PhD Program in Law
Chitkara University’s Doctoral Program in Law is designed to empower legal professionals, researchers, and academicians to advance their careers while contributing to the evolution of the legal field. This program offers a solid foundation in theoretical knowledge of key legal concepts, while also honing research skills that are critical for addressing complex legal challenges. It equips students, including lawyers, judicial officers, and legal professionals, to critically analyse dynamic legal situations, identify appropriate solutions, and apply them to contemporary issues within the legal landscape.
What sets Chitkara University’s doctoral program apart is its unique structure. Unlike traditional PhD programs in law, it blends academic rigor with practical, real-world legal scenarios. The program’s interdisciplinary approach allows scholars to engage deeply with evolving legal problems and develop innovative solutions. With a strong emphasis on research, it prepares students to become leaders in the legal field, capable of influencing legal practices, policy, and reform. The program also provides ample opportunities for students to collaborate with legal practitioners, policymakers, and academics, cultivating an environment of professional growth. Students are supported by a team of experienced faculty members with expertise in diverse areas of law, ensuring a comprehensive academic experience.
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Program Overview
An LLM degree provides advanced knowledge of law and its complexities, but to address unforeseen legal issues with research-driven solutions, a PhD degree is essential. Chitkara University’s PhD in Law program is designed for those seeking to elevate their expertise and contribute to the development of the legal field. This program goes beyond traditional legal education, offering a deep dive into specialised legal topics and equipping students with the necessary research tools to tackle complex challenges. It prepares legal professionals to become thought leaders and problem-solvers, focusing on critical areas that impact society, policy, and legal systems. With an emphasis on academic rigour and practical application, this doctoral program shapes the future of legal research and practice.
What to Expect
The PhD in law at Chitkara University will prepare you for an outstanding career in research and teaching. Right from your first semester, you’ll get to work with faculty mentors across the legal field as you investigate legal challenges that interest you. Our doctoral program students have the legal acumen—and diligence—to study complex issues of law and policymakers face.
Transferrable Career Skills
Our PhD program equips scholars with skills beyond academia, preparing them for leadership, entrepreneurship, and industry roles. Through innovative pedagogy, mentoring, and hands-on learning, researchers gain critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication expertise, ensuring they excel in diverse professional landscapes beyond traditional academic settings.
Global Research Exposure
PhD students present their work at leading conferences, engaging with experts and showcasing their research on international platforms. These opportunities expand academic visibility, foster collaborations, and provide insights into emerging trends, ensuring scholars stay ahead in their fields while strengthening their professional and scholarly impact.
Student Support
Faculty mentors guide scholars through every stage of research, from idea generation to publication. Encouraged to collaborate with multiple faculty members, students gain diverse perspectives, fostering intellectual growth, refining research skills, and ensuring they navigate their academic journey with confidence and clarity.
Collaborative Research Culture
Our PhD program thrives on interdisciplinary collaboration. Working with peers, faculty, and researchers, students engage in meaningful exchanges that enhance research quality. This team-driven approach fosters innovation, accelerates discoveries, and creates an environment where collective intelligence drives impactful and pioneering research.
Admission Eligibility
The candidates who have completed any of the following qualification(s) are eligible to seek admission to the PhD program as per Chitkara University regulations and UGC Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of PhD Degree Regulations, 2022 issued dated 07.11.2022 [(New Delhi, 7th November, 2022; No. F. 1-3/2021(QIP)].
- A 1-year/2-semester Master’s degree program in relevant discipline after a 3-year/6-semester or 5-years/10-semester Bachelor’s degree program or
- A 2-year/4-semester Master’s degree program in relevant discipline after a 3-year/5-years Bachelor’s degree program or
- Qualifications declared equivalent to the Master’s degree in relevant discipline 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
- An 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 institution or
- A 3-year/6-semester or 5-years/10-semester Bachelor’s degree program in relevant discipline with a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed, subject to the following conditions:
- The candidate should have a full-time teaching or research/industry experience of at least 4 years.
