Soban Singh Jeena University (SSJ University) is a state university situated in Almora, Uttarakhand, India. The University was established in 2020 under the Soban Singh Jeena University Act, 2019 (Uttrakhand Act No. 19 of 2020), which was approved by the cabinet of Uttarakhand in October 2019. The university started operation in August 2020 when Narendra Singh Bhandari, the first Vice-Chancellor of the university, assumed his position.

The University has three campuses affiliated to it :-

• Soban Singh Jeena Campus, Almora
• Laxman Singh Mahar Campus, Pithoragarh
• Pt. Badri Dutt Pandey Campus, Bageshwar

Both the Pithoragarh and Bageshwar campuses were established in 2020 with the separation of SSJ University from Kumaun University.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates having Master’s degree with 55% marks {(50 % for SC/ST/ OBC& PWD (PH)} or its equivalent grade from any UGC recognized University in India or an equivalent degree of a recognized foreign University are eligible to apply for admission to the Ph. D Programme of study in his /her disciplinary subject of study or in a subject of allied discipline or in an inter disciplinary subject. Provided further that a relaxation 5% marks from 55% to 50% may be given for those who had obtained their Master’s degree prior to 19th September, 1991. 
• Candidates possessing a Degree considered equivalent to M.Phil.lottery sambad Degree of an Indian Institution, from a Foreign Educational Institution accredited by an Assessment and Accreditation Agency which is approved, recognized or authorized by an appropriate authority, established or incorporated under a law in its home country or any other statutory authority in that country for the purpose of assessing, accrediting or assuring quality and standards of educational institutions, shall be eligible to seek admission to Ph.D. Programme. 

Application Process

Candidates can submit the application form in both the online as well as offline mode. Following are the steps to apply online:

• Download the application form available on the official website of the university.
• Take a printout of the form and fill it with the details.
• Application fees can be paid through a DD along with the application.
• Students can deposit the application fees through Net Banking or Demand Draft along with the application form in the favor of ‘The Registrar, JNT University Hyderabad’ or by challan in any nationalized bank.
• Upload scanned copy of the relevant documents.
• Candidates must submit an application fee by DD drawn in favour of “The Registrar, Soban Singh Jeena University”, payable at Almora, from any nationalized bank to the University Address.

Documents Required

• Caste Certificate in case of SC/ST/BC in the prescribed format.
• Attested copies of class X & XII mark sheet.
• Attested copies of Graduation & Post Graduation
• Three passport size photographs
• Valid id proof (Aadhar Card, Passport, Driving License, Voter ID)

Selection Procedure

• The Ph.D. admission is subject to the availability of vacancies with the Research Supervisor(s) in the concerned department, candidate’s academic record and the performance of the candidate in the Ph.D. admission interview. A candidate, satisfying one or more of the eligibility criteria as per the rules is not guaranteed admission into Ph.D. programme. Candidates with a valid UGC/ CSIR/ JRF/ NET/ SLET/ M.Phil or GATE score are exempted from the university-based entrance test.