Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

The Ph.D. in Agriculture (Part Time) at Maharishi University of Information Technology (MUIT), Lucknow is a doctoral research programme offered under the Maharishi School of Agriculture. The programme is designed for working professionals, faculty members, and researchers who wish to pursue advanced research in agricultural sciences while continuing their professional commitments. The minimum duration is 3 years (as per UGC norms), with a maximum of 6 years for part-time candidates. The programme covers research areas including crop science, soil science, agronomy, plant pathology, agricultural biotechnology, and sustainable farming practices. Total fees are approximately INR 3 to 4 Lakhs for the complete programme duration (INR 1 Lakh per year). Admission is through MUIT's own offline entrance examination, with exemption for UGC NET/CSIR NET/ICAR NET qualified candidates. The programme is popular among agriculture professionals, college lecturers, and government agricultural officers seeking a doctoral qualification.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are currently open. MUIT has opened its Ph.D. admission portal for 2026-27. The entrance exam is conducted offline at the MUIT Lucknow campus. Candidates are advised to check the official Ph.D. admission portal (crm.muituniversity.in) for the latest schedule and seat availability, as Ph.D. admissions have limited seats.

Key Points

The Part Time mode allows working professionals, college faculty, and government employees to pursue a Ph.D. without leaving their current job, subject to a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer.
Admission is through MUIT's own offline entrance examination; candidates with valid UGC NET/CSIR NET/ICAR NET scores may be exempted from the entrance test.
The programme is conducted under the Maharishi School of Agriculture, which offers B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture and M.Sc. Agriculture programmes, providing a strong research ecosystem.
Research areas include crop science, soil health, agronomy, plant pathology, agricultural biotechnology, and sustainable/organic farming.
The programme follows UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, ensuring national recognition of the degree.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

MUIT Ph.D. (Agriculture) Fees

The total fees for Ph.D. (Agriculture) Part Time at MUIT Lucknow are approximately INR 3 to 4 Lakhs for the complete programme duration, payable at INR 1 Lakh per year. An additional registration fee of INR 50,000 is charged. Hostel accommodation is available separately at INR 30,000 to INR 60,000 per year and is optional.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Tuition Fee (per year)	1,00,000
Registration/Other Fee (one-time)	50,000
Total Tuition Fee (3 years minimum)	3,00,000
Total Fees (3 years, excluding hostel)	3,50,000
Hostel Fee (per year, optional)	30,000 - 60,000

Fees are charged annually for the duration of the programme (minimum 3 years, maximum 6 years for part-time).
Hostel fee is optional and not included in the Total Fees above.
Fees are refundable as per UGC refund policy norms in case of withdrawal before the academic session begins.
Application fee: INR 500.
Part-time Ph.D. candidates are required to spend a minimum number of days on campus per semester as per UGC norms.

MUIT Ph.D. (Agriculture) Admission 2026

Admissions to Ph.D. (Agriculture) Part Time at MUIT Lucknow are conducted through MUIT's own offline entrance examination held at the Lucknow campus. Candidates with valid UGC NET/CSIR NET/ICAR NET scores may be exempted from the entrance test. The admission process includes a written test followed by an interview/viva voce. MUIT's Ph.D. admission portal is open for 2026-27. Seats are limited and admissions are conducted in batches.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Ph.D. Admission Portal Open (2026-27)	Open (check crm.muituniversity.in for exact date)
Application Deadline	As notified on official portal
MUIT Ph.D. Entrance Exam (Offline)	Typically September - November (as notified)
Interview / Viva Voce	After entrance exam result
Admission Confirmation	After interview
Batch Commencement	As per university schedule

Note: MUIT conducts Ph.D. admissions in batches. Candidates should regularly check the official Ph.D. admission portal at crm.muituniversity.in for the latest schedule.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed a Master's degree (M.Sc. Agriculture or equivalent) from a recognised university.
Minimum 55% aggregate marks in the qualifying degree for General/OBC category; 50% for SC/ST/PWD candidates (as per UGC norms).
For Part Time Ph.D., candidates must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer.
Candidates with valid UGC NET/CSIR NET/ICAR NET scores may be exempted from the MUIT entrance test.

