PhD Urdu: Admission 2025, Syllabus, Eligibility, Colleges in India, Syllabus

• Updated on Aug 19, 2025, by Shivam Kumar

PhD Urdu is a 3- 4 year doctoral degree in the discipline of Urdu. It is a research-based program that focuses on the advanced study of the Urdu language, literature, criticism, linguistics, classical and modern poetry, prose, and cultural texts.

The eligibility criteria for the Ph D Urdu are that the candidate must have done a master’s in the relevant field with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized university. The admission to the Ph D in Urdu is based on the merit of the candidate. However, there are some universities that might offer admission based on the entrance exam scores, such as UGC NET/UGC CSIR NET, etc.

The fees for a PhD in Urdu vary depending on the institution and can range between INR 15,000 – 80,000 per year. Government institutes like Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia offer the course for around INR 15,000 – 25,000.

After completing a Doctor of Philosophy in Urdu, the graduates can work as Assistant Professor, Language Trainer, Translator, Editor, Researcher, Reporter, Content Writer, and Language Expert. The average salary they can earn after completing the PhD is between INR 3,00,000 – 7,00,000.

Table of Contents

PhD Urdu Highlights
Why Pursue PhD in Urdu?
PhD Urdu Eligibility Criteria
PhD Urdu Entrance Exams
PhD Urdu Colleges in India
PhD Urdu Admission Process 2025
PhD Urdu Syllabus
Ph D in Urdu Vs PhD in Hindi Vs PhD in English Course Comparison
PhD Urdu Job Opportunities in India
PhD Urdu Recommended Books
PhD Urdu FAQs

PhD Urdu Highlights

Provided below are some of the basic course highlights for the Ph.D in Urdu Course:

Details	Particulars
Course Name	Ph.D Urdu
Course Level	Doctorate
Duration	3 – 4 Years
Course Type	Full-Time / Part-Time
Eligibility Criteria	MA/M.Phil in Urdu with a minimum of 55% marks
Admission Process	Entrance Exam + Interview
Course Fees	INR 15,000 – 80,000 per year
Research Areas	Classical Poetry, Modern Urdu Fiction, Linguistics, Literary Criticism, Comparative Literature
Top Colleges	AMU, JMI, MANUU, Desh Bhagat University
Job Roles	Urdu Professor, Research Scholar, Translator, Author, Editor, Script Writer
Average Salary	INR 5,00,000 – 10,00,000 per annum

Why Pursue PhD in Urdu?

A Ph.D in Urdu is the highest qualification research degree there is in this discipline. Pursuing such a degree not only commands respect but also makes you versatile in Urdu. Listed below are some points on why the candidate should pursue PhD in Urdu:

The PhD holders will be able to deepen their knowledge of Urdu literature and contribute to original research in literary criticism, classical poetry, or modern fiction.

They can apply for academic positions like Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Research Fellow at reputable universities.

The PhD holders will be able to work in publishing houses, media channels, and translation agencies.

Urdu is one of India's richest literary languages, and having a PhD allows one to explore its sociopolitical, philosophical, and historical dimensions.

PhD Urdu Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for a Ph.D in Urdu are provided below:

Candidate must have a Master’s degree such as M.A in Urdu or M.Phil in Urdu or a closely related subject from a recognised university.

Candidates must have achieved an aggregate of of 55% aggregate marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates).

Candidates who have qualified for NET/JRF in Urdu may be exempt from entrance exams in some universities.

Some universities may require submission of a research proposal at the time of the interview.

PhD Urdu Entrance Exams

Most universities require candidates to appear for a written test followed by an interview. Some universities also accept UGC-NET/JRF in Urdu. Here is the list of exams that are considered:

Entrances	Application Date	Exam Date	Application Fees
UGC NET 2026	April - May 2026	June 2026	General: INR 1,150 OBC-NCL/EWS: INR 600 SC/ST/PWD: INR 325
GATE 2026	September 2025	February 2026	Female/SC/ST/PWD Candidates Registration Fee: INR 900 INR 1800 for all candidates, including foreign nationals Extended registration period with late fee (INR 1400, INR 2300)
CSIR NET 2026	June 2026	July 2026	General/EWS: INR 1150 OBC-NCL: INR 600 SC/ST/PWD: INR 325

PhD Urdu Colleges in India

Here are some leading universities offering a Ph.D in Urdu, along with the course fees and admission process:

University	Location	NIRF Ranking 2024	Annual Fees (Approx.)	Admission Process
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)	Aligarh, UP	8	INR 15,000 – 20,000	RET + Interview
Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI)	New Delhi	3	INR 20,000 – 25,000	JMI Ph.D. Entrance + Viva
Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU)	Hyderabad	-	INR 10,000 – 15,000	Entrance + Interview
Desh Bhagat University	Punjab	-	INR 80,000 – 90,000	Direct / Entrance + Interview

PhD Urdu Admission Process 2025

The admission to a Ph.D in Urdu can vary depending on the college or institution. To give the students a general idea about the admission process, we’ve listed the admission process for the Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) college.

Step 1: The candidates will have to visit the JMI’s official portal and apply for Ph.D in Urdu admission.

Step 2: The applicants will have to appear for the written test conducted by the institute. The candidates who have appeared for UGC-NET will be exempted from the entrance examination.

