Ph.D. Programme Admission 2026-27 at Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar (55 Seats): Apply by 5 September

Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar is a National Law University established by the Government of Gujarat and recognised by the Bar Council of India and the University Grants Commission. Its campus is located at Attalika Avenue, Knowledge Corridor, Koba, Gandhinagar. The University runs doctoral research through its Ph.D. Programme, governed by the Regulations governing the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, 2016 and the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022.

By Notification Ref No. GNLU/PHD/2026/01 dated Friday, 14 August 2026, signed by the Registrar, GNLU has invited applications in the prescribed form for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programme for the Academic Year 2026-27.

Admission is offered in two distinct programmes. Candidates applying to one stream will not be considered for the other.

PhD in Law - 36 tentative seats, of which 18 are Full-Time and 18 are Part-Time.

PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies with Law (each open to Full-Time or Part-Time enrolment):

• Botany - 1 seat
• Economics - 3 seats
• Forensic Science - 3 seats
• History - 2 seats
• Management - 3 seats
• Political Science - 1 seat
• Social Work - 4 seats
• Sociology - 2 seats

The number of seats stated is tentative and the final number will be notified on the University website. 'Interdisciplinary Study with Law' means research conducted in two or more academic disciplines in which Law is a mandatory allied discipline; such scholars are additionally allocated a Co-Supervisor from the Law discipline. The University reserves the right to decide how many eligible candidates are called for the research proposal presentation and interview, based on the availability of seats and PhD Supervisors.

PhD in Law: a Master's Degree in Law from a University recognised by the UGC with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade, or an equivalent qualification from a foreign educational institution accredited by an agency approved, recognised or authorised by a statutory authority in its home country.

PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies with Law: a Master's Degree in the Principal Area of Research with at least 55% marks in aggregate or equivalent, or an equivalent accredited foreign qualification. The qualifying degrees prescribed for each principal area are:

• Botany - MSc (Botany) / MSc (Plant Science) / MSc (Ecology) / MSc (Plant Biotechnology) / MSc (Forestry)
• Economics - MA or MSc (Economics), MA or MSc (Econometrics), MA or MSc (Financial Economics), MA (Development Studies), MBA, MA (Law and Economics), MA (Public Policy)
• Forensic Science - MSc (Forensic Science) / MSc (Cyber Security) / MSc (Nanotechnology) / MSc (Toxicology)
• History - Master's degree in History
• Management - MBA / MMS / MCom; CA, CS, CMA or ICWA holders may also apply provided they have completed a bachelor's degree from a recognised University
• Political Science - Master's degree in Political Science
• Social Work - MSW / MA (Social Work)
• Sociology - Master's degree in Sociology

A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade is allowed for SC / ST / OBC (non-creamy layer) / Differently-Abled / Economically Weaker Section candidates and other categories as decided by the UGC from time to time. Candidates in the final year of their Master's degree may apply, subject to securing the minimum marks before the date of admission. Foreign candidates applying to the PhD in Law must produce an Equivalency Certificate at the time of applying. Reservation norms, as applicable, will be followed.

Admission is made through either of two routes.

Exempted candidates: those who qualify for a fellowship or scholarship in UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR NET, GATE, CEED or similar national level tests are admitted on the basis of the research proposal presentation before the Panel for PhD Research Proposal Presentation, and an interview. They do not sit GPAT-2026.

Entrance test candidates: all others appear in the GNLU PhD Admission Test (GPAT-2026) conducted at the University. Candidates scoring at least 50% in GPAT-2026 are eligible to be called for the presentation and interview, with a 5% relaxation for SC / ST / OBC / Differently-Abled / EWS candidates and other categories as decided by the UGC.

The selection sequence for GPAT candidates is: submission of application, GPAT-2026, declaration of the GPAT-2026 result, research proposal presentation and interview, and declaration of the provisional selection list. For exempted candidates it is: submission of application, presentation and interview, and declaration of the provisional selection list.

GPAT-2026 runs for 60 minutes and consists of 100 multiple choice questions: Paper I on Research Methodology and English (50 questions) and Paper II on Subject Awareness or Domain Knowledge (50 questions). The syllabus for both papers is the UGC NET syllabus.

