If you’re aspiring to pursue a PhD in India, especially in a historic and vibrant central university, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya (DHSGV) in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, stands out as an excellent choice. Established in 1946 and upgraded to a central university in 2009, this institution offers a blend of rich heritage, modern facilities, and rigorous academic programs. In this blog, we’ll dive into the PhD admission process for the 2025-26 session based on the official brochure, covering eligibility, procedures, fees, and more. Whether you’re a fresh master’s graduate or an MPhil holder, this guide will help you prepare.
Eligibility Criteria for PhD Programs
As per UGC Regulations 2022, eligibility is straightforward but strict:
- Master’s Degree Holders: A 1-year/2-semester master’s after a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s, or a 2-year/4-semester master’s after a 3-year bachelor’s, with at least 55% marks (or equivalent grade). Equivalent foreign qualifications from accredited institutions are accepted.
- 4-Year Bachelor’s Holders: Minimum 75% marks (or equivalent) directly after a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s program.
- MPhil Holders: At least 55% marks (or equivalent).
- Relaxations: 5% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled/EWS categories.
- Persons with Disability (PwD): Minimum 40% impairment, certified by a District Chief Medical Officer. Horizontal reservation applies.
- Provisional Admission: Allowed for final-year students awaiting results, but must submit by the university’s deadline. No admission if supplementary/ATKT/backlog results are pending.
PhD programs are full-time, with a minimum duration of 3 years (including coursework) and a maximum of 6 years. Extensions up to 2 more years (total 8) are possible, with additional relaxations for women and PwD (up to 10 years total). Female scholars get up to 240 days of Maternity/Child Care Leave.
Admission Procedure: No More Entrance Tests—NET Scores Rule
A major update for 2025-26: Following UGC’s March 27, 2024, notification, DHSGV uses National Eligibility Test (NET) scores instead of university-specific entrance exams. This streamlines the process!
- NET Scores: UGC-NET December 2024 or June 2025 (or equivalent national tests) scores are considered. If marks aren’t mentioned, normalized scores count.
- Application: Apply online via www.dhsgsu.edu.in or https://dhsgsuadm.samarth.edu.in/. Portal registration fee applies (details below).
- Merit List and Interview: Shortlisting based on NET scores, followed by an interview by the Departmental Research Committee (DRC). The interview assesses research aptitude, subject knowledge, and proposed research (weightage: 70% NET + 30% interview, as per typical UGC norms, though brochure implies NET as primary).
- Final Merit: Category-wise lists prepared. Provisional admission for qualifying candidates.
- Key Notes: No admission if backlog exams are pending. The program follows University Ordinance 23(A).
Category-Wise Reservations and Seats
Reservations follow government norms:
- SC: 15%
- ST: 7.5%
- OBC (non-creamy): 27%
- EWS: 10%
- PwD: 5% (horizontal)
Seat details for various PhD programs (e.g., Arts, Sciences, Law) are in the brochure—total seats vary by department, with category breakdowns.
Fees and Refunds
- Portal Registration Fee: ₹1,000 (General/OBC/EWS), ₹500 (SC/ST/PwD). Non-refundable.
- Program Fees: Vary by discipline—e.g., ₹10,000–₹15,000 per semester for most, plus one-time fees like caution money (₹5,000 refundable). Check brochure for exacts.
- Refunds: Full refund (minus processing) if canceled before classes start; partial thereafter. Use the specified format for cancellation.
Facilities and Support for PhD Scholars
DHSGV excels in researcher support:
- Research Facilities: CAR with advanced instruments; funding from UGC, DST, ICMR, etc.
- Libraries: Central Library with 4 lakh books, e-resources via INFLIBNET/DELNET.
- Hostels: Separate for boys/girls, safe and congenial.
- PwD/SLD Support: Scribes, extra time, dedicated facilities.
- Other Perks: Placement & Startup Cell, Day Care Centre, Sports, Cultural Activities, Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Center.
- Research Support: Fellowships, GIAN lectures, manuscript research center.
Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Date/Duration |
|---|---|
| Filling of Online Application Form (via www.dhsgsu.edu.in or https://dhsgsuadm.samarth.edu.in/) | December 12, 2025 to December 26, 2025 (11:59 PM) |
| Duration of Interview | To be announced later |
| Announcement of Final Result | To be announced later |