Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program at Arunachal University of Studies is primarily through an entrance test. However, candidates who meet certain criteria may be considered for direct admission. These criteria include:

1. Qualification in a national-level test such as National Eligibility Test (NET-JRF), NET-LS (without fellowship), Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering (GATE), State Level Eligibility Test (SLET) accredited by UGC, Central or State Government.
2. Recipient of national doctoral fellowships or other fellowships from government/semi-government organizations such as CSIR, UGC, AICTE, DST, DRDO, DAE, DBT, ICAR, ICMR, AYUSH, and similar national level organizations.
3. Selection under Quality Improvement Program (QIP) of AICTE, Faculty Development Programme of a State Government or UGC.
4. Employee sponsored as a full-time candidate by another University/Institution/College/Govt. Department/Public Sector Undertaking/R&D Organization/Private Industry, with at least 2 years of experience and on study leave for pursuing Ph.D. at the University.
5. Foreign national with fellowship from ICCR, Government of India, or self-financing foreign national admitted through Embassies/High Commission or under a MoU.
6. Already registered as a Ph.D. scholar in another University with the supervisor joining this University.
7. Employee or research scholar (meeting specific criteria) sponsored as a full-time candidate by another University/Institution/College/Govt. Department/Public Sector Undertaking/R&D Organization/Private Industry, with at least 2 years of experience, working for Ph.D. in the parent organization.
8. Candidate occupying senior management position in a government department/public sector undertaking/R&D organization/private industry, sponsored as a part-time candidate by the organization, with at least 10 years of professional experience.
9. Working in an externally funded research project in the University as a research personnel, allowed to register for Ph.D. provided certain conditions are met.
10. Teacher or non-teaching employee of the University or its affiliated colleges holding substantive post.
11. Candidates holding P.G. degree (D.M./M.Ch.) in super-specialty subjects in the Departments of Faculty of Medical Sciences.

These criteria aim to provide a pathway for candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences to pursue a Ph.D. at the University.