Adichunchanagiri University's doctoral programme is governed by the Ph.D Regulations 2025, framed in compliance with UGC Regulations 2022 and effective from the 2025-26 academic year. The updated framework introduces 7 admission categories, a formal AI-tools policy, and Q1/Q2 fast-track publication provisions.
The programme admits scholars across seven distinct categories — from national fellowship holders and ACU-scholarship recipients to self-financed candidates, project fellows, international scholars, joint-supervised researchers, and part-time working professionals — each benefiting from expert supervision and state-of-the-art facilities.
Spanning 8 faculties and over 40 research areas, the programme provides a multidisciplinary environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and impactful scholarship while maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity.
The latest Ph.D regulations, notifications, fee structure, entrance syllabus, and supervisor lists — all in one place.
Official notification of the ACU Ph.D Regulations 2025 (UGC 2022 compliant).
Official notification for Ph.D admissions 2025-26.
Detailed Ph.D fee structure for the 2025-26 academic year.
Syllabus and question-paper pattern for the ACU-RET entrance examination.
Approved list of Ph.D guides across all faculties for 2025-26.
The 2025 regulations admit candidates through seven distinct categories, each designed for different research backgrounds, funding sources, and career stages.
UGC/CSIR-NET JRF, ICMR-JRF, DBT-JRF, or INSPIRE fellowship holders. Tuition fees exempt; ACU-RET exempt.
ACU-RET required (exempt with NET/SLET/GPAT/GATE). Fellowship of ₹25,000/month + HRA for 3 years. Merit: 70% test + 30% interview.
Same admission criteria as Category 2 but without scholarship support. ACU-RET required (exempt with NET/SLET/GPAT/GATE).
Funded through externally-funded research projects of minimum 2 years. Research topic must relate directly to the funded project.
International candidates with 60% in Master's + equivalence certificate. ACU-RET exempt. Scholarship possible on merit.
Admission per UGC 2022 twinning regulations. Joint supervision between ACU and an international partner university.
Duration 3-6 years. Employer NOC required. Minimum 90 days physical presence. ACU-RET required (exempt with NET/GPAT/GATE/SLET or 5+ yrs experience).
All candidates must fulfil the following to register for the doctoral programme.
Master's Degree with minimum 55% aggregate marks (50% for SC/ST as per UGC norms).
Valid Research Proposal with objectives, literature survey, methodology, expected outcomes, and plan.
Identified Research Supervisor with valid guideship recognition from ACU.
No-Objection Certificate from employer (mandatory for employed candidates).
A Master's degree (or equivalent) in the relevant discipline from a recognized university with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/Differently-Abled categories).
Note: M.Tech/M.E. preferred for Engineering; M.Pharm required for Pharmacy; M.Sc Nursing with 60% required for Nursing.
All applicants must qualify the ACU Research Entrance Test. Holders of UGC-NET (incl. JRF), CSIR-NET, GATE, GPAT, SLET/SET, or equivalent national tests may be exempted.
Note: NET/JRF/GATE qualification alone does not guarantee admission — subject to seat and supervisor availability.
Submit a 2-3 page research proposal outlining the proposed area, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. Evaluated during the interview / viva voce.
Full-time: minimum 3 years, maximum 6 years. Part-time: minimum 4 years, maximum 8 years. Mandatory coursework in the first 6 months.
Note: Part-time admission is available for candidates employed in recognized institutions (employer NOC required).
Research supervisors must meet rigorous academic and research standards to guide doctoral scholars at ACU.
Ph.D degree with minimum 3 years of post-doctoral research experience in the relevant discipline.
MD/MS/MCh holders with minimum 8 years of post-graduate teaching experience.
Minimum 10 years of combined research and teaching experience in the relevant field.
At least 3 post-graduate dissertations supervised to successful completion.
Minimum 5 publications as first/corresponding author in Scopus/Web of Science/UGC-CARE indexed journals.
Ongoing projects or active external funding preferred for supervisors guiding doctoral scholars.
