Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Ph.D. (Ecology & Environmental Science) programme at Assam University, Silchar is a full-time, on-campus doctoral programme offered by the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science under the E.P. Odum School of Environmental Sciences. The programme spans a minimum of 3 years and involves both coursework and original research, with thrust areas including biodiversity conservation, wildlife ecology, plant ecology and taxonomy, algal ecology, wetland ecosystem services, environmental impact assessment, and resource management. The total course fee is Rs. 55,380 for the entire duration, making it one of the most affordable doctoral programmes at a central university. Admission is based on a university-level entrance test and viva voce, with UGC NET/JRF qualification providing exemption from the entrance test in applicable cases. The department offered 11 seats in the 2026-27 cycle and is one of the pioneering departments in environmental sciences research in Northeast India, with active collaborations and funded projects in biodiversity, wildlife conservation, and climate resilience.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session have been completed, with classes commencing from November 25, 2026. The next admission cycle (2027-28) is expected to open tentatively in September-October 2027, based on the previous year's schedule. Candidates are advised to monitor the official university website (www.aus.ac.in) and the examination portal (www.ausexamination.ac.in) for the upcoming admission notification.

Key Points

The department is housed under the E.P. Odum School of Environmental Sciences, named after the renowned ecologist Eugene P. Odum, reflecting its strong focus on ecological research.
Research thrust areas include Biodiversity Conservation, Wildlife Conservation, Plant Ecology, Algal Ecology, Wetland Ecosystem Services, Environmental Impact Assessment, Agroforestry, and RS/GIS applications.
The department has faculty with expertise in wildlife conservation, faunal diversity, plant taxonomy, ethnobotany, aquatic ecology, and forest ecology.
The university may provide Non-NET fellowship to selected full-time Ph.D. scholars on merit basis, subject to availability of UGC funds.
Seat reservation follows Government of India norms for SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)/EWS/PWD categories.
Sponsored candidates are required to pay the Annual Course Fee at 3 times the standard rate.

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Scholarships
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FAQs

AU Ph.D. Ecology Fees

The Ph.D. (Ecology & Environmental Science) programme at Assam University, Silchar is highly affordable, with a total course fee of Rs. 55,380 for the entire 3-year duration. The fee structure includes tuition fees, examination fees, laboratory charges, and various other charges payable annually. Caution money deposits (library and laboratory) are refundable at the time of leaving the university.

Fee Structure Table

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Tuition Fee (Monthly @ Rs. 300 x 12 months x 3 years)	10,800
Annual Course Fee (Rs. 1,200 x 3 years)	3,600
Admission Fee (one-time)	200
University Registration Fee (one-time)	250
Identity Card (one-time)	50
Examination Fee (per year x 3 years)	2,400
Library Fee (per year x 3 years)	1,650
Laboratory Fee - Annual (Rs. 1,500 x 3 years)	4,500
University Development Fund (per year x 3 years)	4,950
Sports Fee (per year x 3 years)	510
Basic Primary Health Service (per year x 3 years)	840
Medical Insurance (per year x 3 years)	960
Students Co-Curricular Fund (per year x 3 years)	1,200
Students Aid Fund (per year x 3 years)	1,050
Magazine Fee (per year x 3 years)	510
Transportation Charge (per year x 3 years)	15,000
Marksheet Fee (per year x 3 years)	600
Centre Fee (per year x 3 years)	2,400
Title Registration Fee for Dissertation (one-time)	300
Alumni Fee (per year x 3 years)	330
Library Caution Money*	500
Laboratory Caution Money*	2,000
Placement Brochure Fee (one-time)	1,500
Total Fees	55,380

Hostel Fees (Optional)

Component	Amount (INR)
Hostel Fee (per year)	25,000
Hostel Fee (3 years, if availed)	75,000

Library Caution Money (Rs. 500) and Laboratory Caution Money (Rs. 2,000) are refundable deposits.
Sponsored candidates pay the Annual Course Fee component at 3 times the standard rate.
Application fee: Rs. 1,000 (General/OBC Creamy Layer), Rs. 900 (OBC-NCL/EWS), Rs. 800 (SC/ST/PWD) - payable at the time of application and not included in the above fee structure.
Hostel fee: Rs. 25,000 per year (optional, subject to availability). Hostel is not mandatory.
No EMI option is available; fees are payable annually as per the university schedule.

