Academics

September 2015 was a landmark in the history of St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata. The college was granted permission by the University of Calcutta to independently initiate a Ph.D. program in the departments of Physics, Microbiology, Biotechnology and Commerce. This makes St. Xavier’s one of a very select few colleges in the country to be allowed this privilege. It is a recognition by both the University of Calcutta and the University Grants Commission that St. Xavier’s has the merit, quality and academic pedigree to undertake and supervise research.

Prior to this, teachers of these departments were registered as doctoral supervisors under the University of Calcutta. As supervisors working under University rules, they could guide or act as co-guides to Ph.D. students registered under the University of Calcutta. The permission to run an independent Ph.D. program in St. Xavier’s College is significant in that it empowers the faculty of the four Departments to supervise Ph.D. work of research scholars registered with the College, following the Ph.D. regulations of St. Xavier’s College formulated according to the University Grants Commission and approved by the Senate of the University of Calcutta.

The Ph.D. program has been running successfully since the time of its inception with Fr. Principal as Head of the Ph.D. Committee.

The induction of fresh Ph.D. scholars happens once a year in the month of July. The process involves a successful completion of the Research Entrance Examination (RET) and a rigorous interview. The scholars have to register under St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), after completing the Ph.D. Course Work conducted by the College. The final Ph.D. degree is conferred by St. Xavier’s College and University of Calcutta.
The motto of the College is Nihil Ultra- Nothing Beyond. Fr. Dr. Dominic Savio, SJ, Principal, St. Xavier’s College, has taken that motto seriously. His mission is to expand the college by opening new PG courses in both the Arts and Science streams and finally, Ph.D. programs in these courses. With his vision, inspiration and determination, the College marches ahead to turn his dreams into a reality.

The subjects offered are Physics, Microbiology, Biotechnology and Commerce respectively.

The total scholars currently enrolled in the Ph.D. program since 2016 till date is 69.

The Registered scholars across departments is 36.

The Ph.D curriculum includes course work classes for its first batch of scholars towards the end of the year followed by course work examination before winter vacations.

“Scholar’s Day” the annual event of the PhD program is held every year since it’s inception in 2018.
The PhD department looks forward to extend its wings to other post graduate disciplines of this college which will open new avenues of research in their respective disciplines.

Admissions 2019

In the year, 2019, 65 candidates applied for Ph.D programs in Commerce, Physics, Micro biology and Biotechnology respectively. The non Net candidates are required to qualify Research Aptitude Test (RET) as per UGC norms. The total number of RET eligible candidates were 19. Out of 19 candidates who appeared for RET, 11 candidates were successful.

The total number of RET exempted candidates were 44.

All the 44 candidates appeared for interview. The total number of candidates selected in the Ph.D. Interview is 20

All the 20 candidates enrolled in the Ph.D. Program in 2019 batch.

The subject wise break up is stated as :

Details of Registered Ph.D. Scholars

View details of Registered Ph.D. Scholars