Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Ph.D. (Psychology) program at Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) is a full-time doctoral research program offered under the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences (FoHS). Established in 2012, the department provides scholars with a strong theoretical foundation and practical knowledge across areas such as organizational psychology, vocational psychology, counselling psychology, clinical psychology, positive psychology, health psychology, and environmental psychology. The program is modelled on the latest UGC guidelines and enables scholars to undertake independent, original research that contributes meaningfully to the discipline of psychology. 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

The Department of Psychology has a well-equipped Psychological Assessment Lab with a rich collection of psychological tests and assessment tools, regularly updated to expose students to the latest instruments for assessing human behaviour.
The department has 39 faculty members holding PhDs across FoHS, with 18 dedicated faculty members in the Psychology department, ensuring strong research mentorship.
Students from the department have achieved UGC-NET and UGC-NET JRF qualifications, demonstrating the department's strong academic preparation for research careers.
The department organizes workshops on specialized topics such as Mind Training for Athletes, Mental Imagery and Performance Optimization, and Data Analytics using SPSS and AMOS, reflecting its applied research focus.
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.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

MUJ Ph.D. (Psychology) Fees

The PhD (Psychology) 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 Components

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 for each additional year.
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. (Psychology) 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

MUJ PhD Admission Schedule (January 2026 Batch - Completed)

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

MUJ PhD Admission Schedule (July 2026 Batch - Tentative)

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 (M.A. Psychology, M.Sc. Psychology, M.Sc. Clinical Psychology, or equivalent) from a UGC-recognized institution with a minimum of 55% marks or CGPA of 5.5 on a 10-point scale.
The qualifying degree should be in Psychology or a closely related 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. (Psychology) 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 Psychology. Additionally, candidates who qualify for external fellowships such as UGC-JRF or ICSSR-JRF are encouraged to apply, as these fellowships provide monthly stipends and significantly reduce the financial burden of doctoral research.

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	All PhD Programs	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF) + HRA	Qualify UGC-NET with JRF; apply separately to UGC
ICSSR Junior Research Fellowship	Social Science and Humanities PhD Programs	Rs. 25,000/month (JRF)	Apply to ICSSR separately; for Psychology and Social Science researchers
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, ICSSR) 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.
ICSSR (Indian Council of Social Science Research) fellowships are particularly relevant for Psychology PhD scholars.

MUJ Ph.D. (Psychology) FAQs

Ques. What research areas can I pursue in the PhD (Psychology) program at MUJ?

Ans. The Department of Psychology at MUJ supports research across organizational psychology, vocational psychology, counselling psychology, clinical psychology, positive psychology, health psychology, environmental psychology, sports psychology, exercise psychology, and health education. The department also has expertise in data analytics using SPSS and AMOS for psychological research. Candidates are advised to contact the PhD office at office.phd@jaipur.manipal.edu to confirm supervisor availability in their specific area of interest.

Ques. Is UGC-NET mandatory for PhD (Psychology) admission at MUJ?

Ans. No, UGC-NET is not mandatory for PhD admission at MUJ. However, candidates who have qualified UGC-NET/JRF, SLET, or Teacher Fellowship are exempted from the MUJ PhD entrance test and directly called for interview. Several students from the MUJ Psychology department have qualified UGC-NET and UGC-NET JRF (2023), demonstrating the department's strong academic preparation. Qualifying UGC-NET with JRF also provides a monthly stipend of Rs. 37,000.

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

Ans. Yes, MUJ offers the PhD in both full-time and part-time modes. Part-time PhD is suitable for working professionals such as practicing psychologists, counsellors, school psychologists, and HR professionals. The minimum duration for part-time PhD is typically 4 years, and the fee structure (Rs. 30,000/year) remains the same.

Ques. What is the difference between M.Sc. Clinical Psychology and PhD (Psychology) at MUJ?

Ans. M.Sc. Clinical Psychology is a 2-year taught postgraduate program focused on clinical assessment, psychotherapy, and mental health practice, designed to prepare students for clinical roles. PhD (Psychology) is a research degree requiring an original contribution to knowledge, typically taking 3-6 years. The M.Sc. is a prerequisite for the PhD. MUJ offers both programs under the Department of Psychology.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing a PhD in Psychology from MUJ?

Ans. PhD (Psychology) graduates can pursue careers as university professors and assistant professors (UGC-NET/SET required for teaching positions), clinical psychologists and therapists (with RCI registration for clinical practice), organizational psychologists and HR consultants, researchers at mental health institutions and government bodies, and policy advisors in mental health and social welfare. The PhD from a NAAC A+ accredited university like MUJ is well-regarded for academic and research positions.

Ques. Does the MUJ Psychology department have a Psychological Assessment Lab? What tools are available?

Ans. Yes, the Department of Psychology has a well-equipped Psychological Assessment Lab with a rich collection of standardized psychological tests and assessment tools covering cognitive assessment, personality assessment, clinical assessment, neuropsychological testing, and vocational assessment. The lab is regularly updated to ensure students get exposure to the latest psychological instruments. The department also conducts workshops on data analytics using SPSS and AMOS for research methodology training.