Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

LJ University (LJKU), Ahmedabad, offers a full-time Ph.D. programme in Philosophy and Theology under its Doctoral Program. The programme is designed to foster advanced research in philosophical thought, ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, logic, philosophy of religion, theology, and related areas. The minimum duration for the full-time Ph.D. is 3 years, with a maximum of 6 years. The annual tuition fee for the full-time Ph.D. is Rs. 70,000 per year. Admission is based on qualifying a relevant entrance exam (UGC-NET) followed by two rounds of personal interviews. The programme is open to candidates with a Master's degree in Philosophy, Theology, or related humanities disciplines with a minimum of 55% marks.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are upcoming. Based on the 2025 admission cycle, LJ University typically opens applications in March, conducts the entrance exam in May, and announces shortlisted candidates by late May. The 2026 admission schedule is yet to be officially announced; candidates are advised to monitor the LJ University official website (ljku.edu.in) for updates.

Key Points

Ph.D. in Philosophy and Theology at LJ University is a unique offering among private universities in Gujarat, providing a structured doctoral research environment for scholars interested in philosophical inquiry, ethics, and theology.
The programme is open to both full-time scholars and part-time scholars (working professionals), making it accessible to academics, teachers, and professionals with a background in humanities.
Ph.D. scholars are required to publish a minimum of 2 research papers indexed in Scopus/Web of Science/ABDC/EBSCO and present at least one paper at an international conference before thesis submission.
The coursework (12 credits) includes Research Methodology (generic), Specialised Research Methodology, Discipline-Specific Courses, and one/two courses from SWAYAM/UGC-recognised platforms.
LJ University offers a 57% tuition fee reduction for its full-time faculty and staff pursuing a Ph.D., and a scholarship equivalent to the full tuition fee is refunded to LJU faculty/staff upon completion of the programme.
Research Advisory Committee (RAC) meetings are held at the university campus, with a minimum of six 6-monthly RACs required before submitting the final synopsis.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

LJU Ph.D. (Philosophy) Fees

The annual tuition fee for the full-time Ph.D. (Philosophy) at LJ University is Rs. 70,000 per year, as per the official LJ University fee structure for 2026-27. For part-time Ph.D. scholars, the fee structure is semester-based. The programme requires fees for a maximum of 8 semesters, regardless of the actual duration (up to 6 years). A refundable security deposit of Rs. 15,000 is also charged.

Full-Time Ph.D. Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Tuition Fee (per year)	70,000
Total Fees (for 3 years minimum)	2,10,000

Part-Time Ph.D. Fee Structure (per semester)

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Registration Fees (One Time)	2,500
Tuition Fees (per semester)	35,000
Course Work Fees (One Time)	1,200
Refundable Security Deposit	15,000
Registration Certificate Fees (One Time)	1,000
Total per Semester (including one-time charges in first semester)	54,700
Viva-Voce Exam Fees (last semester only)	20,000
Total Fees (8 semesters tuition + one-time + viva)	3,19,700

Application fee: Rs. 1,500 + applicable taxes (payable online, non-refundable).
The security deposit of Rs. 15,000 is refundable upon completion of the programme.
Non-payment of fees for 3 consecutive semesters will lead to cancellation of registration.
LJU faculty/staff are eligible for a subsidised fee of Rs. 15,000 per semester (part-time), with the balance refunded upon programme completion.
Fees are payable via online QR code or bank transfer; details available on the LJU Ph.D. section portal.

LJU Ph.D. (Philosophy) Admission 2026

Admission to the Ph.D. (Philosophy) at LJ University is a two-stage process: qualifying a relevant entrance exam followed by personal interviews. For full-time Ph.D., candidates must have a valid UGC-NET score in Philosophy or a related discipline. For part-time Ph.D., candidates without NET must qualify the LJU Ph.D. Entrance Exam. The 2025 admission cycle has concluded. The 2026 admission schedule is expected to follow a similar pattern, with applications opening in March 2026.

LJ University Ph.D. Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date (2026)
Application Process Starts	March 2026 (tentative)
Last Date for Application	April 2026 (tentative)
LJU Ph.D. Entrance Exam (Part-Time, non-NET candidates)	May 2026 (tentative)
Entrance Exam Result	May 2026 (tentative)
Personal Interviews (Round 1 and Round 2)	May 2026 (tentative)
Declaration of Shortlisted Candidates	Late May 2026 (tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree (or equivalent professional degree recognised by UGC) in Philosophy, Theology, or a related humanities discipline with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/Differently-Abled candidates).
For full-time Ph.D.: Candidates must have a valid UGC-NET score in Philosophy or a relevant discipline. The upper age limit for JRF is 35 years for men and 45 years for women as on July 1 of the year of application.
For part-time Ph.D.: Candidates without UGC-NET must qualify the LJU Ph.D. Entrance Exam (written test: 50% domain knowledge + 50% research methodology) followed by an interview/viva-voce. M.Phil. degree holders are exempt from the entrance exam.

