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UGC notifies new regulations on PhD degrees, here's what has changed

The ugc has announced new norms for phd degrees that include significant modifications to the qualifications for admission, the application process, and the evaluation procedures.

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UGC revises basic requirements for PhD. Scholars, professors opine on what it means for academia

The University Grants Commission (UGC) released the Minimum Standards and Procedure for the Award of PhD Regulations, 2022, on November 14, 2022, which revised the requirements for PhD degrees as per the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. According to the new guidelines, MPhil and publication in a peer-reviewed journal are no longer mandatory. Among other changes is direct entry to a Doctoral programme after a four-year undergraduate degree or just a one-year Master's degree. The announced guidelines are effective immediately, as stated in the released notification: "All HEIs are requested to initiate necessary steps to implement the new regulations for the award of PhD." About the changes, an Economics professor of Visva-Bharati University (VBU) and the President of Visva-Bharati University Faculty Association, Sudipta Bhattacharyya tells  EdexLive , "The new ordinance has been framed in the line of National Education Policy whose goal is elimination and corporatisation of education."

Scholars and professors have varied views on these new changes, but mostly, they argue that the revision would make no difference. “The practice of publishing papers is now a standard and the number of publications matters. The journals and the prestige of the journals add additional weight to a profile. Without publication, you cannot enrol in any reputable universities. Thus, by removing the mandatory publication they did not accomplish anything,” says Bibu Binu Thomas, a PhD scholar from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal. In agreement with Bibu Thomas, another scholar, Sushree Ankita Jena, questions the point of the regulation by stating, "Now the brute reality is that no matter where you go for an academic job, a huge weightage is on publication, so, what is the point?"

Removal of MPhil — waste of time, lack of experience or method of elimination?

MPhil has been completely removed as a prerequisite for enrolment in PhD programmes. While a few scholars welcome the decision calling MPhil "a waste of time", others consider it a necessary experience for a PhD. "A student is thrust into research without any prior experience though they can get that through PhD; MPhil served as a sort of bridge," states Rudra Prasad Behera, an MPhil scholar from Ravenshaw University, Odisha. Again, approving the change, VBU Prof Kausik Bhattacharya argues, "MPhil was never necessary; just an intermediary degree between postgraduation and PhD. A waste of time, in my opinion." 

However, Economics professor Sudipta Bhattacharyya considers the move a method of elimination. "Drop of MPhil is again to eliminate a huge number of people from the job market as PhD is a time-taking exercise," he says. 

PhD without publication of papers In the new regulations, the mandatory publication of papers in peer-reviewed journals has been removed. Previously, PhD candidates were required to publish "at least one (1) research paper in a refereed journal and make two paper presentations in conferences/seminars before the submission of the dissertation/thesis for adjudication” as per the 2016 regulations. This means that the decision to publish a paper is at the scholar's discretion.

Prof Rudra Prasad Behera opines, "PhD without publication, I believe, is like  biryani  without  elaichi ; it will work, but the aroma will be missing." However, Professor Kausik Bhattacharya notes that the requirement for mandatory publication resulted in the release of articles of low quality, "To publish any useless paper makes no sense. It cannot merely be a way to create a profile. Forced publication accomplished nothing more than pushing mass publication of subpar research papers." 

Shruthi Madhu, a PhD student at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), concurs with both Professors Bhattacharya and Behera and states, "On one hand UGC did this to do away with this pressure and in the process producing low-quality papers just for the sake of publishing. That might have been the agenda why this guideline was removed, but as a result, the push to do solid research work is no longer there and one would feel much less enthusiastic about publishing them." Shruthi continues by stating that if a candidate wants to continue their education abroad, the lack of published papers may hinder their future. "Universities abroad require you to show some work outside your PhD and candidates from other countries typically will have their PhD thesis along with numerous research papers. Although it is great that there is no strict mandate to publish a paper, it could also have unintended consequences," she remarks. 

