Ph.D.

PROGRAMMES AT LPU

1. INTRODUCTION
This file contains overview of important information points such as the eligibility criteria, Ph.D.
processes/stages, evaluations, and other facilitations available to the scholar in the form of grants,
contingency, scholarship etc.

2. ELIGIBILITY

2.1. Eligibility for Ph.D. Programmes except agriculture

2.1.1. Candidates with completed post-graduation:
A 1-year/2-semester master's degree programme after a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s
degree programme or a 2-year/4-semester master’s degree programme after a 3-year
bachelor’s degree programme or qualifications declared equivalent to the master’s
degree by the corresponding statutory regulatory body, with at least 55% marks in
aggregate or its equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed

or equivalent qualification from a foreign educational institution accredited by an

assessment and accreditation agency which is approved, recognized or authorized by an
authority, established or incorporated under a law in its home country or any other
statutory authority in that country to assess, accredit or assure quality and standards of
the educational institution.

A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade may be allowed for those belonging to
SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section
(EWS) and other categories of candidates as per the decision of the Commission from
time to time.

Candidates who have completed the M.Phil. programme with at least 55% marks in
aggregate or its equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed or
equivalent qualification from a foreign educational institution accredited by an
assessment and accreditation agency which is approved, recognized or authorized by an
authority, established or incorporated under a law in its home country or any other
statutory authority in that country to assess, accredit or assure quality and standards of
educational institutions, shall be eligible for admission to the Ph.D. programme. A
relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade may be allowed for those belonging to
SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section
(EWS).

2.1.2. Candidates seeking admission after graduation:

A candidate seeking admission in Ph.D. programme after a 4-year/8-semester
bachelor’s degree programme should have a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its
equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed. A relaxation
of 5% marks or its equivalent grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC
 (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS), AND
minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in teaching/research/industry.

2.2. Eligibility for Agriculture Programmes

Master’s degree with 65% marks in aggregate in a relevant discipline or equivalent, subject to
qualifying LPUNEST and Interview. For SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer) / differently-abled
candidate’s relaxation of 5% of marks from 65% to 60% will be applicable.

NOTE
1. Admission to the following PhD programmes is not allowed directly after 4-year UG
programme. (This is an indicative list please refer to the programme wise eligibility
criteria)

a. Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics
b. Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Analysis
c. Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry
d. Ph.D. in Pharmacognosy
e. Ph.D. in Pharmacology
f. Ph.D. in Pharmacy Practice
g. Ph.D. in Agronomy
h. Ph.D. in Fruit Science
i. Ph.D. in Vegetable Science
j. Ph.D. in Plant Pathology
k. Ph.D. in Entomology
l. Ph.D. in Genetics and Plant Breeding
m. Ph.D. in Soil Science
n. Ph.D. in Law

2. For disciplines wherever 4 years UG programmes are not offered (such as Arts, Education,
Law etc.), candidates from such disciplines will be not eligible to seek admission to the PhD
programme after the UG degree.

3. For further details over eligibilities, kindly refer to the “Eligibility file” which is available
programme-wise in counseling shared folder.

3. ADMISSION PROCESSES
3.1 Admission procedural steps:
Admission to the Ph.D. programme will be made through LPUNEST (Entrance Test) followed
by an interview. The Date for the entrance test will be announced on the university website.
Scholars qualifying in LPUNEST test will be called for an interview (A detailed schedule of an
interview after the result of the written test will be communicated).

3.2 LPUNEST exemptions:

Applicants who qualify for UGC (NET / JRF / SPM) / CSIR (NET / JRF / SPM) / valid GATE
or GPAT score card, Teacher Fellowship holder or passed M.Phil. Programme (in Regular mode
only) are exempted from the LPUNEST (Ph.D.) entrance test.
 Note: -
1) Exemption will be considered only if the result score is still valid. For example, a scholar
might have qualified for GATE but the validity of the score is till 2023. So, he can’t use
this GATE score for admission in the 2024 session.
2) For getting the LPUNEST scholarship it is mandatory to appear and score good marks in
the LPUNEST test.

