Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Ph.D. (French) programme at Assam University, Silchar is a full-time, on-campus doctoral degree offered by the Department of French, which is part of the SKC School of English and Foreign Languages. The programme involves both coursework and original research, with a minimum duration of 3 years. A distinctive and important feature of this programme is that the PhD thesis must be written entirely in French, making it one of the very few doctoral programmes in India where the thesis language is mandatorily French. The total academic fee for the programme is Rs. 55,380 for the entire duration. Admission is based on a Research Entrance Test (RET) and/or UGC-NET/JRF qualification. The programme is popular among students with a strong background in French language and literature who wish to pursue advanced research in Francophone studies, linguistics, translation, and French literature.

Admissions to the PhD (French) programme are offered subject to availability of vacancies and supervisor capacity. The 2026-27 PhD admission cycle at Assam University did not include the Department of French due to no vacancies. The programme was last offered in the 2023-24 cycle. For the 2027-28 session, candidates are advised to check the official admission notice at ausexamination.ac.in for the updated list of departments offering PhD admissions. Based on past cycles, the admission portal typically opens in September-October.

Key Points

The PhD thesis at Assam University's French department must be written entirely in French, which is a unique and rigorous academic requirement.
The Department of French offers a full academic ladder: Certificate of Proficiency in French, Diploma of Proficiency in French, Advanced Diploma in French, MA French (20 seats), and PhD (French).
Research areas in the department include Linguistics, Foreign Language Teaching, Translation Studies, French Literature, and Francophone Studies.
PhD admissions in the French department are subject to availability of vacancies and supervisor capacity; the department may not offer PhD seats every year.
The department uses state-of-the-art audio-visual teaching aids and a modern UGC-compliant syllabus.
Seat reservation follows Government of India norms for SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)/EWS/PWD categories.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

AU PhD (French) Fees

The Ph.D. (French) programme at Assam University, Silchar carries a total academic fee of Rs. 55,380 for the full 3-year duration, which is the standard fee applicable to all PhD (Arts) programmes at the university. This makes it one of the most affordable doctoral programmes in French language and literature in India. Hostel accommodation is available on campus at an additional cost of approximately Rs. 25,000 per year, though it is not mandatory and is 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.

AU PhD (French) Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (French) programme at Assam University, Silchar are conducted subject to availability of vacancies and supervisor capacity. Not every year sees PhD admissions in the French department; candidates must check the official annual PhD admission notice for the updated list of departments. When offered, the selection process involves a Research Entrance Test (RET) and/or viva voce. Candidates with a valid UGC-NET/JRF qualification may be given preference. The 2026-27 cycle did not include French; the next cycle (2027-28) is expected to follow a similar schedule tentatively from September-October 2027 if vacancies exist.

College Admission Dates

Event	2023-24 (Last Offered)	2027-28 (Tentative, if vacancies exist)
Opening of Admission Portal	September-October 2023	September-October 2027 (Tentative)
Last Date of Online Application	October 2023	October 2027 (Tentative)
Research Entrance Test (RET) and Viva Voce	November 2023	November 2027 (Tentative)
Publication of Merit List	November 2023	November 2027 (Tentative)
Admission and Fee Payment	November 2023	November 2027 (Tentative)
Commencement of Coursework Classes	November-December 2023	November-December 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 (French) qualification 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. Candidates are strongly advised to monitor the official website (ausexamination.ac.in) for the annual PhD admission notice to confirm if French department is offering seats in a given year.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in French or an allied subject with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate (or equivalent grade) from a recognised university.
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 French or an allied subject with at least 55% marks are also eligible.

Admission Process

Monitor the official PhD admission notice at https://ausexamination.ac.in/admission/ each year (typically released in September-October) to confirm if the French department is offering seats.
Register and apply online through the AUS admission portal by paying the applicable application fee.
Shortlisted candidates appear for the Research Entrance Test (RET) and/or Viva Voce conducted by the Department of French.
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 (French) may be given preference in the selection process.

AU PhD (French) Scholarships 2026

PhD scholars at Assam University, Silchar have access to multiple fellowship and scholarship options. For French language scholars, the UGC-JRF in French (through UGC-NET) is the most prestigious and financially rewarding option. The university also provides Non-NET fellowship to eligible full-time PhD scholars. These financial supports significantly reduce the financial burden and encourage full-time commitment to research.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount	Duration
UGC-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	UGC-NET qualified with JRF rank in French	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 and fund availability)
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
Ishan Uday Scholarship (NER)	Students from Northeast India	Rs. 5,400/month (general courses)	Duration of course
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. 8,000/year (Humanities).
Applications for national scholarships (NFSC, NFST, etc.) are to be submitted through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).

AU PhD (French) FAQs

Ques. Is the PhD (French) programme offered every year at Assam University, Silchar?

Ans. No, the PhD (French) programme is not necessarily offered every year. Admissions depend on the availability of vacancies and supervisor capacity in the Department of French. For example, the 2026-27 PhD admission cycle at Assam University did not include the French department. The programme was last offered in the 2023-24 cycle. Candidates must check the official annual PhD admission notice at ausexamination.ac.in to confirm availability for a given year.

Ques. Is it mandatory to write the PhD thesis in French at Assam University?

Ans. Yes, this is a unique and mandatory requirement. The official Department of French page at Assam University explicitly states that the language of the PhD thesis is French only. This means candidates must have a high level of proficiency in written French to complete the programme successfully.

Ques. What is the UGC-NET subject code for French, and is it required for PhD admission?

Ans. The UGC-NET subject for French is conducted under the Humanities and Social Sciences category. While UGC-NET is not strictly mandatory to apply (candidates can appear in the university's own RET), having a valid UGC-NET/JRF in French gives candidates a significant advantage, including preference in admission and eligibility for the JRF fellowship of Rs. 37,000/month.

Ques. What research areas can I pursue in the PhD (French) programme at Assam University?

Ans. The Department of French at Assam University has faculty specialising in Linguistics, Foreign Language Teaching, Translation Studies, and French Language and Literature. Research areas include French linguistics, Francophone literature, translation between French and Indian languages, French for specific purposes (tourism, hospitality), and comparative literature involving French and other languages.

Ques. How many faculty members are available to supervise PhD research in the French department at Assam University?

Ans. The Department of French currently has one regular faculty member - Dr. Amalendu Chakraborty (Assistant Professor, specialising in Linguistics, Foreign Language Teaching, and Translation). The department is headed by Dr. Marykim Haokip (HoD in-charge). The limited faculty strength means PhD seats are offered only when supervisor capacity is available, which is why admissions are not held every year.

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

Ans. A PhD in French from Assam University opens doors to academic careers as faculty in French departments of universities and colleges across India. Alumni of the department have found placements as faculty members and researchers in academic institutions in India and abroad. Other career options include translation and interpretation (French-English/Indian languages), working with French multinational companies, the French Embassy and cultural organisations, tourism and hospitality sector (French-speaking markets), and content creation for French language media.