Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Ph.D. (Architecture and Planning) program at Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) is a full-time doctoral research program offered under the School of Architecture and Design, Faculty of Science, Technology and Architecture (FoSTA). The program is modelled on the latest UGC guidelines for PhD programs and aims to impart rigorous research training to scholars, enabling them to carry out independent investigation and original research, and make significant contributions to knowledge in the fields of architecture, urban planning, landscape design, and allied disciplines. The program is open to candidates with a relevant Master's degree (minimum 55% marks or CGPA 5.5/10) and involves a written entrance test and interview for selection. The annual fee is Rs. 30,000 (till final thesis submission), with a one-time registration fee of Rs. 10,000, making the minimum total cost for a 3-year full-time PhD approximately Rs. 1,00,000.

MUJ conducts PhD admissions twice a year, in January and July. The January 2026 batch has already been admitted and course work commenced on January 21, 2026. The next admission cycle is expected to open for the July 2026 batch, with applications likely to be invited around May/June 2026. Candidates are advised to monitor the official MUJ PhD page (jaipur.manipal.edu/research-phd.php) for notifications.

Key Points

PhD admissions are conducted twice a year (January and July batches), providing two opportunities annually to apply.
Candidates who have qualified M.Phil / UGC-CSIR NET / JRF / SLET / GATE / Teacher Fellowship are exempted from the PhD entrance examination.
The Dr. Ram Das Pai Scholarship is available for meritorious PhD scholars, with a separate interview conducted after the main selection process.
The program is offered in both full-time and part-time modes, allowing working professionals in architecture and planning to pursue doctoral research.
MUJ has active research infrastructure including Central Analytical Facilities (CAF) and Sophisticated Analytical Instrumental Facilities (SAIF) to support research scholars.
The university has a strong track record of PhD awards, with a published list of PhD awardees available on the official website.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

MUJ Ph.D. (Architecture and Planning) Fees

The PhD program at MUJ is structured with a one-time registration fee and an annual fee payable till the final thesis submission. The registration fee of Rs. 10,000 is a non-refundable one-time charge, while the annual fee of Rs. 30,000 is payable each year until the thesis is submitted. For a minimum 3-year full-time PhD, the total cost works out to Rs. 1,00,000. If the program extends beyond 3 years, the annual fee of Rs. 30,000 continues to apply for each additional year.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Registration Fee (One-Time, Non-Refundable)	10,000
Annual Fee (Per Year, till thesis submission)	30,000
Total Fees (Minimum 3 Years)	1,00,000

The annual fee of Rs. 30,000 is payable each year until the final thesis is submitted.
If the PhD extends beyond the minimum duration, the annual fee continues to apply.
Foreign/NRI scholars are charged USD 300 (registration) + USD 1,100 per year (annual fee).
Hostel accommodation is available on campus at an additional cost (optional).
Fees are subject to revision as per the Fee Fixation Committee's approval.

MUJ Ph.D. (Architecture and Planning) Admission 2026

MUJ conducts PhD admissions twice a year, in January and July. The selection process involves a written entrance test (online mode) followed by an interview of shortlisted candidates. Candidates with M.Phil/UGC-CSIR NET/JRF/SLET/GATE/Teacher Fellowship qualifications are exempted from the entrance test and directly called for interview. The January 2026 batch has already been admitted. The next batch is expected to be the July 2026 cycle.

Important Dates

January 2026 Batch

Event	Date
Call for PhD Applications	December 08, 2025
PhD Applications Closed	December 27, 2025
PhD Entrance Test (Online)	January 05, 2026
Interview of Shortlisted Candidates	January 06-08, 2026
Declaration of Results	January 09, 2026
Dr. Ram Das Pai Scholarship Interview	January 12-13, 2026
Fee Submission and Document Verification	January 16, 2026
Last Date of PhD Registration	January 20, 2026
PhD Course Work Commenced	January 21, 2026

July 2026 Batch

Event	Tentative Date
Call for PhD Applications	May 2026
PhD Applications Close	June 2026
PhD Entrance Test	June/July 2026
Interview of Shortlisted Candidates	July 2026
PhD Course Work Commencement	July/August 2026

Note: Exact dates for the July 2026 batch will be notified on the official MUJ PhD page. Candidates are advised to check jaipur.manipal.edu/research-phd.php regularly.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must have qualified a Master's degree from a UGC-recognized institution with a minimum of 55% marks or CGPA of 5.5 on a 10-point scale.
The Master's degree should be in Architecture, Planning, Design, or a relevant allied discipline.
Candidates holding M.Phil / UGC-CSIR NET / JRF / SLET / GATE / Teacher Fellowship qualifications are exempted from the PhD entrance examination.
Candidates with qualifying degrees from foreign universities must obtain equivalence certification from the Directorate of Research (DoR) at MUJ.