3.3. LPUNEST exam pattern:

The written test will consist of two parts (Table 1). Both parts will be objective (MCQ based)
and will be based on the syllabus of UGC NET / CSIR / GATE / GPAT.

Paper I: This paper will consist of questions from the subject “research methodology”.
Note: Paper 1 of Agriculture disciplines will consist of questions from basic agriculture

Paper II: This paper will be based on the subject selected by the candidate.

Table1. Details of Entrance Test

Mode of test Online

Time Duration of Test 2:00 hours

No. of Questions Paper I 50 Objective Type

No. of Questions Paper II 50 Objective Type

3.4 Weightage of LPUNEST and Interview

Kindly refer to following table for the distribution of weightages

Weightages
Programme
LPUNEST Interview

For all Ph.D. programmes

70 30
except agriculture programmes

For Ph.D. in agriculture 80 20

For all Ph.D. programmes

In case scholar is eligible for LPUNEST exemption 0 100
(Refer clause 3.2)
 NOTE: A relaxation of 5% marks will be allowed in the LPUNEST examination for the
candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/differently-abled category, Economically Weaker Section
(EWS).

4. Ph.D. COURSEWORK

Coursework will be different for all programmes except agriculture programmes. Details are given
below:
4.1 Ph.D. COURSEWORK FOR ALL PhD PROGRAMMES EXCEPT AGRICULTURE
PROGRAMMES
Coursework is mandatory for the all the scholars, however candidates with M.Phil
Degree (regular mode) from a recognized UGC university with 55% marks or
equivalent grade are exempt from the coursework. The details of the coursework are as
follows:

a) Coursework options:
a. Option I: 15 Weeks on weekends basis from August - December 2024
b. Option II: 4 days* every month (August - December 2024) [ * Preferably every
third week (Thursday-Sunday) of every month]
c. Option III: 15 days continuous in the month of November/December 2024

b) Courses:
a. Course I: Research and Publication Ethics
b. Course II: Research Methodology
c. Course III: Academic Writing and Presentation Skills
d. Course IV: Research Seminar

c) Credits: The coursework will have 14 credits.

d) Attendance requirement: Min. 75% aggregate attendance is mandatory in the

coursework.

e) Passing Criteria: At least 55% marks in the individual courses with 40% marks in End
term Examination (wherever applicable)
4.2 COURSE WORK FOR SCHOLARS PURSUING PH.D. IMMEDIATELY AFTER 4
YEARS DEGREE
In synchronization with peer institutes/universities wherein an extended course work is required for
the Ph.D. scholars pursuing Ph.D. programme directly after 4 year/8 semester UG programme, the
following course work is being proposed.
Course
Course Name Credits LTP Remarks
Code
GEN 740 Research and Publication Ethics 3 300 Courses are being
GEN 741 Research Methodology 4 400 currently offered in
 GEN 745 Academic Writing and Presentation Skills 3 300
GEN 746 Research Seminar 4 000 Ph.D. course work
Proposed – Discipline
Discipline Specific Course (s) 4
specific course
Total Credits 18

A. An additional discipline specific course of credits 4 and above as identified by the concerned
school must be completed by the scholar.
B. As per the UGC guidelines 2022, UGC recognized additional courses may be allocated to
the Ph.D. scholar as part of mandatory course work.
C. In this regard, the schools may identify and recommend courses from reputed platforms such
as NPTEL/SWAYAM to their Ph.D. scholars. This list would be available to the scholars by
the concerned HOS’s through UMS as well as during the induction presentation.
D. On successful completion of the online course, the scholar would be required to submit the
“Score Card cum completion certificate” to upload on the UMS portal.
E. Only after the successful completion of above mentioned 5 courses, the course work of the
scholar shall be consider as “Complete”.
F. Attendance requirement: Min. 75% aggregate attendance is mandatory in the coursework.
G. Passing Criteria: At least 55% marks in the individual courses with 40% marks in End term
Examination (wherever applicable)

NOTE:
a) The contact hours in all options of coursework will remain the same. If the number of
scholars in any option is less than 10, then the option may not be offered.

