Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

The Ph.D. (Horticulture) at GBPUAT, Pantnagar is a full-time, campus-based doctoral programme of minimum 3 years duration, offered under the College of Post Graduate Studies. The programme encompasses advanced research in Fruit Science, Floriculture & Landscaping, and Vegetable Science, covering areas such as crop physiology, post-harvest technology, plant propagation, and protected cultivation. For 2026-27, the combined seat intake across Horticulture sub-disciplines is 19 seats (Fruit Science: 4 UK + 1 OS + 2 Payment; Floriculture & Landscaping: 3 UK + 1 OS + 1 Payment; Vegetable Science: 4 UK + 1 OS + 2 Payment). Admission is through the GBPUAT entrance examination, with Other State candidates also eligible via the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) examination. GBPUAT's extensive experimental farms, orchards, and greenhouses make it one of the best institutions in India for doctoral research in horticulture.

Admission for 2026-27 is currently ongoing. The online application window opened on March 23, 2026, and the last date to apply is April 30, 2026. The entrance examination is scheduled for June 6, 2026 (Saturday), 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Results will be declared on or before June 22, 2026, after which counselling dates will be announced on the university website.

Key Points

GBPUAT is India's first agricultural university (est. 1960) with dedicated experimental farms, orchards, and greenhouses for horticulture research.
The Ph.D. (Horticulture) programme covers three major sub-disciplines: Fruit Science, Floriculture & Landscaping, and Vegetable Science.
Students work under an advisory committee of 3-4 faculty members throughout the research programme.
The university follows a fully residential system; all Ph.D. students are required to stay on campus.
Uttarakhand domicile candidates are eligible for both normal and payment seats; Other State candidates are eligible for Other State quota and payment seats.
University fellowships of Rs. 6,000 per month (up to 36 months) are available for Ph.D. students based on merit.
The programme has active research collaborations with ICAR-CISH, ICAR-IIHR, and other national horticulture research institutes.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

GBPUAT Latest Updates and News

25 Mar, 2026 GBPUAT Ph.D Horticulture Admission 2026 is ongoing. The last date to apply is April 30, 2026. Further, the entrance test will be held on June 6, 2026. Read more.

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GBPUAT Ph.D. (Horticulture) Fees

The Ph.D. (Horticulture) at GBPUAT is offered at a highly affordable fee for normal seats, with the total programme fee for a 3-year course being approximately Rs. 2,83,373 for Uttarakhand domicile/normal seat candidates. For Payment seats, an additional Rs. 2,00,000 per annum is charged over and above the university fee, bringing the total to approximately Rs. 8,83,373 for 3 years. The university follows a semester-based fee payment system, and all students must also pay a food advance of Rs. 20,000 per semester (adjusted against actual mess expenses).

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Per Semester (Rs.)	Total for 3 Years / 6 Semesters (Rs.)
Tuition Fee	37,941	2,27,646
Library Fee	400	2,400
Medical Fee	250	1,500
Games Fee	300	1,800
Laboratory Fee	700	4,200
Examination Fee	1,000	6,000
Room Rent	300	1,800
Tour Fee	300	1,800
Thesis Evaluation/Viva-Voce Fee	1,000	6,000
Miscellaneous (Water, Entertainment etc.)	60	360
Sub-total Semester Fee (C)	44,251	2,65,506
One-time Admission Fee (A)	4,850 (once)	4,850
Annual Fee (B)	4,339/year	13,017
Total University Fee (Normal Seat)		Rs. 2,83,373
Additional Payment Seat Fee	Rs. 1,00,000/semester	Rs. 6,00,000 (3 years)
Total Fees (Payment Seat)		Rs. 8,83,373
Hostel Fees (Food Advance)	Rs. 20,000/semester	Rs. 1,20,000 (6 semesters)
Hostel Room Rent + Utilities	Rs. 1,360/semester (approx.)	Rs. 8,160 (approx.)
Total Hostel Fees (approx.)		Rs. 1,28,160 (approx.)

