Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

ICFAI University Tripura offers the Ph.D. (Special Education) program as a full-time and part-time, campus-based doctoral program designed in accordance with the latest UGC guidelines and Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) norms. The program spans a minimum of 3 years and can extend up to 6 years, with a mandatory 1-year (2-semester) coursework component followed by doctoral thesis work. The total fees for the program are Rs. 3 Lakhs (for domicile students), and admission is based on the university's Research Aptitude Test (RAPT) or exemption via UGC-NET/JRF qualification. The Ph.D. (Special Education) program is unique in the Northeast region, catering to professionals working in special schools, rehabilitation centers, and inclusive education settings who wish to contribute to research in disability studies and special education.

Admissions for the 2026 batch have been completed, with the last date for application being January 12, 2026, and classes commencing on February 9, 2026. The next admission cycle (2027 batch) is expected to open tentatively around November-December 2026, based on the previous year's schedule.

Key Points

The Ph.D. (Special Education) program is offered as both full-time and part-time on-campus modes at ICFAI University Tripura's Kamalghat campus in Agartala.
ICFAI University Tripura is recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), making its Special Education programs credible and professionally recognized.
Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET/JRF or completed M.Phil. in the relevant discipline are exempted from the Research Aptitude Test (RAPT).
Full-time Ph.D. scholars are eligible for the University Research Scholarship (URS): Rs. 20,000/month in Year 1, Rs. 25,000/month in Years 2 and 3, and Rs. 30,000/month in Year 4.
The RAPT examination is conducted at three centers: Agartala, Guwahati, and Kolkata.
The university has a dedicated Special Education department offering programs from D.Ed. Spl. Ed. to M.Ed. Spl. Ed., providing a strong academic ecosystem for Ph.D. research.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

ICFAI University Tripura Latest Updates and News

20 Mar, 2026 ICFAI University Tripura UG/PG Admission 2026 is open. Apply by Jul 31, 2026 @iutripura.edu.in.

ICFAI Tripura Ph.D. Special Education Fees

The total academic fee for the Ph.D. (Special Education) program at ICFAI University Tripura is Rs. 3 Lakhs for domicile (Northeast states) students and Rs. 3.30 Lakhs for non-domicile students, payable over 6 semesters. Each semester fee is Rs. 45,000 for domicile and Rs. 50,000 for non-domicile students. A one-time admission fee of Rs. 25,000 and a refundable caution deposit of Rs. 10,000 are also applicable. Hostel accommodation is available on campus at an additional cost of approximately Rs. 44,000 per year (not mandatory).

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Domicile (Rs.)	Non-Domicile (Rs.)
Admission Fee (One-time)	25,000	25,000
Tuition Fee (Per Semester)	45,000	50,000
Tuition Fee (6 Semesters / 3 Years)	2,70,000	3,00,000
Application / RAPT Fee (Non-refundable)	1,000	1,000
Student Activity Fund (One-time, 1st Year 2nd Sem)	2,000	2,000
Alumni Fee (Last 2 Semesters, Rs. 500 each)	1,000	1,000
Caution Deposit (Refundable)	10,000	10,000
Total Fees (Academic, excl. Hostel)	3,09,000	3,39,000
Hostel Fee (Per Year, Optional)	~44,000	~44,000
Total Fees (incl. Hostel, 3 Years)	4,41,000	4,71,000

Caution Deposit of Rs. 10,000 is fully refundable at the time of leaving the university.
RAPT Application Fee of Rs. 1,000 is non-refundable.
Student Activity Fund (Rs. 2,000) is a one-time charge in the 1st year, 2nd semester.
Alumni Fee (Rs. 1,000 total) is paid in two installments of Rs. 500 each in the last 2 semesters.
Domicile fee applies to students from Northeast states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
Payments can be made via Credit/Debit card, Internet Banking, or Demand Draft in favor of ICFAI University, Tripura - Fee Collection A/c payable at Agartala.
Hostel fee is optional and not included in the total academic fee.

ICFAI Tripura Ph.D. Special Education Admission 2026

Admission to the Ph.D. (Special Education) program at ICFAI University Tripura is conducted annually, typically with applications opening in November-December and the batch commencing in February. The 2026 batch admission process has been completed. The next cycle (2027 batch) is expected to follow a similar timeline, with applications likely opening around November 2026. Admission is through the university's Research Aptitude Test (RAPT), with exemptions available for NET/JRF qualified candidates.

College Admission Dates

Event	Date
Last Date for Submission of Application Forms	January 12, 2026
Admit Card Issue	January 16, 2026
Research Aptitude Test (RAPT)	January 16, 2026
Personal Interview (Candidates from Outside Tripura)	January 16, 2026
Personal Interview (Candidates from Tripura)	January 19-21, 2026
Declaration of Final Merit List	January 27, 2026
Last Date of Admission	February 5, 2026
Orientation and Registration	February 6, 2026
Commencement of Regular Classes	February 9, 2026

Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Event	Date
UGC-NET	Phase 1 Exam	December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
UGC-NET	Phase 1 Result	February 4, 2026
UGC-NET	Phase 2 Registration Start (Tentative)	April 1, 2026
UGC-NET	Phase 2 Exam (Tentative)	June 2026

Note: Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET/JRF are exempted from RAPT and are directly eligible for the interview round.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a two-year postgraduate degree in Special Education (M.Ed. Spl. Ed. or equivalent) from a recognized institution with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC candidates), as per RCI norms.
Candidates who have completed M.Phil. in Special Education or a related discipline are exempted from the RAPT examination.
Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET, JRF, SET, or any similar national-level examination are also exempted from RAPT.

