Thiruvalluvar University offers admission to the PhD programs in three different categories:

• Full-time
• Part-time
• Independent Research Scholar

There are certain basic eligibility criteria which a candidate applying in any of the above categories must fulfill. 

A candidate must have a Master's degree with not less than 55% of marks and 50% marks for SC/ST category or a CGPA of 5.51 and above in the 10.00 point scale under CBCS, under the faculties of Arts, Science, Fine Arts, Indian and other languages, Management etc.

A Research Fellow working in research projects funded by external agencies such as DST/ DOD/ DOEn / UGC / CSIR and similar national/ international and state level organizations in this University/ research centres/ affiliated colleges can also apply.

Thiruvalluvar University PhD Selection Process

You will be selected based on a two-step process: Entrance Test and Interview.

The total marks secured in the Entrance test (40 marks) and interview (10 marks) put together amounts to 50 and the remaining 50 marks is for the qualifying PG examination in the subject concerned and the rank list will be prepared for a maximum of 100 marks, accordingly. You should secure at least 25 marks out of 50 marks put together in the Entrance written test and interview.

Entrance Test:

The test will examine Research aptitude, Depth/grasp of the subject, intellectual ability and general knowledge of the candidates. The Departmental Research Committee of the concerned Department may design and set the question paper entrance written examination comprising of objective questions for 40 marks.

Exemptions: If you have qualified UGC/CSIR (JRF) Examination NET/SLET/GATE and teacher fellowship from the proposed entrance examination, you will be exempted from writing the Entrance Test. But you should undertake the interview. For such candidates the total marks shall be 60 only.

Thiruvalluvar University PhD Application Process

The admission to PhD programs is conducted in four sessions every year. The complete application form with the necessary certificates for admission to PhD programs must reach the University office before the first working day of January, April, July, and October for provisional registration. The application form for PhD programs can be obtained in the following ways:

• The application form can be downloaded directly from the University Website.
• The application form can be obtained from the Registrar, Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore-632 115 on payment of Rs.200/- which should be remitted through NEFT/RTGS mode with the following details:

Indian Overseas Bank, IFSC Code: IOBA0002484

MICR Code: 632020014

Account Number: 248401000000001

The candidate is expected to retain and send the original Bank Challan with UTR number with the application form with a requisition indicating clearly, the programme (Ph.D.) in either full time or part time basis.

The candidate is required to send two copies of their application form. The details are as below:

First Submission: The original application is to be submitted to the research department of the university / research department of the affiliated college, where you seek admission. In case of downloaded application, it is to be submitted directly to the university research department / research department of the affiliated college along with the photocopy of the Bank Challan for Rs. 200/- towards the cost of application.

Second Submission: The photocopy of the original application or downloaded application is to be directly sent to the University, along with the original Bank Challan for Rs.200/- towards the cost of application.

The applications should be accompanied with attested photocopies of the following certificates and forwarded by the HOD and Principal of the affiliated college / Dean of the University.

1. Xerox copy of the Mark / Grade Certificate of the qualifying Post Graduate (PG) course. 
2. Xerox copy of the Provisional / Degree Certificates of the under Graduate (UG) and Post-Graduate (PG) Courses.
3. Xerox copy of the Transfer and Conduct Certificates (issued by the Institution last studied)
4. Xerox copy of the Community Certificate
5. Xerox copy of the Service Certificate issued by the Employer, Head Master / Principal / Head of the Institution (in the case of candidates applying for part-time programme, specifying the total duration of the service put in by the candidates in their organization)
6. For part-time programme, you should produce Xerox copy of the NOC issued by the DCE / Director of Technical Education (for teachers of Polytechnics) /CEO (for teachers of schools).
7. A brief research proposal in 500 words in consultation with the proposed guide.

Reservation

Reservation Criteria for Ph.D. Programmes are given below: 

Note

1.  If a candidate is from a state, other than Tamil Nadu, then they shall be considered under Open Competition except for those candidates belonging to the SC/ST category.
2. 3% seats are reserved for Physically handicapped candidates. This reservation is provided on the total number of seats offered by the concerned department.

Thiruvalluvar University PhD Fees