Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

Shri Khushal Das University (SKDU), Hanumangarh, offers a full-time Ph.D. in Political Science, a doctoral research programme focused on advanced study in political theory, Indian government and politics, international relations, public administration, comparative politics, constitutional studies, and political thought. The programme spans a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 5 years, with a total fee of INR 2.95 Lakhs for the entire duration. Admission is merit-based, with UGC-NET/JRF or the university's Research Eligibility Test (RET) as the primary qualifying criterion. Offered on-campus in full-time mode, the programme is popular among candidates aspiring to academic and research careers in political science, public policy, and civil services.

Admissions for the 2026-27 batch are currently open. SKDU invites applications for Ph.D. programmes from April onwards each year. Based on the previous year's pattern, the 2026 Ph.D. admission cycle is expected to run from approximately April 2026 to July 2026, with the batch commencing in August/September 2026. Candidates are advised to visit the official SKDU website (skduniversity.com) or fill the Ph.D. 2026 interest form available at the university's official portal for the latest notification.

Key Points

The Ph.D. in Political Science at SKDU is a full-time, on-campus research programme under the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.
The university is UGC-recognised and the programme follows UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations.
Candidates with a valid UGC-NET/JRF score may be exempted from the university's Research Eligibility Test (RET).
Research areas include political theory, Indian politics and governance, international relations, comparative politics, public policy, constitutional law, and electoral studies.
The first year involves mandatory coursework; subsequent years are dedicated to independent research under a designated supervisor.
SKDU's Faculty of Arts and Humanities also offers M.A. (Political Science), providing a strong academic ecosystem for political science research scholars.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

SKDU Ph.D. (Political Science) Fees

The Ph.D. (Political Science) programme at SKDU is among the most affordable doctoral programmes in Rajasthan, with a total academic fee of INR 2.95 Lakhs for the entire programme duration (minimum 3 years). The fee works out to approximately INR 98,333 per year. Hostel accommodation is optional and available separately on campus.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Tuition Fee (per year)	98,333
Other Academic Charges (per year)	Included in tuition
Total Academic Fee (Full Programme - 3 years)	2,95,000
Hostel Fee (Optional - Double Seater, per year)	72,000
Hostel Fee (Optional - Single Seater, per year)	84,000
Total Fees (Academic only, 3 years)	2,95,000

Hostel fees are optional and not included in the total academic fee.
Hostel options: Double Seater (INR 72,000/year), Single Seater (INR 84,000/year), Double Seater with Attached Washroom (INR 96,000/year), Single Seater with Attached Washroom (INR 1,08,000/year).
Fees are subject to revision by the university each academic year.
A registration fee of INR 1,000 is applicable at the time of application.
No EMI options are officially listed; candidates may contact the admissions office for payment schedule details.

SKDU Ph.D. (Political Science) Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Political Science) programme at SKDU are conducted annually, typically from April onwards. The selection process involves evaluation of academic records, a research proposal, performance in the university's Research Eligibility Test (RET) or a valid national-level exam score, and a personal interview. Candidates with UGC-NET/JRF qualification may be given preference or exempted from the RET.

SKDU Ph.D. Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date
Ph.D. Admission Notification / Application Opens	April 2026
Last Date to Apply	May/June 2026
Research Eligibility Test (RET) / Interview	June/July 2026
Merit List / Selection Announcement	July 2026
Batch Commencement	August/September 2026

Note: Exact dates are yet to be announced. Candidates can fill the Ph.D. 2026 interest form at the official SKDU website (skduniversity.com) or admission portal (admission.skduniversity.org).

UGC-NET Exam Dates

Event	Phase 1 (Completed)	Phase 2 (Tentative)
Registration Start	October 7, 2025	April 1, 2026
Registration End	November 7, 2025	May 1, 2026
Admit Card Release	December 28, 2025	June 1, 2026
Exam Date	December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026	June 2026
Answer Key Release	January 14, 2026	July 1, 2026
Result Declaration	February 4, 2026	July 2026

Note: UGC-NET Phase 2 dates are tentative. A valid UGC-NET/JRF score in Political Science (Paper II) is accepted for Ph.D. admission at SKDU and may exempt candidates from the university's RET.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Political Science or a relevant discipline from a UGC-recognised university with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates as per UGC norms).
A valid score in UGC-NET/JRF, SLET, or the university's own Research Eligibility Test (RET) is required.
Candidates with M.Phil. degree may be considered for direct admission subject to university norms.

Admission Process

Visit the official SKDU website (skduniversity.com) and fill the Ph.D. 2026 interest/application form.
Submit the completed application form along with required documents (mark sheets, degree certificates, research proposal, ID proof, category certificate if applicable).
Appear for the Research Eligibility Test (RET) conducted by SKDU, if not holding a valid UGC-NET/JRF score.
Shortlisted candidates are called for a personal interview and research proposal presentation before the Doctoral Committee.
Final selection is based on academic merit, RET/NET score, research proposal quality, and interview performance.
Pay the admission fee and complete document verification to confirm enrolment.

