Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

Vishwakarma University (VU), Pune offers a full-time Ph.D. in Computer Science under its Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Technology. The programme is a research-focused doctoral degree designed to advance knowledge in areas such as data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, image processing, blockchain, and allied fields of computer science. The minimum duration of the programme is 3 years (as per UGC norms), with the department website indicating a 5-year programme span. Annual tuition fees are Rs. 1,25,000 per year, with an additional thesis submission fee of Rs. 25,000. Admission is based on the university's own entrance test, VUPET (Vishwakarma University Ph.D. Entrance Test), and the programme is popular among M.Sc. Computer Science and M.Tech graduates seeking to pursue advanced research in a technology-driven, industry-connected academic environment in Pune.

Admissions for AY 2026-27 are currently ongoing. The VUPET application window opened on 1 February 2026, with the last date for form submission being 22 March 2026. The entrance test is scheduled for 12 April 2026, and the final admission deadline for selected candidates is 30 May 2026.

Key Points

The Ph.D. programme is offered under the Faculty of Science and Technology, with Computer Science as the designated research department.
A total of 16 vacancies are available for AY 2026-27 in Computer Science (6 Open, 10 Reserved).
7 research supervisors are available in the Computer Science department: Dr. Puja Kulkarni, Dr. Madhuri Pant, Dr. Sonali Powar, Dr. Rajkumar Jagdale (HOD), Dr. Mayur Deshmukh, Dr. Anupriya Kamble, and Dr. Priyanka Singh.
Active research areas include Data Science, Machine Learning, AI, Image Processing, Blockchain, Epileptic Seizure Prediction, and Supply Chain Optimization.
The department runs B.Sc. and M.Sc. Computer Science programmes in collaboration with TCS iON, specialised in Data Science, providing strong industry linkage.
Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR NET (Category 1, 2, or 3), GATE, or CEED with a valid score are exempted from the VUPET written test; however, form submission and interview remain mandatory for all.
The VUPET examination consists of two papers: Paper I (Research Methodology and General Aptitude, 50 marks, objective type) and Paper II (Subject-specific Computer Science, 50 marks, subjective type). Minimum passing is 50% in both papers.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

VU Ph.D. (CS) Fees

The Ph.D. (Computer Science) programme at Vishwakarma University carries an annual tuition fee of Rs. 1,25,000. Over a minimum 3-year duration, the total tuition fee amounts to Rs. 3,75,000, with an additional one-time thesis submission fee of Rs. 25,000 payable at the time of thesis submission. The VUPET application form fee is Rs. 1,200 for Open category and Rs. 1,000 for SC/ST/OBC/Differently-Abled/EWS candidates. The total cost of the programme (tuition + thesis fee) for the minimum duration is Rs. 4,00,000.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
VUPET Application Form Fee (Open Category)	1,200 (one-time)
VUPET Application Form Fee (SC/ST/OBC/EWS)	1,000 (one-time)
Annual Tuition Fee	1,25,000 per year
Tuition Fee for 3 Years (minimum duration)	3,75,000
Thesis Submission Fee	25,000 (one-time, at thesis submission)
Total Fees (3 years + thesis submission)	4,00,000

Hostel facility is available on campus (optional) at Rs. 1,25,000 to Rs. 1,45,000 per year depending on seat type, inclusive of mess (breakfast + dinner) and a refundable deposit of Rs. 5,000.
Hostel is not mandatory.
If admission is cancelled before 31 August 2026, a deduction applies and the balance is refunded.
No refund is applicable for cancellations after 31 August 2026.
Fee payment can be made digitally via UPI, Debit Card, Credit Card, NEFT, or RTGS.

VU Ph.D. (CS) Admission 2026-27

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Computer Science) programme at Vishwakarma University for AY 2026-27 are currently open. The process is based on the VUPET entrance test followed by a personal interview. Candidates who have qualified national-level examinations such as UGC-NET or GATE are exempted from the written test but must still submit the application form and appear for the interview. The admission process can be completed online, and candidates are advised to check the research interests of available supervisors before applying.

VU Ph.D. Admission Schedule

Sr. No.	Activity	Date
1	VUPET Form Submission Start	1 February 2026
2	Last Date of Form Submission	22 March 2026
3	VUPET Entrance Test	12 April 2026
4	Result of VUPET Paper II	21 April 2026
5	Interview Schedule Declared	27 April 2026
6	Result of Interview	15 May 2026
7	Final Deadline for Admission (Selected Candidates)	30 May 2026

Relevant Exam Dates

Exam	Event	Date
GATE 2026	Exam Date	7, 8, 14, 15 February 2026
GATE 2026	Admit Card	13 January 2026
GATE 2026	Result	19 March 2026
UGC-NET 2026 (Phase 1)	Exam Date	31 December 2025 to 7 January 2026
UGC-NET 2026 (Phase 1)	Result	4 February 2026
UGC-NET 2026 (Phase 2)	Exam Date	June 2026 (Tentative)
UGC-NET 2026 (Phase 2)	Result	July 2026 (Tentative)

Note: GATE and UGC-NET qualified candidates are exempted from the VUPET written test. However, form submission and interview are mandatory for all.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must have completed a Master's degree in Computer Science or a relevant subject with at least 55% marks in aggregate (or equivalent grade).
Alternatively, candidates with a 4-year/8-semester B.Tech/B.E. (Hons.) degree with at least 75% marks are eligible to apply directly for Ph.D.
A relaxation of 5% marks is applicable for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled/EWS candidates in both eligibility and entrance examination.

