Fees
Fees at the University of Calcutta for the Master of Commerce (M.Com) program involve an annual tuition fee of approximately Rs. 1,200. The admission fee is around Rs. 800, and the tuition fee is approximately Rs. 600, payable every six months. Semester examination fees are Rs. 150. Students can avail themselves of scholarships, such as the Swami Vivekananda Scholarship, which offers Rs.
24,000 in the first year, with potential renewal for the second year based on academic performance. Additionally, specific scholarships are available for SC/ST categories, subject to eligibility criteria. The program adheres to a consistent fee structure across all categories, maintaining affordability while providing substantial scholarship opportunities.
About Ph.D
Calcutta University offers PhD programmes across 32 departments in Cycle 1 of 2026, spanning sciences, engineering, technology, social sciences, and humanities. The programme runs full-time or part-time with a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years. Admission requires a qualifying score in UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, or GPAT followed by a departmental interview. No application fee is charged.
📋 Admission Status: Applications for the 2026 Cycle 1 are closed. Department-wise interviews are underway in July 2026.
Key Points
- UGC-NET JRF holders (Category-1) are admitted purely on the basis of a personal interview, with no weightage to the qualifying exam score.
- All admitted scholars must complete a minimum of 12 credits of coursework within the first 2 years, including the mandatory Research and Publication Ethics module.
- Women candidates and PwD scholars (more than 40% disability) receive an additional 2-year extension beyond the standard 6-year maximum programme duration.
Calcutta University PhD Fees 2026
The PhD programme at Calcutta University has a modest fee structure. Full-time course fees are INR 4,000 per semester. One-time charges include registration and security deposit fees. Thesis submission and viva fees apply at the end of the programme.
| Fee Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee | INR 500 |
| Security Deposit (one-time) | INR 1,000 |
| Course Fee per Semester (Full-Time) | INR 4,000 |
| Course Fee per Semester (Part-Time) | INR 10,000 |
| DRC Fee | INR 2,000 |
| Thesis Submission Fee | INR 5,000 |
| Viva Fee | INR 3,000 |
- Fees are indicative and subject to revision by the university.
- Verify exact amounts with the PhD Administration Office.
Calcutta University PhD Admission 2026
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Cycle 1 Admission Notice Published | 9 June 2026 |
| Extension Notice Issued | 6 July 2026 |
| Application Deadline (Extended) | Mid-July 2026 |
| Department-wise Interview Notices | July 2026 onwards |
- Interview schedules are notified 15 days prior on caluniv.ac.in.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- A Master’s degree with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/EWS) from a UGC-recognised university in the relevant subject.
- A 4-year Bachelor’s degree with at least 75% marks (70% for reserved categories) is also accepted as a qualifying degree.
- Candidates in the final semester of their qualifying degree may apply provisionally and must produce mark sheets before the interview date.
Admission Process
- Download the prescribed form from caluniv.ac.in and submit it physically to the relevant Department or Centre office. No online application is accepted.
- Stage 1: Valid qualifying exam score in UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, GPAT, or SET in the relevant subject is required for shortlisting.
- Stage 2: Personal interview before the Departmental Committee (100 marks). NET JRF holders are selected on interview alone. Non-JRF candidates are evaluated on 70% qualifying score and 30% interview.
- Select departments (Economics, History, Psychology) conduct a Research Eligibility Test (RET) for candidates without NET/GATE/GPAT qualification.
- International students are exempt from entrance tests and are evaluated through research proposal and interview.
Calcutta University PhD vs Other Colleges
Here is how Calcutta University PhD compares with similar universities on admission exams, fees, and an external review site ratings.
| College | Fees | Exams | Cutoff | Salary | CD Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calcutta University | INR 4,000/semester | UGC-NET CSIR-NET GATE GPAT | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Rated |
| Jadavpur University | Not Disclosed | UGC-NET CSIR-NET GATE JUPET | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | 4.3/5 |
| Banaras Hindu University | Not Disclosed | UGC-NET CSIR-NET GATE BHU RET | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | 3.9/5 |
| University of Delhi | Not Disclosed | UGC-NET CSIR-NET GATE DU Entrance Test | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | 4.2/5 |
✓ Opt for this if
- You hold a UGC-NET JRF and want admission through interview alone.
