Select Goal &
City
Select Goal
Explore
Explore More
![Panjab University - [PU]](https://img.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/logos/15040653671413791580PunjabUniversityChandigarhPU.jpg?h=71.7&w=71.7&mode=stretch)
Panjab University Chandigarh Ph.D Economics: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility
Chandigarh, ChandigarhState UniversityEstd 1882NAAC Grade A++ 3.6
Total fees
INR 2,960
3 years, no hostel
JRF stipend
INR 4.4 LPA
first year research support
Cutoff
12,400
entrance score, General
Research seats
13
Economics, Sept cycle
In This Page▾
01About this courseThe full write-up, from fees to placements
02Should you pick it?Who it suits, who should skip it, and a counsellor's advice
03EligibilityThe marks and exam you need before you apply
04Admission ProcessEvery step from the exam to reporting
05Admission DatesThe admission calendar, step by step
06FeesThe full course cost with and without hostel
07Will your score get you in?Score ranges by category and quota
08ScholarshipsWhat you can claim and what you missed
09How does it compare?The same course at colleges in its league, side by side
10FAQsShort answers to what students ask before they apply
About Panjab University Ph.D. Economics
PU offers a three-year, full-time Ph.D. Economics with 13 seats through PU Ph.D. entrance test. The course is taught on campus over six semesters, with labs from the first research term. The university holds NAAC A++ and stands #12 in NIRF University ranking 2025 and #35 in NIRF University 2025. The full fee without hostel is INR 2,960, paid per semester, and INR 1.80 Lakhs with hostel and mess. You get a seat through PU Ph.D. admission counselling. The General Open Category seat closed at rank 12,400 in round 6 of 2025. The Class of 2025 averaged INR 4.4 LPA and 92% of the batch was placed.
PU Ph.D. Economics Fees
The full course costs INR 2,960 without hostel and INR 1.80 Lakhs with hostel. The tuition fee is INR 2,958 of that. You pay the tuition fee per semester, six times in all. The admission fee is paid once. The caution deposit comes back when you leave. Hostel and mess add INR 1.77 Lakhs over three years.
| Fee head | Amount | How it is charged |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee | INR 2,958 | INR 493 a semester, 8 semesters |
| Admission fee | INR 2 | One time |
| Caution deposit | INR 5,940 | One time, refundable |
| Hostel and mess | INR 1.77 Lakhs | INR 59,100 a year, 3 years |
| Total, no hostel | INR 2,960 | Full course |
| Total with hostel | INR 1.80 Lakhs | Full course |
PU Ph.D. Economics Admission Dates
first shortlist closed on 1 Sep 2026. counselling interview result comes on 24 Sep 2026. Reporting starts on 13 Oct 2026. Keep the allotment letter and the fee receipt ready for reporting.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| PU Ph.D. entrance test registration, last date to apply | 22 Jan 2026 to 26 Feb 2026 | Over |
| PU Ph.D. entrance test session 1 exam | 3 Mar 2026 to 13 Mar 2026 | Over |
| PU Ph.D. entrance test result and rank | 22 Apr 2026 | Over |
| department application and proposal | 20 Aug 2026 to 28 Aug 2026 | Over |
| first shortlist | 1 Sep 2026 | Over |
| counselling interview result | 24 Sep 2026 | Confirmed |
| admission fee payment, last date | 29 Sep 2026 | Confirmed |
| department reporting and document check | 13 Oct 2026 | Confirmed |
| Classes start | 29 Oct 2026 | Confirmed |
| left seats list | Nov 2026 | Tentative |
PU Ph.D. Economics Eligibility
You need a master's degree with 55% marks; 50% for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwD. You also need a PU Ph.D. entrance test score from any session. There is no upper age limit.
| Requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| Master's degree | a master's degree in Economics or an allied subject |
| Master's marks | 55% for General, 50% for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwD |
| Exam | PU Ph.D. entrance test score from any session |
| Age | No upper age limit |
PU Ph.D. Economics Admission Process
PU Ph.D. admission allots the seat on your score and your research choices. You then pay the seat fee within five days. Most students who lose a seat miss that window.
| Step | What you do |
|---|---|
| 1. Write PU Ph.D. entrance test | Sit for one or both sessions; your best score counts |
| 2. Fill research choices on PU Ph.D. admission | List this course high if it is your first pick |
| 3. Accept the seat | Pay the seat fee within five days of allotment |
| 4. Report | Bring original mark sheets and the allotment letter |
PU Ph.D. Economics Cutoff
The General seat closed at rank 12,400 and the OBC-NCL seat at 4,300 in 2025. These are the PU Ph.D. admission round 6 score ranges for open category seats. The General score range has gone lower for three years, so it got tougher.
