Ph.D. Admission 2026 at Chanakya National Law University, Patna (Law, Multidisciplinary and Social Sciences; Last Date Extended to 11 October 2026)

Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna, established in 2006 under the Chanakya National Law University Act, 2006 (Act No. 24 of 2006), is a residential university with an interdisciplinary approach to legal research. By Notification No. CNLU/45(a)/2026--1413 dated 12 September 2026, CNLU invites applications for admission to its doctoral programme in three specialisations:

• Ph.D. (Law)
• Ph.D. (Multidisciplinary)
• Ph.D. (Political Science/History/Economics/Management)

By an extension notice dated 3 October 2026 (No. CNLU/45(a)/2026--1610), the last date for applications was extended from 3 October 2026 to 11 October 2026. All other terms, eligibility criteria, fee structure and the admission process remain unchanged.

Candidates must have completed one of the following:

• A 1-year/2-semester Master's degree after a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor's degree; or
• A 4-year/8-semester Bachelor's degree with at least 75% marks in aggregate or an equivalent grade; or
• A 2-year/4-semester Master's degree after a 3-year Bachelor's degree (or a qualification declared equivalent by the statutory regulatory body) with at least 55% marks in aggregate or an equivalent grade; or
• An equivalent qualification from a foreign institution accredited by a recognised assessment and accreditation agency of its home country.

A relaxation of 5% marks or an equivalent grade may be allowed for SC/ST/BC/EBC/PwD, EWS and other categories. Candidates with qualifications in the social sciences, humanities, sciences, commerce, management or related disciplines are encouraged to apply.

In addition to the academic qualification, candidates must have cleared UGC-NET in any of the following three categories:

• Category 1: eligible for admission to Ph.D. with JRF and for appointment as Assistant Professor.
• Category 2: eligible for admission to Ph.D. without JRF and for appointment as Assistant Professor.
• Category 3: eligible for admission to Ph.D. only, not for JRF or appointment as Assistant Professor.

• For UGC-NET qualified candidates, selection is based on 70% weightage to the test score and 30% to the interview.
• JRF-qualified candidates are admitted solely on the basis of the interview.
• Applicants who qualify in the interview are provisionally admitted to the Ph.D. programme.
• Sponsored candidates must submit a sponsorship certificate from their employer on official letterhead stating that they will be relieved for the full period of study and that the sponsoring organisation will pay the admissible fee.
• Candidates seeking admission on study leave must show proof at the interview that study leave of at least three years will be or has been granted.

Applicants must submit a preliminary research proposal of 1,500 to 2,000 words (excluding references) containing:

• Expression of research interest: the area of research and the candidate's interest in it.
• Tentative thesis title indicating the primary focus of the proposed research.
• Relevant literature review and research gap, showing that the topic is unexplored and that an original contribution can be made.
• Statement of problem: what the thesis aims to achieve and the knowledge gap it addresses.
• Conceptual context linking specific social or legal problems to relevant theory.

Non-refundable application fee (per course): Rs 3,000 for General and all other categories; Rs 1,000 for SC/ST candidates. The fee is paid through the ICICI Eazypay link given in the notification, under the head "Tuition Fee" only (ignore all other heads). Save the payment receipt or transaction details, as they must be uploaded in the Google Form.

Fee at the time of admission (Rs 86,000 in total):

• Admission fee (one time): Rs 25,000
• Course work fee (one time): Rs 15,000
• Facilities fee (per annum): Rs 10,000
• Library fee (per annum): Rs 15,000
• Library deposit (refundable): Rs 5,000
• Tuition fee (per annum): Rs 16,000

Admission is subject to reservation under the Bihar (In Admission in Educational Institutions) Reservation Act, 2003 and other applicable rules. Candidates from outside Bihar cannot claim EWS reservation benefits under the Bihar EWS Act, 2019. A 5% horizontal reservation applies for PwD candidates.

• Step 1: Pay the non-refundable application fee through the ICICI Eazypay link in the official notification and keep the receipt.
• Step 2: Fill the Google Form (https://forms.gle/8y6P3ZAbEmx7FLX9A), entering all required details and uploading the relevant documents, including the payment receipt.
• Applications complete in all respects must be submitted on or before 11 October 2026. No application will be entertained after the extended last date.