- You are targeting interdisciplinary research across sciences, humanities, or engineering.
- You want to study in Kolkata with access to established departmental research infrastructure.
- You are a working professional needing a part-time enrolment mode.
✗ Skip if
- You want a fully online or remote PhD programme.
- Your research area needs specialised infrastructure unavailable at Calcutta University.
- You need a university with a stronger national brand for postdoctoral placement.
Calcutta University PhD Scholarships 2026
PhD scholars at Calcutta University access UGC and CSIR fellowships through the university’s Development and Planning Office, along with state-level support for West Bengal domicile students.
| Fellowship | Amount | Eligibility | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|
| UGC/CSIR Junior Research Fellowship | INR 37,000 per month plus HRA | UGC-NET or CSIR-NET JRF holders admitted to PhD | 2 years (upgradeable to SRF) |
| Senior Research Fellowship | INR 42,000 per month plus HRA | JRF holders on satisfactory 2-year assessment | Up to 3 additional years |
| Contingency Grant (Science) | INR 12,000/year (JRF) and INR 25,000/year (SRF) | Science stream JRF and SRF holders | Annually during fellowship tenure |
| Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship | Up to INR 8,000 per month | West Bengal domicile students below INR 2.5 lakh annual family income | Programme duration |
- Stipend amounts are subject to revision by UGC.
- Apply for JRF disbursal at the Development and Planning Office.
Calcutta University PhD FAQs
Ques. What is the difference between NET Category-1 and Category-2 admission at Calcutta University PhD?
Ans. UGC-NET Category-1 holders are JRF awardees. They are admitted purely on the basis of a personal interview (100% weightage) and also receive the JRF stipend of INR 37,000 per month. Category-2 and Category-3 NET holders qualified without JRF are evaluated on 70% qualifying score and 30% interview and do not receive the JRF stipend unless separately awarded by UGC.
Ques. What is the Research Eligibility Test at Calcutta University and which departments require it?
Ans. The Research Eligibility Test (RET) is an online MCQ-based test of 300 marks conducted over 3 hours by select departments such as Economics, History, Law, and Psychology. Qualifying marks are 60% for General and 45% for reserved categories. Candidates holding valid UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, or GPAT scores are fully exempt from the RET and called directly for the interview.
Ques. Does Calcutta University PhD require publication before thesis submission?
Ans. Yes, the PhD Regulations 2025 (effective February 2026) include a publication requirement before thesis submission, aligned with UGC 2022 guidelines. Candidates must also deliver a mandatory pre-submission open seminar before the Departmental PhD Advisory Committee. The thesis similarity index must not exceed 10% as per UGC 2018 Plagiarism Prevention Regulations. The exact publication count is specified by the respective department.
Ques. How does the supervisor capacity limit affect PhD admission chances at Calcutta University?
Ans. Each supervisor can guide a maximum of 8 scholars (Professors), 6 (Associate Professors), or 4 (Assistant Professors) at any time across all institutions. This directly limits how many seats each department can offer per cycle. Candidates should check the supervisor-wise vacancy list, published at least 15 days before the interview on caluniv.ac.in, to confirm that their preferred supervisor has an open slot.
Ques. Can a working professional pursue a part-time PhD at Calcutta University?
Ans. Yes, Calcutta University offers a part-time PhD mode at INR 10,000 per semester compared to INR 4,000 for full-time students. Part-time scholars must submit a No-Objection Certificate from their employer. The maximum 6-year duration applies equally, with relaxations for women and PwD candidates. Part-time students must attend campus for coursework, seminars, and supervisor interactions as required by the Departmental Committee.