Allahabad University Ph.D Development Studies: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. Candidates must possess a Master's degree (M.A., M.Sc., or M.Com) or equivalent postgraduate qualification in Development Studies, Political Science, Sociology, Economics, or related fields with a minimum of 55% marks for general category or 50% marks for EWS/OBC/SC/ST/PwD categories from a UGC-recognized university. The degree should be from an institution recognized by the University Grants Commission to ensure academic credibility and standardization across institutions.

Ans. Candidates must submit a research proposal or synopsis of their proposed work along with the application form. The research proposal should be 2500-3000 words in length and should clearly outline the research problem, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. Three copies of the research proposal must be submitted in person at the Centre for Development Studies office by the stipulated deadline (typically December 23 for the 2026-27 admission cycle).

Ans. The Ph.D. (Development Studies) program has a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years from the date of admission. This includes coursework, research, and thesis submission. Female scholars and differently-abled candidates (with more than 40% disability) may be granted an additional relaxation of up to 2 years, with the total period not exceeding 10 years. Maternity leave of up to 240 days is available for female scholars during the entire program duration.

Ans. Registration for Ph.D. admission 2026-27 opened on September 25, 2026, with the last date for online registration and fee submission being October 22, 2026 (extended). Document verification for social sciences departments is scheduled for December 2026. Interviews and Research Aptitude Tests are conducted from December 2026 to January 2027, with final results expected by February-March 2027. The batch typically commences in June 2027.

Ans. Multiple scholarships are available including UGC JRF/SRF (12,000-14,000 per month plus HRA and contingency), Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship (8,000 per month), D.Phil Scholarship (5,000 per month), and ICSSR Fellowships. Additionally, merit-cum-means scholarships (5,000 per year) and category-based scholarships from the State Government are available. Eligibility varies by scholarship, with some requiring NET/JRF qualification and others based on merit and income criteria.

Ans. Yes, part-time Ph.D. admission is available for candidates with at least 5 years of professional experience in government departments, public sector undertakings, research organizations, or industry. Part-time scholars must submit a No Objection Certificate from their employer and pay different fees (₹25,000 registration, ₹20,000 coursework, ₹50,000 annual, ₹30,000 thesis submission). The minimum submission period for part-time scholars is 4 years, with a maximum of 8 years as per university ordinances.