Bangalore University has made changes to its PhD admission process from the academic year 2025-26. For the first time, a viva exam has been introduced as part of the entrance test. The viva will carry 30% weightage in the overall selection process, while the marks from the entrance exam and postgraduate degree will make up the remaining 70%.
Earlier, the university followed a 50:50 ratio, where equal importance was given to the entrance test and postgraduate marks to prepare the merit list. With the new rules, the selection process will now place greater emphasis on research aptitude and proposal quality.
The change follows the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) issuance of new regulations in 2024, which made viva exams mandatory for PhD admissions. Bangalore University has become the first state university to adopt this rule.
To qualify, candidates must secure at least 50% marks in the entrance test. Students belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, the Other Backwards Classes, and the Persons with Disabilities will receive a 5% relaxation in qualifying marks.
The entrance test will consist of two parts: Research Methodology (50%) and Subject-specific Knowledge (50%). The marks from the postgraduate degree and entrance test will be combined and converted to a 70% average. The viva will carry the remaining 30% marks.
The viva will be conducted by the Research Advisory Committee, which will assess the candidate’s research aptitude, academic readiness, the quality of their research proposal, and their knowledge of the chosen subject. The final merit list will be prepared by adding up the total marks from all three components.
In the event that the external examiner is unable to attend in person, the viva may also be held online with prior permission. The process will be video recorded, and the recording will be submitted along with the official report to ensure transparency.
There have been some concerns about possible bias during the viva exam. To address this, the university has assured that strict guidelines will be followed to prevent any discrimination. Selection will not be based on caste, religion, gender, region, or appearance. Officials emphasized that the entire process will be conducted in a transparent and fair manner.
With this move, the university aims to strengthen its PhD admission system by focusing not only on academic scores but also on research potential.
For more detailed information, make sure to read all the instructions carefully from the Bangalore University official website: bangaloreuniversity.karnataka.gov.in
