Accepted entrance exams
Fees
Fees at Jamia Millia Islamia University for the Bachelor of Arts + Bachelor of Law [BALLB] {Hons.} program distinctly differ between the two offered batches. Regular batch students pay an annual tuition fee of INR 10,000, while those in the self-finance batch incur higher yearly charges of INR 40,000. This differentiation is based on ranks achieved in entrance examinations.
Admission fees for the program are approximately INR 200, with no additional hidden charges involved. Financial assistance is available through various scholarship options, including the JMI Teachers Association scholarships, the Reliance Scholarship program, and others accessible via the National Scholarship Portal, primarily benefiting students from minority communities or those with financial need.
About Ph.D
Jamia Millia Islamia University offers PhD across 52 specialisations spanning engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, law, and fine arts. The programme has a minimum duration of 3 years. Fees range from INR 27,740 to INR 41,610 for the three-year period, depending on the department. Admission is through a JMI entrance test followed by an interview. UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, and GATE qualified candidates are exempt from the written test.
📋 Admission Status: Applications closed. Interviews are underway and admissions are expected to be finalised by August 2026.
Key Points
- 52 research specialisations across engineering, sciences, humanities, social sciences, law, and fine arts within one institution
- UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, and GATE qualified candidates are directly exempted from the JMI written entrance test and proceed straight to the research proposal and interview stage
- A mandatory two-semester coursework phase is embedded in the programme before thesis work begins, as required under UGC Regulations 2022
JMI PhD Fees 2026
JMI PhD fees are among the lowest for a central university in India. Fees vary by faculty and department across the three-year minimum duration.
| PhD Programme | Total Fees (3 years) |
|---|---|
| All PhD programmes across faculties at JMI | INR 27,740 to INR 41,610 |
- Check jmi.ac.in for department-wise fee details.
- Fees are subject to revision for the 2026-27 cycle.
JMI PhD Admission 2026
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application window | 11 May to 8 June 2026 |
| PhD entrance test | 20 to 21 June 2026 |
| Interview and document verification | July to August 2026 |
| Commencement of coursework semester | August 2026 (expected) |
- Visit admission.jmi.ac.in for 2026-27 cycle dates.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Master’s degree or equivalent in the relevant subject with at least 55 per cent marks (50 per cent for SC/ST/PwD)
- UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, or GATE qualified candidates are exempted from the JMI entrance test
- Applicants must submit a research proposal outlining the proposed topic, methodology, and objectives
Admission Process
- Apply online at admission.jmi.ac.in during the notification period and upload the research proposal
- Appear for the JMI PhD entrance test unless holding a valid UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, or GATE qualification
- Shortlisted candidates attend an interview before the relevant departmental committee
- Final merit list is prepared based on test performance, proposal quality, and interview outcome
- Complete document verification and fee payment to confirm enrolment in the coursework semester
JMI PhD vs Other Colleges
Here is how JMI PhD compares with other prominent research universities on fees, admission process, and peer ratings.
| College | Fees | Exams | Cutoff | Salary | CD Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamia Millia Islamia | 27.7K to 41.6K | JMI Entrance/ UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | 4.1/5 |
| Delhi University | Not Disclosed | UGC-NET/ DU PhD Entrance | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | 3.9/5 |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University | Not Disclosed | UGC-NET/ JNU RET | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | 4.2/5 |
| Aligarh Muslim University | Not Disclosed | UGC-NET/ AMU Entrance | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Rated |
✓ Opt for this if
- You hold UGC-NET or CSIR-NET JRF and want a PhD at a NIRF top-13 university with minimal fees
- Your research spans areas where JMI has recognised faculty strength: Arabic, Persian, Islamic studies, fine arts, or environmental science
- You want a Delhi-based PhD with access to national archives and central government research bodies
✗ Skip if
- You need a supervisor in a highly specialised niche not covered across JMI’s 52 existing areas
- You are targeting an IIT or IISc for the specific research infrastructure and brand recognition
- You need a part-time or distance PhD as JMI currently offers PhD only in full-time mode
JMI PhD Scholarships 2026
JMI PhD scholars can access government fellowships of INR 31,000 to INR 42,000 per month in addition to project-based funding through sponsored research at the university.
| Fellowship | Amount | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| UGC-JRF | INR 37,000/month for 2 years INR 42,000/month thereafter | UGC-NET JRF qualified candidates | Applied at time of admission |
| CSIR-JRF | INR 37,000/month for 2 years INR 42,000/month thereafter | CSIR-NET JRF qualified candidates | Applied at time of admission |
| Maulana Azad National Fellowship | INR 31,000/month | Minority community students | As per UGC-MANF schedule |
| Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship | INR 31,000/month | SC and ST students | As per UGC-RGNF schedule |
- Apply for government fellowships at ugc.ac.in or csir.res.in.
- Check jmi.ac.in for university-level research grants.
JMI PhD FAQs
Ques. How does the research proposal submission work during JMI PhD admission and how important is it?
Ans. The research proposal is a one to two page document outlining your intended topic, the gap in existing literature you plan to address, your methodology, and expected outcomes. The interview panel evaluates it as a measure of your research readiness. A focused proposal that shows familiarity with recent work in your field significantly improves interview performance. JMI’s interview is not purely academic, as the panel also assesses clarity of thought and research motivation.
Ques. If I have UGC-NET JRF, do I get the monthly stipend automatically at JMI or do I need to apply separately?
Ans. You need to apply to UGC separately after admission. The JRF is tied to the scholar, not the institution. Once you have a JMI admission letter and your supervisor’s countersignature, submit the JRF activation request to UGC through their portal. The stipend is then disbursed directly by UGC or routed through JMI accounts depending on the fellowship type. Initiate this within the first month of joining to avoid any stipend gap.
Ques. What does the mandatory two-semester coursework involve for JMI PhD scholars?
Ans. Under UGC Regulations 2022, all full-time PhD scholars must complete a structured coursework of two semesters before registering the thesis topic. At JMI, this typically includes research methodology, an advanced subject-specific paper, and a literature review component. Scholars are assessed through examinations or assignments and must clear this phase before the thesis advisory committee approves the research plan. The coursework phase counts toward the minimum three-year duration.
Ques. How does JMI PhD in social sciences or humanities compare with JNU for research quality?
Ans. JNU is widely regarded as the stronger institution for social sciences and humanities research, particularly in political science, sociology, and South Asian studies. JMI has a distinct strength in areas tied to its institutional identity: Arabic, Persian, Islamic studies, education policy, and Urdu literature. If your research topic falls in those specific areas, JMI offers access to specialised archives, manuscript collections, and faculty expertise that few other Delhi institutions can match.
Ques. Can JMI PhD students access national labs or inter-institutional research facilities during the programme?
Ans. Yes. JMI has collaborative arrangements with several CSIR laboratories, DRDO units, and central government research bodies. Scholars working on experimental or interdisciplinary topics can use external lab facilities through their supervisor’s project grants or inter-institutional agreements. This is particularly relevant for environmental science, nanotechnology, and material science PhD topics. Ask your department at the time of admission which national facilities your proposed research can access.