Ph.D
Accepted entrance exams
Fees
Fees at Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences for the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program vary significantly based on the quota under which admission is secured. Government quota tuition fees are approximately INR 60,000 to 1,00,000 per year, depending on student residency. Private seats command higher fees ranging from INR 11,00,000 to 12,00,000 annually, and management quota fees escalate dramatically, reaching from INR 90,00,000 to 1.8 crores for the full course.
Additional fees include examination fees ranging from INR 5,500 to 8,000 each year, with hostel charges approximately INR 38,000 per course duration. Mess fees are around INR 3,000 to 4,100 per month. Scholarships like SSP and NSP are available for eligible students, particularly those from reserved categories, potentially covering nearly full tuition costs. Financial aid varies with governmental policies and student socioeconomic background. Stipends are provided during compulsory internships, offering financial relief to enrolled candidates.
About Ph.D
Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences offers PhD programmes across seven faculty streams: Medical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Pharmacy, Nursing, AYUSH, Physiotherapy, and Allied Health Sciences. The programme runs for 3 to 5 years and is conducted through PhD centres at affiliated colleges under RGUHS. Total fees are INR 68,000 for the full programme. Admission is through a university-conducted entrance test, with exemptions for UGC/CSIR-NET/JRF holders. The 2026-27 intake commences in September 2026.
📋 Admission Status: Applications closed. Programme commencement begins September 2026.
Key Points
- RGUHS PhD is conducted at affiliated PhD centres across Karnataka, enabling research in specialty hospital environments rather than a single university campus.
- The entrance exam comprises two papers of 50 marks each: Research Methodology and a Specialty Subject, assessed through multiple-choice questions at BMCRI Bangalore.
- Candidates holding valid UGC/CSIR-NET/JRF or SLET scores are exempted from the entrance examination and proceed directly to interview and guide-availability assessment.
RGUHS PhD Fees 2026
RGUHS charges a consolidated fee for the full PhD programme, making it one of the most affordable doctoral research routes in health sciences in Karnataka.
| Fee Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Programme Fee | INR 68,000 |
| Application Fee | INR 3,000 (non-refundable) |
- Fees are subject to revision each year.
- Verify amounts with the official RGUHS notification.
RGUHS PhD Admission 2026
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Window Opened | 15 March 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 15 April 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 30 April 2026 |
| Entrance Exam at BMCRI Bangalore | 7 May 2026 |
| Results Announced | Third week of June 2026 |
| Programme Commencement | September 2026 |
- Official schedule is published on rguhs.ac.in.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must hold a recognised postgraduate degree in the relevant specialty: MD or MS for Medical, MDS for Dental, MPT for Physiotherapy, M.Pharm or Pharm-D for Pharmacy.
- A minimum of 55 percent marks in the postgraduate qualifying degree is required, with 50 percent applicable for SC/ST/Category-I/Physically Disabled candidates.
- The candidate must be an Indian citizen with permanent registration with the relevant professional council.
Admission Process
- Candidates download the application from rguhs.ac.in and submit a printed copy with required documents and the INR 3,000 fee by online payment.
- The entrance exam is held at BMCRI Bangalore from 10 AM to 1 PM, covering Research Methodology and Specialty Subject at 50 marks each.
- Qualified candidates appear before a selection committee for interview and research guide verification.
- UGC/CSIR-NET/JRF/SLET holders are exempted from the written test and proceed directly to the interview stage.
- Final selection considers entrance performance, interview, research synopsis, and confirmation of a research guide at an affiliated PhD centre.
RGUHS PhD vs Other Colleges
Here is how RGUHS PhD compares with other health sciences research institutions on fees, entrance, and an external review site ratings.
| College | Fees | Exams | Cutoff | Salary | CD Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RGUHS Bangalore | 68 K | RGUHS Entrance | 55% in PG | Not Disclosed | 3.8/5 |
| KUHS Thrissur | 3.3 L | KUHS Entrance | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | 3.7/5 |
| SVIMS Tirupati | 75 K to 77 K | SVIMS Entrance | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | 4.0/5 |
| JIPMER Puducherry | Not Disclosed | JIPMER Entrance | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | 4.2/5 |
✓ Opt for this if
- You want to pursue doctoral research while continuing clinical work at an affiliated hospital
- You need a highly affordable PhD in health sciences with strong Karnataka-network value
- You hold a NET/JRF and want to skip the entrance exam and proceed directly to interview
✗ Skip if
- You need a centrally-funded fellowship with a stipend and dedicated laboratory access
- You are targeting national-level research institutions like JIPMER or AIIMS for faculty posts
- You require a residential PhD programme with a dedicated supervisor on the main campus
RGUHS PhD Scholarships 2026
RGUHS PhD scholars can access central government research fellowships and university research grants to support doctoral work.
| Scheme | Amount | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICMR Junior Research Fellowship | INR 31,000 per month | Biomedical research, JRF entrance clearance | As notified by ICMR |
| DST INSPIRE Fellowship | INR 31,000 per month | Top PG academic rank, science streams | As notified by DST |
| RGUHS Faculty Research Grant | Up to INR 2,00,000 | Faculty at RGUHS affiliated colleges with research proposal | As notified by RGUHS |
- Fellowship amounts are revised periodically by the funding agency.
RGUHS PhD FAQs
Ques. Can an RGUHS PhD holder apply for faculty positions at medical colleges and for NAAC assessor roles?
Ans. Yes. An RGUHS PhD combined with MD or MS is the standard qualification required for Associate Professor and Professor positions at NMC-recognised medical colleges. NAAC assessor empanelment also requires a PhD for academic stream candidates. An RGUHS PhD carries the same recognition for these purposes as one from any UGC-recognised university. However, some national institutions prefer PhDs from standalone research universities or AIIMS, so your target institution matters.
Ques. How long does the RGUHS PhD typically take to complete and what if a candidate cannot finish in 3 years?
Ans. The minimum duration is 3 years and the maximum is 5 years. Extensions beyond 5 years require a formal application with justification. Delays are common in clinical research because data collection depends on patient availability and ethics committee approvals. Starting with a well-scoped and feasible research question significantly reduces the risk of overruns. Active mentorship from your guide and institutional support for ethics clearances are the two biggest determinants of timely completion.
Ques. Is the RGUHS PhD recognised by UGC and accepted for international post-doctoral work?
Ans. RGUHS is a UGC-recognised university and its PhD degrees carry full national recognition for academic appointments and further research. For international post-doctoral work, most funding agencies and universities accept Indian PhD degrees from UGC-recognised institutions, though some may ask for additional documentation on the research training component. If targeting international post-doctoral fellowships, confirm their specific India-PhD requirements before applying.
Ques. What is the role of the research guide in RGUHS PhD and how do I find one before applying?
Ans. The research guide is central to RGUHS PhD admission. You need a confirmed guide because guide availability is verified at the interview stage. Guides must be RGUHS-recognised with published indexed research and a faculty position at an affiliated PhD centre. Identifying your guide before the application window opens, visiting the PhD centre, and aligning your research interest with the guide’s ongoing work significantly improves your admission prospects.
Ques. Can an RGUHS PhD candidate publish research papers during the programme and is it mandatory?
Ans. Yes, and at least one publication in a peer-reviewed journal is mandatory before thesis submission at RGUHS. Publishing during the programme also builds your academic profile for faculty recruitment, NAAC assessor empanelment, and grant applications. High-impact publications in indexed journals significantly strengthen your case for senior academic positions at medical colleges, particularly Professorships that require documented research output beyond the PhD credential itself.