Course Content
Ph.D. in Peace Studies
Programme Overview
The Doctoral Programme in Peace Studies at MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) is designed to cultivate advanced interdisciplinary scholarship on the structural, cultural, and epistemic foundations of peace and conflict in the contemporary world. Anchored in global discourses and grassroots practices, the programme critically engages with various dimensions of peacebuilding through a transdisciplinary research lens. This programme aligns with the principles of UNESCO’s Culture of Peace, fostering scholarship that addresses urgent global challenges. It encourages critical enquiry into the interconnections between peace, human rights, development, and sustaining peace.
The curriculum combines rigorous research methodology training with independent scholarly enquiry, leading to the completion of an original doctoral dissertation that contributes to academic knowledge and policymaking. Scholars are immersed in a vibrant academic community through research seminars, colloquia, international conferences, and cross-institutional collaborations. Faculty members at the Department of Peace Studies bring expertise from multiple domains of peace research and provide sustained mentorship through all stages of the doctoral journey, from research design to scholarly publication and policy engagement.
Graduates of the programme are equipped for leadership roles in academia, global think tanks, international and intergovernmental organisations, policy advocacy, and civil society institutions. The programme’s commitment to Peace Research and social transformation prepares scholars to play their roles meaningfully in the evolving field of peace and conflict studies, both in theory and practice.
Areas of Research
- Conflict Management, Transformation, and Peacebuilding
- Non-violent Activism
- Interfaith dialogue and Intercultural understanding
- Peace education, Ethics and Transformative Pedagogy
- Gender, justice, and Peacebuilding
- Peace and Development
- Transitional justice and reconciliation processes
- Indigenous, decolonial, and Global South perspectives on peace
Duration & Fees
Duration
3 Years
Applications are now open for Ph.D. Academic Year 2025–26 (Spring Semester).
Last Date to apply is 30th November 2025.
*Please note that all applications received on or after 1st December 2025 will be processed for admission to our Summer Ph.D commencement of July 2026.
I. Eligibility Criterion for admission to the Ph.D. Programme
The following candidates are eligible to seek admission to the Ph.D. programme Candidates who have completed:
Masters in any discipline -
i) A 1-year/2-semester master’s degree programme after a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s degree programme or a 2-year/4-semester master’s degree programme after a 3-year bachelor’s degree programme or qualifications declared equivalent to the master’s degree by the corresponding statutory regulatory body, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed or equivalent qualification from a foreign educational institution accredited by an assessment and accreditation agency which is approved, recognised, or authorised by an authority, established or incorporated under a law in its home country or any other statutory authority in that country to assess, accredit, or assure quality and standards of the educational institutions.
A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/differently abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS), and other categories of candidates as per the decision of the commission from time to time. Provided that a candidate seeking admission after a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s degree programme should have a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale, wherever the grading system is followed. A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS), and other categories of candidates as per the decision of the commission from time to time.
ii) Candidates who have completed the M. Phil. programme with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale. A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and other categories of candidates as per the decision of commission from time to time. Reservation is applicable only to Maharashtra domicile candidates, provided they submit the necessary documents for reservation before the interview. Candidates from outside Maharashtra will be considered in the open category.
II. Selection Process for the admission to the Ph.D. program
1. Candidates satisfying eligibility criteria shall be called to appear for the Ph.D. entrance test conducted by MITWPU. The exemption will be given from Ph.D. entrance tests for those students who qualify UGC-NET /UGC-CSIR NET /GATE (valid score)/CEED/GPAT (valid score)and similar national tests.
2. Ph.D. entrance test shall be qualifying with qualifying marks as 50% provided that relaxation from 50% to 45% shall be allowed for the candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC (Non creamy layer)/Differently abled category, Economically Weaker section (EWS) and other category of candidates. The syllabus of the entrance test shall consist of 50% of research methodology and 50% shall be subject specific.
3. The interview/viva-voce will be conducted by the university for test qualifying candidates. For selection of candidates a weightage of 70% to the entrance test and 30% to the performance in the interview/Viva-voce shall be given. For GATE/NET/JRF /SET/GPAT/CEED qualified students, the selection will be based on Interview/Viva Voce
4. The recommended candidates will be intimated through email about their selection and the candidates will be offered Ph.D. provisional admission.
5. The eligibility of a candidate is provisional as per information provided by the candidate in his/her application form and is subject to verification of minimum eligibility conditions for admission to the programme, educational documents and reservation documents (if any).
6. University keep rights to cancel admission of the Ph.D. scholars in the case of misconduct by the scholar, unsatisfactory progress/absent for consecutive two progress seminars, failure in any examination related to Ph.D., fabrication found in educational and reservation documents, candidate is found ineligible, involved in plagiarism in paper publications and thesis.
7. Provisional eligibility to appear in the selection process is no guarantee for admission to the programme.
8. Candidates who will join Ph.D. programme full time, they will be provided with the stipend as per MITWPU norms.
9. Ph.D. admission will be confirmed after successful completion of the coursework with 55% or more as per UGC norms. Ph.D. programme should be minimum of three years including coursework and maximum of six years from the date of admission to the Ph.D. programme.
10. A maximum of an additional two years (2) years can be given through the process of re-registration provided, however, that the total period for completion of a Ph.D. programme should not exceed eight (8) years from the date of admission in the Ph.D. programme.
11. Provided further that, female Ph.D. scholars and persons with Disabilities (having more than 40% disability) may be allowed an additional relaxation of two years (2) ; however, the total period for completion of a Ph.D. programme in such cases should not exceed ten (10) years from the date of admission of the programme.
12. Female candidates may be provided Maternity Leave/Child Care Leave for up to 240 days in the entire duration of Ph.D. programme.
admissions@mitwpu.edu.in