SKDU Ph.D. (Political Science) Scholarships 2026

SKDU offers a well-structured scholarship scheme applicable across all programmes, including Ph.D. The scholarships are applicable on tuition fees only, and students can avail only one category at a time. More than 30% of scholarships require a personal interview with the admission committee. For Ph.D. students, merit-based and social responsibility scholarships are the most relevant categories.

SKDU's scholarship framework provides meaningful financial relief for Ph.D. (Political Science) students. The SKDUCET can unlock up to 100% tuition fee waiver, while merit-based scholarships reward strong academic performance in the qualifying degree. Social responsibility scholarships support defence personnel, differently-abled students, and SKDU alumni pursuing higher studies.

Scholarship Categories

Scholarship Category	Criteria	Scholarship Amount
SKDUCET (University Entrance Test)	95% or above in SKDUCET	100% of tuition fee
SKDUCET	90-94.99% in SKDUCET	50% of tuition fee
SKDUCET	80-89.99% in SKDUCET	30% of tuition fee
SKDUCET	70-79.99% in SKDUCET	20% of tuition fee
SKDUCET	65-69.99% in SKDUCET	10% of tuition fee
Merit (Qualifying Exam)	91% or above in PG degree	30% of tuition fee
Merit (Qualifying Exam)	75-90% in PG degree	20% of tuition fee
Merit (Qualifying Exam)	65-74% in PG degree	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 (certified)	30% of tuition fee
Social Responsibility - SKDU Alumni/Existing Student	Students with 60%+ pursuing higher studies	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
Sports Scholarship	National Participation	30% of tuition fee
Hanumangarh Private Universities Act	Merit cum Means for Domicile Students of Hanumangarh	As per Act

Only one scholarship category can be availed at a time; applicable on tuition fee only.
Scholarship is unconditional for the 1st year but requires clearing all semester exams without backlog in the 1st attempt for continuation in subsequent years.
Minimum 80% attendance is mandatory to continue the scholarship each semester.
Scholarship is discontinued if a student is found involved in any act of grave indiscipline.
Government scholarships (SC/ST/OBC) from the Rajasthan state government are also applicable separately.

SKDU Ph.D. (Political Science) FAQs

Ques. What research areas can I pursue in Ph.D. (Political Science) at SKDU?

Ans. The Ph.D. in Political Science at SKDU covers a wide range of research areas including political theory and thought (Western and Indian), Indian government and politics, constitutional studies, electoral politics and voting behaviour, international relations and foreign policy, comparative politics, public administration and policy, federalism, local self-government, and political sociology. The specific research topic is finalised in consultation with the assigned supervisor.

Ques. Is UGC-NET in Political Science mandatory for Ph.D. admission at SKDU?

Ans. UGC-NET/JRF is not strictly mandatory but is highly preferred. Candidates without a valid UGC-NET/JRF score must appear for SKDU's Research Eligibility Test (RET). Holding a valid NET/JRF score may exempt candidates from the RET and give them preference in the selection process.

Ques. What is the minimum percentage required in M.A. (Political Science) for Ph.D. admission at SKDU?

Ans. Candidates must have a minimum of 55% aggregate marks in their Master's degree in Political Science or a relevant discipline. For SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates, the minimum is 50% as per UGC regulations.

Ques. Is Ph.D. (Political Science) from SKDU useful for UPSC or Rajasthan state civil services preparation?

Ans. A Ph.D. in Political Science can be a strong academic foundation for civil services aspirants who choose Political Science and International Relations as an optional subject. The research skills, analytical thinking, and in-depth subject knowledge developed during the programme are highly beneficial for UPSC and RPSC preparation. Many Ph.D. scholars in Political Science also appear for civil services simultaneously.

Ques. What career options are available after completing Ph.D. (Political Science) from SKDU?

Ans. A Ph.D. in Political Science opens pathways to academic positions such as Assistant Professor or Lecturer in colleges and universities (eligible after clearing UGC-NET), roles in think tanks and policy research institutes, government advisory bodies, journalism and political analysis, NGOs and civil society organisations, international organisations, and civil services. Candidates with both Ph.D. and UGC-NET/JRF are well-positioned for faculty roles in UGC-recognised institutions.

Ques. How is the research supervisor assigned for Ph.D. (Political Science) at SKDU?

Ans. SKDU assigns a research supervisor from its faculty in the Department of Political Science under the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. The supervisor is assigned based on the candidate's research proposal and the expertise and availability of faculty members. Candidates are encouraged to identify their research area and potential supervisor before applying, as this is typically discussed during the personal interview stage.