health sectors
Support	The department maintains active alumni connections and provides placement support.

AU Ph.D. Microbiology FAQs

Ques. What are the main research areas available for PhD in Microbiology at Assam University?

Ans. The Department of Microbiology offers research in Environmental Microbiology, Bioremediation, Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), Molecular Parasitology, Veterinary Microbiology, Molecular Biology, and Medical Microbiology. The specific area depends on the availability of a supervisor and their ongoing funded research projects from agencies like DST, DBT, ICMR, and CSIR.

Ques. Does the Microbiology department at Assam University have adequate laboratory facilities for PhD research?

Ans. Yes. The department has well-equipped specialised laboratories including a Molecular Microbiology Lab, Soil and Environmental Microbiology Lab, Industrial Microbiology Lab, Medical Microbiology Lab, PG Practical Lab, and a LAF (Laminar Air Flow) room. The department also has a Computer Lab and Departmental Library. These facilities support research across all major areas of microbiology.

Ques. Can I get a project-based fellowship in the Microbiology department at Assam University?

Ans. Yes, it is possible. Faculty members in the department receive research grants from DST, DBT, MoEF, ICMR, and CSIR. Scholars working on funded projects may receive project-based fellowships (typically Rs. 25,000-31,000/month as Research Assistant/Junior Research Fellow) in addition to or instead of the Non-NET fellowship. This depends on the availability of funded projects at the time of admission.

Ques. Is CSIR-NET/JRF (Life Sciences) the right exam for PhD Microbiology admission at Assam University?

Ans. Yes. CSIR-NET/JRF (Life Sciences) is the most relevant qualifying exam for PhD Microbiology at Assam University. Candidates who have qualified CSIR-NET/JRF (Life Sciences) are exempted from the written Research Entrance Test (RET) and are directly called for a personal interview. Additionally, CSIR-JRF holders receive a monthly fellowship of Rs. 37,000 (JRF) or Rs. 42,000 (SRF).

Ques. How many seats are available for PhD Microbiology at Assam University, and what is the category-wise distribution?

Ans. For the 2026-27 session, 14 seats were available: UR (6), SC (2), ST (1), OBC (4), EWS (1), PWD (1). The actual number of seats may vary each year depending on faculty vacancies and the availability of supervisors.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing PhD in Microbiology from Assam University?

Ans. PhD graduates in Microbiology from Assam University have been placed in industries and prestigious research laboratories. Career paths include academic positions (Assistant Professor, Researcher), positions in research organisations (CSIR labs, ICMR institutes, DBT-funded institutes), roles in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, environmental consulting, food safety, and public health sectors. The department maintains active alumni connections and provides placement support.