Bharathiar University Coimbatore Ph.D Commerce: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. The BU Common Eligibility Test (CET) is mandatory for candidates who do not hold any of the exempted qualifications. However, candidates who have qualified UGC-NET (including JRF), CSIR-NET, SLET/SET, or GATE, or hold an M.Phil. degree with minimum 55% marks, or are DST-INSPIRE awardees, or hold teacher fellowships (FIP/FDP) are fully exempted from the CET and can directly apply for the interview process. The CET is a 50-mark objective test (50 MCQs, no negative marking) with a minimum passing mark of 15 out of 50.

Ans. For candidates with a PG degree (M.Com.), the minimum duration is 3 years and the maximum is 5 years. For candidates with an M.Phil. degree, the minimum is 2 years and the maximum is 4 years. Extensions beyond the maximum period can be granted up to 2 additional years (in four six-monthly instalments) on payment of extension fees ranging from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 5,000 per extension. A special extension of 6 months is also available with EGRC recommendation. Women candidates and persons with disability (more than 40% disability) are allowed a relaxation of 2 years in the maximum duration.

Ans. Ph.D. candidates in Commerce (a social science discipline) must publish at least two research papers in SSCI (Social Sciences Citation Index), AHCI (Arts and Humanities Citation Index), SCOPUS, or Peer/Refereed journals before submitting the thesis. Additionally, candidates must make at least two paper presentations in conferences or seminars and produce evidence (presentation certificates/reprints). Publications in conference proceedings alone are not counted. Papers accepted for publication (with acceptance letter) may be considered for synopsis submission.

Ans. Full Time Ph.D. registration requires the candidate to work continuously on campus under the research supervisor. Working professionals are generally advised to register under the Part Time category, which requires a minimum of 4 years (or 3 years for M.Phil. holders). However, professionals who have been granted leave (including leave on loss of pay) for 2 years by their employer may apply for conversion from Part Time to Full Time after 18 months of registration. Chartered Accountants, Cost Accountants, Company Secretaries, and other professionals with at least 2 years of post-qualification experience are also eligible to register as Part Time scholars.

Ans. A Doctoral Committee (DC) is constituted for every Ph.D. scholar and comprises the research supervisor (convener), the Head of the Department, and an external subject expert nominated by the Vice-Chancellor. The DC must meet at least twice during the tenure (with at least 10 months between meetings) to review research progress and recommend confirmation of registration. The first DC meeting is held after the scholar clears Part I course work examinations. The scholar must maintain 75% attendance at the time of DC meetings and synopsis submission. A fee of Rs. 8,000 is paid by the candidate towards the Doctoral Committee, with each member receiving Rs. 1,000 per meeting as honorarium.

Ans. Candidates must secure a minimum of 50 marks out of 100 in each paper and an aggregate of 55% in Part I course work to proceed to thesis work. If a candidate fails to achieve this, they are allowed to re-appear in subsequent examination schedules. The maximum number of attempts to clear Part I is five. If a candidate fails to clear Part I within five attempts, their registration is cancelled and they must re-register. Candidates who have cleared individual papers with 50% but have an aggregate below 55% must re-appear in one additional paper to improve the aggregate. Part I examinations are conducted twice a year in May/June and December.