The Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering is a 3-year full-time doctoral program designed to train students to use and advance their engineering skills to contribute to applied industry-focused mechanical and manufacturing research projects. The program encompasses research areas including aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, turbulence, structural mechanics, aerospace engineering, composites, heat transfer, and micro/nano fluid and solid mechanics. The semester fee is INR 70,000, and the program is offered in full-time on-campus mode at Chandigarh University's Mohali campus. This program is popular among students seeking to excel in mechanical engineering research with experienced supervisors and extensive advanced research facilities.
Admissions for the July 2026 intake are currently ongoing. The application window opened on 6th April 2026 and the last date for submission is 23rd April 2026 (till 4:30 PM). The Ph.D. Entrance Examination will be conducted on 26th April 2026, with results announced on 5th May 2026. Interview results will be declared on 25th May 2026, followed by admission notifications between 26th May and 15th June 2026.
Key Points
- Research-focused curriculum with flexible coursework options (weekends for 1 semester or 15 days continuously)
- Mentorship by world's top 2% scientists (Stanford Global List 2025)
- Access to 20+ industry-collaborated Centers of Excellence and advanced laboratories including AI Lab, IoT Lab, and Kalpana Chawla Centre for Space Science and Technology
- Experienced supervisors with extensive research facilities supporting individual research projects
- Research areas include aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, turbulence, structural mechanics, aerospace engineering, and composites
- Free access to essential research tools and databases including IEEE, Elsevier, Springer, MATLAB, and Turnitin
- Regular publications in Q1 journals and Scopus/Web of Science indexed journals
- Full-time research fellowship of INR 35,000 per month
- Up to INR 2 Lakh funding for every Q1 journal publication
- Collaborative research opportunities with 250+ international partner universities in 60+ countries
- Government-funded research projects from Department of Science and Technology, Indian Council of Medical Research, and Science and Engineering Research Board
- Technology Business Incubator support to convert research ideas into startups
CU Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering) Fees
The Ph.D. program involves a total fee structure comprising semester fees, examination fees, security deposit, and admission fee. The semester fee of INR 70,000 is charged for each semester over the 3-year duration. Additional charges include examination fees and a security deposit, making this an affordable doctoral program compared to international standards. The total fees cover comprehensive research facilities, mentorship, and access to world-class laboratories and resources.
Fee Structure
| Fee Component | Amount (INR) |
|---|
| Semester Fee (per semester) | ₹70,000 |
| Examination Fee | ₹2,500 |
| Security Deposit | ₹5,000 |
| Admission Fee | ₹10,000 |
| Total Fees (6 semesters) | ₹435,000 |
- The security deposit is refundable upon completion of the program.
- Examination fees are charged per semester.
- The total fees mentioned above are for the complete 3-year program.
- Payment schedules and EMI options may be available; candidates are advised to contact the admissions office for details.
CU Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering) Admission 2026
Chandigarh University conducts a rigorous admission process for Ph.D. programs involving an entrance examination followed by an interview. The university follows UGC norms for Ph.D. admissions and offers flexible coursework options to accommodate working professionals. Candidates with strong academic backgrounds and research aptitude are encouraged to apply. The admission process is merit-based, ensuring selection of the most qualified candidates for the program.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|
| Online Application Starts | 6th April 2026 (Monday) |
| Last Date for Application Submission | 23rd April 2026 (Thursday, till 4:30 PM) |
| Ph.D. Entrance Examination | 26th April 2026 (Sunday) |
| Entrance Exam Result | 5th May 2026 (Tuesday) |
| Interview Result | 25th May 2026 (Monday) |
| Admission Notification | 26th May - 15th June 2026 |
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- A 1-year/2-semester master's degree in a relevant field with minimum 55% marks or 5.5 CGPA on a 10-point scale, followed by qualifying the CU-Ph.D. Entrance Test and interview
- OR a 4-year/8-semester bachelor's degree with minimum 75% marks or 7.5 CGPA on a 10-point scale, followed by qualifying the CU-Ph.D. Entrance Test and interview
- Candidates who have qualified UGC (NET/JRF), CSIR (NET/JRF), GATE, GPAT, or passed M.Phil. program are exempted from the CU-Ph.D. Entrance Test
- A relaxation of 5% marks or equivalent grade is allowed for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer), Differently-Abled, and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) candidates
Admission Process
- Register online on the university portal with basic details (name, email, mobile number, state, gender, password)
- Complete your candidate profile and choose examination date as per convenience
- Appear for the CU-Ph.D. Entrance Examination on the scheduled date
- Qualify the entrance examination to become eligible for the interview round
- Participate in the interview conducted by the department faculty
- Receive admission notification based on merit and interview performance
- Complete admission formalities and register for the program
CU Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering) Scholarships 2026
Chandigarh University offers comprehensive scholarship and financial assistance schemes for Ph.D. students to support their research endeavors. The university provides full-time research fellowships, publication incentives, and merit-based scholarships to deserving candidates. These scholarships aim to encourage bright students to pursue doctoral research and contribute to advancing knowledge in their respective fields.
Scholarship Details
| Scholarship Type | Amount/Benefit | Eligibility |
|---|
| Full-Time Research Fellowship | INR 35,000 per month | All full-time Ph.D. students |
| Q1 Journal Publication Incentive | Up to INR 2 Lakh per publication | Students publishing in Q1 journals |
| Merit-Based Scholarship | Up to 50% of semester fee | Based on entrance exam performance |
| GATE Fellowship | INR 12,500 per month (8 months/year) | GATE qualified students (up to 10% seats) |
| Defence Personnel Scholarship | 20% fee concession | Wards/spouses of defence personnel |
| SC/ST/OBC Scholarship | 5% marks relaxation + financial support | SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer) candidates |
| EWS Scholarship | 5% marks relaxation + financial support | Economically Weaker Section candidates |
- Research fellowships are subject to satisfactory academic progress and research output.
- Publication incentives are awarded upon successful publication in indexed journals.
- Merit-based scholarships are renewable annually based on maintaining minimum CGPA and research standards.
- Defence and reserved category scholarships are subject to verification of eligibility documents.
- Candidates can avail only one scholarship scheme at a time.
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