School of Research and Development
January 20, 2021 2026-10-14 13:04School of Research and Development
School of Research and Development
Overview
ALPINE SCHOOL OF RESEARCH
The Ph.D. Programme of Sikkim Alpine University is governed by the Sikkim Alpine University Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Ordinance, 2026, the University’s Ph.D. Regulations & Guidelines, and the applicable University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations, as amended from time to time. Admissions shall be conducted through an official notification and in accordance with the approved admission procedure, eligibility requirements, availability of eligible Research Supervisors, research infrastructure, and approval of the Research Degree Committee (RDC) and the competent authority.
The Programme may be offered in Full-Time and Part-Time modes, subject to the University’s approved discipline-wise intake and applicable regulations. The Ph.D. Programme shall not be offered through distance mode. Research scholars are required to complete the prescribed coursework and comply with the University’s requirements relating to research progress, academic activities, evaluation, research ethics, and other applicable procedures.
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Vision & Mission
Vision
To foster a vibrant research environment that advances knowledge, promotes innovation, encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, and contributes to the sustainable development of Sikkim, the nation, and the global community.
Mission
- To promote high-quality, ethical, innovative, and socially relevant research.
- To encourage critical thinking, originality, and interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary scholarship.
- To develop independent researchers, academic leaders, and responsible professionals.
- To facilitate collaboration and the exchange of knowledge among scholars, faculty members, and research institutions.
- To encourage research addressing regional, national, and global challenges, including the socio-cultural and ecological priorities of the Himalayan region.
Programme Duration
Minimum Duration
The Ph.D. Programme shall have a minimum duration of three (3) years, including coursework, from the date of admission/registration, in accordance with Section 7.1 of the Ph.D. Ordinance.
Maximum Duration
The maximum duration for completion of the Ph.D. Programme shall be six (6) years from the date of admission/registration, subject to the provisions governing extensions, relaxations, leave, and other special circumstances under Section 7 of the Ph.D. Ordinance, the Ph.D. Regulations & Guidelines, and applicable UGC regulations.
Eligibility Criteria for Ph.D Admissions
1. Minimum Educational Qualifications
Candidates must fulfil any one of the following eligibility requirements:
A. Master’s Degree: A Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognised Indian or foreign university/institution in the relevant or allied discipline, with a minimum of 55% marks or an equivalent grade/CGPA, subject to the Ph.D. Ordinance and applicable UGC regulations.
B. Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree: A four-year/eight-semester Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university/institution in the relevant or allied discipline, with the prescribed minimum marks or equivalent grade as specified in the Ph.D. Ordinance and applicable UGC regulations (currently stated in the website draft as 75%). Eligibility shall be verified against the approved statutory text before publication.
2. Relaxation in Minimum Marks
A relaxation of 5 percentage points in the minimum qualifying marks, or an equivalent relaxation in grade, may be granted to candidates belonging to the categories recognised under the applicable UGC regulations, including SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), Persons with Disabilities (PwD), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and other categories as notified by the UGC from time to time.
Candidates seeking relaxation must submit valid documentary evidence supporting their claim within the prescribed timeline. The documents may be submitted along with the application form or through the University’s designated submission channel, as applicable.
3. M.Phil. Degree or Equivalent Qualification
Candidates possessing an M.Phil. degree or an equivalent qualification recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) may be considered eligible where provided for under Section 5.1 of the Ph.D. Ordinance and subject to the applicable UGC regulations and verification of the qualification by the University.
5. Foreign Qualifications and International Applicants
- Candidates holding qualifications awarded by foreign universities or institutions, including eligible NRI and international applicants, must submit the requisite documents for verification of the equivalence and recognition of their qualifying degrees.
- Where applicable, an equivalence certificate issued by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) or other competent authority, as prescribed under the relevant regulations, must be submitted along with the application form or within the timeline specified by the University.
- Admission shall be subject to verification of the candidate’s academic credentials and fulfilment of all applicable regulatory requirements
Fee Structure for Ph.D Programms
Minimum Duration
The Prescribed Fees* for an Indian National Candidate is as under :
| S.N | Particulars | Amount (Full Time) | Amount (Part Time) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Registration Fee | Rs. 500/- | Rs. 500/- |
| 02 | Entrance Exam Fee | Rs. 3000/- | Rs. 3000/- |
| 03 | Registration Fee | Rs. 5000/- | Rs. 5000/- |
| 04 | Academic Fee | Rs. 70000/- (Per Year) | Rs. 75000/- (Per Year) |
| 05 | Coursework Fee | Rs. 15000/- | Rs. 20000/- |
| 06 | Pre-Synopsis Seminar | Rs. 10000/- | Rs. 10000/- |
| 07 | Viva-Voce Fee | Rs. 15000/- | Rs. 15000/- |
| 08 | Caution Money Deposit (Refundable) | Rs. 5000/- | Rs. 5000/- |
| 09 | Convocation Fee | As applicable | As applicable |
| 10 | Subject where lab work involved | Rs. 10000/- (Per Year) | Rs. 10000/- (Per Year) |
Fee for a Foreign National / NRI candidate is as under
| Particulars | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1. Registration Fee | Rs. 10,000/- |
| 2. Security Deposit | Rs. 10,000/- |
| 3. Academic Fee | Rs. 50,000/- per semester for full time Rs. 1,00,000/- per semester for part time |
Note :
Candidates qualifying under the applicable NET/JRF/SET or other recognised exemption provisions shall be exempted from the entrance examination fee, where such exemption is permissible under the applicable regulations and University admission policy. The application/registration fee shall remain payable unless otherwise provided by the University.
