Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Pondicherry University (PU), a NAAC A+ accredited Central University established in 1985 under an Act of Parliament, offers a full-time Ph.D. in South Asian Studies (also referred to as Southern Asia Studies) through its School of Social Sciences and International Studies. The programme is a research-intensive doctoral degree with a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years, focusing on the political, economic, social, and strategic dimensions of South Asia. With a seat intake of 8 for 2026-27 (General: 3, OBC: 2, SC: 1, ST: 1, EWS: 1), the programme is offered on the main Puducherry campus in full-time mode. Fees are highly affordable, making it one of the most cost-effective doctoral programmes in the country. The programme is popular among students of Political Science, International Relations, and related social sciences who wish to pursue advanced research on South Asian geopolitics, regional cooperation, and area studies.

Admissions for 2026-27 are currently ongoing. The last date to submit the online application has been extended to 31st March 2026. The entrance examination is expected to be held in May 2026 (tentative), followed by personal interviews. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official university website (www.pondiuni.edu.in) for the exact entrance exam date and interview schedule.

Key Points

The programme is housed under the School of Social Sciences and International Studies, one of the prominent schools at Pondicherry University.
Admission is based on a two-stage process: a Computer Based Test (CBT) entrance examination (70% weightage) followed by a personal interview and academic record evaluation (30% weightage).
The entrance exam paper consists of 100 MCQs to be answered in 120 minutes, with 50% questions on Research Methodology and 50% on subject-specific content.
JRF-qualified candidates (UGC-NET/CSIR-NET) are given Priority 1 in admissions and may be eligible for a monthly fellowship of up to Rs. 31,000/month.
Full-time scholars admitted to university departments who do not hold a JRF are eligible for the UGC Non-NET Fellowship of Rs. 8,000 per month along with a contingency grant.
The university has a dedicated online platform, PU-RAMS (Pondicherry University Research Scholars Academic Activity Management System), to manage all PhD research activities from registration to thesis submission.
Pondicherry University has signed an MoU with the Indian Council for World Affairs (ICWA), New Delhi, which is particularly relevant for students of South Asian Studies.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

Pondicherry University Latest Updates and News

03 Feb, 2026 Pondicherry University Ph.D Southern Asia Studies Fee Structure 2026 is out. The total academic fee is ₹ 59,655 .

PU Ph.D. Southern Asia Studies Fees

The Ph.D. in South Asian Studies falls under the Humanities/Non-Science category at Pondicherry University. The fees are structured as an initial payment at the time of admission and subsequent semester-wise payments. The total course fee for the minimum 3-year (6-semester) duration is approximately Rs. 48,180 (excluding hostel), making it one of the most affordable doctoral programmes in India. The initial payment at admission is Rs. 19,430, and each subsequent semester costs Rs. 5,750.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Initial Payment (at Admission)	Subsequent Semester-wise Payment
Research Fee (Non-Science/Humanities)	Rs. 2,500	Rs. 2,500
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
Amenities Development Fund	Rs. 6,000	-
Students' Welfare Fund	Rs. 250	Rs. 250
Alumni Association Fund	Rs. 500	-
Caution Deposit (Refundable)	Rs. 1,000	-
ICT Fund and Computer	Rs. 1,500	Rs. 1,500
Group Medical Insurance (Full-time only)	Rs. 1,180	-
University Development Fund	Rs. 2,000	-
Total (Humanities / Non-Science)	Rs. 19,430	Rs. 5,750 per semester
Total Fees (3 years / 6 semesters)	Rs. 48,180 (Rs. 19,430 + 5 x Rs. 5,750)

The Caution Deposit of Rs. 1,000 is fully refundable upon leaving the university after clearing all dues.
Differently abled (PwD) students are exempted from all fees except the refundable caution deposit and Group Medical Insurance premium.
SC/ST students eligible for Post-Matric Scholarships may pay fees after receiving the scholarship amount, within 90 days of admission.
A late payment fine of Rs. 5/day for the first 10 days and Rs. 10/day thereafter is levied for delayed fee payment.
Hostel fees are separate and are announced by the Hostel Office on the university website.
Hostel accommodation is not mandatory.
Application fee: Rs. 1,500 for General/OBC/EWS; Rs. 750 for SC/ST; Nil for PwD/Transgender candidates.

