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Vishwakarma University (VU), Pune offers a full-time Ph.D. in Psychology under the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, with a duration of 3 to 5 years (minimum 3 years, extendable up to 5 years as per UGC norms). The programme is research-oriented and covers a wide spectrum of psychological disciplines including clinical, counselling, industrial-organizational, neuropsychology, and social psychology. The annual tuition fee is Rs. 75,000, making it one of the more affordable doctoral programmes in Pune. Admission is based on the university's own entrance test, VUPET, followed by a personal interview. With 12 seats available in the Psychology department (5 Open, 7 Reserved), the programme is competitive and attracts candidates from across India. The department is equipped with a fully functional psychological testing lab, experienced faculty with diverse specializations, and active MoUs with clinical and counselling organizations, making it a strong choice for aspiring psychology researchers.

Admissions for AY 2026-27 are currently open. The VUPET application window opened on 1 February 2026, with the last date for form submission being 22 March 2026. The VUPET entrance test is scheduled for 12 April 2026, and final admissions are expected to be completed by 30 May 2026.

Key Points

The Ph.D. Psychology programme is housed under the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, with dedicated research supervisors including Dr. Bhupender Singh, Dr. Azmat Jahan, Dr. Vishal Ghule, and Dr. Amruta Punjabi.
The department has active MoUs with organizations such as NEA Life Pvt. Ltd., Laksh Psychological Wellness, Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre, and FFCP-Muskaan, providing research and fieldwork opportunities.
Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR NET (Category 1, 2, or 3), GATE, or CEED with a valid score may be exempted from the VUPET entrance test (interview remains mandatory).
The department has a track record of students publishing research in UGC Care Journals and participating in national and international psychology conferences.
Research areas include organizational psychology, clinical psychology, counselling, neuropsychology, adolescent psychology, and social-emotional learning.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

VU Ph.D. (Psychology) Fees

The Ph.D. (Psychology) programme at Vishwakarma University carries an annual tuition fee of Rs. 75,000, which is charged each year for the duration of the programme (typically 3 to 5 years). In addition, a one-time thesis submission fee of Rs. 25,000 is payable at the time of thesis submission. The total programme cost (for 3 years, excluding hostel) works out to approximately Rs. 2,25,000 in tuition fees plus Rs. 25,000 thesis fee. Hostel is optional and available separately.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Annual Tuition Fee	75,000 per year
Thesis Submission Fee (one-time, at thesis submission)	25,000
VUPET Application Form Fee - Open Category	1,200
VUPET Application Form Fee - SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Differently-Abled	1,000
Total Tuition Fees (for 3 years)	2,25,000
Thesis Submission Fee	25,000
Total Fees (3 years, excluding hostel)	2,50,000

Hostel fees (optional) range from Rs. 1,20,000 to Rs. 1,45,000 per year depending on seat type and hostel, inclusive of mess (breakfast and dinner) and a refundable deposit of Rs. 5,000.
If the programme extends beyond 3 years (up to 5 years), additional annual tuition fees of Rs. 75,000 per year will apply.
The VUPET application fee is non-refundable.
No EMI or instalment option has been officially announced for Ph.D. fees; payment is typically made annually.

VU Ph.D. (Psychology) Admission 2026-27

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Psychology) programme at Vishwakarma University for AY 2026-27 are currently underway. The process involves an online entrance test (VUPET) followed by a personal interview. Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, or GATE may be exempted from VUPET but must still appear for the interview. The university has 12 seats in Psychology (5 Open, 7 Reserved) for AY 2026-27 vacancies to be announced).

VUPET Admission Dates

Sr. No.	Activity	Date
1	VUPET Application Form Opens	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 (for VUPET Exemption)

Exam	Key Dates
UGC-NET Phase 1 (2025-26)	Exam: Dec 31, 2025 - Jan 7, 2026; Result: Feb 4, 2026
UGC-NET Phase 2 (2026, Tentative)	Registration: Apr 1 - May 1, 2026; Exam: June 2026 (Tentative)
GATE 2026	Exam: Feb 7, 8, 14, 15, 2026; Result: March 19, 2026

Note: Candidates with a valid UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, or GATE score are exempted from VUPET but must appear for the personal interview.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have completed 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 Bachelor's) in Psychology (M.A./M.Sc. in Psychology) with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate.
SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled/EWS candidates are eligible for a 5% relaxation (i.e., 50% minimum).
Candidates with a 4-year Bachelor's degree seeking direct Ph.D. admission must have a minimum of 75% marks (70% for reserved categories).

