PGIMER invites applications for PhD July 2026 session, check key dates, eligibility criteria, entrance exam pattern, all details here

Chandigarh: Through a recent notice, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) has invited online applications for admission to its PhD programmes for the July 2026 session.

Releasing a prospectus, the institute has outlined a detailed schedule, eligibility criteria, and examination pattern for candidates.

As per the official notification, the online application process will tentatively continue till May 9, 2026, and the Computer-Based Test (CBT) is liely to be held on May 31, 2026.

Date of Online Registration Form on The Website:

Declaration of Result:

Result of Ph.D programme will be notified on website.

Results of Individual candidate will NOT be informed on telephone and candidates are advised NOT to contact any PGI official from examinations/Sections for such information. However, individual result can be checked after completion of Admission process.

Online Application Processing and Examination Fees:

• General/OBC Category : Rs. 1500/- Plus Transaction charges as applicable.

• SC/ST Category : Rs. 1200/- Plus Transaction charges as applicable.

Mode of Payment:

Through Debit/Credit Card/Net Banking (Payment through UPI may be avoided)

NOTE:

• All applicants are advised to read the Prospects and Help Manual carefully before starting filling online application form and ensure that no column is left blank. In the event of rejection of the Applications Form, no correspondence/request for re-consideration will be entertained. Applicants are also advised to download and take a print of the Registration Form.

• They should retain a copy of Registration Form till the completion of Admission Process.

Admission requirements for Ph.D courses:

Candidates applying for Ph.D programme for July 2026 session must have fulfill the following qualification(s) as on the last day of submission of online application form:

1. General Eligibility: A Candidate seeking admission to the course of study leading to the award of a Degree of Doctor of Philosophy must possess at least one of the following qualifications:

A. For Medical Sciences: MBBS/MDS/Master of Physio-therapy with minimum 55% aggregate marks or MD/MS in the subject concerned or Diplomate of National Board of Examination. A “Failure” in the examination, “Compartment” or “Re-appear” in the examination will constitute an attempt. Candidates who have obtained MBBS/MD/MS /MDS/Master of Physio-therapy degree from Medical Colleges not recognized by the Medical Council of India/NMC are not eligible for admission.

B. For Non Medical/Life Sciences/Social Behavioral Sciences:

The candidates with the following qualifications will be eligible:

a) The candidates who have passed M.Sc/MA/Masters in Engineering or its equivalent/ examination with at least 60 % marks in the subjects mentioned below: from the colleges/institutes/Universities recognized by the UGC are eligible.

I) For Non Medical/Life Sciences: A Postgraduate degree of Master of Science (M.Sc) or Master in Veterinary Science (M.V.Sc.) or M.Sc. (Laboratory Technology) in subjects allied to Medical Sciences such as Respiratory Care, Medical Technology (Radio-Diagnosis),Nuclear Medicine, Forensic Medicine, Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Human Biology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Immunology, Life Sciences including Botany, Zoology, Genetics, Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Organic Chemistry, Anthropology & M.Sc (Human Genomics), and ME/M.Tech.

II) For Social & Behavioral Sciences: The candidates having Postgraduate degree in the following subjects are eligible for Social &Behavioral Sciences, Anthropology, Statistics/Biostatistics, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Nursing, Nutrition, Child Development.

OR

MA/M.Sc/M.Phil in Health Promotion/Education, Health Management, Epidemiology, Environmental Health/Environmental Sciences and Public Health Nutrition/Applied Nutrition/Food & Nutrition, Health Economics/Applied Economics/Economics, Public Health/Community Health and MPH, Audiology and Speech Therapy.

OR

Post graduation in Law i.e. LLM and its equivalent qualification.

And

b) The candidates as regard to eligibility of the candidates having their own fellowship with stipends from various funding agencies, they shall be exempted from appearing in the entrance exam. Attested copy of the result/fellowship award letter must be attached.

*Candidates with the fellowship from a project (Either independent or in Extramural Project are NOT exempted from entrance examination (CBT).

