Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Interior Design at Vishwakarma University (VU), Pune, is a full-time doctoral research programme offered under the Faculty of Architecture, listed officially as Ph.D. (Interior Spaces). The programme is designed for candidates seeking to pursue advanced research in interior design, interior spaces, spatial design, and related disciplines. The annual fee is Rs. 75,000 per year, with an additional thesis submission fee of Rs. 25,000 at the time of thesis submission. Admission is through VU's own Ph.D. Entrance Test (VUPET), and candidates with valid UGC-NET, GATE, or CEED scores are exempted from the written test. The programme is supervised by dedicated faculty from the Architecture department and is well-suited for design professionals, academics, and practitioners seeking to contribute original research to the field of interior design and spatial studies.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are currently in progress. The VUPET 2026 form submission window opened on 1st February 2026 and closed on 22nd March 2026. The VUPET entrance test was conducted on 12th April 2026, with results declared on 21st April 2026. Interviews are scheduled for May 2026, and the final admission deadline for selected candidates is 30th May 2026. Candidates qualifying their Master's degree in 2026 may also apply, subject to submission of results by 30th July 2026.

Key Points

The Ph.D. (Interior Design) at VU is officially listed as Ph.D. (Interior Spaces) under the Faculty of Architecture, with dedicated supervisors Dr. Shraddha Jadhav and Dr. Rahul Honrao.
The programme has 3 seats available (all reserved category) for AY 2026-27, making it a highly selective research programme with focused mentorship.
Candidates with valid UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR NET (Category 1, 2, or 3), GATE, or CEED scores are exempted from the VUPET written test, though form submission and interview remain mandatory.
The VUPET examination consists of two papers: Paper I (Research Methodology and General Aptitude, 50 marks) and Paper II (Subject-specific, 50 marks), both conducted online in proctored mode.
The programme is interdisciplinary in nature, allowing research at the intersection of interior design, architecture, spatial studies, human behaviour, and design theory.
VU's Ph.D. programme is aligned with UGC regulations for doctoral programmes, ensuring the degree is recognised for academic and professional advancement.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

VU Ph.D. (Interior Design) Fees

The Ph.D. (Interior Design / Interior Spaces) programme at Vishwakarma University carries an annual fee of Rs. 75,000 per year. The total programme cost depends on the duration of the research (typically 3 to 5 years). A thesis submission fee of Rs. 25,000 is payable at the time of thesis submission. The VUPET application form fee is Rs. 1,200 for Open category and Rs. 1,000 for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Differently-Abled candidates.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)	Remarks
Annual Tuition Fee	75,000	Per year, payable each academic year
VUPET Application Form Fee (Open)	1,200	One-time, non-refundable
VUPET Application Form Fee (SC/ST/OBC/EWS)	1,000	One-time, non-refundable
Thesis Submission Fee	25,000	Payable at time of thesis submission
Total Fees (3 Years, excluding thesis fee)	2,25,000	Indicative; actual duration may vary
Total Fees (3 Years, including thesis fee)	2,50,000	Indicative; actual duration may vary

The Ph.D. programme duration is typically 3 years (minimum) to 5 years (maximum), extendable as per UGC norms.
Annual fees are payable at the beginning of each academic year.
Hostel facility is available on campus at an additional cost (Rs. 1,25,000 to Rs. 1,45,000 per year depending on seat type, including mess).
Education loans are facilitated through SBI, HDFC, and Oriental Bank of Commerce.
All payments are to be made digitally (UPI/Debit Card/Credit Card/NEFT/RTGS).
For refund queries, contact: Accounts Section - 8669908301 / 02026950320.

VU Ph.D. (Interior Design) Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Interior Design / Interior Spaces) programme at VU for 2026-27 are currently in the final stages, with interviews completed and final admissions expected by 30th May 2026. The next admission cycle (AY 2027-28) is expected to open in February 2027. Candidates are advised to check the official VU website for updated vacancy lists and supervisor research interests before applying.

Important Dates

Event	Date
VUPET Form Submission Start	1 February 2026
VUPET Form Submission Last Date	22 March 2026
VUPET Entrance Test Date	12 April 2026
VUPET Paper II Result Declaration	21 April 2026
Interview Schedule Declared	27 April 2026
Interview Result	15 May 2026
Final Admission Deadline (Selected Candidates)	30 May 2026
Master's Degree Result Submission Deadline	30 July 2026

Note: The next Ph.D. admission cycle (AY 2027-28) is expected to open in February 2027. Dates are tentative and subject to change at the discretion of the university.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Design, Interior Design, Interior Spaces, or Architecture from a recognised university with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks.
A relaxation of 5% marks is allowed for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer), Differently-Abled, and EWS candidates.
Candidates with a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor's degree (without a Master's) must have a minimum of 75% aggregate marks (with 5% relaxation for reserved categories).
Candidates qualifying their Master's degree in 2026 may apply provisionally, subject to submission of results by 30th July 2026.

