Eligibility for Admission

Ph.D. PROGRAMMES:

National Law University Delhi offers the following Ph.D. Programmes:

  • Ph.D. Degree in Law
  • Ph.D. Degree in Social Sciences viz., Political Science, Sociology, Criminology, Economics, and English

Ph.D. Degree in Law : Eligibility for Admission for Ph.D. in Law for Indian Nationals

  1. A Master's degree in Law or a professional degree declared equivalent to the Master’s degree in Law by the corresponding statutory regulatory body, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade 'B' in the UGC 7-point scale (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed) or an equivalent degree 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 for the purpose of assessing, accrediting, or assuring quality and standards of educational institutions.
    2. Or
  2. Obtained a degree in law and Master’s Degree in social sciences or humanities from any recognised educational institution, Indian or a foreign educational institution accredited as per UGC Regulations, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade 'B' in the UGC 7-point scale (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed).
    Provided that candidates with qualifications in social sciences and humanities may be admitted to the programme if the research they wish to pursue interfaces with the discipline of law with a special focus on Public Policy or Law.
    For the above two categories, a relaxation of 5% of marks, from 55% to 50%, or an equivalent relaxation of grade, may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/ Differently-Abled/ Economically Weaker Section) candidates and other categories of candidates, as per the decisions of the UGC from time to time, or for those who had obtained their Master's degree prior to 19th September, 1991. The eligibility marks of 55% (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed) and the relaxation of 5% to the categories mentioned above are permissible based only on the qualifying marks without including the grace mark procedures.
    3. Or
  3. Degree in law and passed the Company Secretary examination conducted by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and awarded the Associate Membership of the Institute shall be eligible for admission to the programme, if the research they wish to pursue interfaces with the discipline of law.
    4. Or
  4. Degree in law and passed the final examination of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India shall be eligible for admission to the programme, if the research they wish to pursue interfaces with the discipline of law.
    5. Or
  5. Judge of any State High Court in India with three years’ experience or Judge of Supreme Court of India.

Ph.D. Degree in Social Sciences viz., Political Science, Sociology, Criminology, Economics, and English

  1. Obtained a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in relevant Social Sciences or humanities from any recognised educational institution, Indian or a foreign educational institution accredited as per UGC Regulations, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade 'B' in the UGC 7-point scale (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed).
    A relaxation of 5% of marks, from 55% to50%, or an equivalent relaxation of grade, may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/ Differently-Abled/Economically Weaker Section) candidates and other categories of candidates, as per the decisions of the UGC from time to time, or for those who had obtained their Master's degree prior to 19th September, 1991. The eligibility marks of 55% (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed) and the relaxation of 5% to the categories mentioned above are permissible based only on the qualifying marks without including the grace mark procedures.

    2. The Vice Chancellor may also permit a NLUD faculty member to enroll for the Ph.D. programme along with the teaching assignment of the concerned faculty member in the interest of faculty improvement on the condition that teaching and other responsibilities of the faculty member are not hampered in any way provided such candidates fulfill the conditions prescribed in the Ph.D. Regulations.

Eligiblity criteria for admission of Foreign Nationals

a) Admission through Open Advertisement
  • Admission through Study in India: A foreign national may apply for enrolment in Ph.D. programme through Study in India Programme of Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The candidates shall have sufficient proficiency in English language. Foreign nationals are exempted from the entrance examination conducted by NLUD for Ph.D. enrolment. All other requirements for admission which are applicable to Indian nationals shall be applicable to foreign nationals also. The number of seats available for foreign nationals will be decided by the university on year-to-year basis. In the event of non-availability of suitable candidates, NLUD reserves the right not to fill up the seats and if required, these seats shall be converted to any other categories of Ph.D. admission for foreign nationals. Candidate will be required to pay the fees applicable to foreign nationals under R. 4A.
  • Admission through ICCR: A foreign national may apply for enrolment in Ph.D. programme through ICCR Programme of Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The candidates shall have sufficient proficiency in English language. Foreign nationals are exempted from the entrance examination conducted by NLUD for Ph.D. enrolment. All other requirements for admission which are applicable to Indian nationals shall be applicable to foreign nationals also. The number of seats available for foreign nationals will be decided by the university on year-to-year basis and will be within the seats fixed by the university for ICCR. In the event of non-availability of suitable candidates, NLUD reserves the right not to fill up the seats and if required, these seats may be converted to any other categories of Ph.D. admission for foreign nationals. Fee applicable to candidates under this category will be at par with Indian Ph.D. scholars.
    For the purpose of this regulation, a foreign national shall mean a candidate who possesses citizenship of a country other than India and holds a valid passport.
  • For admissions under Study in India and ICCR category, the Vice- Chancellor reserves the right to provide extended time period for completing the admission procedure. Extension up to 2 years may be provided by the Vice- Chancellor on case-to-case basis.
b) Admission of candidates from foreign universities/ institutions having MoU with NLU Delhi
  • A foreign national, who is interested in enrolling for the Ph.D. programme at NLU Delhi, and is currently enrolled for Ph.D. programme at a foreign university/institution having MoU with NLU Delhi, may be allowed to be registered for Ph.D. programme at NLU Delhi subject to the condition that one supervisor will be from NLU Delhi and one from the parent foreign university/institution of the candidate. Such a candidate will be exempted from appearing in the entrance test, subject to the condition that the candidate fulfils the other minimum eligibility conditions.
  • The Vice-Chancellor will be the competent authority to allow registration of such candidates on case-to-case basis, on the recommendations of the Doctoral Committee.
  • The candidate will be required to visit NLU Delhi for Viva-Voce to defend the thesis as per NLU Delhi Ph.D. Regulations.
  • The fee for the programme shall be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the MoU between NLU Delhi and the concerned foreign university/ institute.
  • No separate Ph.D. degree of NLU Delhi will be awarded in such cases. A joint degree may be awarded, if required under the MOU.

For the purpose of this regulation, a foreign national shall mean a candidate who possess citizenship of a country other than India and holds a valid passport of Foreign Country.