Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

The Ph.D. in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at Pondicherry University is a full-time research doctoral programme offered through the Centre for Nano Sciences and Technology, a dedicated interdisciplinary research centre on the main Puducherry campus. The programme has a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years, covering coursework and original research across areas such as nanomaterials, nano-electronics, nano-biotechnology, energy nanomaterials, and materials science. The university, accredited with an "A+" grade by NAAC, offers 23 seats for this programme and charges a total fee of approximately Rs. 83,378 for the minimum 3-year duration (excluding refundable caution deposit). The programme is conducted entirely on campus in full-time mode and is popular among science and engineering postgraduates seeking advanced research careers in nanotechnology, materials science, and allied fields.

Admissions for the academic year 2026-27 are currently open through the University Entrance Examination route. The last date for online application submission has been extended to 31 March 2026. Candidates who have qualified CSIR-UGC JRF/SRF are exempted from the entrance examination and may apply through the Exempted Category route (last date for exempted category was 20 February 2026). The entrance examination date and batch commencement date will be announced on the official university website.

Key Points

The programme is housed in the Centre for Nano Sciences and Technology, which has dedicated research labs and state-of-the-art instrumentation facilities.
The entrance examination (SLOT-V) consists of 100 MCQs to be answered in 2 hours, covering Research Methodology (50%) and Subject-Specific topics (50%) including Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biotechnology, and Materials Science at UG and PG levels.
Selection is based on Entrance Exam (70% weightage) and Personal Interview and Academic Record (30% weightage).
Candidates holding CSIR-UGC JRF/SRF qualification are exempted from the entrance examination.
The programme is available in both Full-Time and Part-Time (Internal and External) modes.
A minimum of 70% attendance is mandatory to appear for examinations.
The university uses PU-RAMS (Pondicherry University Research Scholars Academic Activity Management System), an online platform to manage all PhD research activities from registration to thesis submission.

Official Link:

Go To Website

Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

Pondicherry University Latest Updates and News

03 Feb, 2026 Pondicherry University Ph.D Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Fee Structure 2026 is out. The total academic fee is ₹ 96,655 .

PU Ph.D. (Nanoscience and Nanotechnology) Fees

The Ph.D. (Nanoscience and Nanotechnology) programme at Pondicherry University is offered at a highly affordable fee structure, as it is a Central University. The total fee for the minimum 3-year (6-semester) duration is approximately Rs. 83,378, with an initial payment of Rs. 24,628 at the time of admission and subsequent semester-wise payments of Rs. 11,750 per semester from the 2nd semester onwards. A refundable caution deposit of Rs. 2,000 is also collected at admission.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Initial Payment (Semester 1)	Per Semester (Semester 2 onwards)
Research Fee (Science) per annum	Rs. 3,500	Rs. 3,500
Registration Fee	Rs. 1,000	-
Matriculation Fee	Rs. 500	-
Recognition Fee	Rs. 500	-
Sports Fund	Rs. 250	Rs. 250
Medical Examination / Facilities Fund	Rs. 250	Rs. 250
Library Fund	Rs. 1,000	Rs. 1,000
Advanced Lab Facility Fund (Science)	Rs. 5,000	Rs. 5,000
Amenities Development Fund	Rs. 6,000	-
Students' Welfare Fund	Rs. 250	Rs. 250
Alumni Association Fund	Rs. 500	-
ICT Fund and Computer	Rs. 1,500	Rs. 1,500
Group Medical Insurance (Full-Time only)	Rs. 378	-
University Development Fund	Rs. 2,000	-
Caution Deposit - Science (Refundable)	Rs. 2,000	-
Semester Total	Rs. 24,628	Rs. 11,750
Total Fees (3 years / 6 semesters)	Rs. 83,378 (excluding refundable caution deposit of Rs. 2,000)

The caution deposit of Rs. 2,000 is fully refundable upon leaving the university after clearing all dues.
Differently abled students are exempted from payment of all fees; they pay only the caution deposit and Group Medical Insurance premium.
SC/ST students eligible for Post-Matric Scholarships may pay fees within 90 days of admission upon submission of an undertaking.
Late payment fine: Rs. 5 per day for the first 10 days; Rs. 10 per day thereafter.
Hostel fees are separate and not included above; hostel fee details for 2026-27 will be published on the university website by the Hostel Office.
Hostel accommodation is optional and not mandatory for the programme.

