Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

Ph.D. (Public Administration) at Shri Khushal Das University (SKDU), Hanumangarh, is a full-time doctoral research programme offered under the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, with a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years (extendable up to 8 years). The total fees for the programme are Rs. 2.95 Lakhs for the entire duration, making it one of the more affordable Ph.D. options in Rajasthan. Admission is based on a university-level entrance test or exemption through qualifying national-level exams such as UGC-NET/JRF, followed by an interview. The programme is popular among aspirants targeting careers in academia, civil services, public policy, and research in governance and administration.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are currently open. SKDU has released the Ph.D. 2026 application form on its official portal (skduniversity.com). Candidates can apply online through the university's admission portal. 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 Public Administration is offered under the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at SKDU, a UGC-recognised state private university established in 2018.
The programme follows UGC Ph.D. Regulations 2022, ensuring compliance with national research standards.
Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET (including JRF) are exempt from the university entrance test and can directly appear for the interview.
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 does not offer Ph.D. programmes through distance education mode; it is strictly a full-time, on-campus programme.
SKDU has a dedicated Research Advisory Committee (RAC) and a Research and Development Cell to support doctoral scholars.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

SKDU Ph.D. (Public Administration) Fees

The Ph.D. (Public Administration) 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 social science disciplines in private universities in Rajasthan. The fees are primarily tuition-based, with no separate component-wise breakup 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. (Public Administration) Admission 2026-27

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Public Administration) 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	014 - Public Administration
UGC-NET	June 2026	Last week of June 2026 (Tentative)	014 - Public Administration

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

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have a Master's degree in Public Administration 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. (Public Administration) Scholarships 2026-27

SKDU offers a comprehensive scholarship framework applicable to Ph.D. students as well, 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.

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. (Public Administration) FAQs

Ques. Is the Ph.D. in Public Administration at SKDU a full-time programme? Can I pursue it while working?

Ans. Yes, it is strictly a full-time, on-campus programme. SKDU does not offer Ph.D. programmes through distance education mode. Candidates already enrolled in any other full-time programme are not eligible. However, working professionals who can obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer and fulfil the attendance and coursework requirements may be considered, subject to university norms.

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

Ans. No. Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET (including JRF), UGC-CSIR NET, DBT-JRF, ICMR-JRF, DST-INSPIRE, GATE, or equivalent national-level examinations are exempt from the university entrance test. They can directly appear for the research interview/presentation before the Departmental Research Committee.

Ques. What is the scope of a Ph.D. in Public Administration? What career options are available after completing it?

Ans. A Ph.D. in Public Administration opens doors to careers in academia (as Assistant Professor/Associate Professor in colleges and universities), research institutions, think tanks, public policy organisations, and government advisory roles. Many scholars also pursue IAS/IPS/IFS or other civil services, where a doctoral degree adds significant credibility. International organisations like the UN, World Bank, and NGOs also value this qualification.

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

Ans. The minimum duration is 3 years (including coursework) and the maximum is 6 years from the date of admission. An additional 2 years can be granted through re-registration, making the absolute maximum 8 years. Female scholars and Persons with Disabilities (more than 40% disability) are eligible for an additional 2-year relaxation, making the maximum 10 years for them.

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. How many research supervisors are available in the Public Administration department at SKDU? How do I select a supervisor?

Ans. SKDU's Faculty of Arts and Humanities has experienced faculty members in Public Administration and related social science disciplines. At the time of the interview, candidates are required to present their research interest/area before the interview panel. The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) and the Departmental Research Committee (DRC) facilitate the allotment of research supervisors based on the candidate's research proposal and the availability of faculty with relevant expertise. It is advisable to contact the department directly at help@skduniversity.com before applying to understand supervisor availability in your area of interest.

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SKDU Ph.D Public Administration: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Table of Contents

SKDU Ph.D. (Public Administration) Fees

Fee Components

SKDU Ph.D. (Public Administration) Admission 2026-27

SKDU Ph.D. Admission Dates

UGC-NET Exam Dates

Eligibility Criteria

Admission Process

SKDU Ph.D. (Public Administration) Scholarships 2026-27

Scholarship Details

SKDU Ph.D. (Public Administration) FAQs

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