Fees
Fees at Gujarat National Law University for the Bachelor of Arts + Bachelor of Law [BALLB] {Hons.} program are approximately INR 2,40,000 to INR 2,50,000 per annum. The total cost of education throughout the program is estimated to be INR 12,50,000. The university provides various scholarships, including those for students from weaker sections of society and specific programs such as the GLASS program, offering up to INR 1,000 to meritorious students opting for careers in litigation.
Scholarships for SC/ST, sports, and mandatory Northeast students are also available, offering financial benefits. Fee payment is structured on a semester basis, alleviating the need for upfront full payments.
About Ph.D
Gujarat National Law University offers a full-time PhD programme in Law and Allied Subjects. The programme spans 3 to 6 years, with fees starting at INR 5,99,000 for a 3-year completion. Admission is through the GNLU PhD Admission Test. Eligibility requires a Master’s degree with at least 55% marks. Candidates who have qualified UGC NET, JRF, or SLET are exempted from the written test.
📋 Admission Status: Admissions expected to open October 2026 (Tentative).
Key Points
- Admission through GNLU PhD Admission Test followed by a Research Proposal Presentation, making the selection research-output driven from the start
- UGC NET, JRF, and SLET qualified candidates are exempted from the written test and proceed directly to the research proposal stage
- Research areas span constitutional law, criminal law, corporate law, intellectual property, international law, and other law and allied subjects
- Dr. Bindu Vijay serves as PhD Coordinator and can be reached at gnluphd@gnlu.ac.in for programme-specific guidance
GNLU PhD Fees 2026
GNLU PhD fees depend on the duration of the programme. For a 3-year completion, the total fee is INR 5,99,000 with the first-year fee component at INR 2,03,000. Extended duration beyond 3 years attracts additional annual fees as per university norms.
| Programme | First Year Fee | Total Fee (3 Years) |
|---|---|---|
| PhD in Law and Allied Subjects | INR 2,03,000 | INR 5,99,000 |
- Fees are subject to change. Verify with official sources before admission.
- Extended duration attracts additional continuation fees per year.
GNLU PhD Admission 2026
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| PhD Notification Released | October 2026 (Tentative) |
| Application Deadline | November 2026 (Tentative) |
| GNLU PhD Admission Test | December 2026 (Tentative) |
| Research Proposal Presentation | December to January 2027 (Tentative) |
- Dates are based on previous admission cycles at GNLU.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Master’s degree in Law or a relevant discipline from a recognised university with a minimum of 55% marks
- Candidates who have qualified UGC NET, JRF, or SLET are exempted from the GPAT written test
- M.Phil. degree holders are also eligible for the test exemption as per university norms
Admission Process
- Apply through the official GNLU PhD admission portal during the notification window
- Appear for the GNLU PhD Admission Test covering Law and Allied Subjects
- Qualified candidates are called for a Research Proposal Presentation before a faculty panel
- Final selection is merit-based on combined performance in the written test and proposal stage
- UGC NET/JRF/SLET qualified candidates skip the written test and appear directly for the proposal presentation
GNLU PhD vs Other Colleges
Here is how GNLU PhD compares with similar research law programmes at leading NLUs on fees, selection process, and outcomes.
| College | Fees | Exams | Cutoff | Salary | CD Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GNLU Gandhinagar | 6.0 L (3 yrs) | GPAT | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Rated |
| NLSIU Bangalore | 2.7 L (3 yrs) | NLSAT-PhD | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Rated |
| NLU Delhi | 2.3 L (3 yrs) | AILET PhD | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Rated |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | 4.4 L (3 yrs) | NALSAR PhD Test | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Rated |
✓ Opt for this if
- You want to research law in a structured NLU environment with faculty supervision
- You hold UGC NET or JRF and want a test-exempted direct research route
- You are based in Gujarat or prefer a western India campus for your doctoral work
- You are targeting an academic career at a law school and need NLU doctoral credentials
✗ Skip if
- You need a lower-cost PhD programme, as GNLU fees are higher than most other NLUs
- You want a PhD from a top-3 ranked NLU specifically for global academia positioning
- Your research area falls outside law and allied subjects
GNLU PhD Scholarships 2026
GNLU provides merit-based financial support to PhD scholars through university funds and government scholarship schemes. Research associates may receive stipends for on-campus work.
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| GNLU PhD Merit Scholarship | Up to 100% tuition fee | Merit-based on admission performance | As announced by GNLU |
| Research Associate Stipend | 25% to 50% fee reimbursement | On-campus research work selection | As announced by GNLU |
| UGC JRF/SRF Fellowship | As per UGC norms | Valid JRF or SRF award | UGC portal deadline |
| State Government Scholarship | As per state norms | SC/ST/OBC/EWS certificate | NSP portal deadline |
- Scholarship availability is subject to annual university notification.
GNLU PhD FAQs
Ques. Do UGC NET qualified candidates still need to appear for the GNLU PhD process?
Ans. Candidates who have qualified UGC NET, JRF, or SLET are exempted from the GNLU PhD Admission Test written paper. However, they are still required to appear for the Research Proposal Presentation before the faculty selection panel. This means you will prepare a detailed research proposal in your chosen area of law, defend your research question, and demonstrate that you have the theoretical grounding to pursue doctoral work. The proposal stage is used by the committee to assess fit between your research agenda and available faculty supervision.
Ques. How long does it typically take to complete the GNLU PhD in Law?
Ans. The minimum duration for the GNLU PhD is 3 years from the date of registration and the maximum is 6 years. Most scholars complete the programme in 4 to 5 years depending on the complexity of their research, supervisor feedback cycles, and the time taken for thesis submission and viva voce. GNLU charges continuation fees for scholars who extend beyond the initial 3-year period, so it is financially prudent to have a realistic timeline discussion with your potential supervisor before registering.
Ques. Can a working professional pursue the GNLU PhD part-time while employed?
Ans. The GNLU PhD is offered as a full-time residential programme. Working professionals seeking part-time doctoral options will need to check whether GNLU offers a part-time or external PhD category at the time of applying, as this has varied across cycles. The full-time format requires scholars to be resident on campus and available for coursework, supervisor meetings, and seminars, which makes it incompatible with regular employment in another city. Prospective candidates should contact gnluphd@gnlu.ac.in to confirm the latest available formats before applying.
Ques. What research areas can I pursue for a PhD at GNLU?
Ans. GNLU accepts doctoral research proposals across Law and Allied Subjects, which includes constitutional law, criminal law, corporate and commercial law, intellectual property rights, international law, environmental law, human rights law, legal theory, and intersections of law with social science disciplines. The actual areas available in a given cycle depend on faculty availability for supervision. Before applying, it is advisable to identify potential supervisors at GNLU whose published research aligns with your proposed area and reach out to them directly to gauge interest and fit.
Ques. How does GNLU PhD placement differ from graduating with an LLM at GNLU?
Ans. A PhD from GNLU is primarily a credential for academic careers, positions in legal research bodies, policy institutes, and senior consulting roles rather than law firm placements. LLM graduates from GNLU participate in placement with a median package of INR 6.2 LPA recorded in 2024 for the PG batch. PhD scholars are typically not part of the campus placement pool in the same manner. The value of the PhD lies in research output, publications, and academic positioning, not in traditional law firm placement figures.