2). For Sponsored Candidates: Candidates applying for admission as a sponsored/deputed candidate is required to furnish the following certificates/undertaking with his/her application from his/her employer for admission to the course.

a) That the candidate concerned is an regular employee of the deputing/sponsoring authority and should have been working for at least three years.

b) That after completion of course/training at PGI, Chandigarh, the candidate will be suitably employed by the deputing/ sponsoring authority to work at least for five years in the specialty in which the training is received by the candidate at PGI, Chandigarh.

c) That no financial implications in the form of emoluments/ stipend etc. will devolve upon PGI, Chandigarh during the entire period of his/her course. Such payment will be the responsibility of the sponsoring authority.

Deputation/Sponsorship of any candidate by private hospitals, institutes or nursing homes will not be accepted. The sponsoring Institute should not nominate more than one candidate for a particular specialty. Sponsorship/deputation of candidates will be accepted only from the following:

a) Central or State Government Departments/Institutions.

b) Autonomous Bodies of the Central or State Government.

c) Public sector colleges affiliated to universities and recognized by the MCI. In case of candidate deputed/sponsored by the Govt. Medical College affiliated to Universities and

d) Recognized by Medical Council of India, deputation/sponsorship certificate signed by the Principal of Medical College concerned only shall be accepted.

Deputed/Sponsored candidates are also required to appear in the selection test. Deputed/sponsored candidates selected for admission to any course of the Institute are required to make their own arrangement for stay during the period of their studies.

3). For Foreign National: A candidate applying for admission as a Foreign National candidate is required to take the print out of the online application form and furnish the relevant certificates are required to route their application through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi. An advance copy must be submitted at PGIMER, Chandigarh before the last date of receipt of application, However applications of such candidates will be processed after receipt of the same through diplomatic channels. These candidates are also required to appear in the entrance examination along with other candidates. A separate merit list of these candidates will be prepared within their own category. There will be another separate merit list for Bhutanese nationals, apart from the list for foreign national seats. Selection of candidates will be made on merit based on their performance in the entrance examination.

NOTE: Candidate possessing Master Degree through distance learning courses shall not be eligible.

Summary of examination pattern:

Procedure for applying:

Before applying, the candidates are advised to go through the admission notice and prospectus displayed at the PGI website and published in the press carefully. Fill in the application form online in accordance with the instructions. Please ensure that no column is left blank. Incomplete application will not be considered and no correspondence will be entertained.

a) A list of the faculty members who are willing to take Ph.D students and how many seats are available under them will be displayed on the PGI website i.e. www.pgimer.edu.in. The Annexure – 6 is required to be recommended specifically by the concerned faculty member. The faculty member should endorse one or two extra candidates (prospective), than the number of seats advertised under him/her.

b) Applicants for Ph.D. course who already have fellowship, should choose department and the faculty member (under whose guidance he/she desires to undergo Ph.D. program) and indicate the same on application form. Candidate can apply only in one department.

c) The guide will have the option to accept or not to accept the candidate, who opts to do Ph.D. under that particular faculty member. The candidate may opt. only one faculty member.

d) The candidates carrying their own fellowship from various funding agencies and the In-service medical faculty of PGI will be exempted from the entrance tests and will appear for counseling directly. However, all the candidates are required to fill the online application form.

Please take printout of the duly filled Online Application Form by logging in with your login id and password. Affix the same passport size photograph (which was uploaded in the online form) on it. It is mandatory for all the PhD applicants to fill and submit the Annexure–6 (recommendations of the concerned faculty member of PGIMER, Chandigarh under whom he/she wants to pursue his/her PhD) along with print out of duly filled online form and required certificates in Room No. 308, 2nd Floor, Training Branch, Kairon Block, PGI, Chandigarh. Applications without the requisite Annexure-6 will not be considered.

NOTE:

1. The candidates who qualify the entrance exam (CBT) are required to submit the above said documents within three days after declaration of result and candidates having their own fellowship are required to submit the same at least 15 days before the counseling. If the candidates fails to produce the proof of his/her eligibility as per above qualification, his/her candidature will not be considered and entire responsibility for the same will lie on the candidate.

