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.
Those who have an MA/ M.Phil degree in Urdu with a minimum of 50% marks are eligible to apply for the course. 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.
PhD Urdu Highlights
Provided below are some of the basic course highlights for the Ph.D in Urdu Course:
Details | Particulars |
Course Name | Doctor of Philosophy in Urdu (Ph.D in 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 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 todeepen 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:
- A Master’s degree (MA) or M.Phil in Urdu or a closely related subject from a recognised university.
- A minimum 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:
Exam | Level | Registration Date | Exam Date | Application Fee |
UGC-NET 2025 | National | Mar-Apr 2025
(Tentative) | June 2025
(Tentative) | INR 1150 (Gen)
INR 600 (OBC/EWS)
INR 325 (SC/ST/PwD/TG) |
CUET-PG 2025 | National | 2 Jan- 8 Feb 2025 | 13 Mar-1 Apr 2025 | INR 1400 (Gen)
INR 1200 (OBC/EWS)
INR 1100 (SC/ST/TG/PwD) |
PhD Urdu Colleges in India
Here are some leading universities offering a Ph.D in Urdu, along with the course fees and admission process:
NIRF Ranking 2024 | University | Location | Annual Fees (Approx.) | Admission Process |
8 | Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) | Aligarh, UP | INR 15,000 – 20,000 | RET + Interview |
3 | Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) | New Delhi | 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.
- The candidates will have to visit the JMI’s official portal and apply for Ph.D. in Urdu admission.
- 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.
- They will have to submit a 1500-word research proposal, outlining their area of interest.
- 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.
- 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 | 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 |
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.