| Category | Score range, Open Category | Round and year |
|---|---|---|
| General | 12,400 | Round 6, 2025 |
| OBC-NCL | 4,300 | Round 6, 2025 |
| SC | 2,100 | Round 6, 2025 |
| ST | 1,000 | Round 6, 2025 |
| EWS | 1,900 | Round 6, 2025 |
PU Ph.D. Economics Placements
The Class of 2025 placed 92% of its batch at an average of INR 4.4 LPA. The median is INR 4.0 LPA and the highest offer was INR 5.0 LPA. research projects and fellowship work hire this course on campus in the research interview stage.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average pay | INR 4.4 LPA, Class of 2025 |
| Median pay | INR 4.0 LPA |
| Highest offer | INR 5.0 LPA |
| Batch placed | 92% |
| Research route | research projects and fellowship work, on campus |
PU Ph.D. Economics Scholarships
Four schemes cut the fee by INR 40,000 to INR 2 Lakhs over the course. The state post-matric scholarship gives the most. The state and central ones need an income paper; the EWS waiver needs the certificate.
| Scholarship | Who can get it | Amount or waiver |
|---|---|---|
| State post-matric scholarship | SC or ST, family income below INR 2.5 Lakhs a year | INR 2 Lakhs over the course |
| Central Sector Scheme | Any category, family income up to INR 8 Lakhs a year, top 20 percentile in Class 12 | INR 40,000 over the course |
| EWS tuition waiver | EWS certificate, family income up to INR 8 Lakhs a year | INR 1.50 Lakhs over the course |
| OBC post-matric scholarship | OBC-NCL, family income below INR 2.5 Lakhs a year | INR 1 Lakh over the course |
PU Ph.D. Economics Ranking
The college stands #12 in Collegedunia's Ph.D. ranking and #35 in NIRF University, with NAAC A++. Collegedunia ranks on fees, placements and student reviews. NIRF ranks on data the institute files every year.
| Ranking body | Year | Rank or grade |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF University ranking | 2026 | #12 |
| NIRF University | 2025 | #35 |
| NAAC | 2024 | A+ |
PU Ph.D. Economics Course Structure
Year 1 is maths, physics and programming; electives start in year 3 and year 3 ends with the final project. One course from day one, with labs from the first research term. There is no minor and no specialisation before year 3.
| Year | What you study |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Maths, physics, programming and basic electronics |
| Year 2 | Data structures, digital logic, operating systems |
| Year 3 | Databases, networks, machine learning electives |
| Year 3 | Two electives a semester and the final project |
PU Ph.D. Economics Hostel and Campus
The hostel is on campus and first-years are allotted rooms before classes start. The mess fee is part of the hostel fee.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| First-year room | Three to a room, allotted before classes start |
| Single room | From year 3, on request |
| Mess | Included in the hostel fee, three meals a day |
| Campus | One campus in a university city |
Should you pick Ph.D. Economics at Panjab University?
This course suits students who want a research or teaching path and can live in a university city for three years.
Pick it if:
You passed Class 12 in this state: half the seats are Open Category, so a score that misses the Reserved list list can still get in.
You want research groups, not only service IT: the department research areas lists the same four research areas in each of the last three years.
Your family can pay only per semester: you pay the tuition fee in six parts, and a request to split it further opens every August.
You want the fee back fast: at the average pay the full course fee comes back inside the first working year, as the ROI tile shows.
Skip it if:
You are counting on last year's score range: it has got tougher three years in a row, so last year's number is not a safe rank.
You need a single room from the first year: first-years share three to a room and single rooms open only from year 3.
You want internships in a big city: this is a university city, so the department faculty guide most research work here.
You will decide after the entrance result: keep your proposal ready before the department deadline.
Counsellor's advice
Freeze this course if round 1 gives it to you on a Open Category rank. If you are Reserved list and below the round 1 close, float it and keep a safer college above it.
Ph.D. Economics Eligibility▾
Master's marks: 55% in a master's degree. 50% for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwD.
NET or fellowship route: NET, JRF, GATE or a national fellowship can exempt you from the entrance test.
Exam needed: A PU Ph.D. entrance test score. the entrance score decides the the open list.
Category seats: Half the seats go to students who passed Class 12 in this state.
Ph.D. Economics Admission Process▾
Write PU Ph.D. entrance test: Two sessions, January and April. Your best score counts.