b) All candidates admitted to the Ph.D. programmes will be required to complete the
coursework prescribed by the university within the first year of the Ph.D. programme
(preferably in first or second semesters only).
4.3 Ph.D. COURSEWORK FOR AGRICULTURE PROGRAMMES

a) Applicability:
i. Scholars who have completed their 3 year bachelor’s degree and 2 year master’s
degree may be required to complete additional remedial courses during their
coursework.
ii. All the scholars need to clear non-credited compulsory courses as prescribed by
ICAR norms in case they have not studied these courses in their bachelor’s and
master’s degree.

b) Coursework Duration: The course work will be of 3 semesters.

c) Coursework options: Classes will be held during weekdays as per time table.

d) Credits: The coursework will have total of 30 credits distributed among 3 terms.

e) Attendance requirement: Min. 75% aggregate attendance is mandatory in the

coursework.
 f) Passing Criteria: The minimum OGPA required in the coursework of Ph.D. programme
is 6.5 with a minimum grade of 6.0 in the individual courses.

5. Ph.D. Tenure:
5.1. Minimum Ph.D. duration:
The Ph.D. programme shall be for a minimum duration of three (3) years, including coursework.

5.2. Maximum Ph.D. duration:

The Ph.D. programme shall be for a maximum duration of six (6) years from the date of
admission to the Ph.D. programme.

A maximum of an additional two (2) years can be given through a process of re-registration as
per the Statute/Ordinance of the Higher Educational Institution concerned; provided, however,
that the total period for completion of a Ph.D. programme should not exceed eight (8) years
from the date of admission in the Ph.D. programme.

Provided further that, female Ph.D. scholars and Persons with Disabilities (having more than
40% disability) may be allowed an additional relaxation of two (2) years; however, the total
period for completion of a Ph.D. programme in such cases should not exceed ten (10) years
from the date of admission in the Ph.D. programme.

5.3. Extended Ph.D. duration (for women research scholars only):

The female Ph.D. Scholars may be provided Maternity Leave/Child Care Leave for up to 240
days in the entire duration of the Ph.D. programme.

6. ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT DURING THE PROGRAMME:

The following guidelines shall be applicable for Ph.D. scholars, which would supersede all the
previous attendance guidelines.

6.1. The Ph.D. scholars need to attend the mandatory course work at University campus.
6.2. Scholar will be required to maintain 75% attendance during the course work to be eligible to
attend end-term examination
6.3. After the successful completion of the course work, the scholars will be allocated with the
supervisor with whom the scholars would be required to attend the scheduled interaction slots.
6.4. The interaction with the supervisor can be held in offline mode, online mode through LPU My
Class platform or hybrid mode (online+ offline).
6.5. All Ph.D. research scholars need to maintain at least 75% attendance in interaction slots to be
eligible for End term presentation.
6.6. Apart from pre-scheduled interaction slots, additional interactions slots as scheduled by the
supervisor shall be mandatory for the scholar to attend.
6.7. Bonus attendance and duty leave criteria shall be as applicable as per University Policy.
6.8. In case of a particular tenure a Ph.D. scholar publishes a paper in the Scopus Indexed
Journal/Conference or have a granted Patent in his/her name or have a Funded Research Project
then the attendance criteria shall be waived off for the upcoming evaluation. However, the
benefit of a particular research achievement shall only be claimed once towards exemption from
attendance.
 Note: Ph.D. research scholars for whom the Pre-Submission evaluation is recommended, will
be exempt from the attendance requirements.