Experts from reputed industries can serve as Co-Supervisors for interdisciplinary research with Doctoral Advisory Committee (DAC) approval. Co-supervisors must hold a Ph.D with minimum 3 publications. A co-supervisor is mandatory if the main supervisor is aged 57 or above.
Maximum scholars at any time: Professor — 8, Associate Professor — 6, Assistant Professor — 4. Maximum 2 new scholars per supervisor per year. Supervisors must be under 62 at the time of registering a new scholar.
All doctoral scholars must complete mandatory coursework within the first 6 months of registration, with a minimum passing score of 55%.
Qualitative and quantitative methods, research design, sampling, data-collection strategies, and formulating research questions.
Statistical analysis fundamentals, data interpretation, hypothesis testing, software (SPSS, R), regression, and result validation.
Publication ethics, scientific writing conventions, peer review, plagiarism prevention, and responsible authorship.
Coursework assessments include written examinations, assignments, seminar presentations, and practical components. Scholars must attain a minimum of 55% aggregate across all modules.
The thesis submission process follows a structured pathway from research completion through external review and open defence.
Minimum 3 publications as first author in UGC-CARE / Scopus / Web of Science / PubMed indexed journals, with the supervisor as corresponding author. Granted patents on the thesis topic can substitute.
Minimum 2 oral or poster presentations at national or international conferences, with supporting certificates.
Submit a comprehensive synopsis to the university. Reviewed by the Research Committee and supervisor before the full thesis is submitted.
Thesis similarity must not exceed 20%. Examiner panel: 10 examiners (6 Indian from NAAC A+ institutions + 4 International). Board of Examiners: 3 members (1 internal + 1 national + 1 international).
Public defence before an examination committee comprising the supervisor, external examiners, and university representatives.
AI tools may be used for grammar checking and formatting assistance. Use of AI for content generation, data analysis, or writing of thesis content is strictly prohibited. All scholars must submit a signed declaration on AI usage with their thesis.
The doctoral programme offers full-time and part-time modes with defined minimum and maximum timelines.
ACU provides financial support to doctoral scholars through fellowships and contingency grants.
For scholars admitted through ACU-RET. Full-time ACU scholarship for a maximum of 3 years.
For candidates with GATE, GPAT, UGC-CSIR-NET, SLET, ICMR-JRF, DBT-JRF, DST-INSPIRE, or other UGC-recognized tests. Max 3 years.
Post-Doctoral fellowship for advanced research after Ph.D completion.
Registration may be cancelled under the following conditions. Scholars are advised to maintain regular progress.
Missed Progress Reports — Failure to submit progress reports for 2 consecutive semesters to the DAC.
Plagiarism — Any instance of plagiarism detected in thesis, publications, or submitted research work.
Coursework Non-Completion — Failure to complete mandatory coursework with minimum 55% within the stipulated time.
Publication Deadline — Failure to meet the minimum publication requirements within the maximum timeline.
| Event | Date / Period |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | Available on website |
| Last Date to Apply | As per notification |
| Entrance Test (ACU-RET) | As per notification |
| Interview / Viva Voce | As per notification |
| Fee Component | Full-Time | Part-Time |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee (One-Time) | As per fee structure | As per fee structure |
| Tuition Fee (Per Semester) | As per fee structure | As per fee structure |
| Library & Lab Fee | Applicable | Applicable |
| Thesis Evaluation Fee | As per fee structure | As per fee structure |
| Hostel & Mess (Optional) | Available on campus | N/A |
| Application Fee | As per notification | As per notification |
Fees are subject to revision. Fellowship holders may receive fee waivers as per ACU norms.
Official regulations, notifications, fee structure, supervisor lists, and application portals — everything you need to apply.
Official regulations notification (PDF)
Official admission notification (PDF)
Detailed fee structure (PDF)
ACU-RET syllabus & QP pattern (PDF)
Approved guides across all faculties
Approved supervisors 2024-25
University Solutions Ph.D portal
Funding opportunities at ACU
Apply for the doctoral programme or reach out to the Dean of Research for guidance on your research aspirations across any of our 8 faculties.