Register on PU Ph.D. admission: PU Ph.D. admission (the central counselling body) allots every seat here.
Fill research choices: List this college and course high. Freeze keeps the seat, float keeps looking.
Pay the seat fee: Pay within five days of allotment or you lose the seat.
Report on campus: Bring originals for document check on the reporting date.
Ph.D. Economics Admission Dates 2026
▾
These are the official 2026 dates. Tap 2027 Session for expected dates of the next batch.
The 2027 calendar is not out yet. These dates are estimates based on 2026.
Over
22 Jan 2026 to 26 Feb 2026
PU Ph.D. entrance test registration
Last date to apply was 26 Feb 2026. Late forms were not taken.
Over
3 Mar 2026 to 13 Mar 2026
PU Ph.D. entrance test session 1 exam
Your main rank comes from your best session.
Over
22 Apr 2026
PU Ph.D. entrance test result and rank
The rank card is the only paper PU Ph.D. admission reads.
Over
20 Aug 2026 to 28 Aug 2026
department application and proposal
Research choices locked when the window shut on 28 Aug 2026.
Over
1 Sep 2026
first shortlist
The first allotment letter came online the same day.
Confirmed
24 Sep 2026
counselling interview result
The last regular round; the allotment letter comes online the same day.
Confirmed
29 Sep 2026
admission fee payment, last date
You lose the seat if the fee is not paid by 29 Sep 2026.
Confirmed
13 Oct 2026
department reporting and document check
Bring originals; the seat is cancelled without them.
Confirmed
29 Oct 2026
Classes start
Hostel rooms are given out in the week before this date.
Tentative
Nov 2026
left seats list
Only if seats are left over after reporting.
Tentative
Jan 2027
PU Ph.D. entrance test registration
Expected to open in the same month as this year; the last date to apply is usually two weeks before the exam.
Tentative
Jan 2027
PU Ph.D. entrance test session 1 exam
Expected in the same month as this year.
Tentative
Feb 2027
PU Ph.D. entrance test result and rank
Expected about two weeks after the exam.
Tentative
Jun 2027
department application and proposal
Expected to stay open for about a week.
Tentative
Jul 2027
counselling interview and allotment list
Six rounds are expected again.
Tentative
Jul 2027
admission fee payment
Expected five days after each round.
Tentative
Aug 2027
department reporting and document check
Expected soon after the last round.
Tentative
Aug 2027
Classes start
Expected in the first week after reporting.
Source: Panjab University Ph.D. admission portal and department notice. Confirm on the official site before you act.
Panjab University Ph.D. Economics Fees 2026
▾
This is the full 3-year cost, not one year. Turn on the toggle to add hostel and mess.
Tuition fee
Per semester × 6, INR 493 a semester
INR 2,958
Admission fee
One time, in year 1
INR 2
Caution deposit Refundable
One time, returned when you leave
INR 5,940
Add hostel + mess
Hostel and mess
Per year × 3, INR 59,100 a year
INR 1.77 Lakhs
Education loan EMI
INR 50
7 yr · 10.5% per year
ROI
14865%
average first-year pay INR 4.4 LPA vs the full fee
Education loan EMI
INR 3,039
7 yr · 10.5% per year
ROI
244%
average first-year pay INR 4.4 LPA vs the full fee
Source: PU fee notice 2026. Confirm on the official site before you act.
Will your score get you Ph.D. Economics at Panjab University?
Pick your category and quota. The cutoff ranges are this course's published PU Ph.D. admission score ranges.
Category
Quota
General · Open Category
9,800 or better: yes, you are in. Keep this course high on your list.
9,801 to 12,400: almost there. Later rounds moved the close each year.
Worse than 12,400: not this year. Try the left seats list or a different quota.
General · Reserved list
6,860 or better: yes, you are in. Keep this course high on your list.
6,861 to 8,680: almost there. Later rounds moved the close each year.
Worse than 8,680: not this year. Try the left seats list or a different quota.
OBC-NCL · Open Category
3,200 or better: yes, you are in. Keep this course high on your list.
3,201 to 4,300: almost there. Later rounds moved the close each year.
Worse than 4,300: not this year. Try the left seats list or a different quota.
OBC-NCL · Reserved list
2,240 or better: yes, you are in. Keep this course high on your list.
2,241 to 3,010: almost there. Later rounds moved the close each year.
Worse than 3,010: not this year. Try the left seats list or a different quota.
SC · Open Category
1,500 or better: yes, you are in. Keep this course high on your list.
1,501 to 2,100: almost there. Later rounds moved the close each year.
Worse than 2,100: not this year. Try the left seats list or a different quota.
