UPRTOU Ph.D Nutrition & Dietetics: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Allahabad, Uttar PradeshOpen UniversityEstd 1999NAAC Grade B+
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Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated 3+ months ago

The Ph.D. in Nutrition and Dietetics at Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University (UPRTOU), Prayagraj is a research-oriented doctoral programme offered in Regular Mode at the university campus under the subject "Nutrition Food and Dietetics" (Subject Code 003). The programme has a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years, including mandatory Pre-Ph.D. coursework of 16 credits. The total course fee is Rs. 98,000, and admission is based on UGC-NET/JRF scores in Home Science combined with an interview and synopsis presentation. With only 2 seats available (OBC-01, UR-01) for the 2026-27 session, this is a highly selective programme for researchers in food science, clinical nutrition, community nutrition, and dietetics. The programme is popular among M.Sc. (Nutrition and Dietetics) graduates, dietitians, food technologists, and public health professionals who wish to contribute original research to the growing field of nutritional science in India.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are now closed. Applications were accepted from December 2 to 30, 2026, and interviews were conducted between March 20 and March 25, 2027. The next admission cycle (2027-28) is expected to open tentatively in December 2027, based on the previous year's schedule. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website www.uprtou.ac.in for the upcoming session notification.

Key Points

  • The Ph.D. in Nutrition and Dietetics is offered in Regular Mode at the UPRTOU campus in Prayagraj; employed candidates may register as Part-Time scholars with a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from their employer.
  • Admission is strictly merit-based: 70% weightage to UGC-NET/JRF scores in Home Science and 30% to the interview and synopsis presentation.
  • Pre-Ph.D. coursework of 16 credits is compulsory for all admitted candidates (except M.Phil. holders with 55%+ marks).
  • Only 2 seats were available for 2026-27 (OBC-01, UR-01), making this one of the most competitive doctoral programmes at UPRTOU.
  • Part-Time Ph.D. scholars must devote a minimum of 200 days with their research supervisor during the programme.
  • The programme is ideal for dietitians, nutritionists, food scientists, and public health professionals seeking to pursue advanced research in nutritional science.
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UPRTOU Latest Updates and News

16 Sep, 2026 UPRTOU PhD Admission 2026-27 begins. Apply by Oct 14 @uprtouphd.co.in. Entrance exam on Nov 5, 2026.  

16 Sep, 2026 UPRTOU admission deadline for all programs for the July 2026 session has been extended to Sept 30, 2026. Apply @uprtou.ac.in. Read more.

UPRTOU Ph.D. (Nutrition & Dietetics) Fees

The total fee for the Ph.D. in Nutrition and Dietetics at UPRTOU is Rs. 98,000 for the complete course duration (minimum 3 years). The annual programme fee of Rs. 20,000 is charged per year, while one-time charges include registration, Pre-Ph.D. coursework, pre-submission presentation, and thesis evaluation fees. The fee structure is highly affordable for nutrition and dietetics researchers compared to private institutions.

Fee Structure

Fee ComponentAmount (Rs.)Remarks
Ph.D. Programme Registration Fee3,000One-time, Non-refundable
Ph.D. Programme Fee20,000 per annumPer year (Refundable*)
Ph.D. Programme Fee (3 years total)60,000For minimum 3-year duration
Pre-Ph.D. Course Work Admission + Exam Fee10,000One-time (Refundable*)
Pre-Submission Presentation Fee10,000At time of thesis pre-submission viva, Non-refundable
Thesis Evaluation and Viva Voce Fee15,000At time of thesis submission, Non-refundable
Total Fees98,000For minimum 3-year duration
  • Application Processing Fee: Rs. 1,000 (General) / Rs. 500 (SC/ST) - Non-refundable; Rs. 1,500 (General with late fee) / Rs. 750 (SC/ST with late fee). This is separate from the course fee.
  • Refund Policy: 100% refund if withdrawal notice is received 15 or more days before the last date of admission; 90% if less than 15 days before; 80% if within 15 days after; 50% if within 30 days after; 0% if more than 30 days after the last date.
  • Re-Pre-Submission Presentation Fee (if required): Rs. 3,000 per attempt.
  • Pre-Ph.D. Course Work Back Paper Fee (if required): Rs. 2,000 per paper.
  • All fees are payable online via Net Banking/Credit Card/Debit Card only.
  • If the programme extends beyond 3 years, the annual programme fee of Rs. 20,000 is charged for each additional year.

UPRTOU Ph.D. (Nutrition & Dietetics) Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Nutrition and Dietetics) programme at UPRTOU are conducted once a year, typically in the December-January cycle. The 2026-27 admission process has been completed, with interviews held in March 2027. The next session (2027-28) is expected to follow a similar timeline, with applications likely opening in December 2027. Admission is based on a combined merit of UGC-NET/JRF scores in Home Science and performance in the interview and synopsis presentation.

UPRTOU Ph.D. Admission Dates

EventDate
Online Application OpensDecember 2, 2026
Last Date for Application (without late fee)December 23, 2026
Last Date for Application (with late fee)December 30, 2026
Application Form Correction PeriodDecember 31, 2026 - January 5, 2027
Declaration of Ph.D. Admission ListJanuary 24, 2027
Date of InterviewMarch 20 - March 25, 2027
Document Verification and InterviewMarch 25, 2027

UGC NET Exam Dates

EventPhase 1 DatesPhase 2 Dates
Application RegistrationOctober 7 - November 7, 2026April 2027
Admit Card ReleaseDecember 28, 2026June 2027
Exam DateDecember 31, 2026 - January 7, 2027June 2027
Answer Key ReleaseJanuary 14, 2027July 2027
Result DeclarationFebruary 4, 2027July 2027

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, Food Science, Home Science, or a related discipline (2 years/4 semesters after a 3-year Bachelor's, or 1 year/2 semesters after a 4-year Bachelor's) with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/EWS candidates).
  • Candidates with a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor's degree must have a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate (70% for reserved categories).
  • Candidates holding an M.Phil. degree in Nutrition and Dietetics or Home Science with at least 55% marks in aggregate are also eligible (50% for reserved categories).

