Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Graphic Era Hill University (GEHU), Dehradun offers a full-time Ph.D. in Visual Arts, a doctoral research programme designed for scholars seeking to advance knowledge in areas such as painting, sculpture, digital art, visual communication, advertising, animation, design aesthetics, and Indian art heritage. The programme has a minimum duration of 3 years (including coursework) and a maximum of 6 years, as per UGC norms. The annual tuition fee for full-time scholars is Rs. 70,000 per year (Rs. 35,000 per semester), making it one of the more affordable doctoral programmes in the region. Admission is based on UGC NET scores or a university-level entrance examination, and the programme is offered on a full-time, on-campus basis at the Dehradun campus. The programme is popular among art graduates and working professionals in the creative field who wish to pursue academic or research careers in visual arts.

Admissions for the January 2026 batch have already been processed (last date was January 5, 2026, with the entrance test held on January 10, 2026, and classes commencing from February 2, 2026). The next admission cycle (July 2026 batch) is expected to open tentatively around May-June 2026, based on the previous year's pattern. Candidates are advised to keep checking the official website at gehu.ac.in for the next notification.

Key Points

Research areas in the Department of Fine Arts include Gender and Art, Women's Depiction in Paintings, Art, Craft and Heritage Development, Digital Technologies in Advertising, Visual Communication, Advertising and Marketing, Digital Media, CSR, Print Media and Advertising, Art and Aesthetics, Indian Art, Animation, Design and Art.
The programme is offered in both Full-Time and Part-Time (Internal and External) modes.
UGC NET (Category 1, 2, or 3) qualified candidates are exempted from the written entrance test but must appear for the interview.
Institutional fellowships of up to Rs. 36,000 per month are available for eligible full-time research scholars.
A Research Grant of up to Rs. 2,00,000 per year is available for meritorious full-time scholars.
Tuition fee waiver is available on a merit-cum-means basis.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

GEHU Ph.D. (Visual Arts) Fees

The Ph.D. (Visual Arts) programme at GEHU Dehradun has a straightforward and transparent fee structure. The tuition fee for full-time scholars is Rs. 35,000 per semester, while part-time (external) scholars pay Rs. 32,000 per semester and part-time (internal/employed at GEHU) scholars pay Rs. 10,000 per semester. One-time charges including registration, caution money, coursework examination fee, and enrolment fee are payable at the time of admission. The total fee for the first semester (full-time) is Rs. 56,250, and from the second semester onwards it is Rs. 39,750 per semester.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Full-Time Scholar	Part-Time (External)	Part-Time (Internal)
Registration / Admission Fee (One Time, Non-Refundable)	Rs. 5,000	Rs. 5,000	Rs. 5,000
Caution Money (One Time, Refundable)	Rs. 5,000	Rs. 5,000	Rs. 5,000
Coursework Examination Fee (One Time)	Rs. 4,000	Rs. 4,000	Rs. 4,000
Enrolment Fee (One Time)	Rs. 1,500	Rs. 1,500	Rs. 1,500
Tuition Fee (Per Semester)	Rs. 35,000	Rs. 32,000	Rs. 10,000
Student Welfare Charges (Per Semester)	Rs. 750	Rs. 750	Rs. 750
Subsidized Transport Charges (Per Semester)	Rs. 1,500	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Student Insurance Cover (Per Semester)	Rs. 1,000	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Library Fee (Per Semester)	Rs. 2,000	Rs. 2,000	Rs. 2,000
Online Information Charges (Per Semester)	Rs. 500	Rs. 500	Rs. 500
Total Fee - 1st Semester	Rs. 56,250	Rs. 50,750	Rs. 28,750
Total Fee - 2nd Semester Onwards (Per Semester)	Rs. 39,750	Rs. 35,250	Rs. 13,250
Total Fee for 3 Years (6 Semesters) - Approx.	Rs. 2,55,000	Rs. 2,27,000	Rs. 94,750

Caution Money of Rs. 5,000 is refundable at the time of leaving the university.
Insurance charges are applicable yearly (not per semester for Part-Time scholars).
Part-Time (Internal) scholars are employees of GEHU and are eligible for fee exemption as per university norms.
Tuition fee waiver is available on merit-cum-means basis.
Institutional fellowships of up to Rs. 36,000/month are available for eligible full-time scholars, which can effectively offset the tuition fee.
Application fee: Rs. 1,500 (non-refundable, payable at the time of application).

GEHU Ph.D. (Visual Arts) Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Visual Arts) programme at GEHU Dehradun are conducted twice a year - for the January session and the July session. The January 2026 batch admission process has been completed. The next cycle (July 2026) is expected to open around May-June 2026 based on the previous year's pattern. Candidates with valid UGC NET scores are exempted from the written entrance test but must appear for the interview. The admission process is available both online and offline.

GEHU Admission Dates

Event	Date
Last Date for Application Submission	January 5, 2026
Ph.D. Entrance Test (Online Mode)	January 10, 2026
Declaration of Entrance Test Results	January 17, 2026
Reporting / Registration	January 27, 2026
Commencement of Ph.D. Coursework Classes	February 2, 2026
Next Batch (July 2026) - Application Opening (Tentative)	May 2026
Next Batch (July 2026) - Entrance Test (Tentative)	June 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 1, 2026
Answer Key Release	January 14, 2026	July 1, 2026
Result Declaration	February 4, 2026	July 1, 2026

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree (2-year/4-semester after a 3-year UG, or 1-year/2-semester after a 4-year UG) from a UGC/AIU/AICTE recognized university with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST candidates). Candidates with a 4-year UG degree must have a minimum of 75% marks.
Candidates who have completed an M.Phil. programme with at least 55% marks are also eligible.
Candidates appearing in the final semester of their qualifying degree may also apply provisionally.

