The Ph.D. (Political Science) programme at St Aloysius (Deemed To Be University), Mangalore, is a full-time doctoral research programme offered under the School of Arts and Humanities. The programme enables scholars to undertake original research in Political Science, with faculty specialisations in Political Science and International Relations, Human Rights, and Gender Issues. The minimum duration of the programme is three years, extendable up to six years. The course fee for full-time scholars falls under the Social Sciences and Humanities category: Rs. 30,000 in Year I, Rs. 35,000 in Year II, and Rs. 40,000 in Year III (total: Rs. 1,05,000 for three years). Admission is based on a university-level entrance test and interview, with UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE qualified candidates exempted from the written test. The programme is popular for its interdisciplinary research environment, experienced faculty, and the university's Jesuit tradition of social justice and academic excellence since 1880.
Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are currently open. The last Ph.D. notification (January 2026 intake) had a last date to apply of January 3, 2026, and the entrance examination was held on January 10, 2026. For the upcoming 2026-27 intake, the university has announced admissions open; specific PhD notification dates are expected to be released on the official PhD admissions portal (phdadmissions.staloysius.edu.in). Based on the previous year's pattern, applications are typically invited around November-December, with the entrance test in January.
Key Points
- The Ph.D. (Political Science) programme is offered under the School of Arts and Humanities, with research focus areas including Political Science and International Relations, Human Rights, and Gender Issues.
- 4 seats are available for Ph.D. in Political Science per intake (as per the January 2026 intake notification), making it a selective programme.
- The university follows UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2022, ensuring national academic standards.
- Candidates holding UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE qualifications are exempted from the university's written entrance test and need to appear only for the interview.
- A limited number of institutional research fellowships are available for select candidates, based on institutional guidelines.
- The programme is conducted in full-time mode on campus at Mangalore, requiring regular physical presence.
St Aloysius Ph.D. Political Science Fees
Tuition Fees
| Fee Component | Amount |
|---|
| Tuition Fee - Year I | Rs. 30,000 |
| Tuition Fee - Year II | Rs. 35,000 |
| Tuition Fee - Year III | Rs. 40,000 |
| Total Fees (3 Years) | Rs. 1,05,000 |
Hostel Fees (Optional - Not Mandatory for PhD Scholars)
| Hostel Component | Amount |
|---|
| Food and Accommodation (per year) | Rs. 75,000 |
- The above fee structure is for Social Sciences and Humanities full-time scholars as per the January 2026 intake notification.
- For extension beyond three years: an increment of Rs. 5,000 will be charged every year on the Year III fee for full-time research scholars (i.e., Year IV: Rs. 45,000; Year V: Rs. 50,000; Year VI: Rs. 55,000).
- Hostel fee of Rs. 75,000 per year covers food and accommodation (including water and electricity).
- Hostel is optional and not mandatory for PhD scholars.
- No caution deposit or refundable fee component has been specified for the PhD programme in the official fee notification.
- The university offers fee payment in instalments for eligible students.
St Aloysius Ph.D. Political Science Admission 2026
College Admission Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|
| Ph.D. Notification Released (2026-27 January Intake) | November 19, 2026 |
| Online Application Start | November 19, 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Online Application | January 3, 2027 |
| Entrance Test and Interview (On Campus) | January 10, 2027 |
| Admissions Open for 2026-27 (Announced) | April 2026 (Ongoing) |
Note: For the 2026-27 intake, the university has announced admissions open as of April 2026. Specific PhD notification dates for the next cycle are expected to follow the same pattern (notification around November 2026, last date to apply in December 2026/January 2027, entrance test in January 2027). Candidates should regularly check phdadmissions.staloysius.edu.in for updates.
UGC-NET Entrance Exam Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|
| UGC-NET Phase 1 Registration Start | October 7, 2026 |
| UGC-NET Phase 1 Registration End | November 7, 2026 |
| UGC-NET Phase 1 Admit Card | December 28, 2026 |
| UGC-NET Phase 1 Exam | December 31, 2026 - January 7, 2027 |
| UGC-NET Phase 1 Answer Key | January 14, 2027 |
| UGC-NET Phase 1 Result | February 4, 2027 |
| UGC-NET Phase 2 Registration Start | April 1, 2027 (Tentative) |
| UGC-NET Phase 2 Registration End | May 1, 2027 (Tentative) |
| UGC-NET Phase 2 Exam | June 2027 (Tentative) |
Note: UGC-NET (Political Science subject) is the primary national-level exam accepted for Ph.D. Political Science admissions. Candidates with a valid UGC-NET score are exempted from the university's written entrance test. CSIR-NET and GATE are also accepted for exemption from the written test as per the university's notification.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must hold a 2-year/4-semester Master's degree (after a 3-year Bachelor's) or a 1-year/2-semester Master's degree (after a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor's) in Political Science or a relevant discipline, with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate (or equivalent grade).
- Candidates with a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor's degree must have a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate to be eligible for direct PhD admission.
- A relaxation of 5% marks is applicable for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled/EWS candidates.
Admission Process
- Candidates must register and fill the online application form at phdadmissions.staloysius.edu.in within the notified period.
- All applicants must appear for a university-level written entrance test (100 marks: 50% research methodology + 50% subject-specific topics), followed by a personal interview on campus.
- Candidates holding UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE qualifications are exempted from the written test and need to appear only for the interview.
- Final selection is based on performance in the entrance test and/or interview, as per the university's PhD Regulations 2024.
- Selected candidates must complete the admission formalities and pay the prescribed fees to confirm their seat.
St Aloysius Ph.D. Political Science Scholarships 2026
Available Scholarships
| Scholarship / Scheme | Eligibility | Amount / Benefit |
|---|
| UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) | Candidates qualifying UGC-NET with JRF | Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF) |
| Institutional Research Fellowship (SAU) | Select candidates based on institutional guidelines | Limited fellowships; amount as per university norms |
| Post Matric Scholarship (Backward Classes) | Category I: Income up to Rs. 2,50,000/year; Category IIA/IIIA/IIIB: Income up to Rs. 1,00,000/year | As per Karnataka SSP norms |
| Post Matric Scholarship for Minorities | Muslim, Christian, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh students with 50%+ marks | As per National Scholarship Portal norms |
| SC/ST Post Matric Scholarship | Karnataka state SC/ST students; annual income up to Rs. 2,50,000 | As per Karnataka SSP norms |
| Vidyasiri Scholarship | Annual income below Rs. 2,00,000 | As per Karnataka SSP norms |
| Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships | 80%+ in PUC; income up to Rs. 4,50,000/year | Rs. 10,000/year (UG); Rs. 20,000/year (PG) |
| PM-Vidyalaxmi Education Loan Scheme | Students in top 860 institutions; family income up to Rs. 8 lakh/year | Collateral-free loan up to Rs. 10 lakh; 3% interest subvention for income up to Rs. 8 lakh/year |
| Single Girl Child Scholarship (UGC) | Single girl child pursuing PG/PhD | As per UGC/NSP norms |
- Government scholarships (Post Matric, SC/ST, Minorities, etc.) are applied for through the Karnataka SSP portal (ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in) or the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
- The UGC-JRF fellowship is awarded to candidates who qualify UGC-NET with JRF rank and is disbursed directly by UGC; it is not institution-specific.
- The Institutional Research Fellowship from St Aloysius University is limited in number and is awarded based on merit and institutional guidelines at the time of admission.
- Students are advised to check the scholarship notice board and the university's official website for updated deadlines and application procedures.
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