The Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University (RGNAU) was established by an Act of Parliament called the “Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University (RGNAU) Act, 2013” (No.26 of 2013), having its headquarters at Fursatganj, District Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The University has been envisaged as the premier institution of higher learning within the aviation milieu, aimed at providing cutting edge and critical research to enhance the aviation industry in India. The Act of Parliament empowers the University to award Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate and PhD Degrees in the field of aviation and allied disciplines.
At the same time, collaborations and cooperation with the leading national and international universities/institutions in the aviation domain, are being forged towards offering global knowledge that is customized to local requirements. RGNAU is a student friendly campus to ensure that the students are provided with the best opportunities that are needed to create outstanding pool of human resources to meet the global challenges in all spheres. RGNAU invites application from eligible and willing candidates for admission to full-time and Part-time PhD programmes as per the following timeline:
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Opening of Online Application | April 28, 2026 |
| Closing of Online Application | May 31, 2026 |
| Publication of list of Shortlisted Candidates | June 05, 2026 |
| Written Test / Personal Interview | June 18-19, 2026 |
| Publication of list of Selected Candidates | June 25, 2026 |
| Deposition of Fee | July 10, 2026 |
Available Disciplines for Part-time & Full-time Ph.D programmes
- Aerospace Engineering & Aviation Sciences
- Electronics & Communication Engineering (Avionics)
- Management Studies & Aviation Management
Categories under which the candidates aspiring for full-time Ph.D. programmes may be admitted
- Regular Assistantship
- Individual Fellowship (CSIR/UGC/DBT/INSPIRE/ICMR, etc.)
- Sponsored
- Project
- University Employee
- Foreign National
Eligibility Criteria
| SN. | Disciplines | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aerospace Engineering & Aviation Sciences |
For Full-Time B.E./ B. Tech. degree in Aerospace/Aeronautical, Mechanical, or allied disciplines are eligible to apply with a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a 10-point scale grading system with a valid GATE Score/ NET(fellowship). For Part-Time (No assistantship admissible) Same educational eligibility of Bachelor’s level as defined for the full-time Ph.D. programme in the said discipline and at least five years of relevant work experience after the qualifying degree. Valid GATE score /NET(Fellowship) not required. Moreover, NOC from the parent organisation is must. |
| 2 | Electronics & Communication Engineering |
For Full-Time B. Tech / B.E. or equivalent degree in Electronics/ Electronics & Communication/Electronics & Tele-communication/ Electronics & Instrumentation/ Instrumentation/Instrumentation & Control/ Electronics & Electrical Engineering/ Computer Science Engineering/ Information Technology/ Mathematics and Computing/ Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning or allied areas with a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade on a 10-point scale with a valid GATE score/ NET(fellowship) OR For Part-Time (No assistantship admissible) Same educational eligibility of Bachelor’s level as defined for the full-time Ph.D. programme in the said discipline and at least five years of relevant work experience after the qualifying degree. Valid GATE score /NET(Fellowship) not required. Moreover, NOC from the parent organisation is must. |
| 3 | Management Studies & Aviation Management |
For Full-Time Bachelor’s degree in Engineering discipline or in allied discipline/area with a minimum of 75% marks or 7.5 CPI with a valid GATE score/ NET(Fellowship). For Part-Time (No assistantship admissible) Same educational eligibility of Bachelor’s level as defined for the full-time Ph.D. programme in the said discipline and at least five years of relevant work experience after the qualifying degree. Valid GATE score /NET(Fellowship) not required. Moreover, NOC from the parent organisation is must. |
Note:
- All the degrees should be recognized by the University Grants Commission/All India Council of Technical Education or any Institution of National Importance.
- A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade is allowed in the qualifying degree for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/ Differently Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and other categories as per the decision of the UGC from time to time.
- Preferable age for admission to Part-Time /Full-Time programmes is 45 years.
Sanctioned Seats for Full -Time Ph.D. Programmes
The sanctioned seats for Full-time Ph.D. Programmes at Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University (RGNAU) for the AY 2026-27 are as under:
| Department | Total | GEN | EWS | OBC (NCL) | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering & Aviation Sciences | 25 | 11 | 02 | 07 | 04 | 01 |
| Electronics & Communication Engineering – Avionics | ||||||
| Management Studies & Aviation Management including Aviation Finance |
**Regarding seat allocation and its further distribution among reserved caste categories, in respect of Part-time Ph.D. programme, the same shall be notified in due course of time.