Admission Process

Register on the MUIT Ph.D. admission portal (crm.muituniversity.in) and fill in the application form.
Pay the application fee of INR 500.
Submit qualifying degree marksheet, NET/CSIR score (if applicable), NOC from employer (for part-time), and other required documents.
Appear in the MUIT offline entrance examination at the Lucknow campus (if not NET/CSIR exempt).
Attend the interview/viva voce conducted by the Research Committee.
Confirm admission by paying the fees and submitting original documents.

MUIT Ph.D. (Agriculture) Scholarships 2026

MUIT Lucknow offers merit-based concessions applicable to Ph.D. students. Additionally, national fellowships are available for eligible Ph.D. candidates. Only one institutional scholarship criterion is applicable per student.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Benefit
UGC-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	Qualified UGC NET with JRF (full-time scholars)	INR 37,000/month (1st-2nd year), INR 42,000/month (3rd year onwards)
ICAR-JRF	Qualified ICAR NET with JRF	As per ICAR norms
Girl Student Concession	All girl students	10% Fee Concession
Sibling Concession	Any two siblings studying together at MUIT	20% Fee Concession
Maharishi Vidya Mandir Alumni	Students from MVM schools	20% Fee Concession
NSP (National Scholarship Portal)	As per UP government norms, income-based	As per government norms

UGC-JRF and ICAR-JRF fellowships are awarded by the respective national bodies and are separate from MUIT's institutional scholarships.
Only one institutional scholarship criterion is applicable per student (as per MUIT policy).
Part-time Ph.D. candidates who are employed are generally not eligible for UGC-JRF.
Students must maintain satisfactory research progress to retain institutional concessions.

MUIT Ph.D. (Agriculture) FAQs

Ques. Can I pursue Ph.D. (Agriculture) Part Time at MUIT while working as a college lecturer or government agricultural officer?

Ans. Yes, the Part Time Ph.D. mode at MUIT is specifically designed for working professionals including college faculty, government employees, and agricultural officers. You need to submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer at the time of admission. Part-time Ph.D. candidates are required to spend a minimum number of days on campus per semester for coursework and research interactions, as per UGC norms.

Ques. Is the MUIT entrance exam mandatory for Ph.D. (Agriculture) admission, or can I use my UGC NET/ICAR NET score?

Ans. Candidates with valid UGC NET/CSIR NET/ICAR NET scores are typically exempted from the MUIT Ph.D. entrance examination. They are directly called for the interview/viva voce. Candidates without a valid NET score must appear in MUIT's offline entrance exam held at the Lucknow campus. The final selection is based on the entrance test/NET score and the interview.

Ques. What is the minimum and maximum duration for Part Time Ph.D. (Agriculture) at MUIT?

Ans. As per UGC regulations, the minimum duration for a Part Time Ph.D. is 3 years from the date of registration, and the maximum duration is 6 years. Extensions beyond 6 years may be granted in exceptional circumstances with the approval of the Research Committee. Full-time Ph.D. candidates have a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 5 years.

Ques. What research areas are available for Ph.D. (Agriculture) at MUIT Lucknow?

Ans. The Maharishi School of Agriculture at MUIT supports research in areas including Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Plant Pathology, Agricultural Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Sustainable/Organic Farming. The specific research topic is finalised in consultation with the assigned Research Supervisor after admission. Candidates are advised to contact the department before applying to check supervisor availability in their area of interest.

Ques. Is the Ph.D. (Agriculture) degree from MUIT Lucknow recognised for faculty positions in agriculture colleges?

Ans. Yes, Ph.D. from MUIT Lucknow is a UGC-recognised doctoral degree, making graduates eligible for faculty positions (Assistant Professor/Associate Professor) in agriculture colleges and universities. For positions in ICAR institutes and state agricultural universities, the Ph.D. must be from a recognised university, which MUIT is. However, candidates should verify specific recruitment notifications for any additional requirements.

Ques. Can I get a UGC-JRF fellowship while doing Part Time Ph.D. at MUIT?

Ans. UGC-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) is typically awarded to full-time Ph.D. scholars. Part-time Ph.D. candidates who are already employed are generally not eligible for UGC-JRF, as the fellowship is meant for full-time research scholars without a regular job. However, if you are not employed and pursuing Part Time Ph.D. for other reasons, you should check the latest UGC JRF guidelines for eligibility. ICAR-JRF has similar restrictions for employed candidates.