Begin Your Doctoral Journey at Universal Ai University
VISION
Ph.D. program is a doctoral program offering studies in different fields of management and cross-functional areas. The program aims to train prospective scholars to become highly skilled and innovative researchers and teachers in various fields (aspects) of management and relevant areas. It primarily aims at preparing scholars for careers as faculty members at premier academic institutions and for position outside academics requiring advanced research and analytical capabilities.
Program Highlights
- PhD at India’s First AI University by using cutting-edge technology & expert faculty
- Advanced Knowledge and Expertise
- Doctoral candidates will work closely with faculty advisors and engage in independent research projects that contribute to the existing body of knowledge in their field.
- Professional Growth and Career Opportunities: The skills developed during the Ph.D., including research, problem-solving, and analytical thinking, are highly transferable and sought after in various professional fields.
- Collaboration and Networking with 200+ CEOs & CXO’s
Applicants are required to indicate their proposed area of research at the time of application. The doctoral program is presently offered in the following broad academic areas:
| School of AI and Future Technologies |
Computer Sciences Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning |
| School of Management |
Marketing OB & HR Business Analytics General Management |
| School of Liberal Arts, Behavioural and Social Sciences |
Economics Psychology |
Important Note:
The availability of seats in each School / specialization may differ from one admission cycle to another, based on academic and institutional considerations. Applicants are therefore advised to carefully refer to the official admission advertisement for the relevant intake before submitting their application.
A request for change in the approved area of research shall be subject to the prior approval of the doctoral program office. While considering such a request, the office may prescribe additional coursework in the proposed area of research, wherever necessary, to ensure academic preparedness and continuity.
Full-Time Doctoral Scholar (FT) A Full-Time doctoral scholar is a candidate enrolled in the doctoral programme on a full-time basis and is expected to devote their primary time and effort to academic and research activities at the University. Full-time scholars are ordinarily expected to be present in the University campus and participate in the academic life during regular working hours and may, where applicable, be assigned teaching or research support responsibilities. Subject to the University’s applicable policies and regulations, full-time scholars may be considered for institutional scholarships, fellowships, stipends, tuition support, or other research-related benefits.
Important Note: Full-time doctoral scholars are ordinarily not permitted to undertake external employment or professional engagements during the period of their doctoral study. This includes part-time, full-time, remote, freelance, or consultancy-based work, unless expressly approved by the University under exceptional circumstances. Any unapproved engagement may be treated as a violation of the conditions of enrolment and may invite appropriate disciplinary or administrative action, including withdrawal of admission and discontinuation of associated benefits.
Part-Time Doctoral Scholar (PT) A Part-Time doctoral scholar is a candidate who is in active employment at the time of admission and intends to pursue doctoral study alongside their professional responsibilities. The programme is intended for working professionals who are able to balance their academic commitments with their employment obligations. Part-time scholars are ordinarily not eligible for institutional financial support such as fellowships, scholarships, stipends, or campus accommodation, unless specifically provided for under the University’s applicable policies.
Mandatory Requirement: All Part-Time doctoral scholars are required to maintain a minimum on-campus residency of seven days in each semester. This requirement forms an integral part of the doctoral programme and is intended to support academic engagement, research review, and interaction with the University’s doctoral research processes. All part-time doctoral scholars are required to submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their current employer at the time of admission. The NOC must clearly confirm that the employer has no objection to the candidate pursuing doctoral studies at the University and that the candidate will be permitted to fulfil the academic requirements of the programme in accordance with the prescribed schedule.
The university welcomes applications from intellectually curious and research-driven individuals worldwide who meet the academic standards outlined below. Candidate must demonstrate a strong academic foundation along with a readiness to contribute meaningfully to the research community.
Candidates shall be considered eligible for admission to the doctoral study if they meet any one of the following academic pathways:
- Completion of a two-year Master’s degree program (after a three-year bachelor’s degree program), with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed;
- Completion of a one-year Master’s degree program (after a four-year bachelor’s degree program), with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed;
- Possession of a four-year Bachelor’s degree program (or equivalent) with a minimum of 75% marks or a comparable grade point average.
Note:
- Provisions for eligibility relaxations shall be applicable as outlined in the University’s Admissions Policy, in alignment with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Candidate who hold a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDM) or similar qualifications from institutions not recognized by the UGC as equivalent to a Master’s degree must obtain an equivalence certification. This certification should be issued by an assessment or accreditation agency that is authorized by a statutory body or established under law to evaluate and assure the quality and standards of higher education institutions and programs. For international candidates, they shall apply for equivalence certificate from UGC*.
All doctoral scholars are required to complete coursework before progressing to the Pre-Dissertation Defence.
| Category | Course Details | Total Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester | Course Type | Credits * | ||
| Candidates who have enrolled with Masters Degree | Sem 1 | Research Methodology | 3 | 22 |
| School Specific Course -1 | 3 | |||
| Ethics and Plagiarism | 2 | |||
| Research Seminar | 2 | |||
| Sem 2 | School Specific Course -2 | 3 | ||
| Research Specific Course | 3 | |||
| Sem 3 | School Specific Course | 3 | ||
| Research Specific Course | 3 | |||
| Candidates who have enrolled with 4 year UG Degree | Sem 1 | Research Methodology | 3 | 28 |
| School Specific Course -1 | 3 | |||
| Ethics and Plagiarism | 2 | |||
| Research Seminar | 2 | |||
| Sem 2 | School Specific Course -2 | 3 | ||
| Research Specific Course | 3 | |||
| Sem 3 | School Specific Course | 3 | ||
| Research Specific Course | 3 | |||
| Sem 4 | School Specific Course | 3 | ||
| Research Specific Course | 3 | |||
Admissions Process
Admission to the Doctoral Program at Universal Ai University follows a transparent, merit-based, and academically rigorous process designed to assess a candidate’s eligibility, research readiness, and alignment with the University’s areas of academic strength and supervisory expertise. Final admission is granted based on merit, research fit, availability of seats, and supervisory capacity.