Department-wise Research Areas for Ph.D. Programmes (both Full-time & Part-time)
Aerospace Engineering & Aviation Sciences
Structures & Materials (Aerospace Structures)
- Experimental Solid Mechanics, Fracture and Fatigue
- Structural Behaviour of Natural and Bio-inspired Composites
- Composite Materials and Smart Structures
- Material Characterization
- Finite Element Modelling of Stiffened Composite Structures
- Digital Image Correlation (DIC) integrated with Artificial Intelligence
- Uncertainty Quantification of Composite Structures
- Structural Dynamics
- Aeroelasticity
Aerodynamics
- Experimental Aerodynamics
- Microfluidics
- Multiphase Flows
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
- Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI)
Propulsion
- Electrohydrodynamic Thrusters
- Combustion
- Liquid Atomization and Spray Combustion
- Multiphase Flows
- Heat Transfer
Flight Mechanics and Control & Automation
Electronics & Communication Engineering - Avionics
- Reconfigurable Metamaterials/Meta surfaces for 6G and THz communication, Smart absorbers for secure IoT and wireless nodes, Stealth Technology in Aerospace, Electromagnetics, AI/ML-assisted electromagnetic device design, Frequency-selective surface, and Radar cross-section reduction.
- Signal Processing, Deep Learning and Machine Learning/AI, and Performance Analysis for Beyond 5G/6G, Wireless Communication: Massive MIMO, Cell-Free Massive MIMO, NOMA, Advanced Channel Modulation (MBM, QCM, OTFS, OTSM etc.), Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS/IRS) for 6G, Quantum Communications, Deep Unfolding, Hyper Parameter-Free and Nature-Inspired Learning for next generation wireless communication.
- Microelectronics/VLSI Engineering: Semiconductor device and Circuit Design modelling and simulation, compact model development for Process Design Kit (PDK) applications, and DC IV, RF, and noise characterization of on-wafer and packaged devices for advanced technologies development.
- Sensor Modelling, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems, Instrumentation Design, Artificial Neural Networks, Smart Sensing and Biomedical Instruments and its application in Aviation System.
- AI, Machine Learning, IoT and Signal Processing, Health Care Analytic, Design of systems with Application in Biomedical Engineering, Communication and Avionics.
- RF & Microwave Engineering: Tuneable and Reconfigurable Microstrip Designing, Radio Frequency Matching Network, Energy Harvesting, Reconfigurable Software Defined Radio (SDR), Intelligent Reconfigurable Radio Platforms for UAV and Emergency Communications.
Management Studies/ Aviation Management
- Operations and Decision Sciences
- Supply Chain Management
- Pricing and Strategic Negotiations
- Marketing Management
- Human Resource Management and Organizational Behavior
- Accounting and Finance
- Aviation Finance
- Sustainable Finance
- Other relevant topics related to Aviation Industry
Selection Criteria
- Admission to the Ph.D. Programs will be based on Personal Interview, Overall Academic Performance, and/or Written/Computer Test of shortlisted candidates.
- Candidates who have qualified JRF/NET/SLET will be exempted from the admission test as per RGNAU Ordinance 2020.
| SN. | Particulars | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Overall Academic Performance | 20% |
| 2. | Written/Computer Test | 50% |
| 3. | Personal Interview | 30% |
Reservation Policy
| SC | ST | OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | EWS | PwD (Horizontal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15% | 7.5% | 27% | 10% | 5% (min 40% disability) |
| Caste certificate must be produced at the time of written test/interview in the prescribed form. OBC-NCL and EWS certificates must be issued for the FY 2025-26 (after April 01, 2025). | ||||
Application Fee
SC/ST/PwD/Women: NIL
GEN/OBC/EWS: ₹500
Important Documents
Financial Assistance only for full-time Ph.D. programmes
Institute Assistantship is available to GATE or NET (Fellowship) qualified candidates as per DST norms:
- First 2 years: ₹37,000/month
- 3rd–5th year: ₹42,000/month
How to Apply
- Register with a valid email ID on the RGNAU admissions portal.
- Fill the online application form carefully and upload all required documents.
- Pay the application fee through the online gateway.
- Download and retain the confirmation copy for reference.