PU Ph.D. Southern Asia Studies Admission 2026

Pondicherry University's Ph.D. admissions for 2026-27 are currently ongoing, with the application deadline extended to 31st March 2026. The selection process involves a university-level entrance examination (CBT mode) followed by a personal interview. Candidates with UGC-NET/JRF qualifications are given priority in admissions. The entrance exam for South Asian Studies falls under SLOT-V.

Pondicherry University Ph.D. Admission Schedule

Event	Date
Online Application Start Date	12th November 2025
Last Date to Apply (Original)	30th December 2025
Last Date to Apply (Extended)	31st March 2026
Entrance Examination (CBT Mode)	May 2026 (Tentative)
Hall Ticket Download	To be announced on university website
Personal Interview	To be announced after entrance exam results
Batch Commencement	July/August 2026 (Tentative)

UGC NET Exam Dates

Event	Date
UGC NET Phase 1 Registration Start	7th October 2025
UGC NET Phase 1 Registration End	7th November 2025
UGC NET Phase 1 Admit Card	28th December 2025
UGC NET Phase 1 Exam	31st December 2025 - 7th January 2026
UGC NET Phase 1 Answer Key	14th January 2026
UGC NET Phase 1 Result	4th February 2026
UGC NET Phase 2 Registration Start	1st April 2026 (Tentative)
UGC NET Phase 2 Exam	June 2026 (Tentative)

Note: UGC-NET qualified candidates (JRF / Assistant Professor eligibility / Ph.D. admission only category) are given priority in Ph.D. admissions at Pondicherry University. Qualifying UGC-NET is not mandatory to apply but gives admission priority.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Political Science, International Relations, South Asian Studies, Economics, Defence Studies, or related Social Sciences disciplines with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/EWS).
Candidates studying in the final year of their Master's programme are also eligible to apply, subject to submission of mark sheets before the date notified by the university.
For Part-time (Internal) Ph.D.: Minimum 2 years of continuous teaching experience at degree/PG level is required; for Part-time (External): Minimum 10 years of work experience after Master's degree with relevant research publications.

Admission Process

Apply online at pondiunivadmission.samarth.edu.in by the last date.
Pay the application fee online (Rs. 1,500 for General/OBC/EWS; Rs. 750 for SC/ST).
Download hall ticket from the university portal after the application deadline.
Appear for the Computer Based Test (CBT) entrance examination at the chosen centre (SLOT-V for South Asian Studies).
Candidates scoring 50% or above in the entrance exam are shortlisted for the personal interview.
Attend the personal interview and present a written research proposal to the Admission Committee.
Final merit list is prepared based on 70% entrance exam marks + 30% interview and academic record.
JRF-qualified candidates are given Priority 1; NET-qualified (non-JRF) candidates are Priority 2; PU entrance exam candidates are Priority 3.
Selected candidates must complete document verification and fee payment to confirm admission.

PU Ph.D. Southern Asia Studies Scholarships 2026

Pondicherry University offers multiple fellowship and scholarship options for Ph.D. scholars, making the programme financially accessible. JRF-qualified candidates receive a substantial monthly stipend from UGC/CSIR, while non-NET full-time scholars are supported through the university's own Non-NET Fellowship. Additionally, government-funded national fellowships are available for SC, ST, OBC, and minority students.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount	Duration
UGC-NET JRF Fellowship	UGC-NET qualified with JRF	Rs. 31,000/month (Years 1-2); Rs. 35,000/month (Years 3-5)	Up to 5 years
UGC Non-NET Fellowship (PU)	Full-time Ph.D. scholars at PU campus (non-JRF)	Rs. 8,000/month + contingency grant	Duration of Ph.D.
National Fellowship for SC Students (NFSC)	SC category Ph.D. scholars	Rs. 31,000/month (JRF level)	Up to 5 years
National Fellowship for OBC Students (NFOBC)	OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Ph.D. scholars	Rs. 31,000/month (JRF level)	Up to 5 years
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF)	Minority community Ph.D. scholars	Rs. 31,000/month (JRF level)	Up to 5 years
Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST)	SC/ST students	Covers tuition and maintenance	Annual

