CUSB PhD admission 2026-27: 295 seats open, applications close October 30

By TUF News Desk · Published 21 October 2026 · 3 min read

Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy

Research scholars looking for a PhD seat at a central university have a fresh option on the table. The Central University of South Bihar (CUSB) in Gaya has opened applications for its 2026-27 doctoral programmes, and 295 seats are up for grabs across 25 departments.

The catch is the deadline. Applications opened on October 17 and close on October 30, 2026, which leaves candidates less than two weeks to apply. Anyone planning to file should get their documents and fee payment sorted early in the window.

Where the 295 seats are

The university has published a department-wise break-up of the seats. Law and Governance leads with 24 seats, followed by Physics with 23 and Teacher Education with 21. Science departments account for a large share of the total: Chemistry has 19 seats, Biotechnology 18, Environmental Science 17, Mathematics 14 and Geology 13.

On the humanities and social sciences side, Historical Studies and Archaeology has 14 seats, Psychological Sciences 12, Commerce and Business Studies 9, and Sociological Studies and Social Work 8. The agriculture stream, which includes agronomy, horticulture and genetics and plant breeding, has 10 seats. Indian Languages has a single seat, the smallest allocation on the list.

Who can apply

Admission follows the UGC framework for PhD admissions announced in March 2024, which means it runs entirely on UGC-NET scores. Candidates fall into three categories:

• JRF qualifiers, who are eligible for the fellowship as well as assistant professor appointments
• Candidates qualified for assistant professor appointments, who can also seek PhD admission
• Candidates eligible for PhD admission only

There is no separate written entrance test. Shortlisting runs on NET scores, and departments handle their own interview rounds from there.

Fee and how to apply

The application fee is Rs. 800 for General and EWS candidates, and Rs. 500 for OBC, SC, ST and PwD candidates. Applications are being accepted through the university’s admission portal on Samarth, and the official CUSB website has the admission notification with department-wise details.

Candidates should check the eligibility criteria for their specific department before paying the fee, since requirements vary across programmes. A master’s degree in the relevant subject with at least 55% marks is the standard benchmark, with a 5% relaxation for reserved categories.

If you are applying to multiple universities this cycle, keep your documents organised in one place. The admission documents checklist lists the paperwork most Indian universities ask for at the application stage. And if funding is part of your decision, the guide to scholarships for Indian university students covers the major schemes available for research scholars.

Frequently asked questions

What is the last date to apply for CUSB PhD admission 2026-27?

October 30, 2026. Online applications opened on October 17, so the window is under two weeks. Candidates who miss the deadline will have to wait for the next admission cycle.

How many PhD seats are available at CUSB this year?

295 seats across 25 departments. Law and Governance has the most seats at 24, followed by Physics with 23 and Teacher Education with 21. Indian Languages has the fewest, with one seat.

How is PhD admission at CUSB decided?

Admission is based on UGC-NET scores in three categories: JRF and Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor plus PhD admission, and PhD admission only. There is no separate entrance test; departments shortlist candidates on their NET scores and conduct interviews.

What is the CUSB PhD application fee?

Rs. 800 for General and EWS candidates, and Rs. 500 for OBC, SC, ST and PwD candidates. Payment is made online during the application process on the university’s Samarth admission portal.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: SkillOutlook, CUSB Samarth admission portal