Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

Shri Khushal Das University (SKDU), Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, offers a full-time Ph.D. (Botany) programme under its Faculty of Science, designed to advance research in plant sciences, ecology, plant physiology, and related disciplines. The programme has a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years (extendable up to 8 years), with a total fee of Rs. 3.1 Lakhs for the entire duration. Admission is based on a university-level Research Eligibility Test (RET) or exemption through national-level qualifications such as UGC-NET/JRF or CSIR-NET, and the programme is offered in full-time, on-campus mode at the Hanumangarh campus. Ph.D. (Botany) is popular among M.Sc. (Botany) graduates seeking careers in academic research, environmental science, agriculture-linked plant research, and pharmaceutical botany.

Admissions for the 2026 session are open. Candidates can register online through the official SKDU admission portal (admission.skduniversity.org). Based on the previous year's pattern, the Ph.D. admission cycle typically opens around May-June with the entrance test and interview conducted thereafter. The 2026 Ph.D. registration link is active at https://forms.gle/Xu3Y8QJ2DhYe1r7E6.

Key Points

The Ph.D. (Botany) programme at SKDU is conducted as per UGC Ph.D. Regulations 2022, ensuring national recognition of the degree.
Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET/JRF, CSIR-NET/JRF, GATE (Life Sciences/Botany), or hold a Junior Research Fellowship are exempt from the university entrance test and can directly appear for the interview.
The programme is strictly full-time and on-campus; SKDU does not offer Ph.D. programmes through distance education mode.
The Faculty of Science at SKDU has state-of-the-art laboratories supporting research in Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, and allied sciences.
Female Ph.D. scholars and Persons with Disabilities (more than 40% disability) are eligible for an additional relaxation of 2 years in programme duration.
Female scholars are entitled to Maternity/Child Care Leave of up to 240 days during the entire Ph.D. programme.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

SKDU Ph.D. (Botany) Fees

The Ph.D. (Botany) programme at SKDU carries a total fee of Rs. 3.1 Lakhs for the entire 3-year minimum duration, which is the fee applicable to science discipline Ph.D. programmes at SKDU (including Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Biotechnology, and Computer Science). The fee is payable on a yearly basis. Hostel accommodation is available separately at Rs. 72,000 to Rs. 1.05 Lakhs per year and is optional for Ph.D. scholars.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Tuition Fee (Total, 3 Years)	Rs. 3,01,000
Registration Fee	Rs. 1,000 (per year)
Exam Fee	Rs. 6,000 (total, 3 years)
Total Fees (3 Years)	Rs. 3,10,000

Hostel Fee: Rs. 72,000 to Rs. 1,05,000 per year (optional, not included in total above).
Caution/security deposit (if any) is refundable at the time of leaving the university.
Fee payment is typically done on a yearly basis.
SC/ST/OBC students may be eligible for fee concessions and government scholarships.

SKDU Ph.D. (Botany) Admission 2026

SKDU Ph.D. (Botany) admissions are conducted annually, typically in the May-July window. The selection process involves a university-level Research Eligibility Test (RET) followed by a personal interview, or a direct interview for candidates exempted from the entrance test (UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/JRF holders). Candidates must register online through the official portal and submit their postgraduate mark sheets, photograph, and signature before appearing for the process.

SKDU Admission Dates

Event	Date
Ph.D. 2026 Online Registration Opens	Active (forms.gle/Xu3Y8QJ2DhYe1r7E6)
Last Date for Online Registration	To be announced
Entrance Test (RET)	May-June 2026 (Tentative)
Interview / Viva	June-July 2026 (Tentative)
Merit List Declaration	July 2026 (Tentative)
Batch Commencement	July-August 2026 (Tentative)

UGC-NET Exam Dates

Event	Phase 1	Phase 2 (Tentative)
Registration	Oct 7 - Nov 7, 2025	Apr 1 - May 1, 2026
Admit Card	Dec 28, 2025	Jun 1, 2026
Exam Date	Dec 31, 2025 - Jan 7, 2026	Jun 1, 2026
Answer Key	Jan 14, 2026	Jul 1, 2026
Result	Feb 4, 2026	Jul 1, 2026

Note: CSIR-NET (Life Sciences) qualification also exempts candidates from the university RET for Ph.D. (Botany).