UGC Non-NET Fellowship scholars must submit an undertaking that they will reimburse the fellowship amount if they leave the programme before thesis submission.
NFSC, NFOBC, and MANF fellowship holders are treated on par with JRF-qualified candidates for admission priority at Pondicherry University.
Differently abled (PwD) students are fully exempted from all university fees.
Scholarship applications for national fellowships are made through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
The SAARC Scholarship Programme at Pondicherry University offers 16 seats per annum for M.A. South Asian Studies to students from SAARC member states; Ph.D. scholars from SAARC countries may also explore this avenue.

PU Ph.D. Southern Asia Studies FAQs

Ques. Is UGC-NET mandatory to apply for Ph.D. in South Asian Studies at Pondicherry University?

Ans. No, UGC-NET is not mandatory. Pondicherry University conducts its own entrance examination (CBT mode) for Ph.D. admissions. However, UGC-NET/JRF qualified candidates are given Priority 1 in the merit list, followed by NET-qualified (non-JRF) candidates as Priority 2, and PU entrance exam candidates as Priority 3. So while you can apply without NET, having a NET/JRF qualification significantly improves your chances of selection.

Ques. What is the research proposal requirement for the Ph.D. interview at Pondicherry University?

Ans. All candidates called for the personal interview must submit a clear written research proposal at the time of the interview. The proposal should include sufficient background material on the proposed research topic and the proposed line of research. You must also obtain the consent of a research supervisor recognized by the university within the university area before or at the time of the interview.

Ques. Can I pursue Ph.D. in South Asian Studies at Pondicherry University on a part-time basis?

Ans. Yes, Pondicherry University offers both full-time and part-time (Internal and External) Ph.D. options. For Part-time Internal, you need at least 2 years of continuous teaching experience at degree/PG level. For Part-time External, you need a minimum of 10 years of work experience after your Master's degree, with at least 3 years of relevant research experience and two published papers in UGC-approved journals. Part-time scholars must carry out research in the concerned department or an approved department of the university.

Ques. What is the PU-RAMS system and how does it affect Ph.D. scholars?

Ans. PU-RAMS (Pondicherry University Research Scholars Academic Activity Management System) is an online platform that manages the entire Ph.D. journey - from provisional registration, supervisor allocation, doctoral committee meetings, course work, synopsis submission, thesis submission, to viva voce. All fee payments related to Ph.D. are also done through PU-RAMS. Scholars are required to regularly update their research progress on this platform, and all stakeholders including supervisors, deans, and the Vice-Chancellor can monitor research progress through it.

Ques. What are the research areas available under Ph.D. South Asian Studies at Pondicherry University?

Ans. The Department of South and Southeast Asian Studies (UMISARC - Centre for South Asian Studies) at Pondicherry University covers a wide range of research areas including South Asian geopolitics, India-Pakistan relations, India-China relations, SAARC and regional cooperation, India's neighbourhood policy, political economy of South Asia, security studies, conflict resolution, India-Sri Lanka relations, India-Bangladesh relations, and comparative politics of South Asian nations. The university's MoU with ICWA (Indian Council for World Affairs) also provides additional research and networking opportunities.

Ques. How competitive is the Ph.D. South Asian Studies programme at Pondicherry University, and what are the career prospects?

Ans. With only 8 seats available for 2026-27, the programme is quite competitive. Candidates with UGC-NET/JRF qualifications have a significant advantage. Career prospects after completing this Ph.D. include academic positions (Assistant Professor/Associate Professor) in Political Science, International Relations, and South Asian Studies departments across Indian universities, research positions at think tanks such as ICWA, IDSA (Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses), ORF (Observer Research Foundation), and government advisory roles in the Ministry of External Affairs. The programme's location in Puducherry, with its unique French connection and proximity to Southeast Asia, also provides a distinctive research environment.