How to Apply
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Candidates may apply if they satisfy any one of the prescribed academic pathways notified under eligibility tab/section. The University considers applications holistically, taking into account academic preparation, domain relevance, and potential for doctoral-level research.
Step 2: Prepare the Required Documents
Applicants are required to submit the prescribed academic, identity, and research-related documents through the University admissions portal. These include academic transcripts and certificates, identity proof, CV/resume, Statement of Purpose, and Research Statement. Original documents may be verified during the admission, interview, or onboarding stages, wherever required.
Step 3: Submit the Online Application
A complete application must be submitted through the University’s official admissions process within the notified admission cycle. Incomplete applications or missing documents may affect further consideration.
Step 4: Appear for the Admission Evaluation Process
The admission evaluation process comprises two stages:
- DET-UAi (Doctoral Eligibility Test) :
DET-UAi is the University’s doctoral entrance test and is intended to assess foundational research preparedness and subject-specific competence. The test consists of two components: Research Methodology (50Marks) and Subject-Specific Knowledge (50Marks), each carrying equal weightage. A minimum qualifying score of minimum 50 marks collectively (no negative marking) is required for progression to the interview stage.
Candidates who have qualified for recognised national-level fellowships or examinations such as UGC-NET JRF, CSIR, GATE, CEED, or equivalent qualifications under UGC norms may be exempted from DET-UAi and may proceed directly to the interview stage.
- Interview and Research Presentation
Shortlisted candidates are invited to present their research interest before the evaluation panel. The interaction is intended to assess clarity of research direction, awareness of literature and research gaps, methodological understanding, originality, academic curiosity, and overall readiness for doctoral study.
Final selection is based on combined performance in these two stages, with 70% weightage for DET-UAi and 30% weightage for the Interview and Research Presentation.
Step 6: Admission Offer, Fee Payment, and Onboarding
Selected candidates are required to complete the prescribed admission formalities, including payment of applicable fees within the notified timelines. Upon confirmation of admission and fee clearance, candidates will be formally onboarded through orientation, academic registration, and access to institutional systems and doctoral support processes.
| Nomenclature of Fees External | External (Self-Sponsored) | Internal (Inhouse Employees) | External (Industry Sponsored / Govt Sponsored) |
| Application Fee | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Admission Fee (Before admission) | 10,000 | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Security Deposit (Refundable, before coursework) | 25,000 | 25,000 | 25,000 |
| Annual Fee (Every year) Tuition Fee + Infrastructure fee (Lab, Library, Research Database) | (80,000 + 35,000) 1,15,000 | 75,000 | (1,00,000+ 50,000) 1,50,000 |
| Thesis Submission (Before final thesis submission) | 40,000 | 40,000 | 40,000 |
Note: All fees are non-refundable, except the Security Deposit, which may be refunded subject to the applicable University policy.
The doctoral programme has two admission intakes each academic year:
- January Intake
- July Intake
The availability of admissions in a given intake shall be subject to institutional requirements, approved seat availability, and School-wise research openings. Applicants are therefore advised to carefully refer to the official admission advertisement for the relevant intake for details relating to timelines, eligibility, seat availability, and other applicable requirements.
July 2026 Intake
| Full Time | Part Time | |
|---|---|---|
| No. of Scholars | 9 | 4 |
| School |
SOM: 4 SOAIFT: 2 SOLABS: 2 |
SOM: 2 SOAIFT: 2 |
| Specializations |
SOM: Marketing, HR, General Management, Business Analytics SOAIFT: Computer Science, AI/ML, AI in Sciences SOLABS: Economics, Psychology |
|
| Stipend |
Rs. 30,000/- until Research Proposal Acceptance Rs. 42,000 post Research Proposal Clearance Stipend Duration: 3.5 years (extendable to 6 months if deemed fit) |
NA |
| Application Fees |
Rs. 2000 (non refundable) |
|
| Tuition Fee | Fully Waived | Payable, as mentioned in brochure |
| Waiver |
Shared Student Housing on campus: 100% waived Dining Allowance: 100% waived Laundry Usage: As per Actual (no waiver) |
NA |
| Annual Research Support Grant | Applicable as per University Norms | NA |
Schedule of Ph.D. Admissions:
| Last Date of Receipt of Applications | June 10th 2026 |
| Date of the Entrance Test | June 20th 2026 |
| Date of Interview & Presentation | June 29th to Jul 3rd 2026 |
| Admission Notification | Jul 7th 2026 |
| Admission fee deadline | Jul 20th 2026 |
| Onboarding and Commencement of Program | Last Week of July |
Note: The final courses which will be delivered will be approved by the BoS.
