PhD Admission

Guidelines Academic
Year
2025-2026
 PhD Admissions are open for the following Schools at RRU

1. School of Internal Security, Defense, and Strategic Studies (SISDSS)

2. School of IT, Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security (SITAICS)
3. School of Physical Education & Sports (SPES)
4. School of Behavioural Sciences and Forensic Investigations (SBSFI)
5. School of Integrated Coastal and Maritime Security Studies (SICMSS)
6. School of International Cooperation, Security and Strategic Languages (SICSSL)

Name of School Discipline Coordinator Contact Details

School of IT, Artificial Sampurna [email protected]
Intelligence and Cyber Computer Engineering Dr.Sengupta
Security (SITAICS) 9540734746
School of Integrated
Coastal & Maritime Dr. Kanika [email protected]
Coastal and Maritime Kesar 7814239354
Security Studies
Security Studies
School of Internal Security Dr. Aparna [email protected]
and Defence and Security Defence and Strategic Varma 8447510793
Studies Dr Ruchika [email protected]
Studies (SISDSS) Singla 6357436776
School of Behavioural Behavioural Dr. Ankita
Sciences and Forensic [email protected]
Investigations (SBSFI) Sciences Parmar 7968126821
School of Physical
Education and Sports Physical Education Dr. Utsav [email protected]
Chaware 8435625768
(SPES)
School of International
Cooperation, Security and
Strategic Languages International Relations Dr. Anirban [email protected]
Sen 9205492683
(SICSSL)

Examination Paper Pattern

Paper I – Research Methodology - 35 Marks

➢ Multiple Choice Questions – (1 Mark each * 10 MCQ), No Negative Marking
➢ Descriptive Questions (5 Marks * 5 Questions)

Paper II – Subject Wise – 35 Marks

➢ Multiple Choice Questions – (1 Mark each * 10 MCQ), No Negative Marking
➢ Descriptive Questions (5 Marks * 5 Questions)
 Entrance Exam Syllabus

Research Methodology

Unit - I: Research: Nature and Definition

Research: Nature, Definition and Purposes; Scientific attitudes theory formation: Inductive,
Deductive-Reasoning; Types of research studies: Descriptive, Analytical, Exploratory and
Doctrinal; Quantitative vs Qualitative Research; Basics of Qualitative Research –
Ethnography Observation, Oral History and Grounded Theory; Mixed Methods.

Unit – II: Steps in Research

Sources of Research Problems; Primary and Secondary - Independent and Dependent
variables; Main steps in Social Research types: Formulation of research problem, selecting
of problem, study area, etc; Review of Literature; Sample collection; Data Analysis and
Report Writing.

Unit – III: Hypothesis and Sampling

Hypothesis: Definition, types and sources; Research Design: Meaning and types; Reliability
and validity; sampling: Non-Probability and Probability types; Methods ofdata collection:
Pilot study, observation, Questionnaire, Interviewing, Case study method; Unobtrusive
measures, Secondary data collection, Uses of official statistics.

Unit – IV: Data Analysis

Types of data: qualitative and quantitative; Analysis and interpretation of data, Data
processing; Content analysis; Survey method measurement and types of scales. Analysis and
interpretation of data; Report writing; Ethics in Research: Researcher Fraud and Plagiarism,
Confidentiality in Research, Avoiding Ethical problems.
Unit – V: Basic Statistics
Statistics-Meaning and significance - Classification of Tabulation, Diagrammatic, and
graphic representation of data; Measures of central tendency-mean, median and mode;
Measures of dispersion-range, mean, quartile and standard deviation; Concept of Statistical
inference, test of significance; Analysis of variance; Multivariate analysis Multiple
correlation, meta analysis, content analysis; Chi-square Test, T-Test and Regression analysis;
Use of SPSS for Data Analysis.
 IT/Cyber Security/Computer Engineering/ IT Engineering

Unit - I: Digital Logic

Boolean algebra, Combinational and sequential circuits, Minimization, Number
representations and computer arithmetic (fixed and floating point)

Unit - II: Computer Organization and Architecture

Machine instructions and addressing modes, ALU, data‐path and control unit. Instruction
pipelining, Memory hierarchy: cache, main memory and secondary storage; I/O interface
(interrupt and DMA mode)

Unit - III: Programming and Data Structures

Programming in C. Recursion, Arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, binary searchtrees,
binary heaps, graphs

Unit -IV: Algorithms

Searching, sorting, hashing. Asymptotic worst case time and space complexity, Algorithm
design techniques: greedy, dynamic programming and divide‐and‐ conquer. Graph search,
minimum spanning trees, and shortest paths.

