About This Course

The Universities offers annual admission to MPhil and PhD programs in History, focusing on the development of advanced research skills. Scholars are trained to critically review professional literature, engage with diverse sources—including written, oral, visual, and material—and apply appropriate methodologies to conduct original research. Students are encouraged to participate actively in the intellectual life of the university through discussions and collaboration with faculty and peers.

For MPhil candidates, a thesis must be submitted within two years of enrollment. PhD candidates are expected to submit their theses within five years, with possible extensions under conditions specified in the university regulations.

Program Structure and Research Training

The PhD in History at Ashoka University is guided by UGC norms and emphasizes rigorous, source-based, and research-driven academic history-writing. Candidates are expected to commit full-time to their research.

The faculty has expertise in multiple areas:

Ancient and Early Medieval India: Archaeology, heritage, social and political history, religious texts and ideas.
Medieval and Early Modern History: States and empires, political culture, warfare, military history, and environmental studies.
Modern India and Indian Ocean Studies: Environmental, intellectual, urban, business, and spatial history; political violence, nationalism, science, medicine, and technology.
China and East Asia: Late-imperial and modern China, borderlands, statecraft, society, economy, and global/transregional Sinophone histories.
Contemporary and Global History: Modern South Asia, Tibet, China-India history, and international history.

Eligibility

Candidates interested in pursuing a PhD in History must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. Educational Qualifications

Master’s Degree: Candidates must have a master’s degree in any field of the social sciences or humanities from a recognized university with a minimum of 55% marks or an equivalent CGPA.
Relaxation: A 5% relaxation in marks or equivalent grade is allowed for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC or differently-abled categories (as per DOPT/UGC guidelines).
Foreign Degrees: Applicants with master’s degrees from foreign universities must provide a certificate of recognition/equivalency from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) to demonstrate equivalence with Indian degrees.
Awaiting Results: Candidates awaiting the final results of their master’s program may apply; however, admission will be provisional until the degree is officially awarded and eligibility criteria are met.

2. Eligibility Categories

Category I: Candidates with an M.A./M.Sc./M.Com./M.Phil./M.Tech./LL.M. degree with 55% or more in aggregate are eligible to apply for a PhD.
Category II: Candidates with a 4-year bachelor’s degree with 75% or more marks in aggregate are also eligible.

3. MPhil and Experience-Based Eligibility

Candidates with M.Phil: Must have a Master’s degree in History and an M.Phil in History. These students are usually exempted from the Part I examination, and the minimum duration for thesis submission is 2 years.
Candidates without M.Phil: Must have a Master’s degree in History with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks for direct admission. These students must complete the Part I examination, and the minimum duration for thesis submission is 3 years.
Professional Experience: Some colleges may consider candidates with 5 years of teaching, industry, administration, or professional experience at a senior level, along with a master’s degree in a relevant discipline.

4. College-Specific Criteria

While the above are general eligibility criteria, individual colleges or universities may have additional requirements. Prospective candidates should check the specific guidelines of the institution to which they are applying.

PhD in History - Admission Process

All applicants must submit their applications online via the official Ashoka University Applicant Portal.
A research proposal of 1,500–2,000 words (excluding bibliography) must be submitted. The proposal should include:

A clear discussion of the proposed research field and research questions.
A survey of existing historiography in the chosen field.
Potential primary sources to be analyzed.
A detailed bibliography of secondary literature.

A writing sample is required with no word limit. This can be an article, assignment, or chapter representing the applicant’s best academic work.
The application is complete only when:
All supporting documents are submitted via the portal.
Application fee is paid (if applicable).
References from referees are provided.

Note: Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply before the December funding deadline, even if not applying for funding, especially if they wish to work with a specific supervisor.

Selection Process

After submission, applications are sent to faculty supervisors with relevant expertise.
Each supervisor can accept only a limited number of students, so applications may be considered by multiple supervisors before a match is found.
Interviews (via telephone, video call, or in person) are required for all successful candidates before admission offers are made.

Admission Pathways

PhD History programs across India generally follow two main admission pathways:

Merit-Based Admission

Many private universities admit students based on master’s degree marks.
Some institutions may also conduct a personal interview or a written test to evaluate candidates further.

Entrance Exam-Based Admission

Top institutes like Banaras Hindu University, Jamia Millia Islamia, University of Madras, etc., require candidates to appear for an entrance examination.
Entrance exams typically include MCQs and subjective questions covering historical knowledge, ethics, and current affairs to select deserving candidates.

Popular PhD History Entrance Exams

CSIR-UGC NET for JRF – A national-level exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of CSIR to shortlist candidates for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or lectureship.
UGC NET Entrance Exam – Conducted for eligibility for JRF or Assistant Professor positions in Indian universities and colleges.
JMI Entrance Exam – Jamia Millia Islamia conducts entrance tests for M.Phil. and PhD programs. Applicants must have a Master’s degree and qualify in the entrance exam for admission.

Preparing for PhD History Entrance Exams

Syllabus: Varies by institute but generally focuses on historical knowledge, historiography, and research skills.
Exam Duration: Usually 2–3 hours with a total of 100 marks.
Question Pattern: Includes objective (MCQs) and subjective questions.
Preparation Tips:
Review previous years’ question papers to understand the pattern.
Use relevant study materials and practice tests for entrance exam preparation.

Future Scope

Be a part of a dynamic academic environment and embark on a journey to serve the higher education needs of India and the world. University provides a diverse and inclusive work environment with equal opportunities for professional development, academic freedom, competitive salaries, benefits, academic leaves, and a strong focus on work-life balance.

In India, a PhD in History is among the top career choices in the Arts for students interested in research and analyzing historical facts and data. Graduates with this degree have a wide range of opportunities both in India and abroad.

Career Paths for PhD History Graduates

Academia

Work as professors, lecturers, or research scholars at universities and colleges.
Conduct independent research and contribute to publications at national and international levels.

Museums and Heritage Management

Graduates with a PhD in History and additional training in Museum Studies can work as curators.
Museums and galleries often hire qualified individuals for research, curation, and educational roles.
Heritage sites managed by national departments also require staff for traditional agricultural and horticultural management of historic grounds.

Administrative and Research Roles

PhD History graduates can take up administrative positions in cultural institutions, research organizations, and government heritage departments.
Support roles in museums, galleries, and historical projects are available for those with teaching or practical experience.

A PhD in History opens doors to academic, cultural, research, and administrative careers, allowing graduates to make meaningful contributions to the preservation and understanding of historical knowledge.

PhD Degree in History - About Minimum Qualification, Universities, And Admission 2025-26