Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Ph.D. (Geography) programme at Assam University is a full-time doctoral research programme offered by the Department of Geography at the Diphu Campus of Assam University (a Central University), under the School of Earth Sciences. The department started functioning at the Diphu Campus in July 2014 and offers research in areas including Engineering Geomorphology, Disaster Management, Geospatial Science, Physical Geography, Agriculture Geography, Economic Geography, Geopolitics, Maritime Security, Human Security, Global Environmental Politics, and Climate Change Policy. The programme is conducted through coursework and research work, with a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years as per UGC norms. The total fees for the programme are approximately Rs. 55,380 for the entire course duration. Admission is based on a university-level entrance test and viva voce, and the seat intake for 2026-27 is 2 seats (UR: 1, PWD: 1 horizontal reservation). The programme is offered in full-time, on-campus mode at the Diphu Campus, located in Diphu, Karbi Anglong, Assam.

Admissions for the 2026-27 batch have been completed. The admission portal opened on 26 September 2026, with classes commencing on 25 November 2026. For the upcoming 2027-28 session, the admission process is expected to begin tentatively in September-October 2027, based on the previous year's schedule.

Key Points

The Ph.D. (Geography) programme is offered at the Diphu Campus of Assam University, located in Diphu, Karbi Anglong, Assam, and not at the Silchar main campus.
The department is one of the youngest at Assam University, having started in 2014, and has a well-equipped laboratory with facilities for cartography, remote sensing, and GIS.
Research specialisations include Engineering Geomorphology, Disaster Management, Geospatial Science, Agriculture Geography, Economic Geography, Geopolitics, and Climate Change Policy.
The university may provide Non-NET fellowship to selected full-time Ph.D. scholars on merit basis, subject to availability of UGC funds.
The Diphu Campus location in Karbi Anglong provides unique opportunities for fieldwork in physical geography, environmental studies, and regional geography of Northeast India.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

Assam University Ph.D. (Geography) Fees

The Ph.D. (Geography) programme at Assam University carries a modest fee structure, as is typical of a central university. The total course fees for the entire duration are approximately Rs. 55,380, which includes tuition fees, registration charges, examination fees, and other institutional charges. Fees are paid annually. Refundable caution money deposits are also collected at the time of admission.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Admission Fee (one-time)	2,000
Tuition Fee (Rs. 150/month x 36 months for 3 years coursework)	5,400
University Registration Fee (one-time)	300
University Development Fund (annual x 3 years)	4,500
Library Fee (annual x 3 years)	1,500
Sports Fee (annual x 3 years)	450
Basic Primary Health Services (annual x 3 years)	750
Medical Insurance (annual x 3 years)	960
Students Co-Curricular Fund (annual x 3 years)	1,050
Students Aid Fund (annual x 3 years)	900
Magazine Fee (annual x 3 years)	450
Title Registration Fee (one-time)	200
Examination Fee - Thesis Evaluation (one-time)	3,000
Identity Card (one-time)	100
Library Caution Money (refundable)	500
Computer Lab Fee (refundable)	500
Other Charges	~33,720
Total Fees (approx.)	55,380

Library Caution Money (Rs. 500) and Computer Lab Fee (Rs. 500) are refundable deposits.
Hostel fees are separate and not included in the above total.
Hostel accommodation may be available at the Diphu Campus (subject to availability).
Hostel is not mandatory.
Fees are subject to revision each academic year as per university and UGC guidelines.
Application fee: Rs. 1,000 (General/OBC Creamy Layer), Rs. 900 (OBC-NCL/EWS), Rs. 800 (SC/ST/PWD).
SC/ST students may be eligible for fee concessions as per government norms.

Assam University Ph.D. (Geography) Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Geography) programme at Assam University (Diphu Campus) are conducted annually through an online application process followed by a departmental entrance test and viva voce. For 2026-27, the admission process was completed with classes commencing on 25 November 2026. The next admission cycle for 2027-28 is expected to follow a similar schedule, tentatively opening in September 2026. With only 2 seats available, candidates are advised to prepare a strong research proposal aligned with the department's research areas and perform well in the entrance test and viva voce.

Assam University Ph.D. (Geography) Admission Schedule 2026-27

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

UGC NET Exam Dates

Event	Date
UGC NET Dec 2026 - Jan 2027: Registration Start	7 October 2026
UGC NET Dec 2026 - Jan 2027: Registration End	7 November 2026
UGC NET Dec 2026 - Jan 2027: Admit Card	28 December 2026
UGC NET Dec 2026 - Jan 2027: Exam Dates	31 December 2026 to 7 January 2027
UGC NET Dec 2026 - Jan 2027: Answer Key	14 January 2027
UGC NET Dec 2026 - Jan 2027: Result	4 February 2027
UGC NET June 2027: Registration Start (Tentative)	April 2027
UGC NET June 2027: Exam Date (Tentative)	June 2027

Note: UGC NET is not a mandatory requirement for admission to the Ph.D. programme at Assam University. However, qualifying UGC NET JRF makes candidates eligible for the Junior Research Fellowship, which provides a monthly stipend. Candidates without NET/JRF may be considered for the university's Non-NET Fellowship, subject to availability of UGC funds.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree (M.A./M.Sc. Geography or equivalent) with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PWD/EWS categories).
Candidates who have completed an M.Phil. in Geography or an allied subject with at least 55% marks are also eligible.
Candidates with a 4-year undergraduate degree followed by a 1-year master's degree, or a 3-year undergraduate degree followed by a 2-year master's degree, are eligible as per UGC norms.

