CUP Ph.D. seats: programme-wise and category-wise
Central University of Punjab has 246 Ph.D. seats in 46 programmes for 2026-27. The seats are for the July 2026 intake. Admission is on a national test score (UGC NET, CSIR NET, GATE, GPAT or DBT) and an interview in the department; the university holds no entrance test of its own. Applications were open from 1 to 13 September 2026 and interviews were set for 30 September 2026. 5% of the intake is reserved horizontally for PwD candidates.
CU Punjab admission 2027Coming soon
CU Punjab has not released its 2027 admission prospectus yet. The official notification is expected soon, and this page will carry the 2027 seats and fees the day it is out.
- CUET UG 2027: CUET UG 2027 Registration Expected in First Week of January
- CUET PG 2027: no registration date is announced yet; the NTA notification is expected soon.
- NCET/ITEP 2027: no registration date is announced yet; the NTA notification is expected soon.
Below is how 2026-27 went: seats, fees, eligibility and tests of the last cycle. It is the latest official base to plan for 2027.
| Ph.D. programme | Department | Open | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | 6 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 16 | |
| Theoretical and Computational Chemistry | 1 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 3 | |
| Computational Physics | 1 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 3 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | |
| Statistics | 1 | 1 | - | 1 | - | 3 | |
| Physics | 9 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 24 | |
| Botany | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | - | 3 | |
| Zoology | 2 | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
| Biochemistry | 2 | 1 | - | 1 | - | 4 | |
| Microbiology | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 12 | |
| Agribusiness | 2 | 1 | - | 1 | - | 4 | |
| Food Science and Technology | 2 | 1 | - | 1 | - | 4 | |
| Bioinformatics | 2 | 1 | - | 1 | - | 4 | |
| Biotechnology | 1 | 1 | - | 1 | - | 3 | |
| Physical Education | 3 | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | |
| Education | 3 | 1 | - | 2 | 1 | 7 | |
| Computer Science and Technology | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 12 | |
| AI and Machine Learning | 2 | 1 | - | 1 | - | 4 | |
| Environmental Sciences | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | |
| Geology | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 | |
| Geography | 2 | 1 | - | 1 | - | 4 | |
| Human Genetics | 2 | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
| Molecular Medicine | 2 | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
| Community Medicine and Health | 2 | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
| Medicinal Chemistry / Pharmaceutical Science | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 10 | |
| Pharmacology | 1 | - | - | 1 | - | 2 | |
| Mass Communication and Media Studies | 1 | - | - | 1 | - | 2 | |
| Library and Information Science | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | |
| Political Science | - | - | 1 | - | - | 1 | |
| Politics and International Relations | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 | |
| Public Policy and Governance | 2 | 1 | - | 1 | - | 4 | |
| English | 1 | - | - | 1 | - | 2 | |
| Punjabi | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | - | 3 | |
| Hindi | 1 | - | - | 1 | - | 2 | |
| Comparative Literature | - | 1 | - | - | - | 1 | |
| Music | 1 | - | - | 1 | - | 2 | |
| Fine Arts | 1 | - | - | 1 | - | 2 | |
| Law | 2 | 1 | - | 1 | - | 4 | |
| Commerce | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | |
| Hospitality and Tourism Management | 2 | 1 | - | 2 | 1 | 6 | |
| Economics | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | |
| Sociology | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | |
| History | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | |
| Psychology | - | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Partition and Atrocities | 1 | - | - | 1 | - | 2 | |
| Religious Studies | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 |
Eligibility and how to apply
- Eligibility: a master's degree in the subject or an allied area with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer) and PwD candidates) from a recognised Indian or foreign university.
- Test: a UGC NET score in Category 1 (JRF), Category 2 or Category 3, or CSIR, ICMR or DBT JRF, GATE or GPAT. NET qualified before the UGC notification of 27 March 2024 is also accepted.
- Merit for JRF holders: 70 marks fixed for the JRF and 30 for the interview.
- Merit for Category 2 and 3, GATE, GPAT and DBT candidates: 70% weight to the test score and 30% to the interview. A candidate needs at least 40% in the interview.
- NET qualified before 27 March 2024: 50 marks for the NET and 20 on the percentage in the master's degree, plus the interview.
- Application fee: Rs. 1,000 for General and OBC candidates, Rs. 500 for SC and ST candidates and nil for PwD candidates.
- Fee, full time: Rs. 18,550 in the first semester for Humanities and Rs. 22,550 for Sciences, Rs. 7,800 / Rs. 11,800 in even semesters and Rs. 12,200 / Rs. 16,200 in later odd semesters. A thesis evaluation fee of Rs. 16,000 is paid at submission.
- Part-time Ph.D.: Rs. 26,000 a semester for Humanities and Social Sciences and Rs. 32,000 for Sciences (half for university employees). A No Objection Certificate from the employer is needed and no fellowship is paid. Up to 40% of course-work credits can be taken online.
- Fellowship: candidates selected without a JRF are eligible for the university fellowship as per UGC guidelines.
Dates and rules: CUP admission.
NAAC A+
NAAC A
NAAC A
NAAC A++
NAAC B++
NAAC A++
NAAC A+
NAAC A+
NAAC A
NAAC A++
