Part-Time PhD in Kerala Admission 2026 ✓

 

Are you a working professional or academician in Kerala looking to pursue a PhD without leaving your job? A part-time PhD offers the flexibility to balance research with professional commitments. Kerala, known for its high literacy rate and quality education, provides several reputable universities offering part-time doctoral programs. However, securing admission can be competitive due to limited seats and guide availability.

 

Part Time PhD in Kerala Universities: Highlights

Must be a teacher in affiliated colleges with 5+ years of experience.

UGC NET or university entrance test required.

Fees range from Rs. 15,000 to 30,000 per year.

 

Part- Time PhD Kerala Eligibility

To apply for a part-time PhD in Kerala, candidates must meet the following requirements:

1.Teaching Experience Requirement

• • Must be a full-time teacher in the university or its affiliated colleges.

• • Minimum 5 years of teaching experience (varies by university)

2. Educational Qualification

• • Master’s degree with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC candidates).

• • Some provide relaxation to M.Phil holders.

3. PhD Entrance Exam

• • UGC NET/JRF/SLET qualification exempts candidates from entrance tests.

• • Otherwise, must qualify for the university’s PhD entrance exam (e.g., CUSAT’s DAT, MGU’s written test)

4. No Objection Certificate (NOC)

• • Must submit an NOC from the employer confirming support for part-time research.

     

Why Choose a Part-Time PhD in Kerala?

A part-time PhD is ideal for:

• • Working professionals (teachers, researchers, corporate employees)

• • Those who cannot commit to full-time study

• • Candidates seeking to apply industry experience in research.

     

Kerala’s universities provide structured part-time PhD programs in disciplines like Management, Engineering, Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

 

List of Top Universities for Part-Time PhD in Kerala

Here are some of the best universities offering part-time PhD programs in Kerala, along with their fee structure and duration:

1. University of Kerala

• • Location: Thiruvananthapuram

• • Approx. Fee (per year): Rs. 19,000

• • Duration: 4–6 years

• • Key Disciplines: Arts, Sciences, Management

2. Cochin University of Science & Tech (CUSAT)

• • Location: Kochi

• • Approx. Fee (per year): Rs. 30,000

• • Duration: 4–6 years

• • Key Disciplines: Engineering, Environmental Studies

3. Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU)

• • Location: Kottayam

• • Approx. Fee (per year): Rs. 31,500

• • Duration: 4–6 years

• • Key Disciplines: Biotechnology, Computer Science, Management

4. Kannur University

• • Location: Kannur

• • Approx. Fee (per year): Rs. 25,000

• • Duration: 4–6 years

• • Key Disciplines: Agriculture, Education

5. Digital University Kerala

• • Location: Thiruvananthapuram

• • Approx. Fee (per year): Rs. 25,000–30,000

• • Duration: 4–6 years

• • Key Disciplines: AI, Data Science, Digital Humanities

6. Kerala Agricultural University

• • Location: Thrissur

• • Approx. Fee (per year): Rs. 42,000

• • Duration: 4–6 years

• • Key Disciplines: Agriculture, Horticulture

7. NIT Calicut

• • Location: Kozhikode

• • Approx. Fee (per year): Rs. 52,500

• • Duration: 4–6 years

• • Key Disciplines: Engineering, Management

8. Amrita University

• • Location: Kochi

• • Approx. Fee (per year): Rs. 73,500

• • Duration: 4–6 years

• • Key Disciplines: Engineering, Medicine

PhD Duration & Extension Policies

• • Minimum Duration: 4 years (including coursework).

• • Maximum Duration: 6–7 years (varies by university).

• • Extension: Some universities allow 2 additional years (total 8 years) for female scholars and differently-abled candidates

• • Some universities offer one year relaxation to Mphil holders.

     

PHD RESEARCH SUBJECTS & RESEARCH TOPICS

1. Computer Science & Technology

• • Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• • Machine Learning & Deep Learning

• • Federated Learning & Data Privacy

• • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition

• • Network & Systems Security

• • Medical Robotics & Imaging

• • Scientific Computing & Graph Neural Networks

• • Computational Neuroscience

• • Geospatial Analytics & Geo-AI Etc…

     

• • For Part Time PhD Admission Guidance & Research Support in Tamilnadu Universities, Please Contact Now.

