Ph.D
About Ph.D
RMLNLU Lucknow offers a minimum three-year full-time PhD with 22 seats in two streams: Law (Constitutional, IPR, Criminal, and International Law) and Humanities and Social Sciences (Economics, English, History, Sociology). Admission is through the university’s Research Entrance Test. Total fees are INR 1,85,000 over three years with a first-year fee of INR 85,000. UGC-JRF holders skip the written test and proceed directly to the interview.
📋 Admission Status: Admissions expected to open August 2026 (Tentative).
Key Points
- PhD is available in two streams: Law and Humanities and Social Sciences, allowing non-law postgraduates to research at a national law university.
- UGC-JRF and foreign-embassy-sponsored candidates are exempt from the written entrance test.
- The Research Entrance Test covers MCQ Research Methods, descriptive Methodology, subject-specific questions, and an Essay of Intent in a single three-hour paper.
RMLNLU PhD Fees 2026
Both research streams carry identical fees. Year 1 fees are higher due to one-time admission charges. Fees reduce in subsequent years.
| Research Stream | Total Fees |
|---|---|
| PhD in Law PhD in Humanities and Social Sciences | INR 85,000 (Year 1) INR 1,85,000 (total, 3 years) |
- General application fee is INR 4,000.
- SC/ST and PwBD application fee is INR 3,500.
- Fees are subject to change. Verify with official sources before admission.
RMLNLU PhD Admission 2026
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | August 2026 |
| Application Closes | October 2026 |
| Research Entrance Test | November 2026 to December 2026 |
| Interview | December 2026 to January 2027 |
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- LLM or equivalent postgraduate degree from a recognized university for the Law stream.
- Master’s degree in the relevant discipline for the Humanities and Social Sciences stream.
- Minimum 55% aggregate in the qualifying postgraduate degree for General/OBC candidates.
- Minimum 50% aggregate for SC/ST/PwBD candidates.
Admission Process
- Apply on the official RMLNLU portal before the deadline with academic documents and research synopsis.
- UGC-JRF and foreign-embassy-sponsored candidates skip the written test and attend the interview directly.
- Eligible candidates appear for the Research Entrance Test covering Research Methods, Methodology, subject questions, and an Essay of Intent.
- Shortlisted candidates attend a personal research interview conducted by the faculty committee.
- Final merit list is drawn based on written test performance, interview, and academic background.
- Selected candidates receive offer letters with a stipulated acceptance deadline.
RMLNLU PhD vs Other Colleges
Here is how RMLNLU PhD compares with similar National Law Universities on fees, entrance exams, and eligibility.
| College | Fees | Exams | Cutoff | Salary | CD Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RMLNLU Lucknow | 1.9 L | RET (own test) | 55% LLM (minimum) | Not Disclosed | Not Rated |
| NLU Delhi | 3.0 L | AIET | 55% LLM (minimum) | Not Disclosed | 4.2/5 |
| NLU Jodhpur | 3.9 L | Written test (own) | 55% LLM (minimum) | Not Disclosed | 4.1/5 |
| NLSIU Bangalore | 2.6 L | NLSAT-PhD | 55% LLM (minimum) | Not Disclosed | 4.4/5 |
✓ Opt for this if
- You want a PhD at an NLU with the lowest fees among comparable programs.
- Your research is in Constitutional Law, IPR, Criminal Law, or International Law and you want NLU faculty mentorship.
- You hold a UGC-JRF and want an exemption from the written entrance test at admission.
✗ Skip if
- You need a higher-ranked NLU PhD for academic job market visibility.
- You are looking for a confirmed university-funded stipend, as no institutional fellowship exists at RMLNLU.
- You need specialized research infrastructure in emerging areas like international arbitration or technology law.
RMLNLU PhD Scholarships 2026
No RMLNLU-specific institutional fellowship has been confirmed. Candidates with UGC awards retain them during the program. National UGC fellowships are the primary financial support available.
| Fellowship | Amount | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| UGC Junior Research Fellowship | INR 37,000 per month | Valid UGC-JRF at admission | Per UGC notification |
| UGC Senior Research Fellowship | INR 42,000 per month | JRF holders upgraded after 2 years of satisfactory progress | Per UGC guidelines |
| UGC-NET Fellowship | INR 25,000 per month | UGC-NET qualified candidates | Per UGC notification |
- JRF and NET fellows must apply to UGC separately before joining.
- State and central fellowships may also apply to eligible candidates.
RMLNLU PhD FAQs
Ques. What is the Research Entrance Test format at RMLNLU and how should a candidate prepare?
Ans. The RET is a three-hour paper of 70 marks with 20 MCQs on Research Methods (20 marks), two descriptive Research Methodology questions (15 marks), two subject-specific questions (20 marks), and an Essay of Intent (15 marks). Preparation should cover research methodology textbooks, legal research methods, and a clear essay on the proposed research area, since the Essay of Intent is assessed for clarity of thought, academic writing, and originality of the research question.
Ques. How does the Humanities and Social Sciences PhD stream at RMLNLU differ from the Law stream?
Ans. The Humanities and Social Sciences stream allows candidates with a Master’s in Economics, English, History, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology to pursue a PhD at a national law university without needing an LLB or LLM. This suits candidates interested in legal sociology, law and economics, criminology, or comparative political systems who want the NLU research environment without the conventional LLB path. Coursework and supervisor pool are drawn from these disciplines rather than law subjects.
Ques. Can a candidate simultaneously practice as an advocate while enrolled in the RMLNLU PhD?
Ans. RMLNLU’s PhD is a full-time program. BCI rules generally prohibit simultaneous practice as an advocate while enrolled full-time. Practising advocates should confirm with RMLNLU’s research committee before joining whether concurrent practice is permitted, since university policy governs this during the PhD tenure. Taking a break from active practice during the PhD is the safer and more common approach among enrolled scholars.
Ques. What happens if a UGC-JRF holder’s fellowship expires before completing the PhD at RMLNLU?
Ans. UGC-JRF is valid for five years from the date of award. If the PhD extends beyond this window, the scholar must self-finance remaining fees since RMLNLU has no confirmed institutional bridge fellowship. JRF holders should plan their research timeline to complete within five years. The JRF to SRF upgrade at two years is automatic on submission of satisfactory annual progress reports to both UGC and the university.
Ques. How does an RMLNLU PhD compare with a higher-ranked NLU PhD for academic hiring in law schools?
Ans. RMLNLU holds a NIRF Law rank of 21 (2025), placing it at mid-tier in the NLU ecosystem. PhD graduates from mid-tier NLUs typically find positions at state law universities, private law schools, and government departments rather than top-tier NLUs. Academic publications in peer-reviewed law journals during the PhD carry more weight than the university rank in most law school hiring decisions, so a strong publication record can meaningfully offset the brand gap.