The National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW)

Ph.D Programme

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Admission for Ph. D Programme: The National Institute of Health and Family Welfare conducts the PhD programme (Public Health) in recognition with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi.  The University Grants Commission (UGC), vide its notification dated 27.03.2024 decided that from the Academic Session 2023-24, Score of UGC- NET Examination can be used for admission to Ph.D. programme in place of entrance tests conducted by the different Universities/HEIs.  Accordingly, in the academic session 2025-26, the NIHFW will use the Scores of UGC/CSIR National Eligibility Test (NET), June 2024 onwards for admission to Ph.D. Programme for academic session 2025-2026.

Guidelines for admissions to Ph.D. (Public Health) for academic session 2025-2026:

• Based on the scores obtained in NET, application for the PhD Programme will be invited from the eligible candidates under the following three categories:
• The marks obtained by the candidate in the NET Examination conducted by UGC/CSIR in Category 2 and 3 will be valid for admission to Ph.D. Programs as per the directions of UGC/JNU. The validity of JRF will be as mentioned in the JRF award letter.
• The admitted students for the PhD Programme will be enrolled with JNU and Degree will be jointly awarded by the JNU and NIHFW. The Course work and the research work would be conducted at the NIHFW.
• Admission under JRF Category-1 will be done as per existing norms where 100% weightage will be assigned to viva-voce. However, candidates with valid JRF will be also eligible to apply under NET Score categories.
• As per UGC Notification dated 27.03.2024, for students who qualify in Categories 2 and 3, 70% weightage will be given for test scores 30% weightage for the interview for admission to Ph.D. program. The Ph.D. admission will be based on the combined merit of NET marks and the marks obtained in the Interview.

EVALUATION OF THESIS

After completion of the Thesis, it will be evaluated by the examiners appointed by the JNU. The Thesis will be sent to panel of Examiners as per the JNU guidelines. Viva would be conducted by the JNU and PhD Degree will be awarded jointly by the Jawaharlal Nehru University and the NIHFW to those who successfully defend their PhD Viva.

TOTAL SEATS-The 65th Standing Finance Committee meeting held on 16 June 2022 approved 15 seats under the PhD Programme for the UGC -NET (category-1/ category-2/ category-3)/ CSIR-NET/ ICMR/AYUSH, DBT examinations. The reservation rules will follow as per the Government of India/UGC norms. The Institute may decide fill/not to fill all seats depending upon merit and availability of Supervisors. The decision of the Institute will be final.

ELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION TO PhD PROGRAMME

Minimum Academic Qualifications: Applicants with M.B.B.S./M.D./MDS/MSc (Nursing), M. Phil, M. Pharma., MPH, MBA, MA/MSc (Mathematics/Statistics /Operations-Research). Master Degree in Epidemiology, Population Studies, Demography, Economics/Health Economics, Communication/Journalism, Education, M.Sc. (Biochemistry, Bio-Technology etc.); M.A. (Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work) and allied subjects/fields. Master Degree in AYUSH Systems of Medicine will be considered eligible for the admission in the Ph.D. programme.

• At least 55% aggregate score or equivalent grade in Master’s degree are essential for the general category.
• A candidate seeking admission after a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s degree programme in Social Sciences, Humanities, Management, Sciences, Technology and allied subjects/fields should have a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed.
•  Relaxation to SC/ST/OBC (Non creamy layer)/PWD/EWS as per the UGC Regulations 2022.
• Rounding off of percentage score to the next integral value is not permitted.
• Candidates appearing for the final examination of the qualifying degree in the current academic year are eligible to apply; they will be admitted provisionally pending satisfactory fulfilment of the eligibility requirements at the time of joining.

In addition to the minimum educational qualification, the candidate must have qualified for UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) category-1/ category-2/ category-3 /CSIR-NET/ ICMR/AYUSH, DBT examinations or any equivalent Fellowship offered by the Union/State Governments.

• Span Period - Ph.D. programme shall be for a minimum duration of three years, including course work and a maximum of six years. Beyond permissible period, the JNU PhD guidelines will prevail.

MODE OF SELECTION/ SELECTION PROCEDURE

• In addition to the minimum essential educational qualification, the candidate must have qualified for UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) category-1/ category-2/ category-3 /CSIR-NET/ ICMR/AYUSH, DBT examinations or any equivalent Fellowship offered by the Union/State Governments.
• Candidates may make sure themselves that their JRF certificate must be valid at the time of physical verification of documents. Candidature will be rejected, if found, their JRF certificate not valid at the time of physical verification of the documents
• After screening of the applications, candidates will be invited to present research proposal of his choice and appear in the interview. Selection of candidates will depend on the score obtained in UGC -NET category-1/ category-2/ category-3/ CSIR-NET/ ICMR/AYUSH, DBT examinations along with the presentation of a research proposal/synopsis followed by interview/viva-voce as per the UGC guidelines at page 12. The unsatisfactory presentation of the research proposal may lead to rejection of candidate. The recommendation of the expert committee will be the final.
• Candidates selected will be enrolled for the joint Ph.D. programme by the Jawaharlal Lal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. The enrolment number will be issued by the JNU on submission of application form and payment of fee as per the JNU guidelines. The enrolment fee will be separate from the NIHFW annual fee.
• The research proposal may contain topic, background, review of literature, rationale/justification, objectives, research methodology, ethical considerations, plan of analysis, expected outcomes, references etc.
• The final merit list for the Ph.D. programmes under various categories of UGC NET will be as per details given on page 12. The decision of the Director, NIHFW will be final.
• Candidates selected are required to block their seats after payment of requisite fee and uploading of required documents by the given date. Subsequently, the seats left vacant will be offered to the candidates next in the merit list.
• Institute reserves the right to extend date of admission in view of the vacant seats after the deadline.
• The final selection will be done as per stipulated criteria for admission during physical verification of documents.
• The Institute shall have all right to cancel the admission of any candidate, if any discrepancy is found in the eligibility of the candidate. In case of any discrepancy, the Competent Authority will have rights to take the final decision.
• Admission will be provisional subject to successful completion of the two semester course work as per the JNU guidelines. There is no provision of supplementary semester examination in case student did not obtain required marks. The marks sheet of semester examination will be approved by the JNU.
• The admission may be cancelled if student is indulged in indiscipline and conduct in violation of government guidelines.
• Junior Research Fellowship to the awardees from CSIR JRF, UGC JRF, ICMR, DBT or and DST etc., may be availed as per rules of the respective funding agency. The NIHFW will not be responsible, in case the funding agency do not provide fellowship in the NIHFW.

DEGREE AWARDING AND REGISTERING BODY

The National Institute of Health and Family Welfare jointly with Jawaharlal Nehru University brings you this unique opportunity to further your career in the area of public health through the PhD programme. The degree will be awarded jointly by the NIHFW and JNU. For more information, visit https://www.nihfw.ac.in 

Note: In case of lack of clarity on any matter, guidelines of the Ph.D programme of JNU will be referred for decision. However, decision of the Director, NIHFW will be the final.

The faculty members of the Institute are recognised for guiding Ph.D. thesis by various universities in the country.

Click here to view - Ph.D Prospectus of Ph.D. Programme for the Academic Session 2025-26.

Click here to view - Ph.D Application Form for the Academic Session 2025-26.

Click here to view - Ph.D Course - Work Course code and coordinators for the Academic Session 2024-25.