Step 3: They will have to submit a research proposal, outlining their area of interest.

Step 4: The candidates will be shortlisted based on their scores in the entrance exam and their research proposal. The shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview, where they will defend their research proposal.

Step 5: The final selection will be based on the candidate's performance in both the written test and interview. The confirmed candidate will start their PhD with a discussion with the counsellor.

PhD Urdu Syllabus

Provided below are some of the core subjects that the candidates would be doing during their Ph.D in Urdu.

Subjects
Research Methodology in Literature	Progressive Urdu Literature
Critical Approaches to Urdu Literature	Comparative Literature (Urdu–Persian / Urdu–Hindi)
Urdu Literary Historiography	Feminist Narratives in Urdu
Trends in Modern Urdu Poetry & Fiction	Sufi and Ghazal Poetry Analysis
Linguistics and Philology in Urdu	Synopsis Approval
Field Work / Literary Archival Research	Thesis Writing
Pre-Submission Seminar	Final Viva Voce

Ph D in Urdu Vs PhD in Hindi Vs PhD in English Course Comparison

Given below is the detailed course comparison for the PhD Urdu, PhD in Hindi and PhD in English for the students:

Aspect	PhD in Urdu	PhD in Hindi	PhD in English
Focus Area	Advanced research in Urdu literature, poetry, prose, linguistics, criticism, and cultural studies	In-depth study of Hindi literature, linguistics, medieval and modern texts, and literary criticism	Research on English literature, global literary theories, linguistics, and cultural studies
Eligibility	Master’s in Urdu or related discipline with minimum 55% marks (5% relaxation for reserved categories) + UGC-NET/JRF/University entrance test	Master’s in Hindi or related field with 55% marks + UGC-NET/JRF/University test	Master’s in English or related subject with 55% marks + UGC-NET/JRF/University test
Course Duration	3 – 5 years	3 – 5 years	3 – 5 years
Research Scope	Urdu poetry, ghazals, prose, translation studies, comparative literature, linguistic analysis	Hindi poetry, novels, drama, literary criticism, folklore, comparative studies	British, American, Indian, and Postcolonial literature, applied linguistics, cultural studies
Key Skills Developed	Literary analysis, translation, research writing, cultural preservation	Textual analysis, comparative literature, teaching, research skills	Critical analysis, academic writing, global literary perspectives
Average Course Fees	INR 30,000 – INR 1,00,000	INR 30,000 – INR 90,000	INR 40,000 – INR 1,20,000
Average Salary	INR 4 LPA – INR 7 LPA	INR 4 LPA – INR 7 LPA	INR 5 LPA – INR 8 LPA
Top Colleges	Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), University of Delhi	Banaras Hindu University (BHU), University of Delhi, JNU	JNU, University of Delhi, English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), Jadavpur University
Career Opportunities	Professor, translator, researcher, cultural consultant, publishing expert	Academic researcher, content writer, translator, publishing industry professional	Professor, editor, researcher, journalist, corporate communication specialist

PhD Urdu Job Opportunities in India

Here are some of the job roles along with their recruiters/ recruiting areas and salary for the candidates who have completed a PhD in Urdu:

Job Role	Recruiters / Institutions	Salary Range (INR)
Assistant Professor in Urdu	AMU, JMI, Delhi University, IGNOU	6,00,000 – 10,00,000
Researcher / Linguist	Sahitya Akademi, Urdu Academy, ICSSR	5,00,000 – 8,00,000
Author / Literary Critic	Urdu Publishing Houses, Magazines	Freelance / Royalties
Translator / Content Editor	News18 Urdu, Rekhta, Govt. Translation Bureaus	4,00,000 – 7,00,000
Scriptwriter / Subtitler	Bollywood, OTT Platforms, Media Houses	6,00,000 – 12,00,000
Cultural Officer / Archivist	Urdu Archives, Government Departments	5,50,000 – 9,00,000

PhD Urdu Recommended Books

Here are some of the recommended books for the candidate pursuing a PhD in Urdu:

Book Name	Author’s Name
Tareekh-e-Adab-e-Urdu	Jameel Jalibi
Sher-e-Shor-Angez	Shamsur Rahman Faruqi
Urdu Tanqeed Ki Tareekh	Wazir Agha
Urdu Fiction: Naye Tanazur Mein	Gopi Chand Narang
Lughat-ul-Quran	Abdul Mannar Omar

PhD Urdu FAQs

What is the duration of the PhD in Urdu program?

The PhD courses are usually for 3 years but its extended to 4-6 years depending on the research topics, mentor support and the progress of the students.

Who can do a PhD in Urdu?

The candidates who are interested in the language of Urdu and want to contribute to society through their research synopsis are always welcome to pursue a PhD course in Urdu.

What is the admission process for a Ph.D in Urdu?

The Ph.D in Urdu admission process generally includes an entrance exam, either UCG-NET or an institute-conducted exam, followed by an interview. Applicants will also have to present a research proposal during the interview, which outlines their area of study.

What career opportunities are available after completing a Ph.D in Urdu?

The Ph.D Urdu graduates can work in the field of research or academia. They can work as a Assistant Professor, Language Trainer, Researcher, Editor, or Translator in universities, colleges, media organizations, and cultural institutions.