DU PhD entrance test: 100 marks in 2 hours, 70% weightage to test, pattern out
By TUF News Desk · Published 19 October 2026 · 3 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
University of Delhi has spelt out how its direct PhD entrance test will work. The university released the test pattern and syllabus on October 14 for the 2026-27 session, aimed at students who finished a four-year undergraduate programme under the UGCF 2022 framework and did not clear a national-level exam.
The Economic Times had earlier reported that DU framed this direct route as a one-time measure for its first four-year UG batch. Either way, the October notification is what decides the rules now.
Who can take this test
Three conditions have to be met. You need at least 7.5 CGPA, with the floor at 7 for SC, ST and PwBD candidates. You need a completed dissertation, an academic project other than translation work, or entrepreneurship from the fourth year of the degree. And you must not have qualified UGC-CSIR NET, GATE, CEED or any similar national-level test. Candidates who hold those scores go through a separate application track on the same admission portal.
The 100-mark paper
The test runs two hours and carries 100 marks, split evenly between two sections. The Research Methodology section has multiple-choice questions worth 50 marks. The subject-specific section carries the other 50 and asks descriptive questions about your own fourth-year research or entrepreneurship work, the same material you will later submit before the interview.
There is negative marking in the MCQ section. Each wrong answer costs 25% of the marks allotted to that question, so a four-mark question would lose you one mark.
Syllabus differs by discipline
DU has put the Research Methodology syllabus on the official DU admission portal, divided into annexures by discipline. Commerce, Humanities, Social Sciences, Home Science, Psychology and Applied Psychology (except History, Philosophy, Music and Languages) fall under Annexure A. Physical, Natural and Applied Sciences, Electronics, IT and Mathematical Sciences, including Computer Science, come under Annexure B. For History, Philosophy, Music and Languages, the syllabus is the Research Methodology course taught in DU’s own four-year programmes.
70-30 and the interview
You need 50% in the test to reach the interview, with 45% for SC, ST and PwBD candidates. Before the interview, you submit the dissertation or project report that counted toward your fourth-year assessment, so keep it ready in digital form. The final merit gives 70% weightage to the test and 30% to the interview. The admission documents checklist covers the kind of paperwork and scans these processes usually ask for, so line up your certificates while you prepare.
Dates still to come
The notification carries no test dates. DU says the test details will be notified separately. The Indian Express reports that the university has also extended the PhD application deadline to October 20 for candidates applying through NET scores.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for the DU direct PhD entrance test?
Students who completed a four-year UG programme under UGCF 2022 with at least 7.5 CGPA (7 for SC, ST and PwBD candidates), a dissertation or academic project from the fourth year, and no UGC-CSIR NET, GATE, CEED or equivalent national-level qualification.
What is the DU PhD entrance test pattern?
A two-hour, 100-mark paper: a 50-mark MCQ section on Research Methodology and a 50-mark descriptive section on the candidate’s own fourth-year research or entrepreneurship. Each wrong MCQ answer costs 25% of the question’s marks.
How is the final DU PhD merit calculated?
70% weightage to the entrance test and 30% to the interview. Candidates need 50% in the test (45% for SC, ST and PwBD categories) to qualify for the interview.
When will the DU PhD entrance test be held?
The dates have not been announced yet. DU says the details will be notified separately, and the syllabus is already available on the official DU admission portal.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for the DU direct PhD entrance test?
Students who completed a four-year UG programme under UGCF 2022 with at least 7.5 CGPA (7 for SC, ST and PwBD candidates), a dissertation or project from the fourth year, and no UGC-CSIR NET, GATE, CEED or equivalent national-level qualification.
What is the DU PhD entrance test pattern?
A two-hour, 100-mark paper: a 50-mark MCQ section on Research Methodology and a 50-mark descriptive section on the candidate's fourth-year research. Each wrong MCQ answer costs 25% of the question's marks.
How is the final DU PhD merit calculated?
70% weightage to the entrance test and 30% to the interview. Candidates need 50% in the test (45% for SC, ST and PwBD) to reach the interview.
When will the DU PhD entrance test be held?
Dates have not been announced. DU says the test details will be notified separately, and the syllabus is available on the official DU admission portal.
Sources: The Indian Express, Careers360, DU Beat