PhD Degree in English - About, Minimum Qualification, Universities, And Admission 2025-26
About This Course
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in English is a comprehensive and intellectually enriching program designed for scholars passionate about the study of language, literature, and culture. This advanced academic journey prepares graduates for impactful careers as professors, researchers, critics, and thought leaders in the fields of Arts, Humanities, Society, and Culture. The curriculum encourages deep engagement with literary traditions, cultural dynamics, and linguistic evolution—helping scholars analyze texts through historical, socio-political, and theoretical lenses.
A distinct feature of the program is its strong emphasis on specialization. Scholars may focus on diverse domains such as English Language Teaching and Linguistics, Diaspora and City Studies, Postcolonial Literature, Indian Studies, Gender and Cultural Studies, Identity and Marginalized Communities, Film Studies, Modernism, and Art and Aesthetics. These areas directly contribute to contemporary global concerns and align with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), reinforcing the program’s commitment to socially engaged research.
Graduates emerge as accomplished educators and innovative researchers equipped to shape academic discourse and inspire future generations. The program nurtures rigorous inquiry, originality of thought, and a lifelong commitment to scholarship, enabling students to contribute meaningfully to national and international academic communities.
Similar to top global Ph.D. frameworks, the structure combines coursework, teaching experience, field examinations, and dissertation research. Scholars receive extensive mentorship in research methodologies, pedagogic training, and academic writing. The faculty bring expertise across multiple specializations, including Translation Studies, Dalit and Sufi Literatures, Queer Theory, Digital Humanities, Early Modern Studies, Performance Studies, Ecocriticism, and Modernism.
Interdisciplinary exploration is strongly encouraged, allowing students to engage with areas such as media studies, journalism, cultural studies, and creative writing. Many institutions offering Ph.D. programs in English also provide full funding, research travel support, and resources for international conference participation, ensuring scholars have the tools and opportunities needed for impactful research.
Eligibility
University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of M.Phil./Ph.D. Degrees) Regulations, 2016, along with all subsequent amendments. Candidates applying for the doctoral programme must hold a postgraduate degree in the relevant discipline with a minimum of 55% marks. Those who have earned their postgraduate qualifications from international institutions must additionally provide an Equivalency Certificate issued by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
All applicants are required to appear for the Ph.D. Entrance Examination and Interview scheduled on December 13, 2025, or on any alternative date announced by the Office of Admissions. However, in accordance with UGC Regulations (2016, Clause 5.1), candidates who have qualified UGC-NET/JRF, UGC-CSIR NET/JRF, SLET, GATE, are teacher fellowship holders, or have completed an M.Phil. programme are exempted from the entrance test. These applicants must take a Research Skill Assessment Test followed by a Personal Interview.
Eligibility is extended to candidates holding a 2-year master’s degree with at least 55% marks or an equivalent ‘B’ grade on the UGC 10-point scale. Applicants with a 4-year research-oriented bachelor’s degree must have a minimum CGPA of 7.5/10 along with qualifications such as DBT-BET, ICMR-JRF, GATE, UGC-NET, CSIR-JRF, ARS-NET, or GPAT. As per NEP 2020, candidates who completed their master’s degrees under (10+2)+3+2, (10+2)+4+2, or (10+2)+4 patterns are eligible. A 1-year master’s degree following a 4-year undergraduate degree or a 5-year integrated master’s programme is also acceptable, provided the candidate has secured at least 55% marks or an equivalent grade from a recognized or accredited institution.
For Ph.D. in English admissions, candidates with a Master’s degree in English or a related field (minimum 55%) and a valid UGC-NET or GATE score may directly appear for an interview. Other applicants must take both the Entrance Test and Interview. Students from non-English backgrounds may also be considered if they demonstrate strong competence in English literature.
Applicants must submit an online application along with a 700-word Statement of Purpose, a 3500-word critical writing sample (an essay, published work, or thesis chapter), and two academic recommendations. Selection is based on an online examination followed by an interview with shortlisted candidates.