- The candidate should be currently working in AICTE/UGC approved College/University/Government agency/industry.
Note: Relaxation for reserved categories as per UGC norms.
Program Fee Structure
| Fee Components | Amount |
|---|---|
| Enrolment Fee | Rs. 30,000/- |
| Career Advancement Services Fee | Rs. 20,000/- |
| Course Work Fee 1 | Rs. 25,000/- |
| Course Work Fee 2 | Rs. 25,000/- |
| Course Work Fee 3 | Rs. 25,000/- |
| Doctoral Seminar on Specialisation | Rs. 60,000/- |
| Research Proposal Seminar | Rs. 60,000/- |
| Progress Review Seminar 1 | Rs. 20,000/- |
| Progress Review Seminar 2 | Rs. 20,000/- |
| Progress Review Seminar 3 | Rs. 20,000/- |
| Pre-Thesis Submission | Rs. 40,000/- |
| Thesis Submission & Defence | Rs. 75,000/- |
| Total | Rs. 4,20,000/- |
How to Apply?
Candidates who fulfil the eligibility criteria, must fill the admission form with required documents of all particulars to be attached. All application forms will be screened by a separate screening committee whose representatives will be from Doctoral Research Committee and Experts from the University in the respective areas. Shortlisted candidates based on academic record and experience will appear for a written test conducted by the University.
Program Structure
The Doctor of Philosophy curriculum includes compulsory coursework, research proposal and objectives, research work and progress, pre-thesis work, and thesis defense. It also includes fulfillment of all research objectives, acceptance/publication of research papers in peer-reviewed journals or conferences.
The course work comprises of five components: research methodology, advanced research methodology, doctoral foundation seminar, doctoral concentration seminar, and research & publication ethics. After successfully completing coursework, the research scholar works in close coordination and under the strict supervision of his / her research guide, prepares the research proposal, and identifies the objectives of the research work.
Progress of the research work is reviewed every six months and finally, the scholars submit their thesis and defend it. The Doctoral Research Committee (DRC) closely mentors and monitors this process.
| Phase | Sub components | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Course Work | Research Methodology | Enabling scholars to purse research in a methodical |
| Advanced Research Methodology | Enabling scholars to know about tools and technologies to process their data | |
| Doctoral Foundation Seminar | Enabling and equipping scholars with required tools and technologies in their broad discipline area | |
| Doctoral Concentration Seminar | a) Motivation to Research, b) identification of base paper(s), c) State-of-art, d) Identification of research gaps, e) Identification of Tools/ technologies for conducting proposed research | |
| Research & Publication Ethics | Sensitization towards research, Ehics and respect to science and research integrity, Intellectual honesty and research integrity, Scientific misconducts, Falsification, Fabrication and Plagiarism | |
| Submission of Research Proposal | Extensive literature review / research proposal submitted to Dean (DRC) in prescribed format | |
| Progress Seminar – I | Progress on identified research objectives | |
| Progress Seminar – II | Progress on identified research objectives | |
| Progress Seminar – III | Progress on identified research objectives | |
| Pre Thesis Seminar | Achievement of all objectives, Thesis ready in final shape, Research paper(s) communicated to Conferences / Journals | |
| Thesis Submission and Defence | Eligibility for award of PhD degree |
Concentrations Offered
Our PhD in Law offers a very conducive research environment that combines rigor and relevance, and a curriculum that offers foundational courses with flexible, cross-disciplinary electives. Some of the concentrations are:
- Constitutional Law
- Criminal Law
- Civil Law
- Family Law
- Land and Property Law
- Forensic Science
- Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
- Business Law
- International Law
- Labour Law
Framework for Phd Program
The steps you take today lay the foundation for your future success. At Chitkara University, we cultivate bright minds into changemakers, equipping them with strong fundamentals, a global perspective, and leadership skills to make a meaningful difference in the world.
Unit No. A 201-202
Elante Mall Office Complex
Industrial Area Phase 1
Chandigarh 160 002
Chandigarh-Patiala National Highway
Punjab 140 401