Admission Process:

Step 1: Check the list of available supervisors and their research interests on the VU website before applying.
Step 2: Register and fill the VUPET application form at vupet.edupluscampus.com and pay the application fee (Rs. 1,200 for Open / Rs. 1,000 for reserved categories).
Step 3: Candidates with valid UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR NET (Cat 1/2/3), GATE, or CEED scores are exempted from the VUPET written test. All candidates must still submit the form and appear for the interview.
Step 4: Appear for VUPET Paper I (Research Methodology and Aptitude, 50 marks) and Paper II (Interior Spaces subject-specific, 50 marks), both conducted online in proctored mode. Minimum passing: 50% in each paper.
Step 5: Candidates qualifying both papers are called for a personal interview.
Step 6: Final merit list is prepared based on VUPET score and interview performance. Selected candidates must complete admission formalities and pay fees by the deadline.

VU Ph.D. (Interior Design) Scholarships 2026

Vishwakarma University offers financial support options for Ph.D. scholars, including category-based fee concessions and facilitation of education loans. Additionally, Ph.D. scholars who qualify UGC-NET/JRF or GATE are eligible for national fellowships that provide monthly stipends, significantly reducing the financial burden of doctoral research.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Financial Aid	Eligibility	Benefit
UGC-NET JRF Fellowship	Candidates qualifying UGC-NET with JRF	Monthly stipend of Rs. 37,000 (1st-2nd year) and Rs. 42,000 (3rd-5th year) as per UGC norms
GATE/CEED Scholarship	Candidates with valid GATE/CEED score	VUPET exemption; may be eligible for institute-level support
SC/ST/OBC/EWS Fee Concession	Reserved category candidates	Reduced VUPET form fee (Rs. 1,000 vs Rs. 1,200) + 5% relaxation in eligibility
Government Employee Ward Concession	Children of government employees	Fee concession (as per VU norms)
Education Loan Assistance	All eligible students	Facilitated through SBI, HDFC, Oriental Bank of Commerce

UGC-NET JRF stipend amounts are as per UGC norms and subject to revision.
Ph.D. scholars are encouraged to apply for DST-INSPIRE, CSIR-SRF, and other national fellowships relevant to design and architecture research.
Category certificates must be submitted at the time of admission to avail reserved category benefits.
Contact: admissions@vupune.ac.in | +91 86699 08342

VU Ph.D. (Interior Design) FAQs

Ques. Is the Ph.D. at VU listed as Interior Design or Interior Spaces?

Ans. VU officially lists this doctoral programme as Ph.D. (Interior Spaces) under the Faculty of Architecture. It is the same programme referred to as Ph.D. (Interior Design) in common usage. The research focus covers interior design, spatial design, interior spaces, and related disciplines. The two dedicated supervisors for this programme are Dr. Shraddha Jadhav and Dr. Rahul Honrao.

Ques. How many seats are available for Ph.D. (Interior Spaces) at VU?

Ans. For AY 2026-27, there are 3 total seats available for Ph.D. (Interior Spaces), all under the reserved category (0 Open seats). Seat availability may change each year. Candidates are advised to check the latest vacancy list on the official VU website before applying.

Ques. Can I apply for Ph.D. (Interior Design) at VU if I have a CEED score?

Ans. Yes. Candidates with a valid CEED score are exempted from the VUPET written test (Paper I and Paper II). However, submission of the VUPET application form and appearance in the personal interview are mandatory for all candidates, including those exempted from the written test. The CEED score must be valid and within its validity period at the time of application.

Ques. What is the minimum duration of the Ph.D. programme at VU?

Ans. The minimum duration of the Ph.D. programme at VU is 3 years (as per UGC regulations). The maximum duration is typically 5 years, extendable as per UGC norms with valid justification. The annual fee of Rs. 75,000 is payable each year throughout the programme duration, plus a thesis submission fee of Rs. 25,000 at the time of thesis submission.

Ques. What research areas can I pursue under Ph.D. (Interior Spaces) at VU?

Ans. Research under Ph.D. (Interior Spaces) at VU can cover a wide range of topics including interior design theory and history, spatial design and human behaviour, sustainable interior design, heritage conservation and adaptive reuse, biophilic design, universal design and accessibility, smart interiors and technology integration, and design pedagogy. Candidates are advised to align their research proposal with the specific research interests of the available supervisors (Dr. Shraddha Jadhav and Dr. Rahul Honrao) before applying.

Ques. Is the Ph.D. from Vishwakarma University recognised for academic positions?

Ans. Yes. VU is a UGC-recognised private university established under the Maharashtra Universities Act. A Ph.D. from VU is recognised for academic positions (Assistant Professor) as per UGC regulations, provided the programme is completed in compliance with UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations. Candidates are advised to verify the latest UGC norms regarding Ph.D. recognition for specific academic positions before enrolling.

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Vishwakarma University Pune Ph.D Interior Spaces: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Table of Contents

VU Ph.D. (Interior Design) Fees

Fee Components

VU Ph.D. (Interior Design) Admission 2026

Important Dates

Eligibility Criteria:

Admission Process:

VU Ph.D. (Interior Design) Scholarships 2026

Scholarship Details

VU Ph.D. (Interior Design) FAQs

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