Ph.D. scholars in English complete up to 12 credits per semester by enrolling in three 4000-level English courses. Students may choose up to two Independent Study Modules (ISM) and take a maximum of three courses from other departments during the first two years.
Candidates with a 1-year or 2-year master’s degree (with at least 55% marks or 5.5 CGPA) or a 4-year bachelor’s degree with 75% marks or 7.5 CGPA must qualify the CU-Ph.D. Entrance Test and Interview. A 5% relaxation in marks is granted to candidates from SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer), PwD, and EWS categories. Applicants who have cleared UGC-NET/JRF, CSIR-NET/JRF, GATE, GPAT, or hold an M.Phil. (regular mode) are exempted from the CU-Ph.D. Entrance Test.
Applicants who have completed a two-year master’s degree must have secured a minimum of 55% aggregate marks or an equivalent grade ‘B’ on the UGC 10-point scale.
2. Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree in Research
Candidates applying after a four-year (eight-semester) bachelor's degree in research must hold a minimum CGPA of 7.5/10 and possess any of the following qualifying certifications:
DBT-BET, ICMR-JRF, GATE, UGC-NET, CSIR-JRF, ARS-NET, or GPAT.
3. Eligibility as per NEP 2020
Students who have obtained their master’s degree under the following patterns are eligible for Ph.D. admission.
4. One-Year Master’s Degree Option
Candidates may also apply with a 1-year (2-semester) master’s degree following:
a 4-year undergraduate degree, or
a 5-year integrated master’s programme
They must have at least 55% marks or an equivalent grade ‘B’ on the UGC 10-point scale.
Degrees from accredited international institutions must be recognized by the appropriate statutory authority in the respective country.
Guidelines for Entrance Tests
Same Date, Same Time:
If multiple applications have entrance tests scheduled on the same date and at the same time, you will take only one test, and the score will be shared across all relevant applications.
Same Date, Different Times / Different Dates:
If the tests are scheduled at different times or on different dates, you must appear for the test separately for each application.
Other Processes:
All remaining stages—SA (Skill Assessment), MP (Micro Presentation), and PI (Personal Interview)—must be completed individually for each application number.
Admit Card:
Admit Cards for each stage of the selection process will be made available 2–3 days prior to the scheduled date.
Future Scope
Faculty Positions: Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor
We invite dynamic and committed scholars to join our vibrant academic community across the following Schools and Disciplines:
School of Science & Technology
Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Life Sciences, Data Science, Forensic Science, Electronics and Communication, Electrical and Electronics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Information Technology.
School of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
English, Media Studies, Performing Arts, Theatre Studies and Music (Western), Economics, Psychology, International Studies, Political Science, History, Sociology, Social Work.
School of Business, Commerce & Law
Commerce, Management (Finance, HR, Marketing, Operations, Business Analytics, Data Science, Entrepreneurship, International Business), Professional Studies, Law.
Specialized Schools
Architecture, Education, Psychological Sciences.
Commitment to Research Excellence
Candidates with a strong research profile will be given preference. This includes:
A proven record of high-quality publications indexed in Scopus or Web of Science,
A competitive research score aligned with UGC criteria,
Relevant industry experience, which will be treated as an added advantage.
Minimum Qualifications & Experience
All appointments will follow the norms prescribed by UGC/AICTE/NCTE/CoA/Bar Council of India. Detailed eligibility criteria for Professor, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor positions can be found on our official portal.
Pay Scale: Basic pay as per UGC norms plus HRA applicable to Class A cities.
Work Environment: Professional workdays, leave policies, and vacation schedules in accordance with UGC regulations.
Non-Teaching Staff Positions
We are also looking for skilled professionals for key administrative and support roles.
Available Positions:
Managerial, Administrative, IT, Technical Support, and Secretarial roles.
Eligibility:
Undergraduate or postgraduate degree with a minimum of two years of relevant experience.
While we strengthen our students’ future through:
Industry placements
Higher studies support
Coaching for Government, Civil Services, and Banking sectors
We also invest in the advancement of our faculty and staff through:
Internal Job Postings (IJP)
International Faculty Exchange Programmes
Research and development opportunities
Continuous professional growth pathways
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