St Aloysius (Deemed To Be University) Mangalore Ph.D Botany: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. Yes, the PhD in Botany at St Aloysius (Deemed To Be University) is available in part-time mode. It is particularly well-suited for college lecturers, school teachers with a science background, researchers working in botanical gardens or agricultural institutions, and professionals in the pharmaceutical or herbal industry who wish to pursue doctoral research without leaving their current employment. You will need to submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer at the time of admission, and you must be available for the entrance test, interview, and periodic research interactions on campus.

Ans. As per the January 2026 intake notification, only 2 vacancies are available for PhD in Botany at St Aloysius University. This makes it one of the more selective programmes within the School of Life Sciences. The selection is based on performance in the written entrance test (for those not exempted) and the personal interview. Candidates with UGC-NET or CSIR-NET qualifications have an advantage as they are exempted from the written test and directly proceed to the interview stage. Given the limited seats, it is advisable to contact the research guide (Dr. Sana Sheikh, Department of Botany) in advance to discuss research interests and availability.

Ans. The PhD in Botany at St Aloysius University is guided by Dr. Sana Sheikh, whose research specialisations include Mycology, Phytochemistry, Seed Technology, and Bioremediation. These are applied and contemporary areas of botanical research with relevance to environmental science, pharmaceutical botany, and agricultural sustainability. Candidates interested in plant-fungal interactions, bioactive compounds from plants, seed biology, or using plants for environmental remediation will find this programme well-aligned with current research trends.

Ans. The total tuition fee for a part-time PhD scholar in Botany (under Basic Sciences category) is Rs. 65,000 per year, amounting to Rs. 1,95,000 for the minimum 3-year duration. In addition, a one-time application/registration fee of Rs. 500 is payable at the time of applying online. If the programme extends beyond 3 years (up to a maximum of 6 years), the same annual fee of Rs. 65,000 continues to apply for each additional year. There are no separate hostel charges mandated for part-time PhD scholars. Overall, the programme is relatively affordable compared to many private deemed universities offering doctoral programmes in Life Sciences.

Ans. UGC-JRF and CSIR-JRF fellowships are primarily designed for full-time PhD scholars, as they require the candidate to be engaged in full-time research. Part-time PhD scholars are generally not eligible to draw these fellowships simultaneously with their employment. However, if you qualify UGC-NET or CSIR-NET with JRF, you can use the qualification to seek exemption from the written entrance test at St Aloysius University. If you later transition to full-time research, you may be able to avail the fellowship subject to UGC/CSIR guidelines and the university's approval. It is advisable to check the latest UGC and CSIR fellowship guidelines before applying.

Ans. Part-time PhD scholars at St Aloysius University are permitted to extend their registration up to a maximum of 6 years from the date of enrolment. To apply for an extension, scholars must submit a formal request to the Research Degree Committee (RDC) along with a progress report detailing the work completed and the remaining work plan. Extensions are granted on a year-by-year basis, subject to satisfactory progress as assessed by the RDC and the research guide. The annual fee of Rs. 65,000 continues to apply during the extension period. Scholars are strongly advised to maintain regular contact with their research guide and submit progress reports on time to avoid any delays in the extension approval process.