Research proposal: every applicant must submit a research proposal of about 3,000 words as part of the application. The presentation before the Panel is a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation. The proposal must contain a tentative title; exhibit a literature review demonstrating background research and a thorough awareness of the relevant literature; identify a research problem or statement of problem; determine relevance; specify aim and objectives; state a hypothesis, if any; ascertain research questions; set out scope and limitation; identify the methodological approach to respond adequately to the research questions; and give a tentative scheme of chapters.

The PhD 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 as per UGC and University Regulations, provided the total period does not exceed eight years. Female PhD scholars and Persons with Disabilities (more than 40% disability) may be allowed an additional relaxation of two years, subject to a total ceiling of ten years. Female scholars may be given maternity or child care leave of up to 240 days across the programme.

Scholars register either as Full-Time or Part-Time. A Full-Time scholar must attend the University regularly and is subject to the prescribed attendance rules. Professionally employed personnel may pursue the PhD on a Part-Time basis and must submit a No Objection Certificate from their employer stating that they are permitted to pursue PhD studies part-time, that their duties permit sufficient time for research, and that they will be relieved from duty when required to complete the course work.

All registered scholars undertake course work under the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022, carrying a minimum of 12 credits including a Research and Publication Ethics course and a research methodology course. A scholar must obtain at least 55% marks or the equivalent grade on the UGC 10-point scale in the course work to continue in the programme and submit a thesis. Course work and the thesis are in English only.

The application fee is Rs 4,000, non-refundable, paid online at the time of applying.

On admission, the one-time charges are Rs 5,000 as admission fee and Rs 15,000 as a non-refundable security deposit and alumni fund, totalling Rs 20,000 for both Full-Time and Part-Time scholars.

• Semester fee - Rs 50,000 (Full-Time and Part-Time); USD 4,000 for NRI and Foreign National candidates
• Infrastructure maintenance fee (per annum) - Rs 28,000 for Full-Time; Rs 6,000 for Part-Time
• Examination fee (per semester) - Rs 6,000
• Academic facility fee for library, computer, internet and training (per annum) - Rs 18,000
• Hall of Residence, mess and related fees (per annum, if applicable) - Rs 87,000; rooms are on a sharing basis, subject to availability, and the facility is not provided during vacation
• Extra-curricular, adventure, sports, gymnasium, social, cultural and welfare fee (per annum) - Rs 3,000

The total works out to Rs 2,12,000 per annum for Full-Time scholars and Rs 94,000 per annum for Part-Time scholars. For foreign students the total is USD 4,000 plus Rs 1,62,000 (Full-Time) or USD 4,000 plus Rs 44,000 (Part-Time). A PhD thesis evaluation fee of Rs 40,000 is payable at the time of submitting the final thesis. All fees are subject to change as decided by the Finance Committee or Executive Council of the University.

Candidates apply directly by submitting the online admission form and paying the non-refundable application fee of Rs 4,000 through the separate Razorpay payment link. Both links are given in the Important Links section below.

Along with the form, applicants must upload scanned copies of all relevant qualifying degrees and mark sheets, and submit the research proposal of about 3,000 words. Part-Time applicants must attach the employer's No Objection Certificate. Foreign candidates applying for the PhD in Law must produce an Equivalency Certificate.

Submitted applications are screened and candidates found eligible are intimated for appearing in GPAT-2026. Candidates who qualify GPAT-2026, and NET or JRF qualified candidates, are then called for the research proposal presentation and interview. On declaration of the result, selected candidates may take admission and register for the programme on payment of the prescribed fee. Candidates should ensure they meet the eligibility conditions and comply fully with the admission notification before applying.

The last date for submitting the online application form is Saturday, 5 September 2026. GPAT-2026 will be held at GNLU Gandhinagar on Friday, 18 September 2026. The PhD research proposal presentation and interview are scheduled at GNLU Gandhinagar from 19 to 21 September 2026; the exact date and time will be communicated to shortlisted candidates and are subject to change.