The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS) has begun accepting applications for its PhD Clinical Psychology program for the 2025-26 academic session.
The applications are invited under the External Funding Category. The external Funding Category includes applicants applying with fellowships from External Funding Agencies, Foreign Nationals, and permanent/tenured employees sponsored/deputed from various Government Institutions/Universities, including candidates working on various projects at NIMHANS.
Eligible candidates can apply online before the last date. Read on to know the complete details about the program, eligibility, exam pattern, and application process.
Eligibility Criteria
To get admission into NIMHANS’s PhD Clinical Psychology program, the applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Applicants must have an MPhil degree in Clinical Psychology or in Mental Health and Social Psychology from a UGC recognized university.
- Applicants with a two-year Master’s degree in Applied Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Psychological Counselling, or Psychology are also eligible to apply.
- Candidates must have obtained a minimum of 55% aggregate marks in their qualifying degree from a UGC-recognized university.
- Applicants who have appeared for their qualifying examination and are awaiting results may also apply. However, they must provide proof of passing the examination in writing before the admission process.
- A relaxation of 5% in aggregate marks will be granted to candidates belonging to the SC, ST, and PwBD categories.
External Fellowship & Sponsorship Categories
- Indian Nationals may apply under the following categories:
- Candidates holding an external fellowship (JRF/SRF) from recognized government funding agencies such as UGC, CSIR, ICMR, DBT, or AYUSH.
- Permanent employees of NIMHANS, government institutions, universities, or public sector undertakings who are sponsored or deputed for PhD studies.
- Candidates funded by research projects at NIMHANS.
- Foreign Nationals sponsored or deputed by government organizations, recognized universities, or national scholarship programs are also eligible.
Method of Selection
Selection in the PhD Clinical Psychology program at NIMHANS will be based on the Offline Entrance Examination, consisting of a Written Test & Interview.
- Weightage for selection: 70% for the entrance test, and 30% for the interview
- Eligibility for Interview: minimum 50% marks in the Entrance Test. (The interview will focus on the candidate’s area of research interest, proficiency in their subject, and any research experience, presentations, and or publications)
Exam Pattern
Candidates will answer 100 multiple-choice objective questions within 90 minutes in the entrance test.
- Each correct answer: +1 mark
- Each incorrect answer: –0.25 mark (negative marking)
- Unanswered questions: No deduction
Age Limit
NIMHANS will calculate each candidate’s age as of 1st January 2026 for the January 2026 session.
- External Fellowship Category / NIMHANS Research Project–funded candidates: Maximum 40 years.
- Sponsored / Deputed candidates and NIMHANS employees: Maximum 42 years.
- PwBD candidates are eligible for a maximum age relaxation of 5 years.
Number of Seats & Course Duration
- For the PhD in Clinical Psychology program, a total of 19 seats are available for the 2025–26 academic session.
- The duration of the PhD Clinical Psychology program is 3 to 5 years.
Application Procedure
Eligible candidates can apply online through the official NIMHANS admission portal.
Applicants are advised to:
- Register on the portal using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in the online application form carefully with accurate academic and personal details.
- Upload the required documents (as per the prescribed format).
- Pay the application fee through the online payment gateway.
- Submit the form and download the confirmation page for future reference.
Submit applications online only. NIMHANS will not accept incomplete or offline applications.
Application Fee
- General / OBC / EWS (Indian Nationals) and Foreign National Applicants: ₹1,500 per course
- SC / ST (Indian Nationals): ₹1,000 per course
- PwBD (40%–70% disability): No application fee
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Important Dates & Additional Details
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Submission | 30 October 2025 – 29 November 2025 |
| Date of Entrance Test (at NIMHANS, Bengaluru) | 16 December 2025 |
| Announcement of Results | 17 December 2025 |
| Interview for the Program | 18 & 19 December 2025 |
| Announcement of Provisional Selection List | 23 December 2025 |
| Document Verification & Admission & Commencement of Course | 1 January 2026 |
Note: Dates are tentative and may vary; applicants are advised to check the official NIMHANS website for any updates or changes.
1. No Objection Certificate (NOC):
Applicants who are employees of State or Central Government or Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) must upload a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer along with the application.
2. Documents to be Uploaded (Mandatory):
All applicants must upload scanned copies of original documents in the online application form, including:
- 10th / SSLC / Matriculation Certificate (showing date of birth and full name)
- Marks cards and degree certificates of qualifying examinations
- Transfer and Migration Certificates (from the last attended institution and university)
- Experience Certificate, if applicable
- No Objection Certificate (for employed candidates)
- External Fellowship Award Letter or qualifying NET Scorecard (UGC/ICMR/CSIR/DBT/DST/AYUSH NET)
- Equivalence Certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (for foreign degrees)
3. Category-Specific Documents:
- External Fellowship Category: Fellowship award letter or qualifying NET scorecard.
- Research Project Category: Appointment order, joining report, NOC from Principal Investigator, and project details proforma.
- Sponsored Category: Sponsorship certificate from the respective organization/university with seal, signature, and terms of support.
- Foreign Nationals: Equivalency certificate, NOC from the Ministry of External Affairs or the Indian Diplomatic Mission, and sponsorship details.
- PwBD Category: Valid disability certificate specifying type and percentage of disability
Need more help?
Feel free to contact us at UPS Education or reach out, using the contact details provided below-
Contact no: +91-9990717772
Website: upseducation.in
FAQs
1. What is the eligibility for a PhD Clinical Psychology at NIMHANS?
Applicants must hold an MPhil in Clinical Psychology or a two-year Master’s degree in Psychology or related specializations (Applied, Clinical, Counselling, or Psychological Counselling) with at least 55% marks (5% relaxation for SC/ST/PwBD).
2. How many seats are available for the 2025–26 session?
A total of 19 seats are available for the PhD in Clinical Psychology program.
3. Is there any age limit for the PhD program?
Yes. The maximum age limit is 40 years for External Fellowship/Project-funded candidates and 42 years for Sponsored/Deputed candidates. PwBD applicants get up to 5 years of relaxation.
4. What is the selection process for admission?
Selection is based on an offline entrance test followed by an interview. The test carries 70% weightage, and the interview carries 30%.
5. What is the pattern of the entrance test?
The test has 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), with a duration of 90 minutes.
- +1 mark for each correct answer
- –0.25 for each incorrect answer
- No marks deducted for unanswered questions
6. What is the application fee for the NIMHANS PhD Clinical Psychology course?
- General/OBC/EWS & Foreign Nationals: ₹1,500 per course
- SC/ST: ₹1,000 per course
- PwBD (40–70% disability): No fee
7. When is the entrance exam scheduled?
The entrance test will be held on 16 December 2025 at NIMHANS, Bengaluru.
8. How can I apply for the NIMHANS PhD Clinical Psychology 2025 program?
Applications can be submitted online only through the official admission portal. No offline applications are accepted.
