Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

Ph.D. (Physical Education) at Shri Khushal Das University (SKDU), Hanumangarh, is a full-time doctoral research programme offered under the Faculty of Physical Education, Sports and Yoga, through the Department of Physical Education and Sports. The programme has a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years, extendable up to 8 years as per UGC Ph.D. Regulations 2022. The total fees for the programme are Rs. 2.95 Lakhs for the entire duration. Admission is based on a university-level entrance test or exemption through qualifying national-level exams such as UGC-NET/JRF, followed by a research interview. The programme is popular among MPES/M.P.Ed. graduates, sports coaches, and physical education teachers aspiring to careers in sports science research, academic positions in physical education departments, and sports management.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are currently open. SKDU has released the Ph.D. 2026 application form on its official portal (skduniversity.com). Based on the previous year's pattern, the admission process typically runs from April to July, with batch commencement in August-September. Candidates are advised to apply at the earliest as seats are limited.

Key Points

Ph.D. in Physical Education is offered under the Faculty of Physical Education, Sports and Yoga at SKDU, a UGC-recognised state private university established in 2018 under the Government of Rajasthan Act.
The programme follows UGC Ph.D. Regulations 2022, ensuring compliance with national research standards.
Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET (including JRF) in Physical Education are exempt from the university entrance test and can directly appear for the research interview.
The programme is strictly full-time and on-campus; SKDU does not offer Ph.D. programmes through distance education mode.
SKDU has a dedicated sports infrastructure including grounds and facilities that support practical research in physical education and sports science.
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.
The university also offers BPES, MPES, Diploma in Sports Management, and PG Diploma in Sports Management, providing a strong academic ecosystem for physical education research.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

SKDU Ph.D. (Physical Education) Fees

The Ph.D. (Physical Education) programme at SKDU is priced at Rs. 2.95 Lakhs for the entire 3-year duration, which works out to approximately Rs. 98,333 per year. This is among the most affordable Ph.D. fee structures for physical education disciplines in private universities in Rajasthan. The fees are primarily tuition-based; a component-wise breakup is not publicly disclosed for this specific specialisation.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Tuition Fee (Total - 3 Years)	2,95,000
Total Fees	2,95,000

Hostel fees are separate and range from Rs. 72,000 to Rs. 1,05,000 per year (optional, not mandatory for the programme).
A caution/refundable deposit may be applicable at the time of admission.
The university does not publicly disclose a semester-wise or year-wise fee breakup for Ph.D. programmes; the above is the total programme fee.
Fee payment schedules and EMI options, if any, can be confirmed directly with the university admissions office at admission@skduniversity.com or +91-8875-132-111.

SKDU Ph.D. (Physical Education) Admission 2026-27

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Physical Education) programme at SKDU for the 2026-27 session are currently open. The university conducts its own entrance examination for candidates who do not hold a qualifying national-level exam score. Candidates with UGC-NET/JRF or equivalent qualifications are directly called for an interview. The selection process involves a research presentation before an interview panel, followed by merit-based selection.

SKDU Ph.D. Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date
Application Form Available	April 2026 (Open)
Last Date to Apply	July 2026 (Tentative)
Entrance Test / Interview	July - August 2026 (Tentative)
Result / Merit List Declaration	August 2026 (Tentative)
Batch Commencement	August - September 2026 (Tentative)

UGC-NET Exam Dates

Exam	Session	Exam Date	Subject Code
UGC-NET	December 2025	7 January 2026 (Shift II)	047 - Physical Education
UGC-NET	June 2026	Last week of June 2026 (Tentative)	047 - Physical Education

Note: Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET (including JRF) in Physical Education are exempt from the SKDU entrance test and can directly appear for the interview. UGC-NET is the primary national-level exam accepted for Ph.D. admission in Physical Education at SKDU.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have a Master's degree in Physical Education (M.P.Ed. / MPES) or a related discipline with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/OBC non-creamy layer/Differently-Abled/EWS candidates).
Alternatively, candidates with a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 75% marks (70% for reserved categories) are also eligible.
Candidates who have completed M.Phil. with at least 55% marks are also eligible and may be directly called for interview.

Admission Process

Register online on the SKDU Admission Portal (skduniversity.com or admission.skduniversity.org).
Fill out the application form and upload required documents (PG marksheet, photograph, signature).
Pay the application fee of Rs. 2,500.
Appear for the university entrance test (if not exempted via UGC-NET/JRF or equivalent).
Attend the research interest presentation and interview before the Departmental Research Committee (DRC).
Merit list is displayed on the university notice board.
Complete admission formalities and fee payment upon selection.

