Accepted entrance exams
Fees
Fees at Patliputra University for the Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) program vary between different submissions, indicating some variations in the fee structure. The annual tuition fee ranges from 12,000 to 16,000 INR, with other submissions mentioning a total fee package, including additional charges, at approximately 15,000 to 17,000 INR annually. Admission fees are reported as 700 INR, with examination fees around 1,400 to 2,000 INR per year, and an identity card fee of 60 INR.
Scholarships are available, with SC-ST categories benefiting from a possible 30% fee reduction. There is also mention of a student credit card option, although it necessitates the payment of first-year fees initially. Certain submissions indicate tuition fees as high as 80,000 INR with additional caution fees of 10,000 INR, suggesting possible variations based on different college affiliations within the university. Additional scholarship opportunities of 5,000 to 7,000 INR annually are mentioned and may be influenced by various external funding sources.
About Ph.D.
Patliputra University (PPU), Patna offers a full-time Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) programme across 25 subjects spanning the faculties of Science, Social Science, Humanities, and Commerce. The programme is designed to develop independent research capabilities, with candidates working under the guidance of approved supervisors on original research leading to a dissertation. The minimum duration of the Ph.D. programme is 3 years, extendable up to 5-6 years depending on research progress. Admission is through the Ph.D. Admission Test (PAT), a university-conducted entrance examination, with exemptions available for NET/JRF qualified candidates and fellowship holders. With 803 seats across 25 subjects in the 2026 cycle, PPU offers one of the largest Ph.D. intake capacities among state universities in Bihar. The programme is popular among students from Bihar and neighbouring states who wish to pursue doctoral research at an affordable government university.
Admissions for the Ph.D. 2026 cycle are now closed. The PAT-2026 was conducted on 04 April 2026 (rescheduled from 23 March 2026), with applications accepted from 30 January 2026 to 22 February 2026 (with late fee). For the Ph.D. 2027 cycle, applications are expected to open tentatively in January-February 2027, based on the previous year's pattern. Students are advised to monitor the official PPU website at ppup.ac.in for the PAT-2027 notification.
Key Points
- Ph.D. is offered across 25 subjects including Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Mathematics, History, Political Science, Economics, Psychology, Hindi, English, Commerce, and more.
- 50% of seats in each subject are reserved for NET/JRF/fellowship holders (DBT/ICMR/ICAR/DST/CSIR/ICHR/ICPR), who are also exempted from the written PAT.
- Candidates with NET/JRF or research fellowships are directly called for interview without appearing in the written test.
- The programme follows UGC Ph.D. Regulations 2022, requiring mandatory coursework in the first year before proceeding to research.
- Seats for permanent teachers at PPU constituent colleges are available over and above the advertised vacancies.
PPU Ph.D. Fees
Fee Structure
| Fee Component | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| PAT Application Fee (General Category) | ₹1,500 (one-time, non-refundable) |
| PAT Application Fee (SC/ST/EBC/BC/Divyang/Women) | ₹1,000 (one-time, non-refundable) |
| Tuition Fee (Per Year) | ₹5,120 (approx.) |
| Registration Fee | ₹2,500 (approx.) |
| Total Fees Per Year (Tuition + Registration) | Approx. ₹7,620 |
| Total Fees (3 Years minimum) | Approx. ₹22,860 |
| Hostel Fees | Charged separately (optional) |
- The PAT application fee (Rs. 1,500 for General; Rs. 1,000 for reserved categories) is non-refundable.
- A late fee of Rs. 500 is applicable if applying after the regular deadline.
- Annual tuition and registration fees are payable at the time of enrollment each year.
- Hostel facility is available at the university campus; hostel fees are charged separately and are optional.
- Fee structure is subject to revision by the university.
- Students should verify the exact fee at the time of admission from the official PPU website.
PPU Ph.D. Admission 2026
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Issue | 29 January 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 30 January 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply (without late fee) | 15 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply (with late fee of Rs. 500) | 22 February 2026 |
| Online Correction of Application Errors | 25 February - 28 February 2026 |
| Admit Card Download | 18 March 2026 onwards |
| PAT Exam Date (rescheduled) | 04 April 2026 |
| Interview / Counselling | After PAT result (as per university schedule) |
- PAT-2026 admissions are closed.
- For PAT-2027, the notification is expected in January 2027.
- Check ppup.ac.in for updates.
Subject-wise Seat Intake
| Subject | Seats |
|---|---|
| Physics | 38 |
| Chemistry | 66 |
| Botany | 56 |
| Zoology | 24 |
| Mathematics | 16 |
| Electronics | 07 |
| History | 48 |
| AI and Ancient Indian Studies | 15 |
| Political Science | 74 |
| Geography | 12 |
| Economics | 57 |
| Psychology | 57 |
| Sociology | 20 |
| Home Science | 19 |
| LSW/PMIR | 05 |
| Public Administration | 05 |
| Hindi | 70 |
| English | 72 |
| Sanskrit | 22 |
| Urdu | 23 |
| Music | 02 |
| Philosophy | 48 |
| Pali | 15 |
| Maithili | 07 |
| Commerce | 25 |
| Total | 803 |
- 50% of seats in each subject are reserved for NET/JRF/fellowship holders.
- Seats for permanent teachers at constituent colleges are additional.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must hold a Master's degree with at least 55% marks in aggregate (or equivalent grade 'B' on UGC 7-point scale) in the relevant subject or an allied subject from a recognised university.
- SC/ST/EBC/OBC/Differently Abled candidates are eligible with 50% marks in Master's degree (5% relaxation).
