1. Candidates are strongly encouraged to qualify a national level test such as NET/GATE/DBT/ICMR or any other national level examination that the Academic Council of the University may recognize and recommend from time to time.
2. Candidates with a UGC/CSIR Junior Research Fellowship, or a DST INSPIRE fellowship or any other national- or international-level prestigious fellowship that the Academic Council may recognize from time to time, to pursue a Ph.D. program, may be given entry to the Ph.D. program if found suitable after an interview. Such candidates need not appear for the written admission test.

Aspirants seeking admission to 3 year Full-time Ph.D should meet the following criteria as specified by the institute.

Academic Requirement

1. A Master’s degree of the University or of any other CCSU recognized university, or any other equivalent qualification recognized by Cotton College State University from a recognized institute. Universities recognized by statutory bodies like UGC or RUSA will be automatically recognized by CCSU. 
2. The minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) should be 6.5 on a 10-point scale or equivalent or 60% marks.
3. Under special circumstances, exceptional candidates with a B.E./B.Tech degree from a recognized institute will also be considered for admission. In this case, the candidate must have an excellent academic record in the relevant discipline, with a minimum CGPA of 7.5 on a 10-point scale or equivalent or 70%  marks.
4. The minimum criteria may be relaxed by 0.5 of CGPA on a 10-point scale or its equivalent or by 5% marks for reserved category students from Assam.

At the doctoral-level, the University offers a Ph.D. in different streams. These courses are full-time courses of 3 years duration conducted under the guidance of different departments. Specializations include- 

Cotton University Ph.D. Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for admission, the candidates must possess the following qualifications-

• Master’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum of 50% marks.
• A valid NET/SLET score.

Cotton University Ph.D. Selection Criteria

Candidates will be selected on the basis of an entrance test. The exam will comprise of short, medium and long answer type questions. 

Viva-voce of INSPIRE candidates may be fast-tracked in order that they may be admitted within the fellowship validity dates.