Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

Vishwakarma University (VU), Pune offers a full-time Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences under its School of Pharmacy, a research-focused doctoral programme designed to advance knowledge in drug delivery, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmaceutical technology. The programme has a minimum duration of 3 years and is offered on-campus in full-time mode. Annual tuition fees are Rs. 1,25,000 per year, with an additional thesis submission fee of Rs. 25,000 at the time of thesis submission. Admission is based on the university's own entrance test, VUPET (Vishwakarma University Ph.D. Entrance Test), and the programme is popular among M.Pharm graduates seeking to pursue advanced research in pharmaceutical sciences in a well-equipped, industry-connected academic environment.

Admissions for AY 2026-27 are currently ongoing. The VUPET application window opened on 1 February 2026, with the last date for form submission being 22 March 2026. The entrance test is scheduled for 12 April 2026, and the final admission deadline for selected candidates is 30 May 2026.

Key Points

The Ph.D. programme is offered under the Faculty of Pharmacy, with Pharmaceutical Sciences as the designated research department.
A total of 68 vacancies are available for AY 2026-27 in Pharmaceutical Sciences (33 Open, 35 Reserved).
14 research supervisors are available across diverse specialisations including novel drug delivery systems, medicinal chemistry, nanotechnology, pharmacology, ethnopharmacology, and computational drug design.
Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR NET (Category 1, 2, or 3), GATE, or CEED with a valid score are exempted from the VUPET entrance test; however, form submission and interview remain mandatory for all.
The VUPET examination consists of two papers: Paper I (Research Methodology and General Aptitude, 50 marks, objective type) and Paper II (Subject-specific, 50 marks, subjective type). Minimum passing is 50% in both papers.
The School of Pharmacy has an active Advisory Board comprising senior professionals from Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Emcure, Serum Institute of India, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Alkem, Novartis, and other leading pharma companies.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

VU Ph.D. (Pharmaceutical Sciences) Fees

The Ph.D. (Pharmaceutical Sciences) programme at Vishwakarma University carries an annual tuition fee of Rs. 1,25,000. Over a minimum 3-year duration, the total tuition fee amounts to Rs. 3,75,000, with an additional one-time thesis submission fee of Rs. 25,000 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/Differently-Abled/EWS candidates.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
VUPET Application Form Fee (Open Category)	1,200 (one-time)
VUPET Application Form Fee (SC/ST/OBC/EWS)	1,000 (one-time)
Annual Tuition Fee	1,25,000 per year
Tuition Fee for 3 Years (minimum duration)	3,75,000
Thesis Submission Fee	25,000 (one-time, at thesis submission)
Total Fees (3 years + thesis submission)	4,00,000

Hostel facility is available on campus (optional) at Rs. 1,25,000 to Rs. 1,45,000 per year depending on seat type, inclusive of mess (breakfast + dinner) and a refundable deposit of Rs. 5,000.
Hostel is not mandatory.
If admission is cancelled before 31 August 2026, a deduction applies and the balance is refunded.
No refund is applicable for cancellations after 31 August 2026.
Fee payment can be made digitally via UPI, Debit Card, Credit Card, NEFT, or RTGS.

VU Ph.D. (Pharmaceutical Sciences) Admission 2026-27

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Pharmaceutical Sciences) programme at Vishwakarma University for AY 2026-27 are currently open. The process is based on the VUPET entrance test followed by a personal interview. Candidates who have qualified national-level examinations such as UGC-NET or GATE are exempted from the written test but must still submit the application form and appear for the interview. The admission process is straightforward and can be completed online.

VU Ph.D. Admission Schedule

Sr. No.	Activity	Date
1	VUPET Form Submission Start	1 February 2026
2	Last Date of Form Submission	22 March 2026
3	VUPET Entrance Test	12 April 2026
4	Result of VUPET Paper II	21 April 2026
5	Interview Schedule Declared	27 April 2026
6	Result of Interview	15 May 2026
7	Final Deadline for Admission (Selected Candidates)	30 May 2026

Relevant Exam Dates

Exam	Event	Date
GPAT 2026	Exam Date	7 March 2026
GPAT 2026	Admit Card	2 March 2026
GPAT 2026	Result	7 April 2026

Note: GPAT qualification is not mandatory for Ph.D. admission at VU, but a valid GPAT score may support fellowship applications. UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE qualified candidates are exempted from VUPET written test.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have completed a 2-year/4-semester M.Pharm degree with at least 55% marks in aggregate (or equivalent grade).
Alternatively, candidates with a 4-year/8-semester B.Pharm (Hons.) degree with at least 75% marks are eligible to apply directly for Ph.D.
A relaxation of 5% marks is applicable for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled/EWS candidates in both eligibility and entrance examination.