SKDU Ph.D. (Physical Education) Scholarships 2026-27

SKDU offers a comprehensive scholarship framework applicable to Ph.D. students, primarily on tuition fees. The university's scholarship schemes are merit-based, need-based, and category-based, providing meaningful financial relief to eligible scholars. Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET/JRF may also be eligible for the UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), which provides a monthly stipend directly from UGC, independent of the university's own scholarship schemes. Sports achievers may also benefit from SKDU's dedicated sports scholarship.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount
SKDU Merit Scholarship (SKDUCET)	95% or above in SKDUCET	100% of tuition fee
SKDU Merit Scholarship (SKDUCET)	90-94.99% in SKDUCET	50% of tuition fee
SKDU Merit Scholarship (SKDUCET)	80-89.99% in SKDUCET	30% of tuition fee
Merit/Qualifying Exam Scholarship	91% or above in qualifying exam	30% of tuition fee
Merit/Qualifying Exam Scholarship	75-90% in qualifying exam	20% of tuition fee
Merit/Qualifying Exam Scholarship	65-74% in qualifying exam	10% of tuition fee
Social Responsibility - Defence	Son/Daughter of Armed/Para-Military/State Police	30% of tuition fee
Social Responsibility - Disability	More than 50% physical impairment	30% of tuition fee
Social Responsibility - Orphan Child	Both parents deceased / abandoned child	50% of tuition fee
Sports Scholarship	International players	100% of tuition fee
Sports Scholarship	National Medal Winners	50% of tuition fee
SKDU Alumni / Existing Students	Students with 60% or above pursuing higher studies	30% of tuition fee
UGC-JRF (National)	Qualified UGC-NET with JRF	Rs. 37,000/month (Year 1-2); Rs. 42,000/month (Year 3+)
NSP (PM-USP Yojana)	80% in qualifying exam, parental income up to Rs. 4.5 Lakhs	Up to Rs. 82,000 per annum

Students can avail only one category of SKDU scholarship at a time; it is applicable only on tuition fees.
Scholarship continuation requires clearing all semester/annual exams without backlog in the first attempt and maintaining a minimum of 80% attendance.
UGC-JRF is a national fellowship awarded by UGC to candidates who qualify UGC-NET with JRF; it is separate from SKDU's institutional scholarships.
For SKDU scholarship applications, contact the admissions office or visit skduniversity.com.

SKDU Ph.D. (Physical Education) FAQs

Ques. Can a physical education teacher or sports coach pursue Ph.D. in Physical Education at SKDU while continuing their job?

Ans. The Ph.D. programme at SKDU is strictly full-time and on-campus. SKDU does not offer Ph.D. programmes through distance education mode. Physical education teachers or coaches who wish to pursue this programme would typically need to obtain a study leave or No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their institution and fulfil all attendance and coursework requirements. It is advisable to check with the university regarding any flexibility for in-service professionals.

Ques. I have qualified UGC-NET in Physical Education. Do I still need to appear for the SKDU entrance test?

Ans. No. Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET (including JRF) in Physical Education are exempt from the university entrance test. They can directly appear for the research interview/presentation before the Departmental Research Committee. However, they must still register on the SKDU online admission portal and submit all required documents.

Ques. What are the career prospects after completing a Ph.D. in Physical Education?

Ans. A Ph.D. in Physical Education opens diverse career opportunities. Graduates can pursue academic careers as Assistant Professors or Associate Professors in physical education departments of colleges and universities (UGC-NET/JRF qualification is mandatory for teaching positions). Other avenues include roles as sports scientists and performance analysts with national sports federations, SAI (Sports Authority of India), and state sports academies; positions in sports management organisations and Olympic committees; roles in sports medicine research (in collaboration with medical professionals); careers in fitness and wellness industry leadership; and positions in international sports organisations. Ph.D. holders in Physical Education are also increasingly sought after in sports technology, biomechanics research, and sports psychology.

Ques. What are the popular research areas in Physical Education that students pursue at universities like SKDU?

Ans. Popular research areas in Physical Education include sports biomechanics and performance analysis, exercise physiology and sports nutrition, sports psychology and mental conditioning, sports injuries and rehabilitation, physical fitness and wellness programmes, sports management and administration, yoga and its therapeutic applications, rural sports and traditional games of India, gender and sports participation, and the impact of physical activity on academic performance. Given SKDU's location in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, research on rural sports culture, traditional games, and physical fitness of agricultural communities is particularly relevant.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation available for Ph.D. scholars at SKDU? What are the charges?

Ans. Yes, SKDU provides hostel facilities on campus. Hostel fees range from Rs. 72,000 to Rs. 1,05,000 per year depending on the type of accommodation. The campus is located at Chak 7STG, Khushal Nagar, near Suratgarh-Hanumangarh Road, Rajasthan, and is described as a peaceful environment conducive to research. Hostel accommodation is optional and not mandatory for the Ph.D. programme.

Ques. What is the difference between MPES and M.P.Ed.? Which one is accepted for Ph.D. in Physical Education at SKDU?

Ans. MPES (Master of Physical Education and Sports) is the programme offered at SKDU, while M.P.Ed. (Master of Physical Education) is the traditional nomenclature used at most other universities. Both are equivalent postgraduate degrees in Physical Education and are generally accepted for Ph.D. admission. SKDU's own MPES programme is the natural feeder programme for the Ph.D. in Physical Education at the university. Candidates with either MPES or M.P.Ed. from any recognised university with a minimum of 55% marks are eligible to apply for the Ph.D. programme at SKDU.