PU Ph.D. Entrance Test previous year question papers from 2019 to 2026 are free to download here, 34 faculty and subject papers in all, with Panjab University’s answer key for every year. The test has a 50-question objective Paper I and a descriptive Paper II for 100 marks in 3 hours with no negative marking, and the 2025 and 2026 papers reflect the current split, with Engineering on its own test.
PU Ph.D. Entrance Test Previous Year Question Papers
Pick a year, then open your faculty’s paper and the answer key; in 2023 to 2025 one combined PDF holds every subject.
10 papers
PU Ph.D. Entrance Test Question Papers by Year
| Year | Papers | Answer key | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2026 | 10 papers | Yes | View papers |
| PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2025 | 1 paper | Yes | View papers |
| PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2024 | 1 paper | Yes | View papers |
| PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2023 | 1 paper | Yes | View papers |
| PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2022 | 5 papers | Yes | View papers |
| PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2021 | 2 papers | Yes | View papers |
| PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2020 | 8 papers | Yes | View papers |
| PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2019 | 6 papers | Yes | View papers |
PU Ph.D. Entrance Test Paper at a Glance
| Paper I | 50 multiple-choice questions, 50 marks, 1 hour |
|---|---|
| Paper II | Answer 5 of 8 descriptive questions, 50 marks, 2 hours |
| Total | 100 marks in 3 hours, pen and paper |
| Negative marking | None |
| Faculties | Arts, Business Management and Commerce, Design and Fine Arts, Education, Languages, Laws, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Sciences; Engineering has its own test |
| Papers on this page | 34 papers from 2019 to 2026 and 11 answer keys (every year has a key) |
| Latest test | PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2026, held on 27 September 2026 in Chandigarh |
How the PU Ph.D. Entrance Test Changed (2019–2026)
- 2019 to 2021: the test was the combined PU M.Phil./Ph.D. Entrance Test, with faculty-wise papers (six in 2019, eight in 2020) and one key for all faculties.
- 2022 to 2024: it ran as the PU-Ph.D. Entrance Test alone. The 2024 test still covered nine faculties, Engineering included.
- 2025 and 2026: the Faculty of Engineering held a separate Ph.D. test with its own key. In 2026 it had Paper 1 (Research Methodology) and Paper 2 for all branches.
What a PU Ph.D. Entrance Test Paper Looks Like
The 2026 Faculty of Sciences PDF holds 19 subject booklets, from Anthropology and Biochemistry to Statistics, Stem Cell and Zoology. Each booklet has 50 four-option questions in English and mixes research methodology (statistics, research design, plagiarism) with subject questions. The PDF does not include the descriptive Paper II. The questions below are from the Anthropology booklet, checked against PU’s Set A key.
Q1. The term ‘thick description’ was coined by
- James Clifford
- Evans-Pritchard
- Marshall Sahlins
- Clifford Geertz
Answer: (4) Clifford Geertz
PU Ph.D. 2026 Anthropology (Faculty of Sciences), Q4 · Panjab University answer key, Set A
Q2. ‘Goodness of fit’ test is also known as:
- T-test
- ANOVA
- Chi-Square Test
- Regression
Answer: (3) Chi-Square Test
PU Ph.D. 2026 Anthropology (Faculty of Sciences), Q9 · Panjab University answer key, Set A
Q3. Genetic drift plays a significant role in evolution in
- A large isolated population
- A small isolated population
- A large homogenous population
- A small but heterogenous population
Answer: (2) A small isolated population
PU Ph.D. 2026 Anthropology (Faculty of Sciences), Q15 · Panjab University answer key, Set A
Q4. Which of the following is used for amplification of DNA in the process of DNA Fingerprinting?
- Southern blotting
- Northern blotting
- Polymerase chain reaction
- Western blotting
Answer: (3) Polymerase chain reaction
PU Ph.D. 2026 Anthropology (Faculty of Sciences), Q24 · Panjab University answer key, Set A
After objections in 2026, PU changed the answers to History Q14 (to D), Physics Q38 (to C) and Bio-Physics Q48 (to A), and withdrew Bio-Physics Q6. Mark those subjects against the response to objections.
How to Use PU Ph.D. Entrance Test Previous Year Papers?
- Give Paper I questions 72 seconds each. Paper I is 50 questions in 1 hour. Finish it on time so Paper II gets its full 2 hours.
- Answer every objective question. There is no negative marking, so a blank earns nothing and a guess can only help.
- Revise research methodology for any subject. Many 2026 booklets ask about Type I error, chi-square, correlation and plagiarism alongside subject questions.
- Solve your subject across several years. Start with the 2026 and 2025 papers, then go back to 2022 to 2024. Use the 2019 to 2021 M.Phil./Ph.D. papers for extra subject practice.
- Write timed Paper II answers. Paper II asks for 5 of 8 descriptive answers in 2 hours, about 24 minutes each. Practise long answers on your subject’s core topics.