Admission Process

Check the list of available research supervisors and their research areas on the VU website before applying.
Fill the VUPET application form online at vupet.edupluscampus.com and pay the application fee (Rs. 1,200 for Open / Rs. 1,000 for Reserved category).
Appear for VUPET Paper I (Research Methodology and Aptitude) online in proctored mode; only candidates clearing Paper I (minimum 50%) are eligible for Paper II.
Appear for VUPET Paper II (Subject-specific, Pharmaceutical Sciences); minimum passing is 50%.
Shortlisted candidates appear for a personal interview as per the schedule declared by the university.
Selected candidates complete the admission formalities and pay fees by the final deadline (30 May 2026).
Candidates qualifying UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE/CEED with valid scores are exempted from the written test but must submit the form and attend the interview.

VU Ph.D. (Pharmaceutical Sciences) Scholarships 2026-27

Ph.D. scholars at Vishwakarma University can avail of government-funded fellowships and scholarships, particularly those qualifying national-level examinations. The university itself does not prominently advertise a dedicated merit scholarship for Ph.D. students, but students from reserved categories (OBC, SC, ST) may benefit from government scholarship schemes. Additionally, students with UGC-NET JRF or CSIR-NET JRF qualifications are eligible for monthly fellowships funded by UGC/CSIR directly. The university also facilitates student loan access through banking partners including SBI, HDFC, and Oriental Bank of Commerce.

Scholarships and Fellowships

Scholarship / Fellowship	Offered By	Amount	Eligibility
UGC-NET JRF Fellowship	UGC (Government of India)	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF), Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	Qualified UGC-NET JRF in relevant subject
CSIR-NET JRF Fellowship	CSIR (Government of India)	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF), Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	Qualified CSIR-NET JRF in Life Sciences / Chemical Sciences
GATE Scholarship	AICTE / Government of India	Rs. 12,400/month	Valid GATE score, enrolled in full-time Ph.D.
Maharashtra Government Scholarship (OBC/SC/ST)	Government of Maharashtra (MahaDBT)	As per government norms	Reserved category students enrolled in Ph.D.
EWS Fee Concession	Vishwakarma University	Up to applicable percentage	EWS certificate holders
Education Loan	SBI / HDFC / Oriental Bank	As per bank norms	All eligible students

UGC/CSIR JRF fellowships are disbursed directly by the respective funding agencies and are not university-funded.
Students must apply for government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or MahaDBT portal within the stipulated deadlines.
GATE scholarship is applicable only for full-time Ph.D. scholars enrolled in AICTE-approved institutions.
EWS concession is subject to submission of a valid EWS certificate at the time of admission.

VU Ph.D. (Pharmaceutical Sciences) FAQs

Ques. Is VUPET mandatory for all Ph.D. applicants at Vishwakarma University, or can I get a direct admission with a NET/GATE score?

Ans. VUPET is not mandatory for candidates who have qualified UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR NET (Category 1, 2, or 3), GATE, or CEED with a valid score within the certificate's validity period. Such candidates are exempted from the written test. However, submission of the VUPET application form and appearing for the personal interview are mandatory for all candidates, including those with NET/GATE exemption.

Ques. How many Ph.D. seats are available in Pharmaceutical Sciences at VU Pune, and what is the open vs. reserved split?

Ans. For AY 2026-27, a total of 68 vacancies are available in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Vishwakarma University. Of these, 33 seats are in the Open category and 35 seats are reserved for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Differently-Abled candidates.

Ques. Can I pursue the Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences at VU while working in the pharma industry (part-time)?

Ans. The Ph.D. (Pharmaceutical Sciences) at Vishwakarma University is offered as a full-time on-campus programme. There is no part-time or distance mode available for this course. Candidates are expected to be present on campus for coursework, lab work, and research activities. Working professionals would need to take a break from employment or seek special permission from their employer.

Ques. What are the key research areas available under Ph.D. Pharmaceutical Sciences at VU Pune?

Ans. The research supervisors at VU's School of Pharmacy cover a wide range of specialisations including: Novel Drug Delivery Systems (nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, transdermal systems), Medicinal Chemistry and Computational Drug Design (molecular docking, QSAR, virtual screening), Pharmacology and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Ethnopharmacology and Natural Products, Nanotechnology for Cancer and Alzheimer's treatment, Respiratory Drug Delivery Systems (DPI, pMDI, nasal sprays), Herbal Formulations and Phytopharmaceuticals, and Pharmaceutical Technology and Quality by Design (QbD).

Ques. What is the minimum and maximum duration of the Ph.D. programme at Vishwakarma University?

Ans. The minimum duration for the Ph.D. programme at Vishwakarma University is 3 years. The maximum duration is typically 6 years, as per UGC regulations. Candidates are expected to complete their coursework, research work, and thesis submission within this period. Extensions beyond the maximum duration require special approval from the university.

Ques. Does Vishwakarma University's School of Pharmacy have industry connections that benefit Ph.D. scholars?

Ans. Yes, the School of Pharmacy at VU has a strong Advisory Board comprising senior professionals from leading pharmaceutical companies including Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Emcure, Serum Institute of India, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Alkem, Novartis, Sanofi, and Ranbaxy. This industry connect facilitates collaborative research, guest lectures, industrial visits, and potential internship or placement opportunities for Ph.D. scholars. The department also regularly organises industrial visits to companies like ACG Capsules, Nulife Pharmaceuticals, and Everest Pharma.