Research admissions for January 2026 session at NIMHANS Benglauru
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Institute of National Importance; Hosur Road, Bengaluru, India-560 029, has invited applications for admission to the Research (PhD) Programs, January Session of the Academic Year 2025-26. PhD Programs are offered in Biophysics, Biostatistics, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology, Clinical Psychopharmacology and Toxicology, Epidemiology, Public Health, Human Genetics, Integrative Medicine, Mental Health Education, Neuroanaesthesia and Neurocritical Care, Neurochemistry, Neuroimaging and Interventional Radiology, Neurology, Neurological Rehabilitation, Neuromicrobiology, Neuropathology, Neurophysiology, Neurovirology, Nursing, Psychiatric Social Work, Psychiatry, History of Psychiatry, Mental Health Rehabilitation, Psychosocial Support in Disaster Management, Speech Pathology & Audiology. The availability of Guideship slots under the external funding category is given in the Notification at https://www.nimhans.ac.in/academics/admissions (Academics Latest Announcement/Notice Board). 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 under various projects at NIMHANS. For details, applicants may refer to the January Session Prospectus 2025-26 available on the website. Details related to educational qualifications for admission to each program are given in the Prospectus 2025-26 January session on the website.
Age Limit: The age limit will be 40 years for the External Fellowship Category/Funded by Research Projects of NIMHANS & 42 years for Sponsored /Deputed Candidates and Employees of NIMHANS. The age is calculated as of 01.01.2026 for the January 2026 Session. Age is relaxable by a maximum of 5 years in the case of PwBD candidates. Selection is based on the Entrance Test followed by an Interview.
Entrance Test for all courses will be conducted at NIMHANS, Bengaluru, on 16.12.2025. The Entrance test of 90 minutes duration will have 100 multiple-choice objective-type questions. Each correct answer carries 1 mark. There will be negative marking for incorrect answers, and 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer. Results will be announced on 17.12.2025. Interview for a PhD. Courses will be held on 18.12.2025 & 19.12.2025. The Provisional Selection list will be announced on 23.12.2025. Document Verification followed by Admission will be on 01.01.2026. Course commences on 1.1.2026.
Application: Applications can be submitted online along with the necessary documents by 29.11.2025. Application Fee is Rs. 1,500/- per course (Rs. 1,000/- per course for SC/ST Categories). Those belonging to the PwBD Category (40%-70% Disability) are exempted from the Application Fee. Those who are awaiting the results may also appear for the entrance test, subject to the production of proof of having passed the examination at the time of the Interview. The JRF & SRF of candidates selected under the 'external fellowship category' at NIMHANS will be activated after joining the PhD course. Deputed/Sponsored candidates must attach a No Objection Certificate (NOC), duly signed by their Employer/Parent department, along with the application, failing which the application will not be considered. Admit cards for the entrance test will be sent to the applicant's registered Email ID, and the candidates must produce a hard copy of the same on the day of the entrance test. Any query regarding the admission may be addressed to admissions@nimhans.net