Bihar News: Ara VKS University Grants Partial Exemption To PhD Admissions, Allows PAT Exam For 50% Seats

Veer Kunwar Singh University (VKSU), Ara, Bihar has received 4,122 applications for its PhD entrance test (PAT) for 2023 and 2024. This influx of applications comes as the University Grants Commission (UGC) introduces new regulations for PhD admissions. 

The new policy mandates that the National Eligibility Test (NET) qualification is compulsory for all PhD admissions. However, state universities like VKSU have been granted a partial exemption. VKSU will fill half of its PhD seats through the PAT exam, while the remaining half will be reserved for students who have qualified for NET or the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). 

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This decision has been approved by the university's examination committee following directives from the Raj Bhavan. Previously, VKSU prepared a merit list based on a combination of postgraduate marks (70 per cent), pre-PhD test scores (5 per cent), JRF status (10 per cent), and interviews (20 per cent). This merit list was used to determine PhD admissions. 

Now, this merit-based selection will only apply to candidates who qualify through the PAT exam. Central universities require NET qualification for all PhD seats, but VKSU's partial exemption allows for a more diverse intake of students. The online application process for the PhD entrance exam at VKSU has been completed.