Candidates belonging to schedule castes and scheduled tribes who hold Master's Degree in Science and Applied Science faculties with at least 45% marks and Master's Degree in other faculties with 40% marks are eligible to apply for the test. Physically/visually challenged candidates are eligible for a relaxation of 5% marks.

Candidates who have appeared for Master's Degree Examinations and whose result is still awaited may also apply for the test. However, such candidates will be considered eligible for admission to research leading to Ph.D Degree provided they pass the Master's Degree Examination with at least 55% marks and have been declared qualified in the test.

Candidates who have already qualified in the National Eligibility Test for Junior Research Fellowship or Lectureship of the UGC/CSIR or ICAR/GATE or ICMR JRF test or candidates who are selected for fellowship by the kerala State Council for Science, Techonology & Environment or the State Level Eligibility Test conducted by the Kerala Government or who hold M.Phil. Degree by research and thesis in addition to a Master's Degree or its equivalent with not less than 55% marks are exempted from eligibility test.

Candidates with DBT-JRF are exempted from the Ph.D. Entrance Test and they are permitted to register for research leading to Ph.D. Degree in Biotechnology.

Scientists/Ayurveda Doctors working in Pharmaceuticals/Hospitals/Research Centres owned by Government with 7 years experience and having 2 research papers published are exempted from the Ph.D. Entrance Test.

Scientists/Engineers working in approved Research Laboratories either owned or managed by the Central/State Government or an Autonomous Research Institution of National Status with seven years experience in the Grade Scientist/Engineer, having two research papers published in the recognized research journals of the concerned subject approved by the Board of Studies concerned, are exempted from the Ph.D Eligibility Test.

College teachers who have seven or more years of teaching experience are also exempted from the Eligibility Test. Candidates with DM/M.Ch Degree are exempted from appearing the test.

Those who have qualified in M.Phil. in subjects other than the subjects in which he/she is seeking registration for Ph.D. would be required to qualify in Eligibility Test.

Registration will be granted to the eligible candidates only if the concerned Supervising Teacher has vacant seats at the concerned Research Centres.

Part-time Registration

Part-time Ph.D. registration shall be restricted to regular/permanent teachers of the Department and affiliated Colleges of the University of Kerala in the concerned subjects.

Part-time registration is also extended to teachers who are working in substantive vacancies in Government and Aided Colleges in the State of Kerala.

However, the facility of part-time Ph.D. registration (1) in Library and Information Science is also extended to those who are working as Library Staff in the University of Kerala on regular basis with a minimum of 3 years experience if all other conditions are satisfied and (2) in Management Studies is extended to those persons working in managerial position with a minimum of 3 years experience in Government and Public Sector undertakings provided all other conditions are satisfied.