PU Ph.D. (Nanoscience and Nanotechnology) Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Nanoscience and Nanotechnology) programme at Pondicherry University for 2026-27 are being conducted through the University Entrance Examination (SLOT-V). The application process is online via the university's admission portal. As of the current date (31 March 2026), the application deadline has been extended to 31 March 2026 (11:50 PM), making this the final day to apply. The entrance exam date and interview schedule will be announced subsequently on the official website.

Pondicherry University Ph.D. Admission Schedule 2026-27

Event	Date / Status
Notification Released	19 November 2025
Online Application Opens	19 November 2025
Original Last Date to Apply	30 December 2025
Last Date Extended (1st Extension)	28 February 2026
Last Date Extended (Final Extension)	31 March 2026 (11:50 PM)
Exempted Category (JRF/NET) Last Date	20 February 2026
Hall Ticket Download	To be announced
Entrance Examination (SLOT-V)	To be announced
Personal Interview	To be announced
Batch Commencement	To be announced (Academic Year 2026-27)

Entrance Exam Dates Relevant to Ph.D. Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Admission

Exam	Registration Period	Exam Date	Result Date
CSIR-NET (JRF/LS)	May 1 - May 21, 2026 (Tentative)	July 25-27, 2026 (Tentative)	September 4, 2026 (Tentative)
UGC-NET Phase 2	April 1 - May 1, 2026 (Tentative)	June 2026 (Tentative)	July 2026 (Tentative)

Note: CSIR-NET qualified candidates (JRF/SRF) are exempted from the Pondicherry University entrance examination and may apply directly through the Exempted Category route. UGC-NET qualification (for Ph.D. admission) also qualifies for the exempted category.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must hold an M.E./M.Tech. in Nanoscience and Technology / Nanotechnology / Nano-Electronics / Nano-Biotechnology / Nano-Medicine / Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation, Chemical, Mechanical, Metallurgical, Bio-Medical or Environmental Engineering / Materials Science and Engineering / Polymer Science and Engineering / Energy Technology or related subjects; OR a Master's degree in Nanoscience and Technology / Physics / Chemistry / Applied Physics / Applied Chemistry / Materials Science / Environmental Sciences / Biotechnology / Biochemistry.
A minimum of 55% marks (or equivalent grade) in the qualifying PG degree is required. SC/ST/OBC/Differently-Abled/EWS candidates are eligible with 50%.
Final year PG students are also eligible to apply, subject to producing mark sheets before the date notified by the university.

Admission Process:

Submit online application at pondiunivadmission.samarth.edu.in with application fee (Rs. 1,500 for General/OBC/EWS; Rs. 750 for SC/ST; Nil for PwD/Transgender).
Download hall ticket from the admission portal after the application deadline.
Appear for the Computer-Based Entrance Examination (SLOT-V) at the chosen exam centre (100 MCQs, 2 hours, +4 for correct, -1 for wrong).
Shortlisted candidates appear for Personal Interview and Academic Record evaluation.
Final selection based on Entrance Exam (70%) and Interview/Academic Record (30%).
Candidates qualifying CSIR-UGC JRF/SRF may apply directly to the concerned department with valid score card (Exempted Category).
Admitted candidates must complete course work and register under a recognized research supervisor via PU-RAMS.