2. It is mandatory for the PhD applicants who wish to apply as Research Scheme Employees to fill the Annexure-5. Necessary annexure is placed below.

Duration of the course & viva -voice examination:

A. Minimum period three academic years:- Under only exceptional circumstances and on the recommendation of the Doctoral Committee that the candidates’ work has been completed, the period of course can be reduced to two years. The maximum period up to which a candidate can submit his/her thesis is five years. Ordinarily extension for the submission of the thesis beyond five years will not be granted unless one year prior to the expiry of the 5 years the Doctoral Committee makes special recommendations for extension giving specific reasons.

B. VIVA-VOCE EXAMINATION:- The candidate should have at least 2(two) publications before the final public (Viva-Voce Examination) defense of his/her.

Method of selection:

A. Part-I: Method of selection i.e. aptitude test comprises (a) General Science (b) English, (c) Biostatistics & Research Methodology (d) Mental Ability of total 40 marks. All questions in this part are compulsory with each question carrying one mark.

B. Part-II: Stream Specific (Medical, Non Medical (Life Science and Social behavioral Sciences), exam. There will be 100 questions of various disciplines and the candidates have to attempt 40 of them.

There will be negative marking to the extent of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in the theory paper.

Note:

1. Both Aptitude test and specialty specific theory test will be conducted centrally by PGI Examination Branch.

2. The In-service Medical faculty of PGIMER, Chandigarh and the candidates having their own fellowship with stipends from various funding agencies, shall be exempted from appearing in the entrance exam.

3. List of the faculty members who are willing to take Ph.D. Students will be uploaded PGI website.

4. The application is required to be recommended specifically by the concerned faculty member. The faculty will have the option to accept or not to accept the candidate, who opts to pursue Ph.D. under him/her. The candidate may opt only one faculty member.

Fees and Dues:

The following dues are payable to the Institute, by the candidates admitted to the Ph.D course:

a) Registration fee : Rs. 500/-

b) Tuition fee : Rs. 350/- per annum

c) Laboratory fee : Rs. 900/- per annum

d) Security : Rs. 1000/- (for recovery of breakages or loss of Equipment, balance if any will be refundable on completion of course.)

e) Amalgamated fund : Rs. 720/- per annum

f) Examination fee (Viva-Voce) : Rs. 1100/-

g) Security for hostel accommodation : Rs. 5000/- (refundable) to be deposited with Hostel Manager )(if Hostel is allotted)

Note: Any other fee/dues that may be prescribed by the institute for the purpose from time to time

Payment Schedule (Annual):

The first installment of annual fees/charges for the FIRST YEAR is required to be paid in advance immediately after selection /allotment of seat (to confirm the seat). Fees & other charges for the subsequent years (2nd/3rd year so on) are required to be paid annually in advance by 15th January every year for January session and by 15th July for July session. The onus of payment of fee with the cashier in the Academic/Training Branch will be on the student /candidate. No notice for payment of fee will be issued by the department.

1. Fees and other charges once paid shall not be refunded in any case including that of a candidate leaving the Institute before the completion of the term or not joining the institute for any reason. No correspondence in this connection shall be entertained. The claim for the refund of security must be submitted within 3 years from the date of completion of course by the candidate concerned failing which the amount will be forfeited to the institute.

2. (a) For late payment, a fine @ Rs.5/- per day will be charged up to a maximum of 15 days.

(b) After 15 days the name of the candidates who does not pay the dues will be removed from the rolls of the institute and fine till the date of termination will be charged. For re-admission, if otherwise eligible, a sum of Rs.500/- will be charged as re-registration fee in addition to the fine till the date of re- admission. Such a candidate will have to repeat the period of his/her training for which he/she remains off the rolls.

To view the full official notice, click the link mentioned below-

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/2026/04/16/6601984150-342036.pdf