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ST. MARY'S REHABILITATION UNIVERSITY

Pioneering Integrated Rehabilitation University · Established in Hyderabad · 30 Years of Legacy

ADMISSIONS 2026-27

DOCTORAL
PROGRAMME

Advance knowledge. Shape healthcare. Build the future of rehabilitation, inclusion, and human-centred innovation.

120-Acre

Purpose-Built Campus

30

Years of Institutional Legacy

21

Disabilities Addressed

Or direct apply at:

APPLY.SMRU.EDU.IN

Registration Deadline

Application End Date

COMPLETED

Selection Process

Entrance Test Date

COMPLETED

Admission Notification

ADMISSIONS COMPLETED

Download the primary document detailing doctoral program structures, eligibility criteria, and clinical domain specific guidelines.

Download Notification

Addendum / Extension

ADMISSIONS COMPLETED

Essential extension notification regarding the revised timeline for doctoral registrations and doctoral entrance test (DET).

Download Addendum

Why Pursue Your
Doctorate at St. Mary's Rehabilitation University

India’s rehabilitation, allied health, and inclusive-care sectors face a critical shortage of research leaders. St. Mary's Rehabilitation University's doctoral programme exists to develop exactly these professionals. Not a department, but an entire ecosystem embedded within India’s first and only rehabilitation university.

"Your doctoral research here is not just academic — it is part of a national capacity-building mission."

The SMRU Edge

Structured Supervision

Every scholar is matched with a research supervisor aligned to their area of inquiry. Supervision at St. Mary's Rehabilitation University follows a structured mentoring framework with regular progress reviews.

Coursework That Sharpens Research Capability

Doctoral coursework is not a formality. It builds research methodology competence, domain depth, statistical rigour, and publication readiness.

Interdisciplinary Research Culture

The university’s architecture naturally creates opportunities for scholars across rehabilitation, engineering, psychology, nursing, and management to collaborate.

Publication & Conference Support

St. Mary's Rehabilitation University encourages scholars to publish in indexed journals and present at national and international conferences. We provide guidance on ethics and manuscript development.

A Community, Not Just a Programme

From seminar series and research colloquia to informal mentorship, St. Mary's Rehabilitation University's scholars become part of a vibrant research community.

Research Labs

Advanced specialized facilities for doctoral enquiry

Core Research Facilities

  • Biostatistics & Data Analytics Lab
  • Clinical Research & Evidence-Based Practice Lab
  • Health Informatics & AI Lab

Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Labs

  • Biomechanics & Motion Analysis Lab
  • Neuro-Rehabilitation Lab
  • Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab Lab
  • Exercise Physiology Lab
  • Electrotherapy & Pain Research Lab

Occupational Therapy Labs

  • ADL (Activities of Daily Living) Lab
  • Sensory Integration Lab
  • Cognitive Rehabilitation Lab
  • Pediatric & Geriatric Therapy Lab
  • Assistive Technology & Ergonomics Lab

Clinical & Rehabilitation Psychology Labs

  • Psychological Assessment Lab
  • Neuropsychology Lab
  • Mental Health & Psychopathology Lab
  • Counseling & Psychotherapy Lab
  • Digital Mental Health Lab

Applied Psychology & Behavioral Health

  • Cognitive & Behavioral Science Lab
  • Social & Community Psychology Lab
  • Stress, Addiction & Wellness Lab

Special & Inclusive Education Labs

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Lab
  • Inclusive Education Innovation Lab

Nursing Sciences Labs

  • Clinical Nursing Simulation Lab
  • Advanced Nursing Research Unit

Speech & Hearing Labs

  • Audiology & Hearing Assessment Lab
  • Speech-Language Pathology Lab
  • Acoustics & Voice Lab
  • Assistive Hearing Technology Lab
  • Communication Disorders Lab

Advanced Research & Innovation Labs

  • Rehabilitation Robotics Lab
  • Virtual Reality (VR) Therapy Lab

Clinical & Field Research Support

  • Teaching Hospital & Rehab Centers
  • Special Schools & Inclusive Education Units
  • Mental Health Clinics
  • Community & Rural Health Research Centers