Admission Process

  • Only UGC-NET/JRF or equivalent exam qualified candidates in Home Science are eligible to apply.
  • Candidates must apply online at www.uprtou.ac.in within the notified application window.
  • Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview, where they must present a tentative research synopsis via PowerPoint before the interview board.
  • Merit list is prepared on 100 points: 70 points for NET/JRF scores and 30 points for interview/synopsis presentation.
  • Reservation rules of the Uttar Pradesh Government are followed (vertical and horizontal reservation under 100-point roster rule).
  • Selected candidates must deposit the Pre-Ph.D. course work fee within the prescribed period and the programme fee within 6 weeks of approval of research title and supervisor.
  • In case of a tie, preference is given to the candidate with higher PG marks; if still tied, the older candidate gets priority.

UPRTOU Ph.D. (Nutrition & Dietetics) Scholarships 2026

UPRTOU does not offer institution-specific scholarships for Ph.D. students. However, doctoral researchers in Nutrition and Dietetics at UPRTOU can avail themselves of various government-funded fellowships and scholarships. The UGC-JRF fellowship in Home Science is the most significant financial support available for JRF-qualified candidates. State and central government scholarship schemes are also accessible to eligible students.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship / FellowshipOffered ByAmountEligibility
UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)University Grants Commission (UGC)Rs. 37,000/month (1st 2 years); Rs. 42,000/month (thereafter)UGC-NET JRF qualified candidates in Home Science
UGC Senior Research Fellowship (SRF)University Grants Commission (UGC)Rs. 42,000/monthUpgrade from JRF after 2 years, based on assessment
UP Government Post-Matric ScholarshipGovernment of Uttar PradeshVaries (covers tuition and maintenance)SC/ST/OBC/Minority students enrolled in recognised universities
National Fellowship for SC Students (NFSC)Ministry of Social Justice and EmpowermentRs. 37,000/month (JRF level)SC students pursuing Ph.D.
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF)Ministry of Minority AffairsRs. 37,000/month (JRF level)Minority community students pursuing Ph.D.
  • UGC JRF/SRF fellowships are awarded only to candidates who qualify the JRF category in UGC-NET; NET-only qualifiers are not entitled to the fellowship.
  • UP Government scholarships are applied for through the official UP Scholarship portal (scholarship.up.gov.in).
  • NFSC and MANF applications are submitted through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
  • Scholarship amounts and eligibility criteria are subject to revision by the respective awarding bodies.

UPRTOU Ph.D. (Nutrition & Dietetics) FAQs

Ques. Which UGC-NET paper should I qualify for Ph.D. in Nutrition and Dietetics at UPRTOU?

Ans. Candidates must qualify UGC-NET in Home Science (which covers Nutrition and Dietetics as a sub-discipline) to be eligible for Ph.D. admission in Nutrition and Dietetics at UPRTOU. The NET/JRF score in Home Science forms 70% of the admission merit. JRF-qualified candidates are also eligible for the monthly UGC fellowship.

Ques. How many seats are available for Ph.D. in Nutrition and Dietetics at UPRTOU?

Ans. For the 2026-27 session, only 2 seats were available: OBC-01 and UR-01. This makes it one of the most competitive doctoral programmes at UPRTOU. The number of seats may vary each year depending on the availability of eligible research supervisors and university policy.

Ques. What research areas can I explore under Ph.D. in Nutrition and Dietetics at UPRTOU?

Ans. The programme covers diverse research areas including clinical nutrition and therapeutic dietetics, community and public health nutrition, maternal and child nutrition, food science and technology, sports nutrition, nutritional epidemiology, food safety and quality, micronutrient deficiency disorders, dietary assessment methods, and nutrition education and counselling. The specific research topic is finalised in consultation with the assigned supervisor.

Ques. Is the Ph.D. in Nutrition and Dietetics at UPRTOU offered in distance mode?

Ans. No. The Ph.D. is offered in Regular Mode at the UPRTOU campus in Prayagraj. While UPRTOU offers many UG/PG programmes in distance mode, the Ph.D. is a campus-based research programme. Employed dietitians and nutritionists may register as Part-Time scholars with a No Objection Certificate from their employer, but must spend a minimum of 200 days with their supervisor at the university.

Ques. Can a dietitian or clinical nutritionist working in a hospital apply for Ph.D. at UPRTOU?

Ans. Yes, employed dietitians and nutritionists can register as Part-Time Ph.D. scholars at UPRTOU by submitting a No Objection Certificate from their employer. They must have qualified UGC-NET in Home Science and hold an M.Sc. in Nutrition and Dietetics or a related field with 55%+ marks. Part-Time scholars must devote a minimum of 200 days with their supervisor during the research period.

Ques. What is the career scope after completing Ph.D. in Nutrition and Dietetics from UPRTOU?

Ans. A Ph.D. in Nutrition and Dietetics from UPRTOU opens doors to academic positions such as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor in nutrition, dietetics, and home science departments (UGC-NET is also required for teaching positions). Other career avenues include research roles in public health organisations, food companies, government nutrition programmes (such as ICMR, NIN, ICDS), hospitals, and international health agencies. The degree also enhances credibility for senior clinical dietitian and nutrition consultant roles.

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