7. SCHOLARSHIPS / FELLOWSHIPS AVAILABLE IN Ph.D. PROGRAMMES (all

scholarships are applicable for a maximum tenure of 4 years/8 semesters):

Ph.D. Scholarship Categories August 2024

Continuation Continuation
50% 40% 30%
S.No Category Condition Condition
Scholarship Scholarship Scholarship
(Yes/No) (Rule)

As per As per
As Per LPUNEST
1 LPUNEST LPUNEST LPUNEST Cut- No NA
Cut-off III
Cut-off I off II

80% scholarship for JRF qualified with validity period

2 JRF No NA
as mentioned in the award letter

DST Inspire
Fellow NET (LS)/JRF
OR qualified
GATE
GATE OR
percentile
percentile GATE percentile
Competitive Exam equal to or
equal to or equal to or more
3 Qualified more than No NA
more than 85 than 80 but less
(NET/CSIR/GATE/GPAT) 90/ GPAT
but less than than 85
Rank 1 –
90/ OR
1000
OR GPAT Rank 2001 –
GPAT Rank 3000
1001 – 2000
Two Scopus
or Web of
One Scopus or
Science
Web of
Indexed
Science
Publications
Indexed
excluding
Publications
ESCI
excluding ESCI
4 Research Outcomes (Emerging NA No NA
(Emerging
Source
Source Citation
Citation
index)
index)
OR
OR
PG-Gold
Patents
Medallist
(Granted=
01)
Point1: Eligibility Criteria: a) Minimum
Either i) CSIR-UGC JRF/SPM/GATE (RANK in 1- research
1000)/GPAT ( RANK in 1-500) outcome: Each
OR ii) 2 Scopus indexed research / review papers year the research
LPU Research
5 (accepted/ published) with minimum impact factor Yes scholar under
Fellowship
of 1 each this fellowship
OR iii) 3 Patents filed/published out of which at least 1 shall be required
patent granted to publish at
least three
 Ph.D. Scholarship Categories August 2024

Continuation Continuation
50% 40% 30%
S.No Category Condition Condition
Scholarship Scholarship Scholarship
(Yes/No) (Rule)

Scopus indexed
research/ review
papers in Q1
journals with
minimum impact
factor of 2 each.

(b) The
fellowship is
applicable only
for the second
and third year
from the date of
admission.

c) Fellowship
discontinuation:
Non fulfilment of
Point2: Total Number of Fellowships are 22.
the minimum
research outcome
Point3: Fellowship amount:
may lead to
31,000/- per month up to maximum 2 years from
cancellation of this
the 2nd year onwards subject to fulfilment of all
fellowship.
conditions of LPU Research Fellowship.
If the scholars as
per eligibility
criteria-(a) are not
able to fulfil the
terms then it may
lead to
cancellation of this
Fellowship and
they will be
applicable for
normal JRF
Fellowship given
at the time of
admission for the
fixed time as per
the university
guidelines.

20% Scholarship for all female candidates

6 Female candidates No NA
(Only if not getting any scholarship)

20% Scholarship for any LPU Alumni (regular /

7 LPU Alumni distance / online) No NA
(Only if not getting any scholarship)

8 Disability As per existing policy of scholarship for PWD No NA

9 Defence As per existing policy of scholarship for Defence No NA
 Ph.D. Scholarship Categories August 2024

Continuation Continuation
50% 40% 30%
S.No Category Condition Condition
Scholarship Scholarship Scholarship
(Yes/No) (Rule)

Note:
1. If candidate qualifies JRF/NET/SPM/GATE/GPAT with-in 1.5 years of registration in the Ph.D. Programme then
he/she is eligible for scholarship on that basis from the immediate next term.
2. Scholarship including contingency for Ph.D. Programme is applicable maximum of upto 4 Years from the date of
admission.
3. In case of any confusion, decision of Head, Centre for Research Degree Programmes will be considered final.

7.1. Teaching Fellowship

The Ph.D. scholars may be given teaching assistance as and when there is a requirement subject
to meeting all the eligibility criteria as per university guidelines.

7.1.1. Teaching Fellowship Selection Process:

After completion of coursework, the scholar will submit an application in the prescribed
format to the Centre for Research Degree Programmes with a copy of his/her resume.
The list of candidates will be submitted to HR for further processing as per the
requirement.

7.1.2. Duration of Teaching Fellowship:

Up to 4 years (subject to successful completion of the yearly review process).

7.1.3. Details of Teaching Fellowship:

1. The teaching fellowship awardee will be paid an honorarium of Rs. 15,600/ per
month (Consolidated).
2. The scholar is required to take a teaching load of a minimum six credits with the
possibility of: 6 L or (3 L + 6 P) or (3 L + 6 T) or (6 P + 6 T) or (12P / 12 T)
subjected to maximum nine hours.

