Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

YBN University, Ranchi offers a full-time Ph.D. in Political Science, a 3-year doctoral programme under the School of Arts and Humanities. The programme is designed to develop advanced research competencies in political theory, comparative politics, international relations, public administration, and governance. The total fees for the programme are approximately Rs. 2.71 Lakhs for the entire 3-year duration, with an annual fee of around Rs. 1.05 Lakhs. Admission is primarily through the YBNU-PET (YBN University PhD Entrance Test), and candidates with a valid UGC NET/JRF score in Political Science may be exempted from the entrance test. The programme is offered in full-time, on-campus mode and is popular among students seeking academic careers, civil services, research roles in policy organisations, and positions in government and international bodies.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are expected to open around August 2026, based on the previous year's admission cycle. The university typically releases the YBNU-PET notification in July, with registration and the entrance test conducted before the academic session begins in September. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website at ybnu.ac.in for the latest notification.

Key Points

Ph.D. in Political Science is a 3-year full-time doctoral programme at YBN University, Ranchi, focusing on political theory, governance, and policy research.
Candidates with a valid UGC NET/JRF qualification in Political Science (Paper Code 02) may be exempted from the university-level entrance test (YBNU-PET).
Research areas include Indian politics and governance, comparative politics, international relations, public policy, federalism, electoral studies, and political thought.
YBN University is a UGC-recognised private university established under the Jharkhand Private Universities Act, 2013.
The university provides hostel facilities on campus at an additional cost of Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 70,000 per year.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

YBN Ph.D. Political Science Fees

The Ph.D. (Political Science) programme at YBN University is affordably priced, with a total course fee of Rs. 2.71 Lakhs over 3 years. The annual fee is approximately Rs. 1.05 Lakhs, which includes tuition, examination, and other charges. A one-time admission fee of Rs. 2,100 is payable at the time of enrolment.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Tuition Fee (per year)	Rs. 85,000
Admission Fee (one-time)	Rs. 2,100
Examination Fee (per year)	Rs. 2,500
Other Charges (one-time)	Rs. 2,000
Total Fees (3 Years)	Rs. 2,71,000

Hostel fee is Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 70,000 per year (optional, not included in total fees above).
Fees can be paid in instalments as per the university's payment schedule.
Fee once paid is subject to the university's refund policy; a portion may be refundable as per UGC guidelines.
SC/ST/OBC students from Jharkhand may be eligible for e-Kalyan scholarship, which can offset a significant portion of the fees.

YBN Ph.D. Political Science Admission 2026-27

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Political Science) programme at YBN University are conducted through the YBNU-PET (PhD Entrance Test), followed by a Personal Interview. Candidates holding a valid UGC NET/JRF score in Political Science are typically exempted from the entrance test. The 2026-27 admission cycle is expected to follow a similar timeline to the previous year, with registration opening around August 2026.

Important Dates

Event	Tentative Date
YBNU-PET Notification Release	July 2026
Application/Registration Start	August 4, 2026
Last Date for Registration	August 15, 2026
YBNU-PET Entrance Test	August 2026
Personal Interview	August-September 2026
Orientation / Classes Begin	First week of September 2026

UGC NET Exam Dates

Event	Date
UGC NET June 2026 Notification	April 2026 (Expected)
UGC NET June 2026 Registration	April - May 2026 (Expected)
UGC NET June 2026 Admit Card	June 2026 (Expected)
UGC NET June 2026 Exam	June 25-29, 2026 (Expected)
UGC NET June 2026 Result	July-August 2026 (Expected)

Note: UGC NET is conducted by NTA twice a year (June and December). Qualifying UGC NET in Political Science (Paper Code 02) makes candidates eligible for Assistant Professor and JRF, and also exempts them from the YBNU-PET for Ph.D. admission.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Political Science or a related discipline with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates) from a recognised university.
Candidates appearing in the final year of their Master's programme may also apply provisionally.
Candidates with a valid UGC NET/JRF score in Political Science are exempted from the YBNU-PET entrance test.