Admission Process

Submit the online application form along with the non-refundable application fee of Rs. 1,000.
Appear for the Research Aptitude Test (RAPT) at one of the designated centers (Agartala, Guwahati, or Kolkata), unless exempted.
Candidates who qualify RAPT (or are exempted) are called for a Personal Interview.
Final merit list is declared based on RAPT score and interview performance.
Selected candidates complete admission formalities and pay the required fees by the last date of admission.
Orientation and registration followed by commencement of regular classes.

ICFAI Tripura Ph.D. Special Education Scholarships 2026

ICFAI University Tripura offers a University Research Scholarship (URS) exclusively for full-time Ph.D. scholars. In addition, students from reserved categories and economically weaker sections can avail state and central government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal. Special Education researchers may also explore disability-specific fellowships and grants from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Rehabilitation Council of India.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Amount	Eligibility	Duration
University Research Scholarship (URS) - Year 1	Rs. 20,000/month	Full-time Ph.D. scholars	1st Year
University Research Scholarship (URS) - Year 2 and 3	Rs. 25,000/month	Full-time Ph.D. scholars	2nd and 3rd Year
University Research Scholarship (URS) - Year 4	Rs. 30,000/month	Full-time Ph.D. scholars	4th Year
Professional Development / Contingency Grant	Rs. 10,000/year	Full-time Ph.D. scholars	Up to 4 Years
Post Matric Scholarship for ST Students (State Scheme)	As per government norms	ST students from Tripura / Arunachal Pradesh	Annual
Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students (State Scheme)	As per government norms	SC students from Tripura	Annual
Post Matric Scholarship for OBC Students (State Scheme)	As per government norms	OBC students from Tripura / Assam	Annual
One-time Financial Support for Economically Weaker OBC	As per government norms	Meritorious OBC students	One-time

URS fellowship is paid for a maximum of 48 months (4 years) from the date of commencement of the program.
The contingency grant is released based on receipts for conference registrations, workshops, seminars, books, and study materials.
State scholarship applications are submitted through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
Enrollment in the Ph.D. program does not guarantee award of the Ph.D. degree within the stipulated time; the university awards the degree as per UGC Regulations and university norms.

ICFAI Tripura Ph.D. Special Education FAQs

Ques. What are the research areas available under Ph.D. (Special Education) at ICFAI University Tripura?

Ans. The Ph.D. (Special Education) program covers research areas such as intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, visual impairment, hearing impairment, inclusive education practices, assistive technology in special education, early intervention, transition planning, and policy and legislation in special education. Candidates are advised to contact the Special Education department directly to confirm available research supervisors and their areas of specialization.

Ques. Is RCI registration required to pursue Ph.D. (Special Education) at ICFAI University Tripura?

Ans. The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) recognizes ICFAI University Tripura for its Special Education programs. While RCI registration is typically required for practicing as a special educator, it is not a prerequisite for admission to the Ph.D. program. However, candidates with RCI registration and relevant work experience in special education are preferred. The Ph.D. degree itself may contribute to RCI continuing rehabilitation education (CRE) credits.

Ques. Can a candidate with M.Ed. (General Education) apply for Ph.D. (Special Education)?

Ans. The standard eligibility for Ph.D. (Special Education) requires a postgraduate degree in Special Education (M.Ed. Spl. Ed. or equivalent) as per RCI norms. Candidates with M.Ed. in General Education may not be directly eligible unless they have additional qualifications or experience in Special Education. Candidates are advised to contact the university's Research Coordination Unit directly to clarify eligibility before applying.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after Ph.D. (Special Education) from ICFAI University Tripura?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as Assistant Professors or Lecturers in Special Education departments of colleges and universities, researchers and policy consultants in disability studies, rehabilitation specialists in government and private rehabilitation centers, curriculum developers for special education programs, consultants for NGOs and international organizations working in disability and inclusion, and trainers for special educators and rehabilitation professionals.

Ques. How does the part-time Ph.D. (Special Education) work for professionals already working in special schools?

Ans. Working professionals in special schools, rehabilitation centers, or NGOs can apply for the part-time Ph.D. mode. They are required to attend the mandatory 1-year coursework (2 semesters) on campus, after which they can continue their research while working. The university accommodates part-time scholars by scheduling coursework and interactions with research supervisors in a flexible manner. However, the URS fellowship is not available for part-time scholars.

Ques. Is the Ph.D. (Special Education) from ICFAI University Tripura valid for teaching at the national level?

Ans. Yes, the Ph.D. degree from ICFAI University Tripura is recognized by UGC and is valid for applying to Assistant Professor positions in Special Education departments across India. As per current UGC regulations, UGC-NET qualification is also required alongside the Ph.D. for most teaching positions. Candidates should note that for Special Education teaching positions, RCI recognition of the degree-awarding institution is also an important consideration, and ICFAI University Tripura is recognized by RCI.