7.4.4 Research Targets during the tenure of fellowship:

1. The scholar is availing teaching fellowship will be required to complete his/her
Ph.D. coursework and must clear SOTA within the first year of fellowship.
2. In second year of fellowship, he/she has to publish minimum one paper in Scopus /
WoS indexed Journal or have to present at least one paper in conferences /seminar
(Scopus / WoS indexed).
 3. In the third year of the fellowship, Scholar has to publish another paper indexed in
Scopus / WoS Journals and have to present at least one paper in conference /
seminar (Scopus / WoS indexed).

7.5 LPU Research Fellowship

7.5.1 In order to facilitate and motivate the meritorious Ph.D. research scholars,
Lovely Professional University awards 22 Research Fellowships to selected
scholars under which the selected scholar is entitled to Rs 31,000/- per month
for tenure of two years, subject to fulfilment of necessary conditions. For
details, the counselors may refer to LPU Research Fellowship in the
counseling shared folder.

7.6 Travel Grant

7.6.1 Eligibility: All Ph.D. scholars of LPU can apply for travel grant under this policy
only for presenting research papers in Scopus/Web of Science (excluding ESCI)
indexed conferences (National / International) with in India or abroad. Scholar shall
be eligible to apply travel grant only after completion of SAS (State of the Art
Seminar) and before the pre-submission seminar activity.

The minimum eligibility conditions are given below:

Conference The Ph.D. scholar must

category

(a) have completed his/her coursework with CGPA ≥ 9

(b) have cleared SAS within the first year of Ph.D. duration.

(c) have 75% attendance (minimum) in an ongoing semester.

International (d) have already published at least one research paper and one
conferences review paper in unpaid journals only indexed by Scopus/Web
held abroad of Science (excluding ESCI) with Impact Factor (IF) >= 1 or
SJR >= 0.34

(e) have presented one paper in national/ international

conference (Scopus/Web of Science (excluding ESCI)) in India.

(a) have completed his/her coursework with CGPA ≥ 8

(b) have cleared SAS within the first year of Ph.D. duration.

International (c) have 75% attendance (minimum) in an ongoing semester.

or National
 conferences (d) have already published either one research paper or a
held in India review paper published in unpaid journals only indexed by
Scopus/Web of Science (excluding ESCI) Scopus with Impact
Factor (IF) > = 1 or SJR >= 0.34

7.6.2 Number of Travel Grants per year:

University will provide in total 20 National Travel Grants and 5 International Travel
Grants across all the schools of the University per year with a cap of maximum 5
National Travel Grants and maximum 2 International travel grants from the same
school in a year.

7.6.3 Travel Grant amount:

Category Travel Cover

grant

(a) Travelling allowance (air travel & local travel

International Upto
fare).
conferences INR
held abroad 35,000 (b) Lodging charges for conference days
max.
(c) Registration fee: Rs 15000/- (max.) or actual
whichever is less. The sum of (a) + (b) + (c) would
not exceed INR 35,000/- (max.)

(a) Travelling allowance for 2 AC rail/bus fare.

Internation Upto
al or INR (b) Lodging charges for conference days
National 15,000
(c) Registration fee: maximum amount of Rs. 8000/-
conference max.
for International conference or Rs. 6000/- for
s/s held in
National conference or actual whichever is less. The
India
sum of (a) + (b) + (c) would not exceed INR 15,000/-
(max.)

Note:
1. The cheapest airfare (economy class)/Train-fare (3AC) shall be
considered under this policy.
2. The boarding pass, air travel tickets and other receipts in support of T.A.
 (including local travel expenses), lodging charges and registration fee shall
be submitted for settlement of accounts within a period of 10 days from the
date of return.