Admission Process

Register and 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 categories).
Appear for VUPET Paper I (Research Methodology and Aptitude, 50 marks, 2 hours, objective type) - minimum 50% required to qualify.
Candidates qualifying Paper I appear for VUPET Paper II (Psychology subject-specific, 50 marks, 2 hours, subjective) - minimum 50% required.
Shortlisted candidates appear for a personal interview at the university.
Final merit list is declared and selected candidates complete admission formalities by 30 May 2026.
Candidates with valid UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE scores are exempted from VUPET but must attend the interview.

VU Ph.D. (Psychology) Scholarships 2026-27

Vishwakarma University offers a range of scholarships and financial support options for students, including Ph.D. scholars. While the university does not publish a dedicated Ph.D.-specific scholarship brochure, the following support mechanisms are available. Students who qualify for national fellowships such as UGC-JRF or CSIR-JRF can avail those fellowships independently while enrolled at VU. The university also recognizes merit-based and category-based support.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Support	Details
UGC-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	For candidates qualifying UGC-NET with JRF; Rs. 37,000/month (1st-2nd year), Rs. 42,000/month (3rd year onwards); awarded by UGC, not the university
CSIR-JRF	For candidates qualifying CSIR-NET with JRF in relevant science subjects; Rs. 37,000/month; awarded by CSIR
Merit-Based Scholarship (VU Internal)	Awarded to high-achieving students based on academic performance; amount varies
Category-Based Support (SC/ST/OBC/EWS)	Fee concession and government scholarship schemes applicable; students must apply separately through government portals
Vishwakarma Educational Trust Scholarship	Available for eligible students admitted to first year of specified courses; amount and eligibility as per trust norms

UGC-JRF and CSIR-JRF are external fellowships; students must qualify the respective national exams independently.
For government scholarships (e.g., Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST), students must apply through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
VU internal scholarship details and application deadlines are communicated through the Student Facilitation Centre at the time of admission.
Candidates are advised to confirm current scholarship availability directly with the university admissions office.

VU Ph.D. (Psychology) FAQs

Ques. Is VUPET mandatory for Ph.D. Psychology admission at Vishwakarma University, or can I get exemption with UGC-NET?

Ans. Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR NET (Category 1, 2, or 3), GATE, or CEED with a valid score and within the certificate's validity period are exempted from the VUPET entrance test. However, submission of the VUPET application form and appearing for the personal interview is mandatory for all candidates, including those with exemptions.

Ques. What is the minimum duration of the Ph.D. Psychology programme at VU, and can it be completed part-time?

Ans. The minimum duration is 3 years and the maximum is 5 years as per UGC norms. The programme listed is full-time. Candidates should confirm with the university if any part-time or flexible mode is available, as the official listing is for full-time only.

Ques. What research areas are available under Ph.D. Psychology at Vishwakarma University?

Ans. The department has active research in areas including organizational psychology, clinical and counselling psychology, neuropsychology, adolescent psychology, social-emotional learning, cyberbullying, digital wellbeing, and workplace psychology. Candidates should check the research interests of available supervisors (Dr. Bhupender Singh, Dr. Azmat Jahan, Dr. Vishal Ghule, Dr. Amruta Punjabi) before applying.

Ques. What are the career prospects after completing a Ph.D. in Psychology from Vishwakarma University?

Ans. Ph.D. holders in Psychology can pursue careers as university professors, researchers, clinical psychologists (with RCI registration), organizational consultants, psychometricians, and policy advisors. The department has MoUs with clinical and counselling organizations, which can support post-doctoral career transitions. The growing demand for mental health professionals in India makes this a strong career path.

Ques. How many seats are available for Ph.D. Psychology at VU, and what is the selection process?

Ans. For AY 2026-27, there were 12 seats in Psychology (5 Open, 7 Reserved). Selection is based on VUPET (Paper I and Paper II) followed by a personal interview. Candidates with UGC-NET/GATE exemption still need to appear for the interview. Final vacancies for AY 2026-27 will be announced by the university.

Ques. Does Vishwakarma University provide a psychological testing lab and research infrastructure for Ph.D. Psychology students?

Ans. Yes, the Department of Psychology at VU has a fully equipped psychological testing lab, digital infrastructure, and faculty from diverse specializations. The department also has active MoUs with organizations like NEA Life Pvt. Ltd., Laksh Psychological Wellness, Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre, and FFCP-Muskaan, providing access to real-world research settings and fieldwork opportunities.

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

Table of Contents

VU Ph.D. (Psychology) Fees

Fee Components

VU Ph.D. (Psychology) Admission 2026-27

VUPET Admission Dates

Relevant Exam Dates (for VUPET Exemption)

Eligibility Criteria

Admission Process

VU Ph.D. (Psychology) Scholarships 2026-27

Scholarship Details

VU Ph.D. (Psychology) FAQs

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