Admission Process

Apply online at gehu.ac.in or submit the offline application form to the Ph.D. Cell, GEHU Dehradun.
Pay the application fee of Rs. 1,500 online.
Candidates with valid UGC NET (Category 1, 2, or 3) / GATE / CSIR NET scores are exempted from the written entrance test.
Candidates without qualifying exam scores must appear for the online written entrance test (100 marks, 2 hours - 50% Research Methodology + 50% Subject Specific MCQs; qualifying marks: 50%).
All candidates (including NET/GATE qualified) must appear for the online interview before the Department Research Committee.
Offer letters are issued to selected candidates.
Complete registration and pay the enrolment fee as per the offer letter.
Commencement of coursework.

GEHU Ph.D. (Visual Arts) Scholarships 2026

GEHU Dehradun offers a robust scholarship and fellowship structure for Ph.D. scholars in Visual Arts, particularly for full-time research scholars. The institutional fellowships are among the most attractive features of the programme, with eligible scholars receiving monthly stipends that can significantly offset the cost of the programme. In addition to fellowships, the university also offers tuition fee waivers on a merit-cum-means basis and various concessions for specific categories of students.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Amount	Eligibility
Institutional Fellowship (Category A)	Up to Rs. 36,000 per month	Full-time scholars with valid UGC NET Category 1 (JRF eligible)
Institutional Fellowship (Category B)	Up to Rs. 32,000 per month	Full-time scholars with valid UGC NET Category 2 or 3, or equivalent national exam
Institutional Fellowship (Category C)	Up to Rs. 32,000 per month	Full-time scholars who qualify GEHU's Ph.D. entrance exam with outstanding academic credentials (preference to gold medalists)
Meritorious Scholars' Research Grant	Up to Rs. 2,00,000 per year	Full-time scholars based on demonstrated research achievements
Tuition Fee Waiver	Partial / Full (case-by-case)	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/ex-servicemen of Indian Armed Forces
Loyalty Concession	10% on Net Tuition Fee	Candidates who completed UG from any Graphic Era Group institution
Sibling Concession	7.5% (current student) / 5% (alumni) on Net Tuition Fee	Immediate siblings of current GEHU students or alumni

Fellowship continuation is subject to satisfactory performance in each semester.
A maximum of Academic Scholarship + 3 additional scholarships/concessions can be availed simultaneously.
An additional 5% concession is available for candidates who pay fees in annual mode.
All scholarships require submission of valid supporting documents.

GEHU Ph.D. (Visual Arts) FAQs

Ques. Is the Ph.D. in Visual Arts at GEHU Dehradun a full-time programme only, or can I pursue it part-time while working?

Ans. GEHU offers the Ph.D. in Visual Arts in three modes - Full-Time, Part-Time (External) for working professionals employed outside GEHU, and Part-Time (Internal) for GEHU employees. Part-time external scholars pay Rs. 32,000 per semester in tuition fees and are not required to be present on campus full-time, though they must complete the mandatory coursework and research requirements.

Ques. I have a UGC NET score in Visual Arts. Do I still need to appear for the entrance test at GEHU?

Ans. No. Candidates with a valid UGC NET (Category 1, 2, or 3), GATE, or CSIR NET score are exempted from the written entrance test. However, all candidates - including NET/GATE qualified ones - must appear for the online interview before the Department Research Committee on the day of the entrance examination.

Ques. What is the monthly fellowship amount I can expect as a full-time Ph.D. scholar in Visual Arts at GEHU?

Ans. If you hold a valid UGC NET Category 1 (JRF) qualification, you are eligible for an institutional fellowship of up to Rs. 36,000 per month. For UGC NET Category 2 or 3 qualified scholars, the fellowship is up to Rs. 32,000 per month. Scholars who qualify through GEHU's own entrance exam with outstanding credentials may also receive up to Rs. 32,000 per month. Additionally, a research grant of up to Rs. 2 lakh per year is available for meritorious scholars.

Ques. What are the research areas available under the Department of Fine Arts for Ph.D. in Visual Arts at GEHU?

Ans. The Department of Fine Arts at GEHU offers research in a wide range of areas including Gender and Art, Women's Depiction in Paintings, Art, Craft and Heritage Development, Digital Technologies in Advertising, Visual Communication, Advertising and Marketing, Digital Media, CSR, Print Media and Advertising, Art and Aesthetics, Indian Art, Animation, Design and Art. Candidates are advised to check the latest admission notification for updated research vacancies and available supervisors.

Ques. How long does the Ph.D. in Visual Arts take to complete at GEHU?

Ans. The minimum duration of the Ph.D. programme at GEHU is 3 years, which includes the mandatory coursework period. The maximum duration is 6 years. Extensions beyond 6 years may be considered in exceptional circumstances as per UGC regulations and university policy.

Ques. Are there any government scholarships I can apply for alongside the GEHU institutional fellowship for my Ph.D. in Visual Arts?

Ans. Yes. If you are a UGC NET JRF (Category 1) qualified candidate, you may be eligible for the UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) from the government, which is separate from the GEHU institutional fellowship. However, you typically cannot draw both simultaneously - you would need to choose one. Additionally, SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD candidates may be eligible for various central and state government scholarships such as the National Fellowship for SC Students, Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship, and others. It is advisable to check the latest UGC and Ministry of Social Justice notifications for current scholarship schemes.