Admission Process:

Monitor the official MUJ PhD page for the call for applications notification.
Apply online through the MUJ admissions portal (admissions.jaipur.manipal.edu).
Appear for the PhD Entrance Test (online mode) if not exempted.
Shortlisted candidates are called for a Personal Interview.
Final selection is based on combined performance in the entrance test and interview.
Pay the registration fee (Rs. 10,000) and first annual fee (Rs. 30,000) to confirm enrollment.

MUJ Ph.D. (Architecture and Planning) Scholarships 2026

MUJ offers the Dr. Ram Das Pai Scholarship for meritorious PhD scholars, with a separate scholarship interview conducted after the main selection process. This scholarship is available to deserving candidates across all PhD programs at MUJ, including Architecture and Planning. Additionally, candidates who qualify for external fellowships such as UGC-JRF, CSIR-JRF, or DST-INSPIRE are encouraged to apply with their fellowship, which significantly reduces the financial burden.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Applicable To	Amount	Selection Criteria
Dr. Ram Das Pai Scholarship	All PhD Programs at MUJ	As per scholarship terms	Separate interview after main PhD selection; merit-based
UGC-JRF / CSIR-JRF	All PhD Programs	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF) + HRA	Qualify UGC-NET/CSIR-NET with JRF; apply separately to UGC/CSIR
DST-INSPIRE Fellowship	All PhD Programs	Rs. 37,000/month + Rs. 20,000/year contingency	Apply to DST separately; for top-ranked Master's graduates

The Dr. Ram Das Pai Scholarship interview is conducted on January 12-13 (for January batch) and equivalent dates for July batch.
External fellowships (JRF, INSPIRE) are applied for separately from the PhD admission process.
Candidates with external fellowships are given priority in admission and are exempted from the entrance test.

Manipal University Jaipur Ph.D Architecture and Planning Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#40 out of 76 in India 2025

#2nd in Rajasthan

NIRF Ranking

#21 out of 40 in India 2025

#2nd in Rajasthan

IIRF Ranking

#42 out of 62 in Top Private Colleges in India 2025

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MUJ Ph.D. (Architecture and Planning) FAQs

Ques. Is Architecture and Planning listed as a specific PhD specialization at MUJ? How do I confirm availability?

Ans. MUJ offers PhD programs under the School of Architecture and Design within FoSTA. While the official PhD page lists broad faculty-wise specializations, Architecture and Planning falls under the Engineering/Architecture faculty. Candidates are advised to contact the PhD office directly at office.phd@jaipur.manipal.edu or call 0141-3999100-246 to confirm supervisor availability in their specific research area before applying.

Ques. What is the minimum duration of the PhD program at MUJ?

Ans. As per UGC guidelines, the minimum duration for a full-time PhD is 3 years from the date of registration. The maximum duration is typically 6 years (extendable in special cases). The annual fee of Rs. 30,000 is payable for each year until the thesis is submitted.

Ques. Can I pursue the PhD in Architecture and Planning on a part-time basis at MUJ?

Ans. Yes, MUJ offers PhD programs in both full-time and part-time modes. Part-time PhD is suitable for working professionals in architecture, planning, or allied fields. The minimum duration for part-time PhD is typically 4 years. The fee structure remains the same (Rs. 30,000 per year).

Ques. Is the PhD entrance test at MUJ conducted online? What is the syllabus?

Ans. Yes, the PhD entrance test is conducted in online mode. The syllabus for the FoSTA (Faculty of Science, Technology and Architecture) PhD entrance exam is available on the official MUJ PhD page. It covers research methodology and subject-specific topics relevant to the candidate's field. Candidates with M.Phil/NET/JRF/GATE qualifications are exempted from this test.

Ques. What is the Dr. Ram Das Pai Scholarship for PhD scholars at MUJ?

Ans. The Dr. Ram Das Pai Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship offered by MUJ to deserving PhD scholars. A separate interview is conducted after the main PhD selection process to identify eligible candidates. The scholarship details, including the amount and duration, are communicated at the time of the scholarship interview. Candidates are encouraged to appear for this interview as it can significantly support their research journey.

Ques. Can I apply for the PhD at MUJ if I have a GATE score? Will I be exempted from the entrance test?

Ans. Yes, candidates with a valid GATE score are exempted from the MUJ PhD entrance examination and are directly called for the interview. GATE-qualified candidates are also given priority in admission. Additionally, candidates with UGC-NET/JRF, CSIR-NET/JRF, SLET, or Teacher Fellowship qualifications are similarly exempted from the entrance test.