One-time admission fee (Rs. 4,850) includes Placement Counselling Fee, Journal Fee, Caution Money, Admission Fee, and Alumni Fee; payable only at the time of admission.
Annual fee (Rs. 4,339) includes Magazine Fee, Students Aid Fund, Students Society Fee, Hostel Maintenance, E-mail/Internet Fee, Computer Charge, and Med Claim; payable once per academic year.
Caution Money (Rs. 2,500) is refundable at the time of leaving the university.
Food advance of Rs. 20,000 per semester is adjusted against actual mess/food expenses; any balance is refunded.
Hostel accommodation is mandatory as GBPUAT is a fully residential university.
Payment seat fee of Rs. 1,00,000 per semester (Rs. 2,00,000 per annum) is charged in addition to the regular university fee.
Fee increases at approximately 10% per year as per university policy.
No EMI facility is officially mentioned; fees are to be paid semester-wise.

GBPUAT Ph.D. (Horticulture) Admission 2026-27

Admission to Ph.D. (Horticulture) at GBPUAT for 2026-27 is currently open. Applications are being accepted online through the university portal (gbpuat.org.in) until April 30, 2026. Selection is based on merit in the GBPUAT entrance examination; Other State candidates are also eligible through the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) examination conducted by NTA. Counselling will be conducted online (with a possible final offline round) after the declaration of results.

GBPUAT Ph.D. Admission Dates

Event	Date
Online Application Opens	March 23, 2026
Last Date to Apply	April 30, 2026
Application Correction Window	May 1 - May 3, 2026
Admit Card Available	From May 25, 2026
Entrance Examination (Ph.D.)	June 6, 2026 (Saturday), 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Declaration of Result	On or before June 22, 2026
Counselling	To be announced on university website
Sponsored Candidates Application Opens	July 1, 2026
Sponsored Candidates Application Closes	July 31, 2026

ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) Exam Dates

Event	Date (Tentative)
Application Window Opens	May 6, 2026
Last Date to Apply	June 5, 2026
Correction Period	June 7 - June 9, 2026
Admit Card Release	Last week of June 2026
Exam Date	July 3, 2026
Result Declaration	August 2026

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold an M.Sc. (Ag.) / M.Sc. in Horticulture / Horticulture (Fruit Science) / Horticulture (Floriculture & Landscaping) / Floriculture / Vegetable Science from a recognized university.
Minimum OGPA of 6.5/10.0 or 4.0/5.0 or First Division (equivalent to 60% marks) in the qualifying degree.
Candidates appearing in the final year of the qualifying examination are also eligible to apply provisionally.

Admission Process

Apply online at gbpuat.org.in within the stipulated dates and pay the application fee (Rs. 1,200 for General/OBC; Rs. 600 for SC/ST/PH).
Download admit card from the university portal from May 25, 2026 onwards.
Appear for the GBPUAT entrance examination on June 6, 2026 (or ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF exam on July 3, 2026 for Other State candidates).
Check results on the university website on or before June 22, 2026.
Participate in online counselling after result declaration; upload required documents for verification.
Pay the prescribed fee within the deadline after seat allotment to confirm admission.
Report to the university with original documents for physical verification and registration.

GBPUAT Ph.D. (Horticulture) Scholarships 2026-27

Ph.D. students at GBPUAT have access to a range of fellowships and scholarships from both the university and national-level bodies. The ICAR-JRF/SRF fellowship provides Rs. 31,000 per month for the first two years and Rs. 35,000 per month for the third year, effectively covering all fees and living expenses. The university also offers its own fellowship of Rs. 6,000 per month (up to 36 months) to two students per discipline based on merit.

