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The Ph.D. (Mass Communication) programme at Sikkim University, Gangtok is a full-time research degree offered by the Department of Mass Communication under the School of Professional Studies. The programme has a minimum duration of 3 years (extendable up to 6 years as per UGC norms) and is conducted in full-time on-campus mode. The total fees for the programme are approximately Rs. 36,432 for the entire course (6 semesters). Admission is based on UGC-NET/equivalent scores combined with a departmental interview, with a seat intake of 7 seats (UR-1, OBC-2, SC-2, ST-1, EWS-1) for 2026-27. The programme is popular for its wide range of research areas including Media and Religion, Media Anthropology, Journalism Studies, Development Communication, Gender and Communication, New Media Studies, and Indigenous Studies, making it a strong choice for candidates aspiring to academic and research careers in media and communication.

Admission for the 2026-27 session (Second Cycle) has been completed, with the second selection list published in February 2027. The next admission cycle (2027-28) is expected to open tentatively in May 2027, with online registration likely from May to June 2027, based on the previous year's schedule.

Key Points

The Department of Mass Communication is part of the School of Professional Studies and has one of the widest research specialization areas among all departments at Sikkim University.
Ph.D. admission is based on 70% weightage for UGC-NET/equivalent score and 30% weightage for the departmental interview.
Research areas include Media and Religion, Media Anthropology, News/Journalism Studies, Development Communication, Community Media, Gender and Communication, Television Studies, New Media Studies, Film Studies, and Indigenous Studies in Eastern Himalayas.
A supernumerary seat is available annually for NET-qualified regular faculty members and staff of Sikkim University and affiliated colleges.
10% seats are reserved on a supernumerary basis for foreign candidates.
The university provides Non-NET Fellowship for full-time Ph.D. students who are not NET-qualified and not receiving any other fellowship.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

Sikkim Univ Ph.D. Mass Comm Fees

The Ph.D. (Mass Communication) programme at Sikkim University has a very affordable fee structure, as it is a centrally funded university. The one-time fees payable at the time of admission (including first semester tuition fee) amount to Rs. 17,832. From the second semester onwards, a tuition fee of Rs. 3,720 per semester is charged. For a minimum duration of 6 semesters, the total course fee works out to approximately Rs. 36,432. Hostel accommodation is available separately on a merit and availability basis.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Admission Fee	1,860
Registration Fee	248
Examination Fee	372
Library Fee	620
Sports Fee	372
Student Welfare Fund	248
Medical Fee	124
University Development Fund	100
NSS/NCC Fee	248
Laboratory/Practical Fee	9,920
Tuition Fee (1st Semester)	3,720
Total (1st Semester / At Admission)	17,832
Tuition Fee (2nd Semester onwards, per semester)	3,720
Total Fees (6 Semesters / Minimum Duration)	36,432

Hostel fees are separate and not included in the above total.
Hostel accommodation (optional) costs Rs. 4,242 to Rs. 4,750 per semester depending on room type (excluding mess charges).
Hostel Caution Deposit of Rs. 3,000 is refundable at the time of exit from the hostel.
Tuition fee is relaxed by 50% for SU employees, wards of SU employees, and Yangang villagers.
100% relaxation is available for Differently Abled students and those belonging to the Primitive Tribe of Sikkim.
Hostel seat rent is relaxed by 100% for SC/ST students.
All fees are collected through online mode only.
A late fee of Rs. 25 per day is charged if tuition fee is not paid within 15 days of semester commencement.
Fee refund is as per UGC guidelines in case of withdrawal.

Sikkim Univ Ph.D. Mass Comm Admission 2026

Admission to the Ph.D. (Mass Communication) programme at Sikkim University is a competitive process based on UGC-NET/equivalent scores and a departmental interview. For 2026-27, the admission process has been completed (including a second cycle), with classes commencing from August 2026. The next admission cycle for 2027-28 is expected to follow a similar schedule, with online applications likely opening in May 2027.

Sikkim University Ph.D. Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date (2027-28)
Publication of Admission Notice	May 2027
Online Registration for Admission	May to June 2027
Scrutiny of Applications and Document Verification	June 2027
Interview of Shortlisted Candidates	Late June 2027
Declaration of 1st Selection List	Early July 2027
Admission Fee Payment (1st List)	July 2027
Declaration of 2nd Selection List	Mid-July 2027
Physical Reporting and Document Verification	Late July 2027
Commencement of Odd Semester / Classes	1st August 2027

UGC-NET Exam Dates

Exam	Event	Date
UGC-NET	Phase 1 Registration	October 7 - November 7, 2026
UGC-NET	Phase 1 Admit Card	December 28, 2026
UGC-NET	Phase 1 Exam	December 31, 2026 - January 7, 2027
UGC-NET	Phase 1 Answer Key	January 14, 2027
UGC-NET	Phase 1 Result	February 4, 2027
UGC-NET	Phase 2 Registration (Tentative)	April 1 - May 1, 2027
UGC-NET	Phase 2 Exam (Tentative)	June 2027
UGC-NET	Phase 2 Result (Tentative)	July 2027

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Master's degree (2-year / 4-semester after 3 or 4-year Bachelor's) in Mass Communication, Journalism, or allied subjects with at least 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/OBC-NC/DA/EWS) from a recognized university.
Valid UGC-NET or equivalent qualification is mandatory for online application.
Candidates with a 4-year Bachelor's Degree with Research and a minimum CGPA of 7.5 (75%) are also eligible.

