The Department of International Relations has built a formidable reputation for research in the region, and the PhD programme has been an integral part of this journey. Students receive research training by undertaking, among others, compulsory courses in Advanced International Relations Theory and Advanced Research Methods. A wide range of optional courses are also offered to help students develop their areas of interest into original and feasible research projects. In addition to close supervision, doctoral research is regularly reviewed with the aim to provide additional support, if required, and to ensure that research integrity is maintained by all scholars.

Candidates must have completed a minimum of 17 years of formal education, i.e. 12 years of regular schooling followed by either a 3-year Bachelor’s degree and a 2-year Master’s degree, or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree and a 1-year Master’s degree. The Master’s degree must be in International Relations or related fields such as Political Science, Economics, Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, History, Philosophy, Geography, Law, Development Studies, Cultural Studies, Gender Studies, Post-Colonial Studies, Comparative Literature, or Comparative Religious Studies. The degree should be obtained from an institution recognized by the government of any SAARC country, with a minimum of 50% marks or an equivalent grade.

Candidates with 4-year Bachelor degree in the subject are also eligible for admission to PhD programme provided they have secured a minimum of 75% marks or equivalent grade.

The number of seats through the Entrance Test mode is 6, while the number of seats through the Direct mode shall be based on availability.

• The duration of the Entrance Test will be 2 hours.
• The question paper will consist of 70 multiple choice questions.
• There will be no negative marking.

Multiple-choice questions that will test the applicant’s subject knowledge and general knowledge pertaining to South Asia and the world.