* Fee is subject to revision from time to time as decided by the University.
Ph.D. Entrance Examination
Applicants who fulfil the minimum eligibility criteria shall ordinarily be required to appear for the University Ph.D. Entrance Test, unless exempted under Section 2.9 of the Ph.D. Regulations and Guidelines. The test shall assess research aptitude, research methodology, analytical and critical thinking ability, subject-specific knowledge, and preparedness for doctoral research.
Examination Pattern
The examination mode, duration, question format, pattern, syllabus, and evaluation methodology shall be prescribed by the University and notified before the commencement of the admission process, in accordance with Section 2.6 of the Ph.D. Regulations and Guidelines.
| Written Test | Maximum Marks | Duration (hrs.) |
|---|---|---|
| PART-A Research Methodology (Common for all) | 50 | 2 Hours |
| PART-B (In Specialization) | 50 | 2 Hours |
| Total Marks | 100 |
Qualification Marks:
The minimum qualifying marks shall be those prescribed under the applicable UGC Regulations and University policy, including any applicable relaxation for eligible reserved categories. Only candidates meeting the prescribed qualifying criteria shall be eligible for the Interview/Research Proposal Presentation. The fixed 50% threshold should not be published unless confirmed by the approved admission policy.
Interview and Research Presentation
Candidates qualifying in the University Ph.D. Entrance Test and candidates exempted under Section 2.9 shall appear before the duly constituted Selection Committee for an Interview and/or Research Proposal Presentation.
The Selection Committee shall assess the candidate’s subject knowledge, research aptitude, originality and feasibility of the proposed research, research methodology and ethics, availability of suitable supervision, and alignment with departmental and University research priorities.
For candidates admitted through the University Entrance Test, the final merit shall be determined using the approved weightage of 70% for the Entrance Test and 30% for the Interview/Research Proposal Presentation, as specified in the applicable admission policy. For candidates exempted from the Entrance Test, merit shall be determined on the basis of the Interview/Research Proposal Presentation and other criteria prescribed by the University in accordance with the applicable regulations.
The Selection Committee’s recommendations shall be recorded and processed through the Departmental Research Committee (DRC) and Research Degree Committee (RDC), as applicable. Admission shall be confirmed only after approval by the competent authority and completion of the prescribed formalities.
- Research aptitude and subject knowledge
- Feasibility and originality of the proposed research topic
- Availability of research facilities and supervision at the University
- Potential contribution of the research to new knowledge
Exemption from SAU Ph.D. Entrance Test (SAU-PET)
Candidates who have qualified in a recognised national-level examination or fellowship relevant to their proposed field of research may be considered for exemption from the Sikkim Alpine University Ph.D. Entrance Test (SAU-PET), subject to the applicable UGC regulations, the validity of the qualifying result, and the University’s admission policy.
Eligible examinations may include, where applicable:
- UGC-NET or CSIR-UGC-NET, in the relevant category & subject;
- ICMR-JRF/SRF;
- ICAR-AICE-JRF/SRF (Ph.D.);
- Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE);
- Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT);
- DST-INSPIRE;
- DBT-JRF; and
- Other recognised national-level examinations or fellowships accepted under the applicable regulations.
Important Note: Exemption from the entrance test does not guarantee admission. All candidates, including those exempted from SAU-PET, must fulfil the prescribed eligibility requirements and complete the interview and other applicable stages of the Ph.D. admission process.
The University reserves the right to verify all submitted documents and determine eligibility in accordance with the applicable UGC regulations, statutory requirements, and University policies.
Procedure for Claiming Exemption
- Candidates seeking exemption must submit a scanned copy of their official qualifying certificate or scorecard along with the Ph.D. application form or through the designated University email address.
- The supporting documents must be submitted no later than two days before the scheduled SAU-PET date, unless a different deadline is notified by the University.
- The examination result or certificate must be valid for the purpose for which exemption is sought, and the qualification must be relevant to the proposed field of research.
- Exemption shall be granted only after verification of the submitted documents and confirmation of eligibility by the University.
- Candidates whose exemption has been approved will be notified accordingly, and the exemption status will be reflected on their admission-related communication or admit card, as applicable.
- Candidates who have not received official confirmation of exemption must appear for the SAU-PET as scheduled.
Apply Now
Offline Application
Admission Form
Download and fill this form to Apply for Ph.D. Admission.
Entrance Exam Form
Download and fill this form to participate in SAU Ph.D. Entrance Test.
Online Application
Registration form
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Apply for Entrance
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*Note: Online Admissions are not active, pls proceed with the offline admissions.
Regulations & Policies
Message from the Research Director
Research is the foundation of academic excellence, innovation, and societal progress. At Sikkim Alpine University, we are committed to fostering a vibrant research environment that encourages intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Our vision is to nurture a strong research culture that empowers scholars and faculty members to explore new ideas, address contemporary challenges, and contribute meaningfully to scientific advancement and societal development. We strive to promote quality research, ethical academic practices, innovation, and collaboration with national and international research institutions.
The University encourages its researchers and doctoral scholars to pursue original, impactful, and socially relevant research that aligns with emerging global priorities while addressing local and regional needs. Through academic mentorship, research-oriented initiatives, and collaborative engagement, we aim to create an environment where knowledge leads to meaningful change.
As Research Director, I invite aspiring researchers, scholars, and academic professionals to join us in advancing the frontiers of knowledge and building a future driven by discovery, creativity, and academic integrity.
Together, let us make research a catalyst for innovation, excellence, and sustainable development.
Dr. Aditya Moktan Tamang
In-charge, Research Director