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold an M.Sc. (Botany) or equivalent postgraduate degree in a relevant life science discipline with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/OBC non-creamy layer/Differently-Abled/EWS candidates).
Candidates with a 4-year/8-semester bachelor's degree (e.g., B.Sc. Hons. Botany) with a minimum of 75% marks (70% for reserved categories) are also eligible to apply directly for Ph.D.
Candidates who have completed M.Phil. with at least 55% marks in a relevant discipline are also eligible.

Admission Process

Register online on the SKDU Admission Portal (admission.skduniversity.org).
Upload required documents: PG mark sheet, passport-size photograph (200x230 pixels), and signature (140x60 pixels).
Appear for the university Research Eligibility Test (RET), OR submit proof of UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/JRF/GATE qualification for direct interview exemption.
Attend the personal interview where candidates present their research interest/area to the interview panel.
Merit list is displayed on the university notice board; a waiting list is also maintained.
Complete fee payment and document verification to confirm admission.

SKDU Ph.D. (Botany) Scholarships 2026

SKDU Ph.D. (Botany) students can avail themselves of several scholarships from both the university and government schemes. Science students in particular have access to CSIR-JRF and UGC-JRF fellowships, which are among the most prestigious research fellowships in India. The university also offers the SKDU-NEST Scholarship Test for meritorious students.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount	Remarks
CSIR-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	Qualified CSIR-NET with JRF in Life Sciences	Rs. 37,000/month (1st 2 years), Rs. 42,000/month (thereafter)	Awarded by CSIR; also exempts from RET
UGC-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	Qualified UGC-NET with JRF	Rs. 37,000/month (1st 2 years), Rs. 42,000/month (thereafter)	Awarded by UGC; also exempts from RET
NSP (PM-USP) Yojana	80% in Class 12, AICTE-recognised UG/PG course, parental income up to Rs. 4.5 Lakhs; must maintain 50% marks and 75% attendance	Rs. 82,000 per annum	For regular course students
SKDU-NEST Scholarship	Performance in SKDU-NEST Scholarship Test	Varies (merit-based)	Apply at admission.skduniversity.org/SKDUNEST/
SC/ST/OBC Government Scholarship	As per state/central government norms	Varies	Apply through National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in)

CSIR-JRF and UGC-JRF are highly competitive fellowships; holders are also exempted from the university entrance test.
Scholarship application deadlines vary; candidates should check the National Scholarship Portal and SKDU official website for current deadlines.
Fee concessions are available for wards of SKDU staff members.

SKDU Ph.D. (Botany) FAQs

Ques. Is Ph.D. (Botany) at SKDU recognised by UGC?

Ans. Yes, SKDU is a UGC-recognised private university established under the Act of Government of Rajasthan (2018). The Ph.D. programme is conducted strictly as per UGC Ph.D. Regulations 2022, ensuring national recognition of the degree.

Ques. Does SKDU have a dedicated Botany department with research labs?

Ans. Yes, the Faculty of Science at SKDU has state-of-the-art laboratories supporting research in Botany and allied life sciences. The university also offers M.Sc. (Botany) as a postgraduate programme, indicating an active Botany department with qualified faculty. Candidates are advised to contact the university (help@skduniversity.com or +91-8875-132-111) to confirm available supervisors and specific research areas before applying.

Ques. Can CSIR-NET (Life Sciences) holders get exemption from the SKDU entrance test for Ph.D. (Botany)?

Ans. Yes. Candidates who have qualified CSIR-NET (including JRF) in Life Sciences are exempt from the university's Research Eligibility Test (RET) and can directly appear for the personal interview, as CSIR-NET is recognised as an equivalent national-level examination.

Ques. What research areas can I pursue under Ph.D. (Botany) at SKDU?

Ans. Research areas typically include plant physiology, plant ecology, plant taxonomy, ethnobotany, plant biotechnology, mycology, phycology, and environmental botany. Candidates should contact the university directly to confirm available supervisors and ongoing research projects.

Ques. What is the maximum duration allowed to complete Ph.D. (Botany) at SKDU?

Ans. The minimum duration is 3 years (including coursework). The maximum duration is 6 years, extendable by 2 more years through re-registration (total 8 years). Female scholars and Persons with Disabilities (more than 40% disability) get an additional 2-year relaxation, making the maximum 10 years for them.

Ques. Are hostel facilities available for Ph.D. scholars at SKDU?

Ans. Yes, SKDU provides hostel facilities on campus. The hostel fee ranges from Rs. 72,000 to Rs. 1,05,000 per year depending on the type of accommodation. Hostel is optional for Ph.D. scholars and is not included in the course fee.