Ph.D. Programme Admission 2026-27 at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU), Lucknow (35 Seats): Apply by 5 September

Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow, a State University established under U.P. Act No. 28 of 2005, has invited applications for admission to its Ph.D. Programme for the academic year 2026-27. The Registrar issued the admission notification on 10 August 2026.

The programme is open in Law and in allied subjects, namely History, Economics, English, Sociology, Psychology and Political Science. The University conducts its own entrance examination for these seats. Applications are accepted only through the SAMARTH admission portal; the notification states that applications received through any other mode shall not be entertained.

The last date for submission of the application form is 5 September 2026 by 5:00 p.m.

Thirty-five seats are advertised across seven disciplines, subject to the availability of a Research Supervisor. The University states that the number of seats is subject to change.

• Law: 20 seats (Unreserved 09, OBC of U.P. 05, SC/ST of U.P. 05, EWS of U.P. 01)
• Sociology: 04 seats (Unreserved 02, OBC of U.P. 01, SC/ST of U.P. 01)
• History: 03 seats (Unreserved 01, OBC of U.P. 01, SC/ST of U.P. 01)
• Economics: 03 seats (Unreserved 01, OBC of U.P. 01, SC/ST of U.P. 01)
• Psychology: 03 seats (Unreserved 01, OBC of U.P. 01, SC/ST of U.P. 01)
• Political Science: 01 seat (Unreserved)
• English: 01 seat (Unreserved)

Admission runs in two streams. The Law Stream, and the Social Science and Humanities Stream, which covers Economics (including Commerce, Business Administration and Development Studies), English (Cultural Studies, Law and Literature, Women Studies), History (Buddhist Studies, Subaltern Studies including Tribal and Dalit Studies, Women and Gender Studies), Political Science, Sociology (Rural Development, Social Inclusion and Exclusion Studies, Gender Studies) and Psychology (Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, Child and Human Development, Family Studies). The Research Degree Committee may change these lists.

For the Ph.D. in Law: an LL.M. degree of RMLNLU or an equivalent degree of any other UGC-recognised university, with at least 55% marks in the aggregate or an equivalent Grade B on the UGC 7-point scale.

For the Ph.D. in allied subjects: a Master's degree of any UGC-recognised university with at least 55% marks in the aggregate, or an equivalent Grade B on the UGC 7-point scale, in the subject of the proposed research work, together with any one of the following:

• a Bachelor's degree in Law; or
• established research credentials by way of publications; or
• long-term, in-depth practical experience in the area to be researched.

A candidate holding these qualifications in Social Sciences or Humanities is admitted only if the research he or she intends to pursue interfaces with the discipline of law.

A relaxation of 5% in the minimum 55% requirement applies to candidates belonging to the SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer) of U.P. and differently-abled categories.

A candidate applying after a four-year or eight-semester Bachelor's degree programme must have a minimum of 75% marks in the aggregate or an equivalent grade, with a 5% relaxation for SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer), differently-abled, EWS and other categories as decided by the Commission. A candidate who has completed the M.Phil. programme with at least 55% marks in the aggregate, or an equivalent qualification from a foreign educational institution, is also eligible.

A candidate whose result is awaited may apply, but must possess the eligibility on the date of the interview. A candidate who does not submit the PG marksheet or grade sheet issued by their university or college will not be allowed to sit the interview.

Applications are submitted online through the SAMARTH portal at rmlnluadm.samarth.edu.in, addressed to the Registrar, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, LDA Colony, Kanpur Road Scheme, Lucknow - 226012. The form and all supporting documents must reach the University on or before 5 September 2026 by 5:00 p.m.

Documents to be uploaded with the form include the PG marksheet or grade sheet, the degree, the research proposal, and where applicable the latest caste certificate, the present financial year EWS certificate and the P.W.D. certificate.

A one-time, non-refundable application fee is payable:

• Unreserved, OBC of U.P. and EWS of U.P. categories: Rs 1,500
• SC of U.P. and ST of U.P. categories: Rs 750

A candidate who is in service must submit the online application form through proper channel.

Every applicant must prepare and submit a detailed scheme of the proposed research work along with the application form, covering:

• specification of the broad field of study;
• the importance and rationale of the study;
• available literature;
• the method and scope of the study;
• justification of the study and its interface with the discipline of law.

The University states plainly that if the proposed research work plan is not submitted with the application form, the application will not be entertained.

Selection is by a written entrance test followed by an interview.

• The written test carries 70 marks. The question paper is objective, with 50% on Research Methodology and 50% subject-specific.
• The test runs for one and a half hours and there is no negative marking. It is conducted exclusively in the English language. The syllabus is as prescribed by the University.
• The qualifying mark is 50% of the written test, relaxed to 45% for candidates belonging to the OBC (non-creamy layer), SC, ST and differently-abled categories. A candidate scoring below the qualifying mark is not called for interview.
• The interview carries 30 marks and is conducted by the Interview Board. It assesses whether the candidate has the competence to carry out the proposed research, and the contribution the proposed area of research would make to new or additional knowledge.
• Qualified candidates are selected on their inter se merit in the written test and interview taken together. A tie is broken by higher marks in the Master's degree, then higher marks in the undergraduate degree, then higher age.

The University notes that a name appearing in the merit list does not by itself create any right to claim admission.

Candidates selected for admission are enrolled after paying the following:

• Registration fee (one-time): Rs 10,000
• Tuition fee: Rs 50,000
• Utility charges: Rs 20,000
• Hostel fee: Rs 25,000
• Caution money (one-time): Rs 5,000
• Total without hostel fee: Rs 85,000
• Total with hostel fee: Rs 1,10,000

The hostel fee is payable only if a hostel is allotted, and a hostel is allotted only for the minimum duration of the programme, that is three years, subject to availability. Payment towards mess facilities is separate, as decided by the University from time to time. After document verification, the total fee is deposited in the University account with the State Bank of India, RMLNLU Branch, Ashiyana, Lucknow, through the University payment gateway; the annual fee is then deposited on the first day of the opening of each academic year. Teachers of the University selected for the programme are not required to pay the utility charges and caution money.

The Ph.D. programme runs for a minimum of three years, including course work, and a maximum of six years from the date of admission. A further two years may be granted through re-registration, so that the total period does not exceed eight years. Female scholars and persons with disabilities (more than 40% disability) may be allowed an additional relaxation of two years, so that the total does not exceed ten years. Female scholars may be given maternity or child care leave of up to 240 days across the programme. The Vice-Chancellor, on the recommendation of the Research Degree Committee, may relax the maximum duration in an exceptional individual case.

The programme is full-time. Research scholars must be present in the University during working hours, with their presence recorded in the University library, for not less than 75% of the working days in an academic year. Hostel facilities are limited and no admitted candidate is assured a hostel place.

No research scholar may simultaneously take up any other course of study or any full-time employment; this restriction lifts three years after the date of admission. A candidate in service must submit a relieving certificate from their employer on the date of admission, failing which the admission is cancelled. Scholars may be required to take teaching assignments and to assist in the academic and co-curricular activities of the University. All scholars must complete the prescribed course work, and the course work and the thesis must be in English.