Admission Process:

Check the list of available research supervisors and their research areas on the VU website before applying.
Fill the VUPET application form online at vupet.edupluscampus.com and pay the application fee (Rs. 1,200 for Open / Rs. 1,000 for Reserved category).
Appear for VUPET Paper I (Research Methodology and Aptitude) online in proctored mode; only candidates clearing Paper I (minimum 50%) are eligible for Paper II.
Appear for VUPET Paper II (Subject-specific, Computer Science); minimum passing is 50%.
Shortlisted candidates appear for a personal interview as per the schedule declared by the university.
Selected candidates complete the admission formalities and pay fees by the final deadline (30 May 2026).
Candidates qualifying UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE/CEED with valid scores are exempted from the written test but must submit the form and attend the interview.

VU Ph.D. (CS) Scholarships 2026-27

Ph.D. scholars at Vishwakarma University can avail of government-funded fellowships and scholarships, particularly those qualifying national-level examinations. The university itself does not prominently advertise a dedicated merit scholarship for Ph.D. students, but students from reserved categories (OBC, SC, ST) may benefit from government scholarship schemes. Students with UGC-NET JRF or CSIR-NET JRF qualifications are eligible for monthly fellowships funded by UGC/CSIR directly. GATE-qualified candidates enrolled in full-time Ph.D. programmes are eligible for AICTE stipends. The university also facilitates student loan access through banking partners including SBI, HDFC, and Oriental Bank of Commerce.

Scholarships and Fellowships

Scholarship / Fellowship	Offered By	Amount	Eligibility
UGC-NET JRF Fellowship	UGC (Government of India)	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF), Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	Qualified UGC-NET JRF in Computer Science / relevant subject
CSIR-NET JRF Fellowship	CSIR (Government of India)	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF), Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	Qualified CSIR-NET JRF in relevant subject
GATE Scholarship	AICTE / Government of India	Rs. 12,400/month	Valid GATE score, enrolled in full-time Ph.D.
Maharashtra Government Scholarship (OBC/SC/ST)	Government of Maharashtra (MahaDBT)	As per government norms	Reserved category students enrolled in Ph.D.
EWS Fee Concession	Vishwakarma University	Up to applicable percentage	EWS certificate holders
Education Loan	SBI / HDFC / Oriental Bank	As per bank norms	All eligible students

UGC/CSIR JRF fellowships are disbursed directly by the respective funding agencies and are not university-funded.
Students must apply for government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or MahaDBT portal within the stipulated deadlines.
GATE scholarship is applicable only for full-time Ph.D. scholars enrolled in AICTE-approved institutions.
EWS concession is subject to submission of a valid EWS certificate at the time of admission.

VU Ph.D. (CS) FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between Ph.D. (Computer Science) and Ph.D. (Computer Engineering) at Vishwakarma University?

Ans. Both programmes are offered under the Faculty of Science and Technology at VU. Ph.D. (Computer Science) is housed in the Department of Computer Science and focuses on areas like data science, machine learning, AI, image processing, and blockchain. Ph.D. (Computer Engineering) is housed in the Department of Computer Engineering and has a broader set of 14 supervisors covering areas like AI/ML, computer networks, and software engineering. The annual fee for both is Rs. 1,25,000. Candidates should check the research interests of supervisors in each department before deciding which programme to apply for.

Ques. How many Ph.D. seats are available in Computer Science at VU Pune, and what is the open vs. reserved split?

Ans. For AY 2026-27, a total of 16 vacancies are available in Computer Science at Vishwakarma University. Of these, 6 seats are in the Open category and 10 seats are reserved for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Differently-Abled candidates.

Ques. Can I pursue the Ph.D. in Computer Science at VU while working in the IT industry?

Ans. The Ph.D. (Computer Science) at Vishwakarma University is offered as a full-time on-campus programme. There is no part-time or distance mode available for this course. Candidates are expected to be present on campus for coursework, seminars, and research activities. Working professionals would need to take a break from employment or seek special permission from their employer and the university.

Ques. What are the active research areas in the Computer Science department at VU Pune?

Ans. The department's ongoing research covers Data Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Image Processing (thyroid cancer detection using ultrasound), Blockchain-enabled deep learning for supply chain optimization, AI/ML for epileptic seizure prediction, and predictive modelling for social safety. The department also has a collaboration with TCS iON specialised in Data Science, and has conducted industrial visits to C-DAC (PARAM Supercomputing Facility), Infosys, and Jash Data Science Pvt. Ltd.

Ques. Is a GATE score required for Ph.D. admission in Computer Science at Vishwakarma University?

Ans. A GATE score is not mandatory for Ph.D. admission at VU. However, candidates with a valid GATE score are exempted from the VUPET written entrance test. All candidates, including those with GATE exemption, must submit the VUPET application form and appear for the personal interview. Additionally, a valid GATE score makes candidates eligible for the AICTE monthly stipend of Rs. 12,400 during their Ph.D.

Ques. What is the minimum qualification required to apply for Ph.D. (Computer Science) at Vishwakarma University?

Ans. Candidates must have a Master's degree in Computer Science or a relevant subject with at least 55% marks in aggregate. Candidates who have completed a 4-year/8-semester B.Tech/B.E. (Hons.) with at least 75% marks are also eligible to apply directly. A 5% relaxation in marks is available for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled/EWS candidates. Candidates who are appearing for their Master's degree in 2026 can also apply, subject to submitting their result by 30 July 2026.