Scholarships and Fellowships

Scholarship / Fellowship	Amount	Eligibility
ICAR-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	Rs. 31,000/month (JRF, 2 years) + Rs. 35,000/month (SRF, 3rd year) + HRA	Qualify ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) exam
GBPUAT University Fellowship	Rs. 6,000/month (up to 36 months)	Top 2 students per discipline based on merit at admission
UGC-NET JRF	As per UGC norms	Qualify UGC-NET with JRF
CSIR-JRF/SRF	As per CSIR norms	Qualify CSIR-NET with JRF
DBT Junior/Senior Fellowship	As per DBT norms	Qualify DBT-JRF exam
DST INSPIRE Fellowship	Rs. 31,000/month + Rs. 20,000/year research grant	Qualify DST INSPIRE criteria
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (SC/ST)	As per UGC norms	SC/ST candidates
National Fellowship for Persons with Disabilities	As per UGC norms	PwD candidates
Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST/OBC/EBC)	As per Uttarakhand Govt. norms	Uttarakhand domicile SC/ST/OBC/EBC candidates

ICAR-JRF/SRF fellowship is the most competitive and prestigious; candidates qualifying this exam are given priority in ICAR quota seats.
University fellowship allocation is based on academic rating after completion of admissions; if unutilized, fellowships may be reallocated to other eligible students.
Tuition fee concession is available for wards (sons/daughters/spouses) of GBPUAT employees as per university rules.
Scholarship application deadlines vary; candidates should check the respective official portals for current deadlines.

GBPUAT Ph.D Horticulture Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#11 out of 53 in India 2025

#1st in Uttarakhand

NIRF Ranking

#9 out of 40 in India 2025

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GBPUAT Ph.D. (Horticulture) FAQs

Ques. What are the sub-disciplines available under Ph.D. (Horticulture) at GBPUAT?

Ans. Ph.D. (Horticulture) at GBPUAT is offered in three sub-disciplines: Fruit Science (7 seats), Floriculture & Landscaping (5 seats), and Vegetable Science (7 seats). Students must specify their preferred sub-discipline at the time of application. Each sub-discipline has its own research focus and faculty advisory committee.

Ques. Can Other State candidates apply for Ph.D. (Horticulture) at GBPUAT?

Ans. Yes, Other State candidates can apply for Ph.D. (Horticulture) at GBPUAT. They are eligible for Other State quota seats (25% of sanctioned seats) and payment seats. They can apply through the GBPUAT entrance examination or the ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.) examination. Note that for Agronomy and Plant Pathology (not Horticulture), Other State candidates must apply only through ICAR.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation mandatory for Ph.D. students at GBPUAT?

Ans. Yes, GBPUAT follows a fully residential system, and all students including Ph.D. scholars are required to stay on campus. The university has 25 hostels (including 11 for girls and one for married students). A food advance of Rs. 20,000 per semester is charged, which is adjusted against actual mess expenses.

Ques. What is the minimum duration of the Ph.D. (Horticulture) programme at GBPUAT?

Ans. The minimum duration of the Ph.D. programme at GBPUAT is 3 years (6 semesters), which includes coursework and research. The maximum duration is 6 years. Students are required to complete their coursework in the first year and then focus on research under the guidance of their advisory committee.

Ques. What research infrastructure is available for Ph.D. (Horticulture) students at GBPUAT?

Ans. GBPUAT has extensive horticulture research infrastructure including experimental orchards, vegetable farms, floriculture greenhouses, tissue culture laboratories, post-harvest technology labs, and protected cultivation structures. The university has active research projects funded by ICAR, NHB (National Horticulture Board), and DBT. Students also have access to the university's central library with over 4.29 lakh documents and 13,000+ e-journals.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after Ph.D. (Horticulture) from GBPUAT?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as scientists at ICAR institutes (ICAR-CISH, ICAR-IIHR, ICAR-IARI), state agricultural universities, and national/international research organisations. Other career options include faculty positions at agricultural universities, roles in horticulture development departments of state governments, positions in the seed and agri-input industry, and consultancy in protected cultivation and export horticulture. Post-doctoral fellowships at national and international institutions are also a popular career path.