AU Ph.D. Ecology Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Ecology & Environmental Science) programme at Assam University, Silchar are conducted annually through an online application process followed by a written entrance test and viva voce. For the 2026-27 session, the admission process has been completed. The next cycle (2027-28) is expected to follow a similar schedule, tentatively opening in September 2026. Candidates qualifying UGC NET/JRF are given preference and may be exempted from the entrance test as per university norms.

College Admission Dates

Event	Date
Opening of Admission Portal	September 26, 2026
Last Date of Online Application	October 29, 2026
Verification by Departments	Up to October 31, 2026
Entrance Test and Viva Voce	November 7, 2026
Entry of Composite Score by Department	On or before November 10, 2026
Publication of First Merit List	November 12, 2026
Date of Admission (1st Merit List)	November 12 to 14, 2026
Publication of 2nd Merit List (if any)	November 19, 2026
Admission from 2nd Merit List (if any)	November 19 to 24, 2026
Commencement of Coursework Classes	November 25, 2026

UGC NET Exam Dates

Event	Phase 1 (Completed)	Phase 2 (Tentative)
Registration Start Date	October 7, 2026	April 1, 2027
Registration End Date	November 7, 2026	May 1, 2027
Admit Card Release	December 28, 2026	June 1, 2027
Exam Date	December 31, 2026 to January 7, 2027	June 2027 (Tentative)
Answer Key Release	January 14, 2027	July 1, 2027
Result Declaration	February 4, 2027	July 2027 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in Ecology, Environmental Science, Zoology, Botany, Life Sciences, or an allied subject with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PWD candidates).
Candidates with a 1-year/2-semester Master's degree after a 4-year Bachelor's degree, or a 2-year/4-semester Master's degree after a 3-year Bachelor's degree, are eligible.
M.Phil. holders in the same or allied subject with at least 55% marks are also eligible to apply.

Admission Process

Candidates apply online through the university examination portal (ausexamination.ac.in) by paying the applicable application fee.
Shortlisted candidates appear for a written entrance test and viva voce conducted by the respective department.
A composite score (entrance test + viva voce + academic record) is computed by the department.
Merit lists are published on the university portal; selected candidates complete admission formalities and fee payment within the stipulated dates.
UGC NET/JRF qualified candidates may be exempted from the entrance test as per university ordinance.
Seat reservation follows Government of India norms for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PWD categories.
Seat matrix for 2026-27: Total - 11 (UR - 4, SC - 2, ST - 1, OBC - 3, EWS - 1, PWD - 1).

AU Ph.D. Ecology Scholarships 2026

Ph.D. scholars at Assam University, Silchar can avail of multiple fellowship and scholarship options, ranging from the prestigious UGC-JRF to the university's own Non-NET fellowship. These financial supports significantly reduce the burden of research expenses and make the programme accessible to meritorious students from all backgrounds.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount	Remarks
UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	UGC NET qualified with JRF rank	Rs. 37,000/month (1st-2nd year); Rs. 42,000/month (3rd-5th year)	Awarded by UGC; valid for 5 years
UGC Senior Research Fellowship (SRF)	Upgrade from JRF after 2 years	Rs. 42,000/month	Continuation of JRF with enhanced stipend
Non-NET Fellowship (Assam University)	Full-time Ph.D. scholars enrolled at AUS, selected on merit	As per UGC norms (subject to fund availability)	Provided by the university from UGC grants; not guaranteed for all scholars
DST-INSPIRE Fellowship	M.Sc. with top rank / INSPIRE scholar	Rs. 31,000/month + Rs. 20,000 annual contingency	Awarded by DST, Government of India
CSIR-JRF	CSIR NET qualified with JRF (Life Sciences)	Rs. 37,000/month (1st-2nd year); Rs. 42,000/month (3rd-5th year)	Applicable for ecology/environmental science under Life Sciences
NSP (PM-USP) Yojana	80% in Class 12, parental income up to Rs. 4.5 Lakhs	Rs. 82,000 per annum	For UG/PG; not directly applicable to Ph.D.