- Candidates who have appeared in the final year of their Master's degree are NOT eligible to apply for PAT.
- Candidates with NET/JRF or research fellowships (DBT/ICMR/ICAR/DST/CSIR/ICHR/ICPR) are exempted from the written PAT but must apply online and appear for the interview.
Admission Process
- Visit ppup.ac.in and follow the PAT admission test link to fill the online application form.
- Pay the application fee online (Rs. 1,500 for General; Rs. 1,000 for reserved categories).
- Download admit card from the university website before the exam date.
- Appear for PAT (Paper I: Teaching and Research Aptitude - 50 MCQs; Paper II: Subject-specific - 50 MCQs).
- No negative marking.
- NET/JRF/fellowship holders are directly called for interview after application verification.
- Qualified candidates appear before the interview board for final selection.
- Selected candidates complete mandatory Ph.D. coursework in the first year before commencing research.
PPU Ph.D. Scholarships 2026
Scholarships and Fellowships
| Scholarship / Fellowship | Eligibility | Amount | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| UGC-NET JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) | Candidates qualifying UGC-NET with JRF rank | Rs. 37,000/month (1st-2nd year); Rs. 42,000/month (3rd year onwards) | Via UGC / host institution |
| CSIR-NET JRF | Candidates qualifying CSIR-NET JRF in Science subjects | Rs. 37,000/month (1st-2nd year); Rs. 42,000/month (3rd year onwards) | Via CSIR / host institution |
| DBT/ICMR/ICAR/DST Fellowships | Subject to specific scheme eligibility | Varies by scheme (Rs. 31,000 - 37,000/month) | Via respective funding agencies |
| Bihar Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST) | SC/ST students; family income up to Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum | Maintenance allowance + fee reimbursement | Via NSP / Bihar State Portal |
- JRF holders are also exempted from the PAT written test and are directly called for interview.
- UGC/CSIR JRF fellowships are the most sought-after funding options for Ph.D. students and are tenable at PPU subject to supervisor and university approval.
- Students should apply for fellowships through the respective national portals (ugcnetonline.in, csirhrdg.res.in) separately from the PPU admission process.
- Bihar Post-Matric Scholarship is available for eligible SC/ST students enrolled in Ph.D. programmes at PPU.
PPU Ph.D. FAQs
Ques. Is the PAT (Ph.D. Admission Test) mandatory for all candidates, or can NET/JRF holders get direct admission?
Ans. Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET/JRF or hold research fellowships from DBT, ICMR, ICAR, DST, CSIR, ICHR, or ICPR are exempted from the written PAT. However, they are still required to apply online, pay the application fee, and appear before the interview board as per the PAT schedule. Non-teaching employees of PPU with 5+ years of substantive appointment, 55% in Master's, and at least two published research papers in reputed journals are also exempted from the written test. All other candidates must appear for the PAT.
Ques. How many subjects are available for Ph.D. at Patliputra University, and can I apply in an allied subject?
Ans. PPU offers Ph.D. in 25 subjects across Science, Social Science, Humanities, and Commerce faculties. Candidates can also apply in an allied subject (for example, a candidate with M.Sc Biotechnology can apply for Ph.D. in Zoology or Botany). However, the Ph.D. degree will be awarded in the main subject, not the allied subject. A detailed list of permissible allied subjects for each main subject is provided in the official PAT notification available at ppup.ac.in.
Ques. What is the duration of the Ph.D. programme at PPU, and what does the coursework involve?
Ans. The minimum duration of the Ph.D. programme at PPU is 3 years, which can extend up to 5-6 years depending on research progress. In the first year, candidates must complete mandatory coursework as per UGC Ph.D. Regulations 2022, covering research methodology, subject-specific advanced topics, and academic writing. After successful completion of coursework and a pre-submission seminar, candidates submit their thesis for evaluation. The thesis is evaluated by external examiners, followed by a viva voce examination before the degree is awarded.
Ques. What is the fee for the Ph.D. programme at Patliputra University?
Ans. The PAT application fee is Rs. 1,500 for General category and Rs. 1,000 for reserved categories (SC/ST/EBC/BC/Divyang/Women), which is non-refundable. After admission, the annual tuition fee is approximately Rs. 5,120 per year, with an additional registration fee of approximately Rs. 2,500, making the total annual cost approximately Rs. 7,620. Over the minimum 3-year duration, the total tuition and registration cost is approximately Rs. 22,860. Students should verify the exact fee structure from the official PPU website at the time of admission, as fees are subject to revision.
Ques. Can I pursue Ph.D. at PPU while working as a teacher or in a government job?
Ans. PPU offers Ph.D. admission to permanent teachers at its constituent colleges over and above the regular advertised vacancies. For other working professionals, the Ph.D. programme is full-time, which may require candidates to take leave or make arrangements with their employer. However, candidates with NET/JRF or research fellowships who are already employed may need to check with the university regarding part-time or full-time research options. It is advisable to contact the Ph.D. section of PPU directly for clarification on this matter.
Ques. What are the career prospects after completing a Ph.D. from Patliputra University?
Ans. A Ph.D. from Patliputra University, being a UGC-recognised state university, is valid for all academic and government positions requiring a doctoral degree. Graduates can apply for Assistant Professor positions in colleges and universities (subject to NET/SET qualification), research scientist positions in government institutes (CSIR, ICAR, ICMR, etc.), and senior positions in government departments. In the private sector, Ph.D. holders are sought in R&D departments of pharmaceutical, biotech, and technology companies. The degree also qualifies holders for post-doctoral fellowships at national and international research institutions.