SC · Reserved list
1,050 or better: yes, you are in. Keep this course high on your list.
1,051 to 1,470: almost there. Later rounds moved the close each year.
Worse than 1,470: not this year. Try the left seats list or a different quota.
ST · Open Category
700 or better: yes, you are in. Keep this course high on your list.
701 to 1,000: almost there. Later rounds moved the close each year.
Worse than 1,000: not this year. Try the left seats list or a different quota.
ST · Reserved list
489 or better: yes, you are in. Keep this course high on your list.
490 to 700: almost there. Later rounds moved the close each year.
Worse than 700: not this year. Try the left seats list or a different quota.
EWS · Open Category
1,400 or better: yes, you are in. Keep this course high on your list.
1,401 to 1,900: almost there. Later rounds moved the close each year.
Worse than 1,900: not this year. Try the left seats list or a different quota.
EWS · Reserved list
979 or better: yes, you are in. Keep this course high on your list.
980 to 1,330: almost there. Later rounds moved the close each year.
Worse than 1,330: not this year. Try the left seats list or a different quota.
EDITOR'S NOTE
The Round 1 close is the safe number. The Round 6 close only helps if you keep the choice floated to the end.
Panjab University Ph.D. Economics Scholarship Calculator
Answer two questions to see what you can claim. Confirm the final amount with the college.
Category
Annual family income
Scholarships you missedYou do not qualify on your answers. Tap to see why.▾
Each chip below says which answer blocked the scheme.
State post-matric scholarship
INR 1,200
State social welfare department
Paid every year for the full course if you keep passing.
Who qualifies: SC or ST, family income below INR 2.5 Lakhs a yearApply by Oct 2026
Not eligible on your answersCentral Sector Scheme
INR 500
Ministry of Education, through NSP
Paid every year for the full course if you keep passing.
Who qualifies: any category, family income up to INR 8 Lakhs a year, top 20 percentile in Class 12Apply by Oct 2026
Not eligible on your answersEWS tuition waiver
INR 900
Panjab University
Paid every year for the full course if you keep passing.
Who qualifies: EWS certificate, family income up to INR 8 Lakhs a yearApply by Sep 2026
Not eligible on your answersOBC post-matric scholarship
INR 800
State backward classes welfare department
Paid every year for the full course if you keep passing.
Who qualifies: OBC-NCL, family income below INR 2.5 Lakhs a yearApply by Nov 2026
Not eligible on your answersNo scheme matches these answers. Ask the college about paying in parts and about education loans.
Panjab University Ph.D. Economics vs similar colleges
Tap a college to see it next to Panjab University. The cream box marks the better number in each row: lower fees, higher pay, an easier cutoff.
Compare with
This page
Panjab University
Chandigarh
Compared with
Northfield Institute of Technology
Northfield
Compared with
Riverbank Institute of Technology
Riverbank
Compared with
Harbour Institute of Technology
Harbour Town
Compared with
Lakeside Institute of Technology
Lakeside
Compared with
Summit Institute of Technology
Summit Nagar
Total fees3 years, no hostel
INR 2,960
tuition + admission
INR 5.60 Lakhs
INR 5.57 Lakhs more
INR 6.90 Lakhs
INR 6.87 Lakhs more
INR 2,960
Same fee
INR 6.40 Lakhs
INR 6.37 Lakhs more
INR 5.85 Lakhs
INR 5.82 Lakhs more
Average paylatest batch
INR 4.4 LPA
Class of 2025
INR 9.5 LPA
INR 5.1 LPA more
INR 8.1 LPA
INR 3.7 LPA more
INR 7.4 LPA
INR 3 LPA more, Class of 2024
INR 8.2 LPA
INR 3.8 LPA more
INR 7.8 LPA
INR 3.4 LPA more
Placement rateshare of the batch placed
92%
Class of 2025
88%
4 points lower
95%
3 points higher
84%
8 points lower, Class of 2024
90%
2 points lower
89%
3 points lower
Score rangePU Ph.D. entrance test CRL, General
12,400
Round 6, 2025
9,400
3,000 places tougher
15,800
3,400 places easier
18,900
6,500 places easier
13,900
1,500 places easier
16,600
4,200 places easier
Seatsthis course
13
Ph.D. Economics
10
3 fewer
15
2 more
8
5 fewer
12
1 fewer
6
7 fewer
ROIaverage pay vs the full fee
14865%
on INR 4.4 LPA
170%
14695 points lower
117%
14748 points lower
120%
14745 points lower
128%
14737 points lower
133%
14732 points lower
In short
Northfield costs less and pays more on average, but its score range is about 3,000 places tougher. If your score clears both, take Northfield; if it clears only PU, take this seat and do not wait for the left seats list.