Unit - V: Theory of Computation

Regular expressions and finite automata, Context-free grammars and push-down automata,
Regular and context-free languages, pumping lemma, Turing machines and undecidability

Unit - VI: Operating System

Processes, threads, inter‐process communication, concurrency and synchronization,
Deadlock, CPU scheduling, Memory management and virtual memory, File systems
Unit - VII: Databases
ER‐model, Relational model: relational algebra, tuple calculus, SQL, Integrity constraints,
normal forms, File organization, indexing (e.g., B and B+ trees), Transactions and
concurrency control

Unit - VIII: Computer Networks

Concept of layering, LAN technologies (Ethernet), Flow and error control techniques,
switching. IPv4/IPv6, routers and routing algorithms (distance vector, link state),
TCP/UDP and sockets, congestion control, Application layer protocols (DNS, SMTP,
POP, FTP, HTTP), Basics of Wi-Fi, Network security: authentication, basics of public key
and private key cryptography, digital signatures and certificates, firewalls

Unit – IX: Software Engineering

System Development Life Cycle (SDLC): Steps, Water fall model, Prototypes, Spiral model,
Software Metrics: Software Project Management

Software Design: System design, detailed design. function oriented design, object oriented
design, user interface design, Design level metrics, Coding and Testing: Testing level
metrics, Software quality and reliability

Unit – X: Current Trends and Technologies

Data Warehousing: Data Warehouse environment, architecture of a data warehouse
methodology, analysis, design, construction and administration, Data Mining: Extracting
models and patterns from large databases, data mining techniques, classification, regression,
clustering, sequencing analysis
 Coastal & Maritime Security Studies

UNIT 1- Dimensions of Coastal and Maritime Security Law

• Conceptual framework of Coastal and Maritime Law

• Evolution of Coastal and Maritime Security in India

• Importance of the Coast, Oceans and Sea

• Littoral states

• Ecological Vulnerability of the Coastal and Marine Areas

UNIT 2- Ocean Governance and National Security

• Nationality, Registration and Ownership of Ships

• Enforcement Jurisdiction at Sea

• Hot Pursuit and State Practises

• Maritime Zone Specific Enforcement Operations

• Marine Scientific Research

UNIT 3- Maritime Security Regulation and Enforcement

• Piracy, Hijacking, and Armed Robbery Against Ships: The Legal Framework- 1982
UNCLOS, SUA and Protocols

• IMO

• Maritime Terrorism and Illicit Trafficking in Arms

• The Illicit Trafficking of Drugs

• Ship and Port Facility Security- ISPS code

• Indian Ports: Regulatory Framework

\
UNIT 4- Threats to Coastal and Marine Environment and Legal Response
• Threats from Ship-Sourced Marine Pollution

• MARPOL: General Structure and Underlying Principles and its enforcement

• Conservation and Management of Marine Resources

• Deep Sea Bed Mining: Regulatory Mechanisms

• Major oil spills

• Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported (IUU) fishing: Implications and Challenges

• Marine Protected areas: Challenges and Responses

UNIT 5- Coastal and Maritime Security Response Mechanisms and Dispute

Resolution

• Coastal Policing-Legislative framework

• Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)

• International Court of Justice as Principal Judicial Organ

• Means and Procedure for Settling Maritime Disputes: ITLO

Unit 6- Law of the Sea
• Evolution of Law of the Sea

• General Principles of International Law and the Law of the Sea

• Concept of Jurisdiction: Coastal, Flag and Port States

• Innocent Passage

• Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone

• The Exclusive Economic Zone

• The Continental Shelf

• High Seas

UNIT 7- Contemporary and Emerging Issues

• National Fisheries Regulations

• India’s Deep ocean mission

• International Law Commission: Latest Reports

• Littoral states: Security threats and challenges

 Physical Education

Unit – I: Anatomy
• Cell and Its Parts – Cell Division

• Tissues: Types and Functions

• Brief Account of Different Systems of the Human Body

• Organizational Structure of Human Body

Unit – II: Physiology

• Physiology of Muscular Activity, Neuro Transmission and Movement Mechanism

• Physiology and Properties of Respiratory, Digestive, Circulatory and Endocrine

System(s)

• Physiology and Properties of the Nervous, Excretory, and Skeletal System(s)

• Bioenergetics and Recovery Process

Unit – III: Kinesiology

• Joints, Movement around Joints, Planes and Axes

• Fluid Mechanism, Kinetics and Kinematics (Linear and Angular)

