Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Graphic Era Hill University (GEHU), Dehradun offers a full-time Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication under the Department of Media and Mass Communication, designed for researchers, academics, and media professionals seeking to contribute original knowledge to the field. The programme has a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years, with research areas covering Investigative Journalism, Development Communication, Print Media, TV Journalism, Print Journalism, and Social Media. The total programme fee for a full-time scholar is approximately Rs. 2.55 Lakhs (excluding hostel), making it an accessible doctoral option in the private university space in Uttarakhand. Admission is based on UGC NET scores or a university-level entrance test followed by an interview, in line with UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2022.

Admissions for the January 2026 batch have already been processed (entrance test was held on January 10, 2026, and results were declared on January 17, 2026). The next admission cycle is expected to be for the July 2026 batch, with applications tentatively opening around May-June 2026, based on the previous year's pattern. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official GEHU website (gehu.ac.in) and the PhD Cell (phd@gehu.ac.in) for the July 2026 batch notification.

Key Points

Research areas in the Department of Media and Mass Communication include Investigative Journalism, Development Communication, Print Media, TV Journalism, Print Journalism, and Social Media.
Full-time scholars with UGC NET Category 1 (JRF) are eligible for an Institutional Fellowship of up to Rs. 36,000 per month.
Full-time scholars with UGC NET Category 2 or 3 (or equivalent) are eligible for a Merit-based Fellowship of up to Rs. 32,000 per month.
Full-time scholars who qualify GEHU's own entrance exam with outstanding academic credentials may receive an Institutional Fellowship of Rs. 30,000 per month.
A Research Grant of up to Rs. 2 Lakhs per year may be awarded based on demonstrated research achievements.
Tuition fee waiver is available on a merit-cum-means basis.
GEHU PhD admissions are conducted twice a year: January session and July session.
UGC NET/GATE/CSIR-NET qualified candidates are exempted from the written entrance test but must appear for the interview.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

GEHU PhD JMC Fees

The Ph.D. (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme at GEHU Dehradun follows the same fee structure as all doctoral programmes at the university. For a full-time scholar, the total programme cost (for a minimum 3-year / 6-semester duration) works out to approximately Rs. 2.55 Lakhs, which is competitive among private universities in Uttarakhand. The caution money of Rs. 5,000 is refundable upon completion of the programme. Hostel accommodation is optional and charged separately.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount
Registration / Admission Fee (One Time, Non-Refundable)	Rs. 5,000
Caution Money (One Time, Refundable)	Rs. 5,000
Coursework Examination Fee (One Time)	Rs. 4,000
Enrollment Fee (One Time)	Rs. 1,500
Tuition Fee (per semester)	Rs. 35,000
Student Welfare Charges (per semester)	Rs. 750
Subsidized Transport Charges (per semester)	Rs. 1,500
Student Insurance Cover (per semester)	Rs. 1,000
Library Fee (per semester)	Rs. 2,000
Online Information Fee (per semester)	Rs. 500
Total Fee (Full Time - 6 Semesters / 3 Years)	Approx. Rs. 2,55,750

Caution Money of Rs. 5,000 is refundable at the time of completion/exit from the programme.
Student Insurance Cover is charged yearly (i.e., once every two semesters).
The fee for Semester 1 (including all one-time charges) is Rs. 56,250 for full-time scholars.
From Semester 2 onwards, the per-semester fee is Rs. 39,750 (excluding insurance, which is annual).
Hostel fee is optional and not included in the above total.
Hostel charges for 2026-27 range from Rs. 1,20,000 to Rs. 2,30,000 per year depending on room type and hostel chosen.
A 5% concession on net tuition fee is available for candidates who pay fees in annual mode (full year at once).
Tuition fee waiver is available on merit-cum-means basis.

GEHU PhD JMC Admission 2026

GEHU conducts Ph.D. admissions twice a year, in January and July sessions. The January 2026 batch admission process has been completed. The next expected cycle is the July 2026 session, for which notifications are tentatively expected around May 2026. Admission is based on UGC NET/GATE/CSIR-NET scores (exempted from written test but must appear for interview) or a university-level online entrance test followed by an interview. The entrance test comprises MCQs on Research Methodology (50%) and Subject-Specific topics (50%), with a qualifying threshold of 50%.

GEHU PhD Admission Dates

Event	Date
Last Date of Application Submission	January 5, 2026
Online Entrance Test	January 10, 2026
Declaration of Entrance Test Results	January 17, 2026
Reporting / Registration	January 27, 2026
Commencement of PhD Coursework Classes	February 2, 2026

UGC NET Exam Dates

Event	Phase 1 (Completed)	Phase 2 (Tentative)
Registration Start Date	October 7, 2025	April 1, 2026
Registration End Date	November 7, 2025	May 1, 2026
Admit Card Release	December 28, 2025	June 1, 2026
Exam Date	December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026	June 2026
Answer Key Release	January 14, 2026	July 1, 2026
Result Declaration	February 4, 2026	July 2026

Note: UGC NET is conducted by NTA twice a year (June and December cycles). Candidates qualifying UGC NET in any of the three categories (Category 1, 2, or 3) are eligible for PhD admission at GEHU. Category 1 (JRF) candidates are exempted from the written test entirely.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree from a UGC/AIU/AICTE-recognized university with a minimum of 55% marks or CGPA of 5.5 on a 10-point scale (50% or CGPA 5.0 for SC/ST candidates).
A Master's degree in Journalism, Mass Communication, Media Studies, or a related field is preferred; candidates from allied disciplines may also apply subject to supervisor availability.
Candidates with a valid UGC NET (any category), GATE, or CSIR-NET score are exempted from the written entrance test but must appear for the interview.