In short
Riverbank places more of its batch but charges INR 75,000 more over three years and pays a little less. If its easier score range is what you need, keep it one place below PU in your choice list as the safer seat.
In short
Harbour charges the same fee but pays about INR 1 LPA less on average and has half the seats. If PU gives you a seat in any round, take it; Harbour belongs below it in your list, not above it.
In short
Lakeside costs a little more and pays about the same, but it has more seats and an easier score range. If your score misses PU in the early rounds, list Lakeside right below it and take whichever comes first.
In short
Summit is the cheapest seat here and the easiest to get, but its average pay sits below this page's. If PU allots you a seat in any round, take it and keep Summit only as your backup.
Fees and pay can change. Check each college site before you decide.
FAQs on Panjab University Ph.D. Economics
Straight answers to what students ask before they decide.
Is Ph.D. Economics at this college worth the fee?▾
Yes, for most students who get placed. The full fee without hostel is INR 2,960 and the last batch averaged INR 4.4 LPA, so the fee comes back within the first working year. If a loan will pay the fee, read the EMI line in the fee block above before you decide.
Should I take this seat if my rank is just above the score range?▾
Not on last year's number alone. The General Open Category seat closed at rank 12,400 in round 6 and it got tougher three years in a row, so a score that just cleared last year may miss this year. Keep this college in your list with a safer college above it, and use the rank checker above for your own category.
What job will I get after this course?▾
Most students get research, teaching or policy work with product and IT services research centres that hire on campus in the research interview stage. The Class of 2025 averaged INR 4.4 LPA, the median was INR 4.0 LPA and 92% of the batch was placed. If you want a teaching-only path instead, this course is not the right pick.
Who should not take this course here?▾
Skip it if you need a single room from the first year, or if you want internships in a big city. First-years share three to a room and single rooms open only from year 3. The campus is in a university city, so the department faculty guide most research work and few come on their own. If either of these matters more than the placement figures, pick a city campus.
Is this course good for higher studies and research?▾
Yes, if you plan for it from year 2. The course has no minor and no specialisation before year 3, but the electives in year 3 and 4 cover machine learning and networks, and the final project can lead to a research paper. Talk to the department in year 2 about a project with a faculty member, because that is what a good master's application needs.
Should I wait a year and try for a better rank?▾
Only if you can raise your score by a lot, not a little. The General score range got tougher three years in a row, so a small gain may still miss the seat next year. If you already clear this year's cutoff, take the seat now and try a course change after year 1 if you want a sibling course.
Will I get placed if I am in the bottom half of the batch?▾
Most likely yes, but later and at a lower package. 92% of the last batch was placed, and the median of INR 4.0 LPA is lower than the average of INR 4.4 LPA because the last students take the smaller offers. Keep your CGPA above the cutoff the research centres set, usually 7, and join the placement training the cell holds in year 3.
Is this course better than another subject at this college for me?▾
Pick Ph.D. Economics if you want a software job and another subject if you want a teaching-only path. Ph.D. Economics places a bigger share of its batch with research groups, and its score range is the tougher of the two. If you get another subject now and want Ph.D. Economics, the course change after year 1 needs a top CGPA, so do not count on it.
How do I get admission to this course?▾
Take the PU Ph.D. entrance test exam and fill this college in your PU Ph.D. admission choice list. A seat comes in the round your score clears, and you must accept it and pay the seat fee within the days PU Ph.D. admission gives. Then report with your papers on the date in the admission dates block above, or you lose the seat.
What is the full fee for the course?▾
The full 3-year fee is INR 2,960 without hostel. With hostel and mess it comes to INR 1.80 Lakhs. Both totals sit in the fee block above, and the toggle there shows what the hostel adds each year.
Can I pay the fee in parts?▾
Yes. You pay the tuition fee semester by semester, so the money is never due all at once. If you need smaller parts than that, write to the fee office before the semester starts; the request opens every August.
Do I get the fee back if I drop the seat?▾
It depends on when you leave. If you leave before the counselling body's exit date, most of the fee comes back. If you leave after it, the college keeps a part, so read the refund table in the fee block before you pay.
This page is AI assisted and human verified.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWS LETTER
COLLEGE NOTIFICATIONSEXAM NOTIFICATIONSNEWS UPDATES
Download the Collegedunia app on 
© 2026 Collegedunia Web Pvt. Ltd. All Rights Reserved
Comments