Admission Process

Apply online at https://www.ausexamination.ac.in/admission by paying the requisite application fee.
Shortlisted candidates are called for a departmental Entrance Test and Viva Voce at the Diphu Campus.
A composite score (based on academic merit and entrance test/viva performance) is prepared by the department.
Merit list is published and admissions are offered in order of merit, subject to reservation norms.
Candidates may apply to a maximum of two allied departments with separate applications and fees.
Reservation of seats for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PWD/EWS is as per Government of India rules.

Assam University Ph.D. (Geography) Scholarships 2026

Ph.D. scholars at Assam University can avail of multiple fellowship and scholarship options. The university actively disburses Non-NET fellowships to eligible full-time scholars, and students qualifying UGC NET JRF can receive the national fellowship. Additionally, government scholarship schemes through the National Scholarship Portal are available for reserved category students.

Scholarship and Fellowship Options

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount	Remarks
UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	Qualify UGC NET with JRF	Rs. 37,000/month (1st 2 years); Rs. 42,000/month (3rd year onwards)	Awarded by UGC; tenure of 5 years
Non-NET Fellowship (Assam University)	Full-time Ph.D. scholars without JRF, selected on merit	As per UGC Non-NET norms (approx. Rs. 5,000/month)	Subject to availability of UGC funds; disbursed by the university
National Fellowship for SC Students (NFSC)	SC category Ph.D. scholars	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF level)	Apply through National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
National Fellowship for ST Students (NFST)	ST category Ph.D. scholars	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF level)	Apply through NSP
OBC Post-Matric Scholarship	OBC students	Variable	Apply through NSP
CM's Jibon Anuprerana Scheme (Assam)	Ph.D. scholars enrolled in Assam universities	Rs. 25,000 (one-time, General); Rs. 40,000 (Divyang)	State government scheme
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF)	SC/ST Ph.D. scholars	Rs. 37,000/month	Apply through UGC

Non-NET fellowship is disbursed bi-monthly and requires submission of claim forms (RF-1, RF-2, RF-6) as notified by the university.
Contingency grants are also available for Non-NET fellows for research-related expenses.
Scholars holding JRF/SRF from UGC, CSIR, or other national agencies must inform the university and are not eligible for Non-NET fellowship simultaneously.
Applications for NSP-based scholarships must be submitted at the start of the academic session and verified by the university.

Assam University Ph.D. (Geography) FAQs

Ques. Is the Ph.D. (Geography) programme offered at the Silchar campus or the Diphu Campus of Assam University?

Ans. The Ph.D. (Geography) programme is offered at the Diphu Campus of Assam University, located in Diphu, Karbi Anglong, Assam. The Geography department at Assam University operates exclusively from the Diphu Campus. Candidates must be prepared to relocate to the Diphu Campus for their coursework and research.

Ques. What research areas are available for Ph.D. (Geography) at Assam University Diphu Campus?

Ans. The Department of Geography at Diphu Campus offers research in Engineering Geomorphology, Disaster Management, Geospatial Science, E-Flow Monitoring and Management, Physical Geography, Agriculture Geography, Economic Geography, Geopolitics, Maritime Security, Human Security, Global Environmental Politics, and Climate Change Policy. Candidates should identify a faculty member whose research interests align with their proposed topic before applying.

Ques. Does the Geography department at Assam University Diphu Campus have GIS and Remote Sensing facilities?

Ans. Yes, the department has a well-equipped laboratory with facilities for cartography, remote sensing, and GIS. The curriculum at the M.A./M.Sc. level includes papers on cartography, remote sensing, GIS, and dissertation writing, and these facilities are also available for Ph.D. research. The department's location in Karbi Anglong also provides excellent opportunities for fieldwork in physical geography and environmental studies.

Ques. What is the Non-NET fellowship and how can Ph.D. Geography students at Assam University apply for it?

Ans. The Non-NET fellowship is a financial support provided by Assam University to full-time Ph.D. scholars who do not hold a UGC NET JRF or any other national fellowship. It is awarded on merit basis, subject to availability of funds received from UGC. After admission, scholars need to submit the RF-1 application form to the university's scholarship section. The fellowship is disbursed bi-monthly, and scholars must submit monthly claim forms (RF-6) to receive payments.

Ques. What are the career prospects after completing Ph.D. (Geography) from Assam University?

Ans. Ph.D. graduates in Geography from Assam University can pursue careers as Assistant Professors in Geography departments of colleges and universities, researchers in government and private organisations dealing with environmental management, disaster management, urban planning, and regional development, GIS and Remote Sensing specialists in government agencies and private firms, consultants in climate change and environmental policy, and officers in organisations like Survey of India, Forest Survey of India, and National Remote Sensing Centre.

Ques. Can candidates with a background in Environmental Science or Earth Science apply for Ph.D. (Geography) at Assam University?

Ans. Admission is primarily for candidates with a master's degree in Geography or an allied subject. Candidates from closely related disciplines such as Environmental Science, Earth Science, or Geology may be considered if their research proposal aligns with the department's areas of specialisation. It is advisable to contact the department directly (Dr. C Prakasam, Head: cprakasam@gmail.com) to confirm eligibility before applying.