Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Ph.D. in Earth Science at Assam University, Silchar is a full-time, on-campus doctoral programme of minimum 3 years duration, offered by the Department of Earth Science under the School of Earth Sciences. The programme focuses on research areas including Igneous Petrology, Geochemistry, Structural Geology, and Metamorphic Petrology. The total academic fee for the entire programme is Rs. 55,380, making it one of the most affordable doctoral programmes at a Central University in India. Admission is based on UGC-NET/GATE qualification or the university's own Research Entrance Test (RET), with a total seat intake of 3 at Silchar HQ for the 2026-27 session. The programme is popular among students from Northeast India and the broader geoscience community for its research focus on the geology of the Northeast Indian region, which is tectonically significant and geologically diverse.

Admission for the 2027-28 session is upcoming. Based on the 2026-27 cycle, the admission portal is expected to open around September-October 2027, with the last date for application likely in October 2027. For the 2027-28 July session, the last date to submit the application form is tentatively 10 April 2027 (as per available notifications). Candidates are advised to regularly check the official admission portal at ausexamination.ac.in for the latest updates.

Key Points

The Department of Earth Science at Assam University focuses on research in Igneous Petrology, Geochemistry, Structural Geology, and Metamorphic Petrology, with special relevance to the geology of Northeast India.
The seat intake is very limited (3 seats total for 2026-27), making it a highly competitive programme.
Seat reservation follows Government of India norms: UR-1, SC-1, ST-0, OBC-1, EWS-0, PWD-1 (total 3 seats at Silchar HQ).
The programme includes mandatory course work before the research phase, commencing from November each year.
The university offers a Non-NET fellowship to selected full-time PhD scholars on merit basis, subject to availability of UGC funds.
Candidates may apply to a maximum of two allied departments, but must submit separate applications with separate fees for each.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

AU Ph.D. Earth Science Fees

The Ph.D. in Earth Science at Assam University, Silchar is highly affordable compared to most central and private universities. The total academic fee for the entire programme duration is Rs. 55,380 for the General category. Hostel accommodation is available on campus (not mandatory) at approximately Rs. 25,000 per year; students opting for hostel should budget separately for this. The application fee is Rs. 1,000 for General/OBC (Creamy Layer), Rs. 900 for OBC (NCL)/EWS, and Rs. 800 for SC/ST/PWD candidates.

Academic Fees

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Tuition / Academic Fee (Total for entire programme)	55,380
Application Fee - General / OBC (Creamy Layer)	1,000
Application Fee - OBC (NCL) / EWS	900
Application Fee - SC / ST / PWD	800
Total Fees	55,380

Hostel Fees (Optional - Not Mandatory)

Hostel Component	Amount (INR)
Hostel Fee (per year, approx.)	25,000
Total Hostel Fee (for 3 years, approx.)	75,000

The application fee is non-refundable.
Hostel accommodation is subject to availability and is not guaranteed to all students.
The university has 11 hostels with a total capacity of approximately 749 students across all programmes.
Fees are typically paid annually as per the university's fee payment schedule.
Hostel fees are separate from academic fees and are not included in the Total Fees figure above.

AU Ph.D. Earth Science Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. in Earth Science at Assam University, Silchar are conducted annually, typically commencing in September-October each year. The selection is based on a composite score derived from the candidate's academic record, performance in the Research Entrance Test (RET) / Viva Voce (for those not exempted), and UGC-NET/GATE scores. For the 2026-27 session, the admission process has been completed; the next cycle (2027-28) is expected to follow a similar schedule. Given the very limited seat intake of 3, competition is intense and candidates with strong academic records and valid NET/GATE scores are strongly preferred.

Admission Schedule

Event	2026-27 (Actual)	2027-28 (Tentative)
Opening of Admission Portal	26 September 2026	September 2027
Last Date of Online Application	29 October 2026	October 2027
Verification by Departments	Up to 31 October 2026	October 2027
Entrance Test (RET) and Viva Voce	7 November 2026	November 2027
Entry of Composite Score by Department	10 November 2026	November 2027
Publication of First Merit List	12 November 2026	November 2027
Date of Admission (1st Merit List)	12-14 November 2026	November 2027
Publication of 2nd Merit List (if any)	19 November 2026	November 2027
Admission from 2nd Merit List (if any)	19-24 November 2026	November 2027
Commencement of Course Work	25 November 2026	November 2027

Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Event	Date
UGC-NET (Phase 1)	Registration	October 7 - November 7, 2026
UGC-NET (Phase 1)	Exam	December 31, 2026 - January 7, 2027
UGC-NET (Phase 1)	Result	February 4, 2027
UGC-NET (Phase 2)	Registration (Tentative)	April 1 - May 1, 2027
UGC-NET (Phase 2)	Exam (Tentative)	June 2027
GATE (Geology and Geophysics - GG)	Registration	August 28 - October 13, 2026
GATE (Geology and Geophysics - GG)	Exam	February 7-8, 14-15, 2027
GATE (Geology and Geophysics - GG)	Result	March 19, 2027

Note: For the 2027-28 July session, the last date to submit the application form is tentatively 10 April 2027. Candidates should verify from the official portal at ausexamination.ac.in.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Master's degree in Earth Science, Geology, Applied Geology, Geophysics, or allied subjects with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PWD/EWS).
Candidates with a valid UGC-NET (Earth Sciences) or GATE (GG) score are eligible and may be given preference or exemption from the university entrance test.
M.Phil. holders in the same or allied subject with at least 55% marks are also eligible.

