NBU Ph.D Political Science: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. The Ph.D. (Political Science) program at University of North Bengal is a full-time doctoral degree spanning 6 years. This includes coursework in the first year covering research methodology, publication ethics, and specialized political science topics, followed by 5 years of dedicated research and thesis writing. The program requires regular on-campus presence and active participation in departmental seminars and research activities.

Ans. UGC-NET is the primary examination for Ph.D. admission in Political Science at NBU. However, candidates who have already qualified for NET-JRF, NET, SET, SLET, GATE, or have completed M.Phil from a recognized university within the last 2 years, or hold Teachers' fellowship are exempted from the written test and appear only in the viva-voce interview. All other candidates must appear in both the written test and interview.

Ans. The Department of Political Science at NBU offers research opportunities across multiple specializations including Indian politics, international relations, public administration, political theory, gender studies, political economy of development, foreign policy, conflict and peace studies, and strategic studies. The department has faculty expertise in these areas and encourages students to pursue research aligned with their interests and faculty guidance. The department has received UGC Special Assistance Programme funding and hosts Centre for Nehru Studies and Centre for Gandhian Studies.

Ans. Graduates with Ph.D. in Political Science from NBU can pursue careers in academia as university professors and researchers, work in research institutions and think tanks, contribute to policy-making bodies and government organizations, engage in political consultancy, work in international organizations and NGOs, or pursue positions in media and publishing. The rigorous training in research methodology and original scholarly work prepares graduates for leadership roles in political research, education, and policy analysis.

Ans. The total course work fee for Ph.D. (Political Science) is Rs. 16,650 (for Arts, Commerce & Law category), with an additional application fee of Rs. 500 (Rs. 250 for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PWD candidates). The university offers full-free and half-free studentships based on merit and financial need, along with SC/ST/OBC/PWD scholarships as per government norms. Additionally, eligible students can avail sports and NCC quota scholarships.

Ans. The admission process involves online application submission, scrutiny of applications, a written test (for non-NET/SET candidates), and a viva-voce interview. For the 2026 batch, applications were invited from March 11-15, 2026, with the written test on March 20, 2026, interviews on March 24, 2026, and final merit list publication on March 26, 2026. Classes commenced on April 2, 2026. For future admissions, candidates should monitor the NBU website for notification timelines, typically announced in early March.