The Non-NET fellowship from Assam University is subject to availability of funds received from UGC and is not guaranteed.
JRF/SRF amounts are as per the latest UGC revision (effective January 2023).
CSIR-JRF under Life Sciences is applicable for ecology and environmental science research.
Scholars are encouraged to apply for project-based fellowships through their supervisors' funded research projects.

AU Ph.D. Ecology Placement 2026

Placement data exclusive to the Ph.D. (Ecology & Environmental Science) programme at Assam University, Silchar is not separately published. Graduates from this programme typically pursue careers in academia (as faculty in colleges and universities), research institutions, government environmental agencies, forest departments, NGOs working in conservation, and environmental consulting firms. The interdisciplinary nature of the programme, combining ecology, biodiversity, and environmental science, opens diverse career pathways in both the public and private sectors.

Career Opportunities

Career Path	Description
Academia	Faculty in colleges and universities
Research Institutions	Researchers in national institutes
Government Agencies	Government environmental agencies, forest departments
NGOs	NGOs working in conservation
Consulting	Environmental consulting firms

AU Ph.D. Ecology FAQs

Ques. What subjects are accepted as qualifying degrees for Ph.D. (Ecology & Environmental Science) at Assam University?

Ans. The department accepts M.Sc. degrees in Ecology, Environmental Science, Zoology, Botany, Life Sciences, Geography, and other allied subjects as qualifying degrees. Candidates with TDC (Science) background in Zoology, Botany, or Life Sciences at the undergraduate level are generally preferred. It is advisable to check the specific eligibility requirements in the official admission notice each year, as allied subjects may vary.

Ques. What are the main research areas available for Ph.D. in the Ecology & Environmental Science department?

Ans. The department has active research in Algal Ecology and Biodiversity, Wildlife Conservation and Faunal Diversity, Plant Ecology, Phytotaxonomy and Ethnobotany, Wetland Ecosystem Services, Forest Ecology and RS/GIS applications, Aquatic Ecology, Agroforestry, and Environmental Impact Assessment. The choice of research area depends on the availability of a supervisor and their current funded projects. Prospective students are advised to contact faculty members directly before applying.

Ques. How many seats are available in Ph.D. (Ecology & Environmental Science) at Assam University, Silchar?

Ans. For the 2026-27 session, the department had a total intake of 11 seats. The seat matrix was: UR - 4, SC - 2, ST - 1, OBC - 3, EWS - 1, PWD - 1 (PWD seats are horizontal reservations). The number of seats varies each year depending on faculty vacancies, so candidates should check the official admission notice for the current year's intake.

Ques. Is UGC NET mandatory for Ph.D. admission in Ecology & Environmental Science at Assam University?

Ans. UGC NET/JRF qualification is not strictly mandatory for applying, but it is highly preferred. Candidates without NET/JRF must appear for the university's own entrance test and viva voce. NET/JRF qualified candidates may be exempted from the entrance test as per the AUS Ph.D. ordinance 2023. Having a JRF also makes you eligible for the UGC fellowship, which provides a monthly stipend of Rs. 37,000 during the research tenure.

Ques. Can I apply for Ph.D. in Ecology & Environmental Science if my M.Sc. is in Zoology or Botany?

Ans. Yes, candidates with M.Sc. in Zoology, Botany, Life Sciences, Geography, or other allied subjects are generally eligible to apply for Ph.D. in Ecology & Environmental Science at Assam University, subject to the minimum marks requirement of 55% (50% for reserved categories). The department has faculty working across these disciplines, and allied subject candidates are regularly admitted. Always verify the specific allied subjects listed in the official admission notice.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing Ph.D. in Ecology & Environmental Science from Assam University?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as faculty members in colleges and universities, researchers in national institutes (like WII, ZSI, BSI, TERI), scientists in government departments (Forest Department, MoEFCC, CPCB, SPCBs), environmental consultants, and professionals in NGOs working in biodiversity conservation and climate change. The Northeast India location of the university provides unique research opportunities in one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, which is highly valued by research institutions and conservation organizations.