PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2026: Answer Key, Result Date

PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2026 is Panjab University’s test for admission to Ph.D. programmes in its departments, institutes, regional centres and colleges in Chandigarh. The test was held on 27 September 2026 in Chandigarh. The answer key came out on 29 September, and the result is tentatively due on 30 November 2026.

Latest (29 September 2026): Panjab University released the PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2026 answer key and question booklets on 29 September 2026. Objections closed on 1 October, and cross-objections run from 8 to 10 October 2026.

PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2026

Dates, application and fee, eligibility, exemptions, exam pattern and official notices for the 2026 PU Ph.D. Entrance Test, which replaced the old PU M.Phil./Ph.D. test.

PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2026 overview
Full name	PU Ph.D. Entrance Test (Panjab University Ph.D. Entrance Test)
Conducted by	Panjab University, Chandigarh (CET Cell, Controller of Examinations)
Courses / Purpose	Ph.D. admission in PU departments, institutes, regional centres and Chandigarh colleges (Engineering has its own test)
Exam date	27 September 2026 (held), Chandigarh only
Application	27 July to 21 September 2026 (closed), online only
Application fee	Rs 2,850 (General), Rs 1,425 (SC, ST, PwD)
Eligibility	Master's with 55% (5% relaxation for SC, ST, OBC-NCL, PwD, EWS), or a 4-year bachelor's with 75%
Mode	Offline, pen and paper (objective Paper I, descriptive Paper II)
Questions and marks	Paper I: 50 MCQs (50 marks); Paper II: 5 of 8 descriptive questions (50 marks); 100 marks in all
Duration	3 hours (Paper I 1 hour, Paper II 2 hours)
Negative marking	None
Official website	phdadmissions.puchd.ac.in

PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2026 Important Dates

Panjab University released the Ph.D. prospectus on 27 July 2026, moved the test from 13 September to 27 September 2026, and extended registration to 21 September 2026.

Event	Date
Notification	27 July 2026 Released
Online application	27 July to 21 September 2026 Closed
Admit card	22 September 2026 Released
Entrance test	27 September 2026
Answer key	29 September 2026 Released
Objections to answer key	29 September to 1 October 2026 Closed
Cross-objections	8 to 10 October 2026 Closed
Result	30 November 2026 Expected

How to Apply for PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2026

Registration for the PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2026 closed on 21 September 2026 at phdadmissions.puchd.ac.in, and late applications are not accepted. The next cycle is expected to open in July 2027, following the 2026 pattern. If you are exempt from the test, you do not apply on this portal and should contact your department instead.

Closed

Apply Online for PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2026

The PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2026 application window (27 July to 21 September 2026) has closed.

Application closedOfficial website

Register on phdadmissions.puchd.ac.in with your basic details.
Check your email for the login ID and password.
Log in and pay the test fee online.
Upload your scanned photograph and signature, fill in the rest of the form, then save and confirm it.
SC, ST, PwD candidates and PU Class B/C regular employees claiming a fee concession send a printout of the form with the certificate or proforma to the Assistant Registrar, CET Cell, Aruna Ranjit Chandra Hall, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160014.
Download your admit card (roll number slip) from your login before the test.

Category	Test fee (non-refundable)
General	Rs 2,850
SC / ST / PwD	Rs 1,425
Additional paper (if you apply for both UBS and UIAMS)	Rs 1,000
Late fee to complete a form after paying the fee (2026: by 24 September)	Rs 500

Creating a login or paying the fee alone does not complete your application. An incomplete form is cancelled, and you cannot change any detail, including category, after you submit it.

Who can apply for PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2026?

You can apply if you hold a master’s degree (or are in its final year) with at least 55% marks in aggregate, as set in the 2026 prospectus.

Master’s degree: a 1-year master’s after a 4-year bachelor’s, or a 2-year master’s after a 3-year bachelor’s, or an equivalent qualification, with at least 55% marks or an equivalent grade.
Relaxation: 5% for SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer), differently-abled and EWS candidates, as per UGC rules.
4-year bachelor’s degree: you can apply directly with at least 75% marks in aggregate (5% relaxation for the same categories).
M.Phil. holders: eligible with at least 55% marks in the M.Phil.
Business Management and Commerce: a master’s in Commerce or Management, or in a listed allied subject such as Economics, Statistics or Laws, with 55% (50% for SC/ST/BC/PwD). Some professional members (CA, CMA, CS) with 5 years’ experience are also eligible.
Pharmaceutical Sciences: a B.Pharm. plus a M.Pharm. (or a related master’s judged equivalent by UIPS) in the listed specialisations.

Who is exempt from the PU Ph.D. Entrance Test?

You do not need to take the test if you have already cleared a national test or fellowship listed in Panjab University’s Ph.D. guidelines; you apply to the department directly.

UGC or CSIR NET, including JRF
GATE, GPAT, CEED, ICMR or ICAR tests, or any other national-level scholarship or fellowship test run by the Government of India (GATE and GPAT count only while the scorecard is valid)
Direct awardees of a national or international Ph.D. fellowship
Working regular teachers of Panjab University

What is the PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2026 exam pattern?

The test has two papers in your subject, both written on the same day at Chandigarh: an objective Paper I and a descriptive Paper II. Half of each paper is research methodology and half is your subject at Panjab University master’s level.

Paper	Type	Questions	Marks	Time
Paper I	Objective (MCQ): Part A 25 Research Methodology, Part B 25 subject	50, all compulsory	50 (1 each, no negative marking)	1 hour
Paper II	Descriptive: 4 Research Methodology + 4 subject questions; attempt 5, at least 2 from each part	8, attempt 5	50 (10 each)	2 hours
Total	Both papers on the same day		100	3 hours

The medium is English, except in language tests. Public Administration, Sociology, Social Work, Police Administration and Music can be answered in English, Hindi or Punjabi. Practise with PU Ph.D. previous year question papers to see the question style.

Which subjects does PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2026 cover?

The 2026 test covers the Faculties of Arts, Science, Languages, Business Management and Commerce, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Education, Laws, and Design and Fine Arts. The prospectus lists department-wise Ph.D. slots, which are subject to change.

Ph.D. in the Faculty of Engineering has its own entrance test, with registration at phdengineering.puchd.ac.in. In 2026 it was held on the same day, and its result was declared on 6 October 2026.

PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2026 Official Notices and Downloads

PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2026 FAQs

Does Panjab University still hold an M.Phil. entrance test?

No. The old PU M.Phil./Ph.D. Entrance Test (last held in that form in 2021) is now the PU Ph.D. Entrance Test, for Ph.D. admission only. UGC discontinued the M.Phil. degree under its 2022 Ph.D. regulations.

Where is the PU Ph.D. Entrance Test held?

Only in Chandigarh. There are no other test cities.

How long is the PU Ph.D. Entrance Test score valid?

A pass in the PU Ph.D. Entrance Test is valid for 3 years for admission to Ph.D. at Panjab University.

Does qualifying the test guarantee a Ph.D. seat?

No. After the result you apply to the department, which holds a compulsory interview. Admission also depends on seats and a supervisor being available in your research area.

When will PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2027 be held?

Panjab University has not announced it. Based on 2026, the prospectus is expected in July 2027 and the test in September 2027.

PU Ph.D. Entrance Test 2026: Answer Key Out, Result Date, Pattern