• Laws of Motion and Freely falling bodies (Projectile)

• Principles of Lever, Angle of Pull, Equilibrium, Force and Spin

Unit – IV: Athletic Rehabilitation

• Athletic Injuries – their Management and Rehabilitation

• Therapeutic Exercises and Modalities

• Massage Manipulation

• Posture – Postural Deformities

Unit – V: Sports Psychology
• Theories and Laws of Learning

• Theories and Dynamics of Motivation, Individual Differences and Personality in

Sports

• Psychological Factors affecting Sports Performance – Stress, Anxiety, Tension, Self

Confidence, Fear and Aggression

• General Principles of Growth and Development

• Transfer of Training Effects

Unit – VI: Health Education

• Nutrition and Dietary Manipulation

• Diseases and their Preventive and Therapeutic Aspects

• Health-Related Fitness, Obesity and Its Management

• Environmental and Occupational Hazards

Unit – VII: Sports Training & Yoga

• Characteristics and Principles of Sports Training

• Training Load and Periodization

• Training Methods and Specific Training Programme for the Development of Various
Motor Qualities

• Technical and Tactical Preparation of Sports

• Sports Talent Identification – Process and Procedures

• Meaning, Need, Importance, Types, and Stages of Yoga

• Meaning, Need, Importance, Types of Asanas, Pranayama, Bandha, & Kriyas

Unit – VIII: Evaluation Techniques in Physical Education
• Concept and Principles of Test, Measurement and Evaluation

• Construction and Classification of Tests

• Criteria of Test Evaluation

• Concepts and Assessment of Physical Fitness, Motor Fitness, Motor Ability, and
Motor Educability

• Testing Psychological Variables – Competitive Anxiety, Aggression, Team Cohesion,

Motivation, Self-Concept, Personality

• Anthropometric, Physiological, Biochemical, and Physical Measurements of

Different Variables

Unit – IX: Sports Criminology and Sports Law

• Sports Organizations & Governance

• Constitutional Law: Issues & Implications in Sports

• Broadcasting and Media Rights in Sports

• Sports and Relevance of Competition Law

• Issues of Criminal Liability in Sports

• Medicine and Legal Liability in Sports

• Sports Persons – Ads, Endorsements and Marketing: Legal Issues and Implications

Unit – X: Sports Doping (Forensic)

• Introduction and Concept of Sports Doping (Forensic)

• National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

• Banned Performance-Enhancing Drugs and Methods

 Behavioural Sciences

Unit 1-Thought Schools of Psychology

• Psychoanalytical, Gestalt, Behaviourism, Humanistic, Existential, Cognitive, Cross
Culture Psychology, Yoga and Buddhism, Indian ancient Psychology

Unit 2- Personality
• Self and Personality, Concept of Self, Cognitive and Behavioural Aspects of Self,
Self-esteem, Self-efficacy and Self-regulation, Culture and Self, Concept of
Personality

• Major Approaches to the Study of Personality, Type Approaches, Trait Approaches,

Five-Factor Model of Personality, Psychodynamic Approach, Behavioural
Approach, Cultural Approach, Humanistic Approach, Assessment of Personality,
Self-report Measures, Projective Techniques.

Unit 3-Neuropsychology
• Definition, Brain - behaviour relationship or mind-body realm, sensations, visuo-
spatial functions, language, learning and memory. Emotions, executive functions,
acquired and traumatic brain injuries, dementias, epilepsy. Parietal and occipital lobe
syndromes, Brain and Deviant Behaviour

Unit 4- Social Psychology:

• Social Cognition, Mob Psychology, Attribution theory, Stereotypes, Psycho social
factors contributing to deviant behaviour, Social justice, Inclusion and diversity,
attitudes and perception

Unit 5- Disorders and Criminal Behaviour

• Antisocial personality disorder, paranoid personality disorder, borderline personality
disorder, substance dependence disorders, sexual deviant disorders, habit and
impulse disorder, psychotic and mood disorders.