7.6.4 Terms & Conditions for Travel Grant

A. The Ph.D. scholar shall be eligible to avail travel grant to present paper in
Scopus / web of science (excluding ESCI) indexed conferences:
a. One time only for conference being held within India and, one time only for
conference held at abroad.
b. The presented paper in either conference (held with in India or abroad) must
be indexed in Scopus / Web of Science (excluding ESCI) indexed
conferences proceedings.
c. All the expenses covered in point 7.6z.3 shall be reimbursed only after the
presented papers get indexed in Scopus/ Web of Science (excluding ESCI)
indexed conferences proceedings/ Journals and verified and recommended
by Research & Development Cell, LPU.
B. Not more than two research scholars shall be provided financial assistance to
attend a particular conference.
C. The scholar shall submit the prescribed application form duly signed by his/her
supervisor, invitation letter, letter of acceptance of research paper for
presentation at the conference and No Objection Certificate from co-author of
research paper to CRDP.
D. Recommendation of the person committee members (Head, CRDP and
Nominee, DRD shall be needed for considering the application for travel grant
to Ph.D. scholars.
E. Reimbursement Process:
a. The Ph.D. scholar will submit the details of expenses covered as per clause
7.5.4.3 with valid documentary proof along with copy of publish indexed
paper in Scopus/WOS (Excluding ESCI) indexed conference
proceedings/journals to the Centre for Research Degree Programmes
(CRDP) and recommendations from the screening committee.
b. After Verification, CRDP will forward the documents to Research &
Development Cell (DRD) for final reimbursement settlement as per the
university policy.

7.6. LPU Research Contingency Grant

University contingency of maximum Rs. 10,000/- per year for the duration of first 4
years may be given to the Ph.D. research scholars for the purchase of any required
material and for analysis purposes by taking into consideration the following points.
 7.6.1. Rs. 10,000/- contingency amount can be availed by the Ph.D. scholars per year during
the first 4 years of their Ph.D. programme

7.6.2. If the scholars have utilized less contingency or have not utilized the contingency at all
in a particular year, the amount for the year will lapse.

For example, if a scholar has utilized the contingency of Rs. 5,000/- in the first
year then he/ she is not eligible to avail remaining Rs. 5,000/- as a contingency
in the next year, this amount will lapse.

Note-
1. Scholars cannot utilize the contingency of the upcoming years in the current year.
Only the current year contingency can be taken forward to subsequent years up to 4
years.
2. In case there is an urgency of the chemicals, the same can be purchased by the Ph.D.
scholars through the respective Head of Labs (HOL) so that the scholar can avail the
maximum discount benefits from the supplier and the bills can be reimbursed
through HOL once the chemicals are received by respective HOL. Further, only
those bills are to be reimbursed which are made in favor of Lovely Professional
University.
3. The bills of only current financial years are to be processed for availing the
contingency amount applicable. Bills for the previous financial years shall not be
entertained for availing the contingency amount.

7.6.3. The contingency amount can be utilized either for purchase or analysis purposes as per
the following:

o Consumables: This will include chemicals, media, culture, microorganism

strains, or any such consumable items.

o Glassware: Glassware is specifically required to carry out the research work.

o Equipment: Minor equipment which is within the budget of the applicable

contingency.

o Analysis: This includes the analysis/testing of samples prepared during the

research work. This may include analysis like NMR, XRD, Material testing,
EDX, SEM, TEM, in vivo studies, etc.

If the scholars want to purchase anything additional which is not included in the
above-mentioned definitions, then they can submit their request for the same
through their supervisor to the Centre for Research Degree Programmes (CRDP)
with the recommendation from their respective Head of Schools (HOS).

7.7. Research Publication Incentives:

The University is committed to innovative research and encourages its research scholars to
target high impact journals by providing cash incentives to them for every publication/research
article/conference paper indexed in Scopus. A quick insight into research incentives distributed
over the last three academic years is mentioned here under:

Academic Session Faculty Incentive Scholar Incentive Total Incentive

Year 2020-21 ₹ 63,30,744 ₹ 15,84,631 ₹ 79,15,375

Year 2021-22 ₹ 72,27,938 ₹ 21,84,270 ₹ 94,12,208

Year 2022-23 ₹ 84,39,639 ₹ 27,15,364 ₹ 1,11,55,003