For any queries, you may write us on: academic@rgnau.ac.in
Important documents
- Regulations for the PhD Programme including Part-time guidelines
Documents to be Uploaded at the Time of Application Submission
- Class 10th Certificate (Proof of Date of Birth)
- Class 12th Mark sheet & Certificate
- Graduation Mark sheet and Certificate
- Post-Graduation Mark sheet and Certificate
- NET/GATE, etc Passing Certificate
- Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS), if applicable
- PwD Certificate (if applicable)
- Passport size photograph (recent)
- Signature (scanned)
- Photo ID proof (Aadhaar/Passport/Driving License)
- Migration Certificate (if applicable)
- Experience Certificate (for programmes requiring experience)
Medical Facilities at RGNAU
- On-campus Health Centre/First Aid Facility available
- Access to nearby hospitals/medical institutions
- Basic medical consultation and emergency support provided
- Students are advised to:Carry personal medications, Disclose existing medical conditions (if any)
- Health insurance (if applicable) shall be governed by University policy
Deposition of Fee
Selected candidates shall be required to deposit the fee online to RGNAU in the Bank Account given below, before reporting at the University for admission:
| 1 | Beneficiary Name | Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University |
| 2 | Bank Name | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| 3 | Branch | Fursatganj, Amethi, Uttar Pradesh |
| 4 | Account No | 38643109904 |
| 5 | IFSC Code | SBIN0011487 |
| 6 | Type of Account | Savings |
Fee Structure for Ph.D (Part-time and Full-time) Programme for AY 2026-27
| Sl. No. | Fee Sub-Heads | FEES (for all categories) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Enrolment/Admission Fee (One Time) | 1,000 |
| 2 | Tuition Fee (Per Semester) | 5,000 |
| 3 | Other Academic Fee (Per Semester) | 12,500 |
| 4 | Alumni Subscription (One Time) | 1,000 |
| 5 | Convocation/Degree Fee (One Time) | 1,000 |
| 6 | Library Fee (Per Semester) | 1,000 |
| 7 | Library Caution Money (Refundable) | 5,000 |
| 8 | Laboratory Fee (Per Semester) | 1,000 |
| 9 | Laboratory Caution Money (Refundable) | 5,000 |
| 10 | Examination Fee (Per Semester) | 2,500 |
| 11 | Thesis Evaluation Fee (One Time) | 5,000 |
| 12 | University Caution Money (Refundable) | 2,000 |
| 13 | Medical Insurance (Annual) | 2,500 |
| Total Academic Fee | 44,500 | |
| Hostel and Mess Fees | ||
| 1 | Hostel Admission Fee (One Time) | 1,000 |
| 2 | Hostel Caution Money (Refundable) | 5,000 |
| 3 | Hostel Seat Fees (Per Semester) | 26,000 |
| 4 | Mess Charges (Per Semester) | 36,000 |
| 5 | Transport Charges (Per Semester) | 10,000 |
| Total Hostel Fee | 78,000 | |
| NOTE: Waiver of 10% Tuition Fee to Female Students and RGNAU reserves the right to revise the fee upwardly with the approval of the Academic and Executive Council. | ||
Counselling Services at RGNAU
The University has engaged a qualified Counsellor (including dedicated support for female students) to provide counselling services aimed at supporting students’ mental well-being, emotional resilience, stress management, and personal development. Students may seek guidance on academic stress, adjustment concerns, interpersonal issues, and other personal challenges in a confidential and supportive environment.
Counselling support is also available to assist students in settling into a new academic and social environment, particularly during the transition to university life. This includes support for adaptation to campus life, hostel adjustment, peer interaction, time management, and coping with the demands of a new learning environment.
The University facilitates psychological and aptitude mapping, where appropriate, to help students better understand their strengths, interests, and potential, and to provide informed guidance for career planning, academic progression, and personal growth. Such support is intended to help students make well-informed choices aligned with their capabilities and aspirations.
Through its counselling services, the University seeks to promote a supportive, inclusive, and student-centric environment that contributes to students’ overall well-being, academic success, and holistic development
Student Admission & Reporting Guidelines
1. Fee Refund Policy
Withdrawal requests must be submitted through the prescribed online/offline mode.
Full refund (100%) of fees shall be made if withdrawal is requested within the stipulated period before commencement of classes, after deduction of processing charges (as per UGC guidelines).
