Doctoral Program (PhD)


Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University (SOA), Bhubaneswar, since its inception in 2007 has been at the forefront of nourishing a learning ambience, encouraging academic research and innovations, and developing well qualified people in all domains. It has been accredited by NAAC (3rd Cycle) with ‘A++’ Grade and has been ranked as 14th best University in the country by NIRF India Rankings 2024. Besides, it has also been ranked 26th in Engineering, 21st in Medical Science, 09th in Dental Science and 09th in Law Categories by NIRF India Rankings 2024.

It has been ranked internationally in 801-1000 ranking bracket by THE World University Ranking-2024. Apart from this, it has also been ranked in the bracket of 401-500 in Engineering, 601- 800 in Computer Science and 801+ in Health Science by THE World University Ranking-2024.

It has been ranked internationally in the bracket of 1201-1400 by QS world university ranking of 2024, besides being ranked in 501-550 ranking bracket in QS Asia University Rankings 2024 and 143 by QS Southern Asia University ranking of 2024.

Engineering, Management, Pharmacy and Hotel Management Programs have been accredited by National Board of Accreditation (NBA), Govt. of India. The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and its undergraduate programme – B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture have been accredited by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The Faculty of Medical Science has been accredited by NABH and the laboratories by NABL.

SOA has been recognized as Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) by Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Govt. of India and has also received UGC Section 12(B) status. It has been awarded Dimond University Rating for outstanding performance by QS-I-GAUGE and is recognized as Institution of Happiness (IOH) in the University & College category by QS-I-GAUGE.


Admission to Doctoral Program


Admission to Ph.D. programme for July 2025 session is open to FULL TIME and PART TIME applicants in the Faculties of Engineering, Pharmaceutical Science, Medical Science, Dental Science, Nursing, Biotechnology, Industrial Biotechnology, Management, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Law and Agricultural Science. Besides, the Ph.D. program is also open to different Departments of Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences. Ph. D. students will also be admitted to different centers such as Center of Excellence in Theoretical and Mathematical Science, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Center for Biotechnology, Center for Industrial Biotechnology, Biofuels and Bioprocessing Research Centre, Centre for Environment and Climate, Centre for Climate Smart Agriculture and others. CETMS is primarily focusing on conducting advanced theoretical and experimental research.


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    1. Candidates should satisfy the eligibility criteria listed in Appendix-I in which core discipline and broad research areas are also listed.

    2. Candidates taken admission into full-time Ph.D. program shall not undertake any other assignment/
       employment or shall not pursue any other full-time program of study anywhere simultaneously.

    3. SOA reserves the right to admit or not to admit the candidates into any research program.

    4. The two-stage admission process involves Entrance Test (Online) and Personal Interview (Physical). Candidates who qualify in entrance test will be called for personal interview.

    5. Candidates who possess certificate/score card in UGC NET (JRF, Category 1), UGC NET (without JRF, Category 2), UGC NET (admission to Ph.D. only, Category 3), UGC NET (JRF), UGC-CSIR NET (JRF, Category 1), UGC-CSIR NET (without JRF, Category 2), UGC-CSIR NET (admission to Ph.D. only, Category 3), UGC-CSIR NET (JRF), GATE, GPAT or CEED national level test valid till December 2025  or the candidates who possess M.Phil. degree shall be exempted from entrance test. However, they have to appear in personal interview.

    6. UGC NET JRF/UGC-CSIR NET JRF (within validity period) candidates, after Ph.D. admission, shall have to avail JRF from appropriate funding agencies.

    7. Candidates who have qualified in the UGC NET/UGC-CSIR NET under category-1 and category-2 of UGC notification March 2024 shall not be considered for appointment as Assistant Professor. Their application shall be considered for admission to Ph.D only.

    8. Candidates selected and taken admission who have valid UGC NET with JRF or valid UGC-CSIR NET with JRF shall not be allowed to leave Ph.D. program before its completion. They shall not be allowed to join as Assistant Professor anywhere without the permission of this University and the appointing Organization.

    1. Candidates should apply online through SAAT Ph.D. For details and instructions, please visit SIKSHA ‘O’ ANUSANDHAN website: www.soa.ac.in.

    2. After the online application is submitted, a copy of it will be available in candidate’s mailbox. Candidate has to submit a print out of this form along with all supporting documents in a sealed envelope superscribing ‘Application for Ph.D., July 2025’ in the Office of Dean (Research & Development) by hand or by post on or before the stipulated date.

    3. Following certificates (photocopy) are to be submitted along with the print out of Online Application Form:

      1. Date Birth (SSC/ Matriculation or Equivalent certificate

      2. All certificates and mark sheets from 10th standard onwards.

      3. Valid scorecard of UGC NET/UGC-CSIR NET, if any. NET certificate with eligibility for Assistant Professor shall not be considered for Ph.D. Research.

