UAS Dharwad Ph.D Genetics & Plant Breeding: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. Applicants must hold an M.Sc in Genetics and Plant Breeding, Plant Genetics, or an allied agricultural science from a recognised university with a minimum OGPA of 6.50 on a 10-point scale. ICAR SRF/NET-qualified candidates are exempt from the UAS Dharwad entrance test and can apply directly for ICAR-funded seats. Candidates without ICAR qualification must appear in the university written entrance test followed by an interview and viva voce on campus.

Ans. Research areas include conventional hybridisation and selection methods, molecular marker-assisted selection, QTL mapping for yield and stress traits, genomics-assisted breeding, and development of improved varieties of sorghum, sunflower, groundnut, cotton, and pulses. UAS Dharwad has active collaboration with ICAR-ICRISAT on semi-arid crop improvement, giving scholars access to advanced germplasm and phenotyping infrastructure beyond the university campus.

Ans. ICAR-funded scholars receive INR 31,000 per month as JRF for the first 2 years. From the third year, the amount increases to INR 35,000 as SRF, subject to positive evaluation by the doctoral advisory committee. The fellowship is disbursed monthly to the scholar’s account and is sufficient to cover the annual programme fee of INR 27,000 per year. Scholars must submit periodic progress reports to maintain fellowship eligibility throughout the doctoral period.

Ans. Graduates secure scientist positions at ICAR institutes including ICAR-IARI, ICAR-NBPGR, and ICAR-DRR, as well as faculty roles at agricultural colleges and universities. Private seed companies such as Mahyco, Advanta, and UPL recruit plant breeders at the doctoral level for variety development and field research. Postdoctoral positions at CGIAR centres such as ICRISAT and CIMMYT are also common progression routes for UAS Dharwad plant breeding graduates.

Ans. The minimum programme duration is 3 years, covering coursework in the first two semesters, followed by original research, thesis writing, and a final public viva voce. Many scholars take 4 to 5 years to complete their research, particularly in field-based crop breeding experiments that span multiple growing seasons. The annual fee of INR 27,000 is charged for each enrolled year, and the programme is formally complete only after successful thesis submission and defence.