Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Ph.D. (English) programme at Assam University, Silchar is a full-time, on-campus doctoral degree offered by the Department of English, one of the six founding departments of this central university established in 1994. The programme spans a minimum of 3 years and involves both coursework and original research, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches covering British Literature, Postcolonial Studies, Northeast Indian Literature, Translation Studies, Gender Studies, and Cultural Studies. The total academic fee for the programme is Rs. 55,380 for the entire duration, making it one of the most affordable doctoral programmes in the country. Admission is based on a Research Entrance Test (RET) and/or UGC-NET/JRF qualification, with a seat intake of 14 seats at the Silchar campus for the English department. The programme is popular among students from Northeast India and beyond due to its regional specialisation, central university status, and access to research fellowships.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session have been completed, with classes commencing from November 25, 2026. For the 2027-28 session, the admission portal is expected to open tentatively in September 2027, based on the previous year's schedule.

Key Points

The Department of English is one of the oldest and most established departments at Assam University, operational since the university's founding year of 1994.
The department has a dedicated ICT-enabled Smart Classroom and a departmental library to support research scholars.
Research areas include Drama Studies, New Literatures in English, Indian English Writing, Northeast Studies, Postcolonial Studies, Translation Studies, Literary Theory, Culture Studies, Women's Studies, American Fiction, and Film Studies.
The university may provide Non-NET fellowship to selected full-time PhD scholars on merit basis, subject to availability of UGC funds.
Candidates can apply to a maximum of two allied departments, but must submit separate applications with separate fees for each.
Seat reservation follows Government of India norms for SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)/EWS/PWD categories.

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Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

AU Ph.D. (English) Fees

The Ph.D. (English) programme at Assam University, Silchar carries a total academic fee of Rs. 55,380 for the full 3-year duration, making it highly affordable compared to most private and even several public universities. The annual course fee and tuition fee together form the bulk of the academic charges. Hostel accommodation is available on campus at an additional cost of approximately Rs. 25,000 per year, though it is not mandatory and subject to availability.

Fee Structure Table

Fee Component	Per Year (Rs.)	Total for 3 Years (Rs.)
Tuition Fee	3,600	10,800
Annual Course Fee	1,200	3,600
University Development Fund	1,500	4,500
Admission Fee (one-time)	500	500
Identity Card (one-time)	50	50
Title Registration Fee for Dissertation (one-time)	300	300
Other Charges (Library, Sports, Misc.)	~13,077	~35,630
Total Academic Fee	~18,460	55,380
Hostel Fee (optional, subject to availability)	25,000	75,000
Total Fee (with Hostel)	~43,460	~1,30,380

The total academic fee of Rs. 55,380 is as per official data for the General category.
Hostel fee of Rs. 25,000 per year is indicative and subject to change; hostel accommodation is not mandatory.
Application fee (non-refundable): Rs. 1,000 for General/OBC (Creamy Layer); Rs. 900 for OBC (NCL)/EWS; Rs. 800 for SC/ST/PWD.
Annual fees are to be deposited annually as per the rate prescribed in the fee structure.
Sponsored candidates pay Annual Course Fee at 3 times the regular rate.
No EMI option is officially mentioned; fees are payable annually.

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AU Ph.D. (English) Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (English) programme at Assam University, Silchar are conducted annually, typically with the portal opening in September-October. The selection process involves a Research Entrance Test (RET) and/or viva voce for shortlisted candidates. Candidates holding a valid UGC-NET/JRF qualification may be given preference or exemption from the entrance test as per university norms. The 2026-27 admission cycle has been completed; the next cycle (2027-28) is expected to follow a similar schedule tentatively from September 2026.

College Admission Dates

Event	2026-27 Dates (Completed)	2027-28 Tentative Dates
Opening of Admission Portal	September 26, 2026	September 2027 (Tentative)
Last Date of Online Application	October 29, 2026	October 2027 (Tentative)
Verification by Departments	Up to October 31, 2026	October 2027 (Tentative)
Research Entrance Test (RET) and Viva Voce	November 7, 2026	November 2027 (Tentative)
Entry of Composite Score by Department	November 10, 2026	November 2027 (Tentative)
Publication of First Merit List	November 12, 2026	November 2027 (Tentative)
Admission from First Merit List	November 12-14, 2026	November 2027 (Tentative)
Publication of Second Merit List (if any)	November 19, 2026	November 2027 (Tentative)
Admission from Second Merit List (if any)	November 19-24, 2026	November 2027 (Tentative)
Commencement of Coursework Classes	November 25, 2026	November 2027 (Tentative)

UGC-NET Exam Dates

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

Note: UGC-NET qualification (with or without JRF) is the primary national-level exam accepted for PhD admission at Assam University. Candidates with valid NET/JRF may be exempted from the university's RET as per applicable norms.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree (2-year/4-semester after a 3-year bachelor's, or 1-year/2-semester after a 4-year bachelor's) in English or an allied subject with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate (or equivalent grade).
A relaxation of 5% marks (i.e., 50% minimum) is applicable for SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)/Differently-Abled/EWS candidates.
Candidates who have completed an M.Phil. in the same or allied subject with at least 55% marks are also eligible.