Admission Process

Apply online at ausexamination.ac.in by paying the applicable application fee.
Candidates may apply to a maximum of two allied departments; separate applications and fees are required for each.
Shortlisted candidates appear for the Research Entrance Test (RET) and/or Viva Voce (candidates with valid NET/GATE may be exempted from RET as per university norms).
A composite score is computed by the department based on academic record and entrance performance.
Merit list is published on the university portal; selected candidates complete admission formalities within the stipulated dates.
Seat reservation follows Government of India norms for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PWD categories.

AU Ph.D. Earth Science Scholarships 2026

Assam University, Silchar provides fellowship support to PhD scholars primarily through the UGC-funded Non-NET Fellowship scheme. Scholars who qualify UGC-NET JRF or GATE are eligible for the respective national fellowships, which are significantly higher in value. The university's Non-NET fellowship is awarded on merit basis to full-time PhD scholars who do not hold a national fellowship, subject to availability of funds from UGC.

Fellowship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount	Remarks
UGC-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	Candidates qualifying UGC-NET with JRF	Rs. 37,000/month (1st-2nd year); Rs. 42,000/month (3rd year onwards)	Awarded by UGC; valid for 5 years
GATE Fellowship (MHRD/AICTE)	Candidates with valid GATE score admitted to PhD	Rs. 12,400/month (as per MHRD norms)	Applicable for PhD scholars in science/engineering
UGC-AUS Non-NET Fellowship	Full-time PhD scholars without national fellowship, selected on merit	Rs. 8,000/month (as per UGC norms)	Subject to availability of UGC funds; awarded by Assam University
SC/ST/OBC/EWS Government Scholarships	As per category eligibility	Varies	Central and State government schemes applicable

The Non-NET fellowship is not guaranteed to all scholars; it is subject to availability of funds received from UGC by the university.
JRF holders must register their fellowship within the stipulated time as per UGC guidelines.
Scholars are advised to check the official scholarship portal (scholarships.gov.in) for additional central government scholarship schemes.
Application deadlines for Non-NET fellowship are communicated by the university internally to enrolled scholars.

AU Ph.D. Earth Science FAQs

Ques. What are the research specializations available in the Department of Earth Science at Assam University, Silchar?

Ans. The Department of Earth Science at Assam University, Silchar currently has two faculty members offering PhD supervision: Prof. M. Faruque Hussain (specializing in Igneous Petrology and Geochemistry) and Dr. Purbajyoti Phukon (specializing in Structural Geology and Metamorphic Petrology). Students should contact the department directly to understand current research projects and available vacancies before applying, as the total intake is only 3 seats.

Ques. Is UGC-NET mandatory for PhD Earth Science admission at Assam University?

Ans. No, UGC-NET is not mandatory. Candidates without a valid NET/GATE score can appear in the university's own Research Entrance Test (RET) and Viva Voce. However, candidates with a valid UGC-NET (Earth Sciences) or GATE (Geology and Geophysics) score are generally given preference and may be exempted from the RET. Having a NET/GATE qualification also makes you eligible for national fellowships, which is a significant financial advantage.

Ques. How competitive is PhD Earth Science admission at Assam University given the very limited seats?

Ans. With only 3 seats available (UR-1, SC-1, OBC-1 for 2026-27), the programme is highly competitive. Candidates with strong academic records (above 60% in M.Sc.), valid UGC-NET/GATE scores, and research experience or publications will have a significant advantage. It is advisable to contact the faculty supervisors in advance to discuss research interests and availability before applying.

Ques. What is the scope of Earth Science research in the context of Northeast India?

Ans. Northeast India is geologically significant as it lies at the junction of the Indian, Eurasian, and Burmese tectonic plates, making it one of the most seismically active regions in the world. Research in Igneous Petrology, Structural Geology, and Metamorphic Petrology in this region has direct implications for understanding tectonic evolution, mineral resources, and natural hazard assessment. A PhD from Assam University in Earth Science provides a strong foundation for careers in geological surveys, oil and gas exploration, academic research, and government agencies like GSI (Geological Survey of India).

Ques. Is hostel accommodation available for PhD Earth Science scholars at Assam University?

Ans. Hostel accommodation is available on campus but is not guaranteed. The university has 11 hostels with a total capacity of approximately 749 students across all programmes. PhD scholars can apply for hostel allotment after admission, subject to availability. The hostel fee is approximately Rs. 25,000 per year, which is separate from the academic fee of Rs. 55,380.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing a PhD in Earth Science from Assam University?

Ans. A PhD in Earth Science from Assam University opens doors to careers in academic and research institutions (as faculty or researcher), the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), state geological departments, environmental consulting firms, and mining companies. The Northeast India focus of the department's research is particularly relevant for careers in the region's growing oil and gas sector and disaster management agencies.