Ph.D

Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law Patiala (RGNUL) offers a PhD programme in Law, English, Political Science, Criminology, and Social Sciences. The minimum duration is three years, extendable up to six years. Admission is through a written entrance test and interview. The annual fee is INR 54,000 and the total cost ranges from INR 1,51,000 to INR 2,08,000. RGNUL holds a NAAC A Grade.

📋 Admission Status: Admissions expected to open August 2026 (Tentative).

RGNUL PhD Fees 2026

The annual PhD fee at RGNUL Patiala is INR 54,000. For the standard three-year minimum duration, the total programme cost ranges from INR 1,51,000 to INR 2,08,000 depending on the applicable academic session and fee revision. Hostel, mess, and library charges are payable separately as per the university schedule.

• Fees are subject to change. Verify with official sources before admission.

RGNUL PhD Admission 2026

Important Dates

• PhD admission notices are published on rgnul.ac.in.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• For PhD in Law: LLM from a recognised university with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwD candidates).
• For PhD in English, Political Science, Criminology, or Social Sciences: a postgraduate degree in the relevant discipline with minimum 55% marks from a recognised university.
• Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET or UGC-JRF may be given preference or exempted from the written test as per university norms.

Admission Process

• RGNUL releases an official PhD notification on rgnul.ac.in with the application schedule, syllabi, and eligibility details.
• Eligible candidates submit the application form with required documents and application fee within the notified deadline.
• Shortlisted candidates appear for a written entrance test assessing research aptitude and subject knowledge.
• Candidates clearing the written test are called for a personal interview before a faculty selection committee.
• The final merit list is based on combined performance in the written test and interview.
• Selected candidates identify a registered supervisor from RGNUL faculty before formal enrolment.

RGNUL PhD vs Other Colleges

Here is how RGNUL Patiala PhD compares with PhD programmes at other National Law Universities on fees and admission criteria.

✓ Opt for this if

• You have an LLM or relevant postgraduate degree with 55% and want an affordable NLU PhD.
• You plan a career in academia, legal research, or policy and prefer North India as your base.
• You are interested in interdisciplinary research spanning law, criminology, or social sciences.

✗ Skip if

• You need a PhD from a Top 5 NLU for faculty positions at premier law schools that rank institutions.
• You require a JRF-funded seat with stipend, more reliably available at leading research universities.
• You are looking for strong international research partnerships or global PhD collaboration networks.

RGNUL PhD Scholarships 2026

PhD students at RGNUL may access government-funded fellowship schemes. UGC-JRF and UGC-SRF holders receive monthly stipends funded directly by UGC, independent of university scholarship allocations.

• Fellowship amounts are subject to UGC and government revision.

RGNUL PhD FAQs

Ques. Can a candidate with only an LLB apply for PhD in Law at RGNUL without an LLM?

Ans. No. Standard eligibility for PhD in Law at RGNUL requires an LLM with minimum 55% marks. A bare LLB is an undergraduate degree and does not meet postgraduate eligibility for PhD enrolment. Candidates with postgraduate degrees in social sciences, humanities, or political science may be considered for interdisciplinary PhD programmes. Check the specific admission notification on rgnul.ac.in for the latest eligibility before applying.

Ques. Does RGNUL PhD offer funded seats or paid fellowship positions?

Ans. RGNUL does not typically offer funded fellowships directly to all PhD students. Candidates who cleared UGC-NET with JRF receive a monthly stipend from UGC: INR 31,000 as JRF and INR 35,000 after upgrade to SRF. SC/ST candidates may also access the Top Class Education Scheme. Candidates without existing fellowships are encouraged to apply for UGC-NET JRF or other national research fellowship programmes before or during their PhD.

Ques. How does a PhD from RGNUL prepare graduates for law school faculty positions?

Ans. A PhD from RGNUL, a NAAC A-graded NLU, qualifies graduates for permanent faculty positions at Indian universities under UGC norms. RGNUL’s research environment, specialist faculty in constitutional, international, and criminal law, and access to legal databases support strong doctoral output. Publishing peer-reviewed papers and presenting at national conferences during the PhD significantly strengthens an academic profile beyond the degree itself.

Ques. Can RGNUL PhD students change their registered supervisor during the programme?

Ans. A change of supervisor is possible in exceptional circumstances such as retirement, resignation, or prolonged unavailability of the supervisor. Such changes require approval from the relevant academic committee under RGNUL’s PhD regulations. Students should review the PhD ordinances on rgnul.ac.in for the specific procedure. Clarifying this with the Research Office before enrolment avoids disruption later.

Ques. Is a part-time PhD option available at RGNUL for working legal professionals?

Ans. RGNUL may offer a part-time PhD for working professionals including practicing advocates, legal researchers, and government officers, subject to current PhD regulations and available supervisory capacity. Part-time candidates typically have a longer permissible completion window than full-time students. Candidates should verify the availability of part-time enrolment from RGNUL’s Research Office or from the admission notification on rgnul.ac.in before applying.