Admission Process

Register and apply online at https://www.ausexamination.ac.in/admission by paying the applicable application fee.
Shortlisted candidates appear for the Research Entrance Test (RET) and/or Viva Voce conducted by the Department of English.
A composite score is computed based on RET performance, academic record, and viva voce.
Merit list is published on the university portal; selected candidates complete admission formalities and pay fees within the stipulated dates.
Candidates with valid UGC-NET/JRF may be given preference in the selection process.
Seat reservation follows GoI norms: UR-6, SC-2, ST-1, OBC-3, EWS-1, PWD-1 (total intake: 14 seats).

AU Ph.D. (English) Scholarships 2026

PhD scholars at Assam University, Silchar have access to 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 financial burden on research scholars and encourage full-time commitment to research. Scholars are encouraged to apply for national-level fellowships through UGC and other bodies, while the university also provides institutional support for those who do not qualify for national fellowships.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount	Duration
UGC-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	UGC-NET qualified with JRF rank	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF, first 2 years); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF, from 3rd year)	Up to 5 years
UGC Non-NET Fellowship (AUS)	Full-time PhD scholars enrolled at Assam University who do not hold NET/JRF	Rs. 5,000/month (Humanities/Social Sciences) + contingency of Rs. 8,000/year	Up to 3 years (subject to satisfactory progress)
INSPIRE Fellowship (DST)	For candidates with top academic ranks in science streams	Rs. 31,000/month + Rs. 20,000/year research grant	Up to 5 years
National Fellowship for SC Students (NFSC)	SC category PhD scholars	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF) / Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	Up to 5 years
National Fellowship for ST Students (NFST)	ST category PhD scholars	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF) / Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	Up to 5 years
Dr. Ambedkar Fellowship (AUS)	Selected PhD scholars under Dr. Ambedkar Chair scheme	As per scheme norms	As per scheme
Assam Govt. Research Scholar Assistance	Regular PhD scholars enrolled in Assam universities	Rs. 25,000 (one-time) for regular scholars; Rs. 40,000 for Divyang scholars	One-time

The Non-NET fellowship at Assam University is subject to availability of UGC funds and is awarded on merit basis; it is not guaranteed to all enrolled scholars.
Scholars must submit claim forms (RF-1, RF-2, RF-6) as per the university's scholarship portal for Non-NET fellowship.
JRF/SRF fellows are also entitled to a contingency grant of Rs. 10,000/year (Science) or Rs. 8,000/year (Humanities).
Applications for national scholarships (NFSC, NFST, etc.) are to be submitted through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Scholars holding externally funded fellowships (JRF/SRF/INSPIRE etc.) should also submit contingency claims as per university notification.

AU Ph.D. (English) FAQs

Ques. Is UGC-NET mandatory to apply for PhD (English) at Assam University, Silchar?

Ans. No, UGC-NET is not strictly mandatory to apply. Candidates without NET/JRF can appear in the university's own Research Entrance Test (RET) conducted by the Department of English. However, candidates with a valid UGC-NET/JRF score are given preference and may be exempted from the RET. Having NET/JRF also makes you eligible for the JRF fellowship (Rs. 37,000/month), which is a significant financial advantage.

Ques. How many seats are available for PhD (English) at Assam University Silchar, and what is the category-wise distribution?

Ans. The total intake capacity for PhD (English) at the Silchar campus is 14 seats. The category-wise distribution is: UR-6, SC-2, ST-1, OBC-3, EWS-1, PWD-1. Additionally, the Diphu Campus offers 6 more seats in PhD (English) with a separate admission process.

Ques. Can I pursue PhD (English) at Assam University while working full-time elsewhere?

Ans. No. The PhD programme at Assam University is offered strictly as a full-time, on-campus programme. Candidates are required to be physically present for coursework, RET, viva voce, and regular research activities. Sponsored candidates (those sponsored by their employer) may apply under a separate category but must still fulfil the attendance and coursework requirements.

Ques. What are the research specialisations available in the Department of English at Assam University?

Ans. The Department of English at Assam University has faculty specialising in Drama Studies, New Literatures in English, Indian English Writing, Translation Studies, Northeast Studies, Postcolonial Studies, Literary Theory, Culture Studies, Women's Studies, American Fiction, Film Studies, Gender Studies, and Queer Studies. Scholars interested in Northeast Indian literature and culture will find this department particularly well-suited due to its strong regional focus.

Ques. Is the Non-NET fellowship guaranteed for all PhD scholars at Assam University?

Ans. No, the Non-NET fellowship is not guaranteed. It is awarded on a merit basis to full-time PhD scholars who do not hold a UGC-NET/JRF qualification, subject to availability of funds received from UGC. The university has been regularly disbursing Non-NET fellowships (Rs. 5,000/month for Humanities) to enrolled scholars, but scholars should not rely solely on this as a confirmed source of income.

Ques. What career options are available after completing PhD (English) from Assam University, Silchar?

Ans. A PhD in English from Assam University opens doors primarily to academic careers. A large number of alumni from the department are employed as faculty members in colleges and universities across India, particularly in Northeast India. Some graduates have also found positions in educational administration, content writing, publishing, and the corporate sector. The degree is particularly valuable for those seeking Assistant Professor positions in colleges affiliated to universities in Assam and the broader Northeast region, where the university's reputation and alumni network are strong.