The University of Burdwan (BU) in West Bengal, India, offers part-time Ph.D. programs across various disciplines. Below is an overview of the admission process, important topics, exam pattern, and merit-based selection criteria:
Eligibility Criteria:
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates).
Candidates with an M.Phil. degree or those who have cleared UGC-NET/JRF/SLET/GATE/teacher fellowship are often exempted from the entrance exam.
Application Process:
Applications are submitted online through the university’s official website.
Required documents include mark sheets, certificates, a research proposal, and proof of eligibility for exemptions (if applicable).
Entrance Exam:
Candidates not exempted from the entrance exam must appear for a written test conducted by the university.
The exam is typically divided into two parts: a research aptitude test and a subject-specific test.
Interview:
Shortlisted candidates (based on the entrance exam or exemption criteria) are called for an interview/viva voce.
The interview assesses the candidate’s research aptitude, subject knowledge, and proposed research area.
The syllabus for the entrance exam varies by discipline. However, some common areas include:
Research Methodology:
Research design, types of research, data collection methods, and data analysis.
Subject-Specific Topics:
Topics depend on the chosen field (e.g., Literature, Science, Social Sciences, Commerce, etc.).
Candidates should focus on advanced concepts from their Master’s syllabus and recent developments in the field.
General Aptitude:
Logical reasoning, analytical skills, and comprehension.
Mode: Offline (pen-and-paper-based).
Duration: 2 hours.
Sections:
Research Aptitude (50 marks):
Questions on research methodology, logical reasoning, and general awareness.
Subject-Specific Knowledge (50 marks):
Questions related to the candidate’s chosen discipline.
Type of Questions: Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and/or descriptive questions.
Entrance Exam Performance:
Candidates are ranked based on their scores in the written test.
Interview Performance:
The interview evaluates the candidate’s research proposal, subject knowledge, and communication skills.
Final Merit List:
The final selection is based on a combination of:
Entrance exam score (if applicable).
Interview performance.
Academic record (Master’s and M.Phil. marks).
Research proposal quality.
Reservation Policy:
The university follows government-mandated reservation policies for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD candidates.
Stay updated with the university’s official notifications for exact dates and requirements.
Prepare a strong research proposal aligned with your field of interest.
Focus on both research methodology and subject-specific topics for the entrance exam.