Admission Process

Apply online at https://cusadmission.samarth.edu.in/ within the notified registration period.
Pay the application fee online: Rs. 1,000 (General), Rs. 750 (OBC/EWS), Rs. 500 (SC/ST/DA).
Applications are shortlisted based on NET score and qualifying examination marks/CGPA.
Shortlisted candidates are called for a departmental interview (30% weightage; NET score carries 70% weightage).
Final merit list is prepared and uploaded on the university website.
Selected candidates must pay admission fees online within the notified date.
Physical reporting and document verification is mandatory; failure to report results in cancellation of admission.

Sikkim Univ Ph.D. Mass Comm Scholarships 2026

Sikkim University Ph.D. (Mass Communication) students can avail a range of fellowships and scholarships from central government schemes as well as university-level support. The university also provides its own Non-NET Fellowship for eligible full-time Ph.D. scholars. These scholarships significantly reduce the financial burden on research scholars.

Scholarships and Fellowships

Scholarship / Fellowship	Amount	Eligibility
UGC-NET JRF Fellowship	Rs. 37,000/month (1st 2 years); Rs. 42,000/month (thereafter)	UGC-NET JRF qualified candidates
Non-NET Fellowship (Sikkim University)	As per UGC norms	Full-time Ph.D. scholars not receiving any other fellowship
National Fellowship for SC Students (NFSC)	As per UGC norms	SC category Ph.D. scholars
National Fellowship for ST Students (NFST)	As per UGC norms	ST category Ph.D. scholars
National Fellowship for OBC Students (NFOBC)	As per UGC norms	OBC category Ph.D. scholars
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF)	As per UGC norms	Minority community Ph.D. scholars
Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Single Girl Child Fellowship (SJSGC)	As per UGC norms	Single girl child pursuing Ph.D.
Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (University)	Rs. 3,000/month (Fellowship) or full/half tuition fee waiver	Family income below Rs. 60,000/year; no other scholarship

JRF fellowship amounts are as per the latest UGC revision (effective January 2023).
Non-NET Fellowship is available only for full-time Ph.D. scholars not availing any other fellowship.
Candidates must apply through the UGC portal, National Scholarship Portal, or respective Ministry portals.
For Merit-cum-Means Scholarship, applications must be submitted to the Dean of Students Welfare office with income certificate.
Foreign students are not eligible for the Merit-cum-Means Scholarship.

Sikkim Univ Ph.D. Mass Comm FAQs

Ques. What are the research areas available for Ph.D. (Mass Communication) at Sikkim University?

Ans. The broad areas of specialization include Media and Religion, Media Anthropology, News/Journalism Studies, Communication for Social and Behavioural Change (CSBC), Development Communication, Media and Minorities, Community Media, Cultural Communication, Rural Communication, Indigenous Studies and Communication, Gender and Communication, Television Studies, New Media Studies, Public Relations and Corporate Communication, Film Studies, and Print Media. The department has a special focus on media research in Eastern Himalayas.

Ques. How many seats are available for Ph.D. (Mass Communication) at Sikkim University?

Ans. For the 2026-27 session, there are 7 seats available: 1 for Unreserved (UR), 2 for OBC, 2 for SC, 1 for ST, and 1 for EWS category. Additionally, supernumerary seats are available for NET-qualified faculty/staff of Sikkim University and affiliated colleges, and for foreign candidates (10% on supernumerary basis).

Ques. Is UGC-NET mandatory for Ph.D. (Mass Communication) admission at Sikkim University?

Ans. Yes, UGC-NET (or equivalent exams) is mandatory for applying to the Ph.D. (Mass Communication) programme at Sikkim University. Candidates without a valid NET/equivalent qualification cannot apply online.

Ques. What is the selection process for Ph.D. (Mass Communication) at Sikkim University?

Ans. The selection is based on 70% weightage for UGC-NET score (or equivalent) and 30% weightage for the departmental interview. The interview focuses on the candidate's research interest and potential contribution to new knowledge. A final merit list is prepared and uploaded on the university website.

Ques. Can a candidate with an MA in Journalism apply for Ph.D. (Mass Communication) at Sikkim University?

Ans. Yes, candidates with an MA in Journalism, Mass Communication, or allied subjects with at least 55% marks (50% for reserved categories) and a valid UGC-NET score are eligible to apply for Ph.D. (Mass Communication) at Sikkim University.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation available for Ph.D. (Mass Communication) students at Sikkim University?

Ans. Hostel accommodation is available but not guaranteed. It is allotted based on merit, availability of seats, department, and the Government of India reservation policy. Candidates from areas in and around Gangtok are not eligible for hostel accommodation. Students must apply for hostel admission online at the time of filling the admission form.