2. Engineering & Automation

• • Ultrasonics & Biosensors

• • Biomedical Signal/Image Processing

• • Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Imaging

• • Computational Fluid Dynamics Etc…

3. Environmental & Agricultural Sciences

• • Sustainability Science & Nature-Based Solutions

• • Eco-physiology & Phenological Studies

• • Acoustic Ecology & Data Analytics

• • Agriculture & Horticulture Innovations

• • Fisheries & Forestry Management Etc…

4. Management & Commerce

• • Strategic Management

• • Organizational Behavior & HRM

• • Marketing & Consumer Behavior

• • Financial Management & FinTech

• • Entrepreneurship & Startups

• • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Etc…

5. Social Sciences & Humanities

• • Gulf Migration & Socio-Economic Impact

• • Gender Studies & Transgender Rights

• • Public Administration & Policy Studies

• • Linguistics & Comparative Literature

• • Historical & Archaeological Studies Etc…

6. Health & Life Sciences

• • Nursing

• • Psychology

• • Physiotherapy

• • Computational Bioorganic Chemistry

• • Public Health & Community Medicine

• • Yoga & Wellness Studies

• • Biotechnology & Genomic Science Etc…

7. Digital Humanities & Liberal Arts

• • Digital Transformation in Education

• • Cultural & Kerala Studies

• • International Relations & Politics Etc…

For more PHD subject details Please Contact Us Now

Challenges in Pursuing a Part-Time PhD in Kerala

1. 1. Limited Seats – Fewer vacancies

1. 1. Guide Availability – Shortage of research supervisors in some fields.

1. 1. Strict Eligibility – Preference given to university teachers over outside applicants.

1. 1. High Competition – Many applicants for limited seats

Frequently Asked Questions – Part-Time PhD in Kerala

1. Is UGC NET mandatory for PhD admission in Kerala?

No. As of October 2025, PhD applicants can seek admission without UGC NET/JRF, CSIR NET, or GATE by appearing for the university entrance test for PhD. However, UGC NET/GATE holders will be given preference over non-UGC NET applicants.

 

2. What is the duration of a part-time PhD in Kerala?
The minimum duration for a part-time PhD in Kerala is 4 years, while the maximum duration is 6-7 years, depending on the university’s regulations.

3. What are the other options for PhD scholars in Kerala?

Since PhD opportunities in Kerala are limited, candidates can try

• • Tamil Nadu Universities: Tamil Nadu has ten times more universities and PhD seats than Kerala, with many private and deemed universities offering part-time programs with relaxed eligibility criteria. Read: Part Time PhD in Chennai Colleges.

     

• • Private/Deemed Universities: Some private universities (e.g., SRM, Bharat University, and VIT) have relaxed norms for part-time PhDs.

     

• • Approved Universities: Most of the universities are NAAC-accredited and have all the necessary approvals from bodies like UGC, AICTE, PCI, and BCI etc.
    
    

     

4. Can Kerala PhD aspirants join part-time PhD programs in state universities in Tamil Nadu?

No. As of now, applicants for part-time PhD in Tamil Nadu must possess a Tamil Nadu Aadhaar card. Students from other states can apply for full-time PhD programs in Tamil Nadu but not part-time PhDs.

 

5. Are part-time PhD degrees from Kerala valid for governement jobs and promotions?

Yes. Part-time PhDs from UGC-recognized universities are valid for jobs, promotions, and academic positions, provided the university follows UGC guidelines. However, it is advisable to pursue a PhD from an NAAC-accredited university for wide acceptance.

 

6. Can I do a part-time PhD without leaving my job?
Yes. Part-time PhD programs are designed for working professionals. But candidates must attend occasional coursework, and meetings with their guide (RAC) while managing their job.

 

7. Which universities in Kerala offer part-time PhD programs?
Some prominent universities offering part-time PhDs in Kerala include:

• • University of Kerala

• • Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT)

• • Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kottayam

• • Calicut University

• • Kannur University

• • IIM Calicut etc

     

9. What is the admission process for a part-time PhD in Kerala?

The steps include:

1. 1. Qualify for UGC NET/JRF/CAT (or university-specific entrance test).

1. 1. Attend an interview.

1. 1. Find a research guide and obtain approval.

1. 1. Submit a research proposal.

1. 1. Complete coursework (if required).

1. 1. Proceed with thesis submission after approval.

Conclusion

A part-time PhD in Kerala is a great option for working professionals, especially teachers, who want to advance their academic credentials without leaving their jobs. While the process is competitive due to admission criteria, limited seats and guide availability, most of the PhD aspirants in Kerala choose Tamilnadu universities for part time PhD programs due to flexibility, availability of seats in all subjects, large number of universities etc.

For more information about Part time PhD in Tamilnadu and Admission Guidance, Contact Us Now.