DOCTORAL RESEARCH DOMAINS

Scientific enquiry across 25+ specialisations

School of Rehabilitation Sciences

AudiologySpeech & Hearing SciencesCommunication Sciences & DisordersSpecial EducationInclusive EducationEducation (Disability Studies)Autism Spectrum Disorders

School of Health & Allied Health Sciences

PhysiotherapyOccupational Therapy

School of Psychology

Clinical PsychologyRehabilitation PsychologyApplied / Health Psychology

School of Engineering & Emerging Technologies

Computer Science & EngineeringArtificial Intelligence & Machine LearningAI & Data ScienceBiomedical EngineeringIntegrated M.Tech + Ph.D. (CSE / AI&ML / AI&DS)

School of Nursing

Nursing Sciences

School of Management & Computer Applications

Data Science / Computer ApplicationsManagement / Business Administration

School of Applied Sciences & Design

Forensic SciencePublic Health

Eligibility & Selection

Assessment on Research Methodology and Subject Knowledge

Standard Ph.D.

Qualification

Master's degree in relevant discipline

Minimum Marks

55% (50% for SC/ST/OBC)

Integrated Ph.D. (CSE & ET)

Qualification

4-year Bachelor's (BS/BE/B.Tech)

Minimum Marks

75% aggregate

Master's Requirement

Not required

Selection Flow

Eligibility Check

Entrance Test

Interview

Final Selection

Exemptions: Candidates with UGC-NET (including JRF), GATE, SLET, or M.Phil. are exempted from the entrance exam.

Fees & Financial Structure

Transparent and structured

Annual Tuition Fees

Rehabilitation, Health & Allied Health Sciences₹1,25,000
Engineering & Emerging Technologies₹1,00,000
Business Administration & Management Studies₹1,00,000
Nursing Sciences₹1,25,000
Psychology₹1,25,000
Applied Sciences (Forensic, Public Health)₹1,25,000

Component Fees

  • Admission Fee

    One-time

    ₹5,000
  • Coursework Fee

    Per annum

    ₹10,000
  • Caution Deposit

    Refundable

    ₹5,000
  • Thesis Fee

    At submission

    ₹20,000
  • Application Fee

    Non-refundable

    ₹2,000

How to Apply

Follow the 6-step integrated application journey.

01

Pay Application Fee

Make payment of ₹2,000 while completing the online application.

02

Complete Online Application

Fill in academic, professional, and research interest details at apply.smru.edu.in.

03

Upload Required Documents

Certificates (SSC, UG, PG), proof of UGC-NET/GATE/SLET/M.Phil, and 5% exemption proof.

04

Appear for Entrance Examination

Qualify in the St. Mary's Rehabilitation University Ph.D. entrance examination (Exempted for JRF/GATE).

05

Attend Personal Interview

Present your research proposal and academic background to the selection committee.

06

Receive Admission Decision

Final selection based on credentials, proposal, and interview.

Application Fee

Rs 2,000

Admission Mode

Entrance + Interview

Submission

Online Only

Research & Public Information

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for Ph.D. admissions at SMRU?

Use the official Ph.D. application route linked on the page and complete the online form with the required academic and research details.

What is the status of Ph.D. admissions for 2026-27?

PhD admissions for the 2026-27 cycle are now completed. Please check the official university website for updates on the next cycle.

Are annual Ph.D. fee details shown on the website?

Yes. The page publishes category-wise annual tuition figures, while policy-linked details such as refunds still need separate public verification.

Where can I verify research support and contact details?

Use the research, admissions, and contact pages together for public references, enquiry support, and follow-up.

YOUR LEGACY

"The future of rehabilitation, healthcare, and inclusion needs researchers who lead, not follow."

ST. MARY'S REHABILITATION UNIVERSITY

120-Acre Campus30 Years of LegacyDoctoral Excellence
RPWD Act CompliantNEP 2020 Aligned