Admission Process

Apply online or offline by downloading the application form from the GEHU website (gehu.ac.in/dehradun/research/doctoral-programs/).
Pay the application fee of Rs. 1,500 online or via NEFT/RTGS/Draft.
Appear for the online entrance test (MCQ-based, 2 hours) OR submit valid UGC NET/GATE/CSIR-NET scorecard for exemption from written test.
Appear for the online interview before the Department Research Committee on the day of the entrance test.
Results are declared approximately one week after the entrance test.
Complete reporting and registration formalities by the specified date.
Pay the first-semester fee to confirm admission and commence coursework.

GEHU PhD JMC Scholarships 2026

GEHU offers a robust fellowship and scholarship structure for PhD scholars, particularly for full-time researchers. Institutional fellowships are available for UGC NET qualified candidates, making the programme financially accessible for meritorious researchers. In addition to fellowships, the university also provides general scholarships applicable to all courses, including concessions for female candidates and wards of defence personnel.

Fellowship and Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Amount	Eligibility
Institutional Fellowship (UGC NET Category 1 / JRF)	Up to Rs. 36,000 per month	Full-time scholars with valid UGC NET Category 1 (JRF) scorecard
Merit-based Fellowship (UGC NET Category 2 or 3 / Equivalent)	Up to Rs. 32,000 per month	Full-time scholars with valid UGC NET Category 2 or 3, or equivalent national-level exam scorecard
Institutional Fellowship (GEHU Entrance Qualified - Meritorious)	Rs. 30,000 per month	Full-time scholars who qualify GEHU's entrance exam with outstanding academic credentials (preference to gold medalists)
Research Grant	Up to Rs. 2,00,000 per year	Based on demonstrated research achievements
Tuition Fee Waiver	Partial / Full (case-based)	Merit-cum-means basis
Female Candidate Concession	10% on Net Tuition Fee	All female candidates
Ward of Defence Personnel Concession	5% on Net Tuition Fee	Wards of current or ex-servicemen (Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Paramilitary)
Loyalty Concession	10% on Net Tuition Fee	Candidates who completed UG from any Graphic Era Group institution
Sibling Concession	7.5% (current student sibling) / 5% (alumni sibling) on Net Tuition Fee	Immediate siblings of current GEHU students or alumni
Annual Payment Concession	5% on Net Tuition Fee	Candidates who pay full annual fee in one instalment

A maximum of Academic Scholarship + 3 additional scholarships/concessions can be availed simultaneously.
Scholarships are applied in descending order of value to maximize benefit to the candidate.
Fellowship amounts are subject to the scholar maintaining full-time status and valid scorecard.
All scholarships require submission of valid supporting documents; failure to provide documents results in cancellation.
The Institutional Fellowship and Research Grant are separate from the general scholarship policy and are specific to PhD scholars.

GEHU Dehradun Ph.D Journalism & Mass Communication Ranking

IIRF Ranking

#82 out of 100 in India 2023

#1st in Uttarakhand

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GEHU PhD JMC FAQs

Ques. Is a background in Journalism or Mass Communication mandatory to apply for the PhD at GEHU?

Ans. A Master's degree in Journalism, Mass Communication, or a related media field is preferred. However, candidates from allied disciplines such as English, Sociology, Political Science, or Communication Studies may also be considered, subject to supervisor availability and the relevance of the proposed research area. The final decision rests with the Department Research Committee during the interview.

Ques. What research areas are available under the PhD in Journalism and Mass Communication at GEHU?

Ans. The Department of Media and Mass Communication at GEHU offers research in Investigative Journalism, Development Communication, Print Media, TV Journalism, Print Journalism, and Social Media. Candidates are encouraged to contact the PhD Cell (phd@gehu.ac.in) to identify available supervisors and confirm research area availability before applying.

Ques. Is UGC NET mandatory for PhD admission at GEHU, or can I apply without it?

Ans. UGC NET is not mandatory. Candidates without UGC NET scores can appear for GEHU's own online entrance test (MCQ-based, 100 marks, 2 hours) followed by an interview. However, having a valid UGC NET score exempts you from the written test and makes you eligible for the institutional fellowship, which is a significant financial benefit.

Ques. What is the difference between Full-Time, Part-Time Internal, and Part-Time External PhD at GEHU?

Ans. Full-Time scholars are required to be present on campus and are eligible for fellowships. Part-Time Internal scholars are employees of GEHU itself and pay a lower tuition fee (Rs. 10,000 per semester). Part-Time External scholars are working professionals employed elsewhere and pay Rs. 32,000 per semester. Only full-time scholars are eligible for the institutional fellowships.

Ques. How many semesters does the PhD coursework last, and what happens after coursework?

Ans. The coursework is typically completed in the first two semesters (one year). After clearing the coursework examination, scholars proceed to the research phase, which involves regular SRC (Scholar Research Committee) meetings, progress reports, pre-PhD thesis review, and finally thesis submission and viva voce. The minimum total duration is 3 years.

Ques. What is the application fee for PhD admission at GEHU, and how do I pay it?

Ans. The application fee is Rs. 1,500 (non-refundable). Payment can be made online or via NEFT/RTGS/Draft in favour of Graphic Era Hill University, Federal Bank Ltd, Account No. 26470100003123, IFSC: FDRL0002647, Branch: Dehradun/GMS Road. The application form can be downloaded from the official GEHU website or submitted online through the apply portal.