
MGKVP PhD Admission 2025: Dates, Fee & Selection Criteria
Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At…
- 28 Oct 2025MGKVP PhD RET 2025 Application Deadline
The online registration window for MGKVP PhD RET 2025 concludes on October 28, 2025 on the official Samarth portal.
Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth (MGKVP), Varanasi is conducting the application process for PhD RET 2025 online via mgkvpadmission.samarth.edu.in, with the application deadline set for October 28, 2025. Admissions are based on the university’s Research Entrance Test (RET) or exemption through valid UGC NET, GATE, or JRF scores.
Below, candidates will find comprehensive details regarding MGKVP PhD eligibility requirements, RET entrance exam pattern, category relaxations, step-by-step registration instructions, and top doctoral institutions across India.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth (MGKVP), Varanasi |
| Entrance Exam | MGKVP Research Entrance Test (RET) 2025 |
| Application Deadline | October 28, 2025 |
| Official Portal | mgkvpadmission.samarth.edu.in |
| RET Exemptions | Valid score in UGC NET, GATE, or JRF |
| Master’s Minimum Marks | 55% for General, 50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/EWS |
| Full-Time PhD Duration | 3 to 6 years |
Ph.D. Eligibility
Candidates applying for PhD programs must meet statutory academic eligibility criteria. General category applicants require a minimum of 55% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA in their Master’s degree. Alternatively, under NEP 2020 guidelines, candidates holding a 4-year bachelor’s degree with Research Honours can apply directly provided they have secured at least 75% aggregate marks.
Reserved category candidates, including SC, ST, OBC, PwD, and EWS applicants, receive a 5% mark relaxation across both entry routes. This lowers the qualifying criterion to 50% aggregate marks for Master’s graduates and 70% aggregate marks for 4-year bachelor’s degree holders. UGC specifies no upper age limit for PhD admission in India.
Ph.D. Entrance Exams
The MGKVP PhD selection procedure evaluates candidate aptitude through a two-tiered examination structure. Round 1 carries 100 marks and assesses general awareness alongside academic attitude.
Round 2 carries 200 marks and tests research aptitude along with subject-specific domain knowledge across 200 questions. Candidates holding valid test scores in UGC NET, GATE, or JRF are exempted from appearing in the RET exam.
Ph.D. Application Process
- Create an account on mgkvpadmission.samarth.edu.in by entering your name, date of birth, email ID, password, mobile number, and captcha code.
- Validate your registered email address using the email OTP.
- Log in to enter personal and educational details, upload necessary documents, and pay the registration fee.
- Print out the E-receipt and E-application form for future reference after submitting the form.
Applicants must complete their online registration on mgkvpadmission.samarth.edu.in before the closing date of October 28, 2025. Following all registration instructions carefully helps avoid form rejection by the authorities.
Ph.D. Course Duration, Fees, and Stipends

The duration for full-time PhD programs in India spans between 3 to 6 years, whereas part-time PhD programs range from 4 to 6 years. Overall tuition and program fees for doctoral degrees across Indian institutions generally range between ₹50,000 and ₹5,00,000.
Scholars who qualify for UGC NET JRF receive financial assistance throughout their research work. JRF scholars are entitled to a fellowship stipend of ₹37,000 per month during the first two years, which increases to ₹42,000 per month subsequently.