Admission Process

Fill the online application form on the LJ University doctoral programme portal (ljku.edu.in/doctoral-program/registration-form) and pay the application fee of Rs. 1,500 + taxes.
Submit scanned copies of required documents including mark sheets, entrance exam scorecard, passport-size photograph, and employer NOC (for part-time candidates).
Appear for the LJU Ph.D. Entrance Exam (if applicable) or submit valid UGC-NET scorecard.
Shortlisted candidates appear for two rounds of personal interviews at the LJU campus.
Final selection is based on entrance exam/NET score and interview performance.
Selected candidates complete registration formalities and pay the prescribed fees to confirm admission.

LJU Ph.D. (Philosophy) Scholarships 2026

Ph.D. scholars at LJ University can avail scholarships and financial support through government schemes and university-specific benefits. UGC-NET/JRF qualified candidates are eligible for the JRF fellowship, which provides a monthly stipend. LJU faculty/staff pursuing Ph.D. receive a significant fee subsidy. Additionally, government scholarship schemes for SC/ST and minority students are available.

Scholarships and Fellowships

Scholarship/Fellowship	Eligibility	Benefit	Application Portal
UGC-JRF Fellowship	UGC-NET/JRF qualified candidates	Rs. 37,000/month (1st-2nd year), Rs. 42,000/month (3rd year onwards)	ugc.ac.in
LJU Faculty/Staff Ph.D. Scholarship	LJU faculty/staff pursuing Ph.D.	57% tuition fee reduction; full tuition refunded on completion	ljku.edu.in
Gujarat Government Post Matric Scholarship (SC/ST)	SC/ST students; Gujarat domicile	Partial financial assistance	digitalgujarat.gov.in
National Scholarship for Minority Students	Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi students	Partial financial assistance	scholarships.gov.in
AICTE Pragati Scholarship	Girl students in AICTE-approved technical programmes	Rs. 50,000 per annum	aicte-pragati-saksham-gov.in

JRF fellowship amounts are subject to revision by UGC from time to time.
LJU faculty/staff must continue with the university throughout the Ph.D. programme to avail the fee scholarship; the refund is made upon completion.
Government scholarship application deadlines are typically announced after the commencement of the academic term.

LJU Ph.D. (Philosophy) FAQs

Ques. What research areas can I pursue under Ph.D. (Philosophy) at LJ University?

Ans. The Ph.D. in Philosophy and Theology at LJ University covers a broad range of research areas including Western and Indian Philosophy, Ethics and Applied Ethics, Metaphysics, Epistemology, Logic, Philosophy of Religion, Theology, Philosophy of Mind, Social and Political Philosophy, and Philosophy of Science. Candidates are encouraged to identify a specific research topic and potential supervisor before applying. The university's research culture, supported by its SIRO recognition and international collaborations, provides a conducive environment for interdisciplinary philosophical research.

Ques. Is UGC-NET mandatory for Ph.D. (Philosophy) admission at LJ University?

Ans. For full-time Ph.D., a valid UGC-NET score is required. For part-time Ph.D., candidates with UGC-NET or teacher fellowship are exempt from the LJU entrance exam. Candidates without NET must qualify the LJU Ph.D. Entrance Exam (written test + interview). M.Phil. degree holders are also exempt from the entrance exam. Having a UGC-NET/JRF qualification is strongly recommended as it also makes candidates eligible for the JRF monthly fellowship of Rs. 37,000-42,000.

Ques. What is the minimum and maximum duration for Ph.D. (Philosophy) at LJ University?

Ans. The minimum duration is 3 years (full-time) and the maximum is 6 years. Scholars are required to pay fees for a maximum of 8 semesters only. Non-payment of fees for 3 consecutive semesters leads to cancellation of registration. The programme includes a mandatory coursework phase (typically in the first year) followed by independent research, RAC meetings, and thesis writing.

Ques. What are the research publication requirements for Ph.D. (Philosophy) scholars at LJ University?

Ans. Ph.D. scholars must publish a minimum of 2 research papers related to their thesis topic, indexed in Scopus/Web of Science/Hien Database/ABDC/EBSCO, and present at least one paper at an international conference before submitting their final thesis. A minimum of six 6-monthly Research Advisory Committee (RAC) meetings must be completed before submitting the final synopsis.

Ques. Can working professionals (e.g., college teachers of Philosophy) pursue part-time Ph.D. at LJ University?

Ans. Yes, the part-time Ph.D. programme is specifically designed for working professionals, including college and university teachers of Philosophy. Working candidates must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer. Coursework classes are scheduled in the evenings and weekends at the LJU campus to accommodate working professionals. Teachers with UGC-NET or teacher fellowship are exempt from the LJU entrance exam.

Ques. How does LJ University support Ph.D. scholars financially beyond the fee structure?

Ans. LJ University's approach to doctoral education is investment-oriented rather than revenue-generating. The university offers a 57% tuition fee reduction for its own faculty/staff, with the full tuition amount refunded upon programme completion. UGC-JRF qualified scholars receive a monthly fellowship of Rs. 37,000-42,000 from UGC. Additionally, the university's SIRO recognition enables scholars to apply for research grants from DSIR, AICTE, and GUJCOST, providing additional financial support for research activities.