Unit 6- Forensic Psychology and Scientific Methods

• Forensic Psychology: meaning and scope, role, Forensic Psychology in India, Victim
counselling, Victim assistance, Difference between legal and forensic psychology
Unit 7- Memory and Learning
• Theoretical Models of Memory, Atkinson-Shiffrin model, Levels of processing
theory, Working memory model, Dual-process theories of memory, Neurobiological
Basis of Memory: Hippocampus and its role in memory formation,Amygdala and
emotional memory, Prefrontal cortex and executive functions in memory, Types of
Memory, Encoding, Storage, and Retrieval Processes, Working Memory and
Cognitive Control, Developmental Perspectives on Memory, Individual Differences
in Memory,

• Learning Processes, Classical and operant conditioning, Reinforcement schedules

and reinforcement learning, Observational learning and social modelling,
Metacognition and Memory Monitoring, Applied and Clinical Aspects of Memory.

Unit 8- Cognitive Functioning

• Problem-Solving and Creativity: Creative problem-solving techniques, Incubation
and insight in problem-solving, Cognitive processes underlying creativity, Problem-
Solving and Decision Making, Concept Formation and Categorization, Reasoning
and Logic, Problem-Solving and Creativity, Cognitive ergonomics and human factors
 Defence and Strategic Studies
Unit 1-Theories and Concepts
• The Concept of Nation: State, Theories and Elements of State

• National Power and its components

• National Security Structures of India: Armed Forces, Intelligence

Agencies, Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force

• Theories of Realism, Liberalism, Marxism, Social Constructivism,

Detente, Deterrence, Balance of Power, Non Aligned Movement

Unit 2- India’s External Security Challenges

• Weapons of Mass Destruction: Nuclear, Chemical and Biological

• Concept of Non Proliferation: NPT, CTBT, PTBT, MTCR, FMCT

• Chemical Weapons Conventions

• Biological Weapons Conventions

• Environmental Issues: Global Warming, Acid Rain, Industrial Pollution,

Desertification, Deforestation, Air Pollution, Water Pollution, Disaster
Management

• Border Disputes: India-Pakistan War, India-China War

Unit 3-Non traditional Security Threats

• Food Security, Energy Security, Water Security

• Organized Crimes: Narco Terrorism, Money Laundering, Small Arms

Trade, Drug Trafficking, Human Trafficking

• Migrants and Refugee Problems

1
Unit 4- India’s Internal Security Challenges

• North East Insurgencies

• Genesis of insurgencies; types of insurgencies and ethnic conflicts

• Naga insurgency, Assam agitation, Bodo insurgency; Counter- insurgency

• Left Wing Extremism

• Definition; Ideology; Genesis and history—Tebhaga Movement,

Naxalbari revolt; Geographical spread; Structure — Committees (central,
regional, divisional),

• Peoples’ Liberation Guerrilla Army, United Front, international linkages;

Anti-Naxal operations

Unit 5- Current Affairs

2
 International Relations and National Security
Unit 1: Foundation
• How is international politics different from domestic politics?
• Why do we need a separate field of inquiry?
• Evolution, Meaning, Nature and Scope of International Relations as a Discipline
• Dissonance in Terminology: World Politics, International Politics, International
Affairs, World Affairs and International Relations
• The Construction of Security

Unit 2: State Formation, Power, Legitimacy, Security

• What Makes a State?
• State Making in the Third World. Case Study: Evolution of State System in Ancient
India; From Mahajanapadas to Empires, 7th Century BCE – 3rd Century BCE; Ideas
of Manu, Kautilya, and Shukra
• War and the Nation-State
• Security and the State

Unit 3: Basic Concepts of International Relations

• National Interest
• National Power
• Balance of Power
• Collective Security
• Power Vacuum
• Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
• World Order

Unit 4: State System; Evolution and Contemporary Features

• The concept of sovereignty
• Evolution of the Concept
• Sovereignty and Kingship in India; Rajadharma in Shantiparva of Mahabharata.
• Self-Determination and Contemporary IR
Unit 5: The Nation, Nationality, and International Relations
• What is a nation? Western and Indian Experience: Nation-States of Europe v/s
Union of Nations in India.
• Nationalism in IR
• Domestic Politics and IR
• Ethnic Conflict and its Resolution

3
Unit 6: National Security and the State
• What is national security?
• Security Dilemma in IR
• Why do states cooperate?
• Different Dimensions of Security

Unit 7: Evolution of Threats to National Security

• Hard Security and Cold War
• Nuclear Security
• Terrorism: Old and New
• Non-Traditional Security Agenda after the Cold War
• The Global War on Terror
• Global Commons – Nuclear, Space, Maritime and Cyber Threats
Unit 8: India’s National Security Management
• Factors influencing National Security Strategy
• National Security Management after Independence
• Microscopic to a Macroscopic Approach during the Cold War Years
• National Security Management Post-Cold War
• National Security Management post Kargil War
• Current National Security Management

*************