      4. Valid GATE/ GPAT/CEED scorecard/ certificate, if any.

      5. M.Phil. degree certificate, if any.

    4. University will not take any responsibility for non-receipt of the application in time.

    1. Entrance Test will be conducted ONLINE and Personal Interview will be conducted in physical mode.

    2. After scrutiny, candidates found eligible for entrance test shall be intimated to appear Entrance Test.

    3. Candidates should secure at least 50% marks in the entrance test to be called for Personal Interview.

    4. Final selection will be based on total marks secured, calculated by taking sum of 70% weightage of Entrance Test mark and 30% weightage of mark secured in Personal Interview.

    5. Final selection of entrance test exempted candidates will be based on the marks secured in Personal Interview only.

    6. Information for Entrance Test and//or Personal Interview shall be intimated to candidates from the university mail ID phdregistration@soa.ac.in.

    7. Details of Entrance Test is as under.

      1. Duration of Test is two hours.

      2. All questions are multiple choice type.

      3. There will be 50 questions from Research Methodology and 50 questions from relevant branch.

    8. Details of Personal Interview is as under.

      1. Candidates are required to submit a research proposal write up in about 500 words on any topic of research. Research proposal need not be same as the candidate’s intended area of research. This proposal will be used for evaluation purpose only.

      2. Duration of Personal Interview is 20 to 25 minutes.

      3. It will have 40 marks for the interview, 20 marks for research publications, 20 marks for career and 20 marks for research proposal.

    9. Certificates in original to be produced for verification at Personal Interview are as under.

      1. Date Birth (SSC/ Matriculation or Equivalent certificate

      2. All certificates and mark sheets from 10th standard onwards.

      3. Valid scorecard of UGC NET/UGC-CSIR NET Exam, if any.

      4. Valid GATE/ GPAT/CEED scorecard/ certificate, if any.

      5. M.Phil. degree certificate, if any.

      6. No Objection Certificate, in original, from present employer for in-service candidates.

    1. After entrance test and personal interview, finally selected candidates will be informed to take admission.

    2. A set of xerox copies of documents to be submitted at the time of Admission are as under.  

      1. Date Birth (SSC/ Matriculation or Equivalent certificate

      2. All certificates and mark sheets from 10th standard onwards.

      3. Valid scorecard of UGC NET/UGC-CSIR NET Exam, if any.

      4. Valid GATE/ GPAT/CEED scorecard/ certificate, if any.

      5. M.Phil. degree certificate, if any.

      6. Original “No Objection Certificate” from present employer for in-service candidate.

      7. Caste certificate issued by competent authority in case of SC/ST/OBC candidate.

      8. Medical Certificate for differently abled candidates.

      9. Physical Fitness certificate.

  • University fellowship will be awarded to deserving fulltime scholars for a duration of three years. Performance will be reviewed annually for continuation of fellowship.

    • University fellowship awardee scholars will be required to execute a Non-Judicial Bond stating that he/she will be available in the working hours of the university till submission of Thesis, and that he/she will refund the awarded amount if he/she discontinues Ph.D. program. 

    • Last date of Online Application:  15th March 2025

    • Last date of submission of documents:  25th March 2025

    • Date of Online Entrance Test :  6th July 2025

    • Dates of Personal Interview : 18th, 19th and 20th July 2025

    • Date of Result Publication : 28th July 2025

    • Dates of Admission : 4th, 5th and 6th August 2025

    • Date of Commencement of Class : 8th August 2025

  • Full-Time Scholars (Rs. 75,000/- to be paid at the time of Admission)

    • Admission/Registration Fee: Rs. 40,000/‐          

    • Annual Tuition fee: Rs. 35,000/‐

    • Thesis Examination Fee: Rs. 20,000/- to be paid at the time of Thesis submission

     

    Part-Time Scholars (Rs. 95,000/- to be paid at the time of Admission)

    • Admission/Registration Fee: Rs. 40,000/‐

    • Annual Tuition fee: Rs. 55,000/‐

    • Thesis Examination Fee: Rs. 20,000/- to be paid at the time of Thesis submission

    • Dr. Pragyan Paramita Pattnaik

      • +91 82605 01319

    • Dr. Pragyan Senapati

      • +91 86580 88937

    Address

    Dean (Research and Development)
    SIKSHA ‘O’ ANUSANDHAN (Deemed to be University)
    ITER, Jagamohan Nagar
    PO- Khandagiri
    Bhubaneswar-751030
    Phone: 0674 - 2350181 Extn.- 2237

    Email: phdregistration@soa.ac.in