Admission Process:

Visit the official website ybnu.ac.in and fill out the Ph.D. application/registration form online.
Pay the application fee as specified in the notification.
Appear for the YBNU-PET (PhD Entrance Test) if not UGC NET/JRF qualified.
Shortlisted candidates are called for a Personal Interview.
Final merit list is prepared based on entrance test score and interview performance.
Selected candidates complete document verification and fee payment to confirm admission.

YBN Ph.D. Political Science Scholarships 2026-27

YBN University and the Jharkhand state government offer several scholarship options for Ph.D. students, making the programme accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds. The e-Kalyan scholarship from the Jharkhand government is particularly beneficial for SC/ST/OBC students, while the university's own merit-based scholarships reward academic excellence.

Scholarship Options

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
e-Kalyan Scholarship (Jharkhand Government)	SC/ST/OBC students, permanent resident of Jharkhand, enrolled in a recognised institution	Covers tuition and maintenance allowance as per government norms; amount varies by category
YBN University Merit Scholarship	Students scoring 90% or above in qualifying examination / toppers of central and state board exams	Up to 100% tuition fee waiver (as per university scheme)
NSP (PM-USP) Yojana	80% in Class 12, AICTE-recognised UG/PG courses, parental income up to Rs. 4.5 Lakhs	Rs. 82,000 per annum
UGC JRF Fellowship	Candidates qualifying UGC NET with JRF	Rs. 37,000/month (first 2 years), Rs. 42,000/month (subsequent years) + HRA

e-Kalyan scholarship applications are accepted through the official portal ekalyan.cgg.gov.in; the 2025-26 cycle is currently open.
UGC JRF is the most lucrative option for Ph.D. students and covers both stipend and research expenses.
Students must maintain a minimum attendance of 75% and satisfactory academic progress to retain scholarships.
Application deadlines for government scholarships vary; students should check the respective portals regularly.

YBN Ph.D. Political Science FAQs

Ques. Is UGC NET mandatory for Ph.D. (Political Science) admission at YBN University?

Ans. No, UGC NET is not mandatory. YBN University conducts its own PhD Entrance Test (YBNU-PET). However, candidates who have qualified UGC NET in Political Science (Paper Code 02) or hold a JRF are typically exempted from the YBNU-PET and can directly appear for the Personal Interview. This is a significant advantage for NET-qualified candidates.

Ques. What is the minimum percentage required in the Master's degree for Ph.D. (Political Science) admission at YBN University?

Ans. Candidates must have a minimum of 55% marks in their Master's degree in Political Science or a related discipline. For SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates, the minimum requirement is relaxed to 50% as per UGC norms. YBN University's official eligibility states PG with 50% marks, so candidates should verify the exact requirement at the time of application.

Ques. What are the research areas available under Ph.D. (Political Science) at YBN University?

Ans. Research areas include Indian politics and governance, comparative politics, international relations and diplomacy, public policy and administration, federalism and decentralisation, electoral studies, political thought and ideology, and regional politics of Jharkhand and eastern India. The specific research topic is finalised in consultation with the assigned research supervisor.

Ques. Is Ph.D. in Political Science useful for UPSC/civil services aspirants?

Ans. A Ph.D. in Political Science is not directly required for UPSC civil services, but it significantly deepens understanding of governance, public policy, and political systems, which is highly beneficial for the UPSC Mains and interview stages. Many Ph.D. scholars in Political Science also pursue academic careers alongside or after civil services preparation.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing Ph.D. (Political Science) from YBN University?

Ans. A Ph.D. in Political Science opens doors to academic positions (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor) in colleges and universities, research roles in policy think tanks and government advisory bodies, positions in international organisations (UN, World Bank), journalism and political analysis, and consultancy in governance and public policy. The UGC NET qualification alongside the Ph.D. significantly enhances employability in academia.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation available for Ph.D. students at YBN University?

Ans. Yes, YBN University provides hostel facilities on campus for Ph.D. students. The hostel fee ranges from Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 70,000 per year, depending on the type of accommodation (AC or non-AC). Students are advised to apply for hostel accommodation early as seats may be limited. The hostel fee is not included in the course fee and is payable separately.