If withdrawal is made after commencement of classes, refund shall be made on a pro-rata basis, depending on:
- Number of days attended
- Academic calendar schedule
No refund shall be admissible after a specified cut-off date notified by the University.
Caution Money/Security Deposit shall be refunded after adjustment of dues.
Refunds shall be processed only through bank transfer within the prescribed timeline.
The University reserves the right to revise refund rules in accordance with UGC/AICTE notifications issued from time to time.
Refund after Cut-off Date
| Timeline of Withdrawal | Refund Amount |
|---|---|
| ≥ 15 days before last date of admission | 100% refund (Only a deduction of Rs. 1000.00 as Processing Fee) |
| < 15 days before last date | 90% refund |
| ≤ 15 days after last date | 80% refund |
| 15–30 days after last date | 50% refund |
| > 30 days after last date | No refund |
2. Withdrawal of Admission
A student may withdraw admission by submitting a formal application to the Admission Cell duly forwarded by the Head/ Coordinator of the Department.
Withdrawal must be accompanied by:
- Fee receipt
- Admission letter
- Bank details for refund
Withdrawal shall be effective from the date of submission/approval.
Academic registration shall stand cancelled automatically upon withdrawal.
Refund, if any, shall be governed by the Fee Refund Policy.
Students shall be issued withdrawal/ relieving certificate upon completion of formalities.
3. Cancellation of Admission
Admission may be cancelled by the University under the following circumstances:
- Submission of false/forged documents or incorrect information
- Failure to meet eligibility criteria
- Non-payment of fees within stipulated time
- Failure to report physically within notified dates
- Violation of University rules, discipline, or anti-ragging regulations
- Non-compliance with medical fitness requirements, if applicable
Consequences
- Admission shall be cancelled without notice
- Fees may be forfeited (fully or partially) as per rules
- Legal/disciplinary action may be initiated, where applicable
4. Documents to be Produced at the Time of Reporting at RGNAU
Candidates must bring original documents along with two sets of self-attested photocopies:
- Admission Offer Letter
- Fee Payment Receipt
- All Academic Certificates & Mark Sheets (Original)
- Transfer Certificate (TC)/School Leaving Certificate
- Migration Certificate
- Character Certificate
- Category Certificate (in prescribed format, if applicable)
- Income Certificate (for EWS/OBC-NCL, if applicable)
- Medical Fitness Certificate
- Anti-Ragging Affidavit (Student & Parent)
- Valid Photo ID Proof
- Passport size photographs (6-8 copies)
Failure to produce original documents may lead to cancellation of admission.
5. Goods/Items to be Brought at the Time of Reporting
Students are advised to bring:
Academic Essentials
- Laptop (recommended for technical programmes)
- Scientific calculator
- Stationery items
Personal & Hostel Essentials(Only for Full-time Ph.D. programmes)
- Bedding (bedsheet, pillow, blanket)
- Personal clothing and toiletries
- Lock & key
- Basic utensils (if required)
Important Notes
- Electrical appliances may be regulated as per Hostel Rules
- Prohibited items (as notified) are not allowed in campus/hostels
6. Education Loan
RGNAU is recognized for the purpose of education loans by nationalized/private banks.
Students may apply under:
- Vidya Lakshmi Portal
- Respective bank schemes
Required documents:
- Admission letter
- Fee structure
- Academic records
The University may provide:
- Bonafide certificate
- Fee certificate
Loan approval is subject to bank policies and eligibility criteria.
7. Anti-Ragging Form (Mandatory Compliance)
(As per UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging, 2009)
Submission of Anti-Ragging Affidavit by:
- Student
- Parent/Guardian
Affidavit must be submitted through: Online portal (www.antiragging.in) or Prescribed format at the time of reporting
Ragging in any form is a punishable offence, including:
- Suspension
- Expulsion
- FIR/legal action
RGNAU maintains zero tolerance towards ragging
🚍 How to Reach RGNAU
Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University (RGNAU)
Fursatganj, Amethi, Uttar Pradesh
- Nearest Airport: Lucknow (Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport) (~100 km)
- Fursatganj Railway Station
- Jais (~15 km)
- Rae Bareli (~15 km)
- Connected via Lucknow–Prayagraj Highway
- Regular bus & taxi services available