Top Ph.D. Colleges
| College | City | Ownership | Total Course Fee | NIRF Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Technology Madras | Chennai | Government | ₹30,850 | 1 (Overall, 2025) |
| Indian Institute of Technology Bombay | Mumbai | Government | ₹70,200 | 3 (Overall, 2024) |
| Jamia Millia Islamia University | Delhi | Government | ₹27,740 | 4 (Overall, 2025) |
| Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur | Kanpur | Government | ₹52,200 | 5 (Overall, 2025) |
| Delhi University | Delhi | Government | ₹7,130 | 5 (Overall, 2025) |

| College | City | Ownership | Total Course Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Foreign Trade Kolkata | Kolkata | Government | ₹5,000 |
| Bharathi Women’s College | Chennai | Government | ₹5,105 |
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi | Delhi | Government | ₹5,215 |
| Gulbarga University | Gulbarga | Government | ₹6,545 |
| Govt. Raza Post Graduate College | Rampur | Government | ₹6,810 |
| Delhi University | Delhi | Government | ₹7,130 |
| Calicut University | Calicut | Government | ₹7,130 |
| Bastar University | Bastar | Government | ₹7,170 |
| Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research | Chandigarh | Government | ₹7,410 |
| Government Thakur Ranmat Singh College | Rewa | Government | ₹7,777 |
| College | City | Ownership | Total Course Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani | Pilani | Private | ₹1.84 lakh |
| Chandigarh University | Chandigarh | Private | ₹3.60 lakh |
| VIT University Chennai | Chennai | Private | ₹1.33 lakh |
| Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology | Patiala | Private | ₹69,000 |
| Chebrolu Hanumaiah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences | Guntur | Private | ₹1.05 lakh |
| Indian Institute of Technology Dhanbad | Dhanbad | Private | ₹50,400 |
| Uttaranchal University | Dehradun | Private | ₹3.59 lakh |
| Marwadi University | Rajkot | Private | ₹2.25 lakh |
| SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies Navi Mumbai | Navi Mumbai | Private | ₹3.00 lakh |
| Doon Business School | Dehradun | Private | ₹3.30 lakh |
| City | Colleges | Fee Range | Well-known Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangalore | 179 | ₹50,000 – ₹8.75 lakh | Alliance University, Christ University |
| Pune | 173 | ₹52,785 – ₹5.16 lakh | Symbiosis Law School Pune, Armed Forces Medical College |
| Mumbai | 149 | ₹7,923 – ₹33.82 lakh | Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies |
| Chennai | 135 | ₹5,105 – ₹7.50 lakh | Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences |
| Coimbatore | 114 | ₹36,500 – ₹9.34 lakh | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, P.S.G College of Technology |
| Delhi | 77 | ₹5,215 – ₹7.50 lakh | All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia University |
| Jaipur | 76 | ₹30,970 – ₹45.00 lakh | Manipal University Jaipur, University of Rajasthan |
| Hyderabad | 69 | ₹35,000 – ₹5.20 lakh | University of Hyderabad, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad |
| College | City | Total Course Fee |
|---|---|---|
| IIHMR University | Jaipur | ₹4.00 lakh |
| Indian School of Business Management & Administration | Kolkata | ₹69,900 |
| Indian Institute of Business Management and Studies | Mumbai | ₹75,800 |
| Indian Institute of Information Technology Sri City | Sri City | ₹1.83 lakh |
| Shyam University | Dausa | ₹3.15 lakh |
| Birla Institute of Technology Mesra | Ranchi | ₹1.99 lakh |
At least 3561 colleges offer Ph.D. programs in India, including 287 government and 1129 private institutions. Government colleges feature a median total fee of ₹71,600, while private institutions have a median fee of ₹1.85 lakh.
How to Apply for Ph.D. Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Check Eligibility: Verify Master’s degree qualification with minimum 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/EWS) or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree with 75% marks.
- Register Online: Visit mgkvpadmission.samarth.edu.in, click ‘New Registration’, enter personal credentials, and validate email using OTP.
- Fill Application Form: Log in with registered credentials and enter required personal and educational details.
- Upload Documents & Pay Fee: Upload necessary documents, complete online registration fee payment, and submit the completed form.
- Appear for RET or Claim Exemption: Appear for MGKVP RET (Round 1 of 100 marks & Round 2 of 200 marks) or claim exemption by presenting a valid score in UGC NET, GATE, or JRF.
After form submission and fee payment, candidates must print out the E-receipt and E-application form for future reference. Candidates with valid scores in UGC NET, GATE, or JRF are exempted from taking the university’s entrance test.
FAQs
What is the last date to submit the MGKVP PhD application form 2025?
The online application registration process for MGKVP PhD RET 2025 concludes on October 28, 2025 on mgkvpadmission.samarth.edu.in.
Is GATE eligible for PhD admission?
Yes, candidates who have secured a valid score in exams like GATE, UGC NET, or JRF are eligible for PhD admission and may be exempted from taking the university’s entrance test (RET).
Who is eligible for a PhD stipend?
Candidates who clear UGC NET with JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) are eligible for a fellowship stipend paying ₹37,000 per month for the first two years and ₹42,000 per month thereafter.
What is the exam structure for MGKVP PhD RET 2025?
MGKVP RET is a two-tiered exam: Round 1 carries 100 marks assessing general awareness and academic attitude, while Round 2 carries 200 marks (200 questions) evaluating research aptitude and subject knowledge.