PU Ph.D. (Nanoscience and Nanotechnology) Scholarships 2026

Pondicherry University offers multiple fellowship and scholarship options for Ph.D. scholars in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, making the programme financially accessible. Full-time scholars admitted to university departments are eligible for the university's Non-NET Fellowship, while those with national-level qualifications such as CSIR-UGC JRF or DST INSPIRE can avail significantly higher stipends. These fellowships substantially offset the already low fee structure of the programme.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount	Duration
PU Non-NET Fellowship (UGC)	Full-time Ph.D. scholars admitted to university departments (without JRF)	Rs. 8,000 per month + contingency grant	Duration of Ph.D. programme
CSIR-UGC JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	Candidates who qualify CSIR-NET with JRF	Rs. 37,000 per month (Year 1-2)	2 years (upgradable to SRF)
CSIR-UGC SRF (Senior Research Fellowship)	Upgrade from JRF after 2 years based on assessment	Rs. 42,000 per month	Remaining Ph.D. duration
UGC-JRF (NET)	Candidates qualifying UGC-NET with JRF	Rs. 37,000 per month (Year 1-2)	2 years (upgradable to SRF)
DST INSPIRE Fellowship	Candidates selected through DST INSPIRE programme	Rs. 31,000 per month (Year 1-2); Rs. 35,000 (Year 3-5) + Rs. 20,000 annual research grant	Up to 5 years
SC/ST Post-Matric Scholarship	SC/ST students eligible under Government of India scheme	As per government norms	Duration of programme
EWS / OBC Scholarships	As per Government of India guidelines	As per government norms	Duration of programme

The PU Non-NET Fellowship requires an undertaking that the scholar will reimburse the amount if they leave the programme before thesis submission.
CSIR-UGC JRF/SRF holders are exempted from the university entrance examination and may apply through the Exempted Category route.
DST INSPIRE fellows must apply separately through the DST INSPIRE portal; the fellowship is not automatically granted upon admission.
SC/ST students may defer fee payment until receipt of scholarship amount, subject to submission of an undertaking at the time of admission.

Pondicherry University Ph.D Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Ranking

THE Ranking

#801 out of 801 in International 2020

Do you think the Rankings are wrong ? Report Here

PU Ph.D. (Nanoscience and Nanotechnology) FAQs

Ques. Is the Ph.D. in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at Pondicherry University the same as the one listed as "Nanoscience and Technology"?

Ans. Yes. The programme is officially titled "Ph.D. in Nanoscience and Technology" by the university (Course Code: PHD 160), and is also referred to as "Nanoscience and Nanotechnology" in some listings. Both refer to the same programme offered by the Centre for Nano Sciences and Technology at Pondicherry University's main Puducherry campus.

Ques. Can I apply for Ph.D. admission if I have a CSIR-NET JRF qualification without appearing for the university entrance exam?

Ans. Yes. Candidates who have qualified CSIR-UGC JRF/SRF are exempted from the university entrance examination. They can apply directly to the concerned department (in-person or via email) with all relevant documents and a valid score card. However, note that the last date for the exempted category for 2026-27 was 20 February 2026. For the next cycle, watch the official website for updated dates.

Ques. What is the minimum duration of the Ph.D. programme and can it be extended?

Ans. The minimum duration is 3 years (including coursework), and the maximum is 6 years. Extensions beyond 6 years require special approval from the university. The programme follows UGC Ph.D. Regulations 2022.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation available for Ph.D. scholars at Pondicherry University?

Ans. Yes. The university has 21 hostels on the main campus (13 for boys, 8 for girls), including dedicated hostels for research scholars (4 boys' hostels and 1 girls' hostel for research scholars). Hostel accommodation is optional and not mandatory. Hostel fees for 2026-27 will be published separately on the university website. Dining in the hostel mess is compulsory for hostel residents.

Ques. What research areas are covered under the Ph.D. Nanoscience and Nanotechnology programme at Pondicherry University?

Ans. The programme covers a broad range of interdisciplinary research areas including nanomaterials synthesis and characterization, nano-electronics, nano-biotechnology, energy nanomaterials (solar cells, batteries), polymer nanocomposites, environmental nanotechnology, nano-medicine, and materials science and engineering. The question paper for the entrance exam covers Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biotechnology, and Materials Science at UG and PG levels.

Ques. What are the career prospects after completing a Ph.D. in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology from Pondicherry University?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as research scientists in national laboratories (DRDO, ISRO, CSIR labs, BARC), academic positions in universities and colleges, R&D roles in industries such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, energy, and defence, and postdoctoral research in India or abroad. Entry-level research scientist positions typically offer Rs. 5-8 lakh per annum, while senior scientists with 5+ years of experience can earn Rs. 15-25 lakh per annum. Many scholars also qualify for national fellowships and go on to postdoctoral positions at premier institutes in India and internationally.