Doctoral Programme

About the Programme

The Ph.D. programme at TSLAS is designed to align with the School's vision of offering students a transformative academic experience by providing a globally competitive learning and research environment. Throughout the Ph.D. programme, scholars dedicate their time in gaining expertise in their domain. While contributing to the body of knowledge, they make a lasting impact by addressing global problems and social issues.

Traditional Ph.D. programmes tend to work within their specific disciplines, sometimes limiting the possibility of innovative perspectives, while Ph.D. programme at TSLAS, inspired by the ethos of liberal arts, aim to nurture scholars to utilise their ultimate creative potential and equip them with skills of creative thinking. The programme helps them to move beyond the conventional boundaries and bring about cutting edge solutions to complex issues.

To achieve this objective, the TSLAS Ph.D. programme offers extensive and rigorous coursework with a transdisciplinary approach. The availability of experts from diverse fields like humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, management, and technology, and their collaboration in curriculum development, teaching, and research, renders a brilliant multidimensional environment. Moreover, access to resources like state-of-the-art infrastructure, research labs, and a world-class library provides an unmatched student experience. Also, TSLAS supports its Ph.D. scholars with a competitive stipend and funds for conference participation to reduce the financial constraints that may impede the scholar's creative inquiry.

By committing to fostering critical thinking, creative problem solving, and academic rigour, the Ph.D. programme at TSLAS is the perfect choice for scholars looking to make meaningful contributions to the body of knowledge as well as to society.

Programme Highlights

  • Interdisciplinary Research Environment

Encourages cross-disciplinary engagement across the humanities and social sciences, supported by thematic research clusters and collaborative projects.

  • Experienced Faculty Mentorship

Scholars work closely with highly qualified and research-active faculty with national and international exposure.

  • Rigorous Research Training

Rigorous training on research methodology, academic writing, and fieldwork equip scholars with essential skills.

  • Conference and Publication Support

Opportunities for national and international conference participation and assistance in publishing in quality peer-reviewed journals.

Areas of Research

We welcome applications from candidates interested in pursuing research in the following areas:

  • Business Management
  • Cognitive Science
  • Computer Science
  • Data Science and AI
  • Economics
  • Environment and Sustainability
  • History
  • Literary and Cultural Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Each Ph.D. scholar will be guided by faculty advisor(s) with relevant expertise.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet at least one of the following academic qualifications:

Postgraduate Degree (Master's): Minimum 60% marks or equivalent CGPA
Four-Year Undergraduate Degree (as per NEP): Minimum 75% marks or equivalent CGPA

Along with the academic qualification the candidate must pass either the Entrance Exam for Ph.D. conducted by TSLAS or must possess valid scores in NET/JRF/CUET(PG)/GATE/GMAT. Candidates with valid scores in NET/JRF/CUET(PG)/GATE/GMAT will be exempted from the TSLAS entrance examination and will be directly shortlisted for the interview process.

A brief outline of the Ph.D. Programme Structure

Components:

1 Coursework – Selected candidates must complete the course work: One year with Research specific mandatory courses such as Research Methodology, Academic Writing etc. In addition, the candidate is expected to complete discipline-Specific elective courses during the first three years of research.

3 Independent Research and Fieldwork: – A minimum duration of three years from the date of enrollment will be allotted to the candidate for the completion of the research work.

2 Research Proposal Development: – The candidate will be guided to prepare the research proposal at the end of the first year.

4 Progress Reviews: – The progress of the research will be reviewed in regular intervals.

5 Thesis Submission and Viva Voce

Application and Admission Timeline

For All Candidates:
Last Date to Apply: July 05, 2026

For Candidates with Valid NET/JRF/ICAR/GATE/CUET (PG)/GMAT Scores:

For Candidates Appearing for the TSLAS Entrance Exam:

Admit Card Release: July 17, 2026
Entrance Exam: July 23, 2026
Shortlisted Candidates Announcement: July 29, 2026
Online Interview Dates: August 4 – August 7, 2026
Final Result Declaration: August 12, 2026

Admit cards will be sent to the registered email address.
Please check your inbox (and spam/junk folders) regularly for updates.

Click here for the Entrance exam syllabus

Selection Process

Applicants will be evaluated based on:

  • Academic Records
  • Interview Performance
  • Statement of Purpose/Problem Statement
  • Entrance Test Score (if applicable)

Statement of Purpose (SOP)/Problem statement

All applicants must submit a Statement of Purpose/Problem statement (500–1000 words) outlining:

  • Intended research interests
  • Research gaps or specific issues, if any, that the candidate has already identified and intends to explore or address during the course of the research.
  • Motivation for pursuing a Ph.D.

Stipend Details

Category Monthly Stipend Duration
NET, GMAT, GATE, CUET (PG) Qualified ₹45,000/- 4 years
Qualified through TSLAS entrance exam ₹30,000/- 4 years

Stipends are subject to academic performance and institutional norms.

How to Apply

  • TSLAS has an online application process. Interested candidates can apply through the following link: https://apply-tslas.thapar.edu/phd-application-form
  • Please register on our application portal to create your user account
  • Fill in personal and academic details
  • Upload required documents, including your Statement of Purpose/Problem statement
  • Pay the application fee to complete the process

Incomplete applications or those missing the Statement of Purpose/Problem statement will not be considered.

Fees Structure

Application Fees: Rs. 1500
Fees per Semester for Ph.D. course: Rs. 9000

Contac Us

Ph.D. Admissions Office

Thapar School of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (TIET), Patiala – 147004

Email: tslas_admission@thapar.edu

ADMISSIONS   2026
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