It might also be interesting to take note of the fact that the UGC's list of journals was not always up to the mark and Prof Sudipta Bhattacharyya reminds us that many reputed journals were dropped from the list. "UGC excluded reputable journals like Economic and Political Weekly for Social Sciences and, as a damage control that dropped the provision of publication as a condition of promotion and appointment," alleges Prof Bhattacharyya. 

Is direct admission to PhD a boon or curse? Are students mature or experienced enough after a four-year course to enrol into PhD? Will this enable aspiring academicians to hasten a convenient employment search? Does a speedy process help students learn fast? These are the concerns that crop up in the face of the most drastic change in the new regulations of the UGC. "Direct enrolment into PhD after graduation, I think, is a naive move as the quality required for becoming a scholar will be rare in the mass of undergrads," says Rudra Prasad Behera. Meanwhile, Prof Kausik Bhattacharya asserts that the regulation has no bearing. "If you cannot make any changes at the fundamentals or create a vigour for research, there is no relevance to these changes," he remarks, adding, "The education system is not helping students in any way. These are insignificant changes." 

Professor of Delhi University, Rajib Roy, echoes Prof Bhattacharya when he notes the insignificance of these modifications and says, "MPhil was a breathing period and it helped me, but now one can directly enrol into PhD. You can argue that this will hasten the employment search, but then why are so many doctorates unemployed? These nomenclature changes never made any substantial changes." He concludes with crucial questions, "It is essential thus to ask why are so many overqualified students unemployed and why are there so little quality research done despite the number of papers produced?"

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UGC latest Regulations for PhD

UGC has drafted the latest minimum standards and procedures ( UGC PhD regulations 2022 ) to award a PhD degree. These latest UGC regulations replace Regulation, 2016 and its two amendments: (1st amendment ) Regulations, 2018 dated the 27th of August 2018, and (2nd amendment) Regulations, 2018 dated 16th of October 2018.

Latest Regulation from UGC:

PhD admission without UGC NET in 2024

UGC regulations for part time PhD

PhD admission with four year Graduation degree

Page Contents

University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022

Eligibility criteria for admission to the phd programme.

A 1-year/2-semester Master’s degree programme (after a 4-year undergraduate degree) with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade ‘B’ on the UGC 10-point scale.

A 2-year/4-semester Master’s degree programme.

A candidate seeking admission after a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree in Research should have a minimum CGPA of 7.5/10.

A relaxation of 5 % marks can be granted to those belonging to SC/ST/OBC.

Duration of the PhD Programme

PhD programme shall be for a minimum duration of three years including coursework, and a maximum of six years. For more details regarding the extension, please read the complete PDF notification provided at the last of this blog post.

Procedure for admission

All Universities shall admit Ph.D. Scholars through a National Eligibility Test (NET) or National Entrance Test or an Entrance test conducted at the level of individual universities.

UGC guidelines for Ph.D. thesis submission

The Ph.D. thesis submitted by a research scholar shall be evaluated by his/her Research Supervisor and at least two external examiners, who are experts in the field.

Out of the two external examiners, one must be from out of the state in which the institution is located.

The viva voce of the research scholar to defend the thesis shall be conducted only if the evaluation report(s) of the examiner(s) on the thesis recommends acceptance. If one of the evaluation reports of the examiner in case of a Ph.D. thesis, recommends rejection, the Institution shall send the thesis to an alternate examiner out of the approved panel of examiners and the viva-voce examination shall be held only if the report of the alternate examiner is satisfactory.

UGC regulations for the award of PhD

Award of degrees to candidates registered for the Ph.D. programme on or after July 11, 2009, till the date shall be governed by the provisions of the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of M.Phil./Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2009 and 2016 and their amendments .

UGC guidelines for plagiarism

Reference :

https://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/4405511_Draft-UGC-PhD-regulations-2022.pdf

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PhD: UGC revises eligibility, admission & evaluation norms

A draft notification has been issued, revising the regulations for awarding Doctor of Philosophy, i.e., PhD, by institutions under the University Grants Commission (UGC). These would come into effect from the date of publication in the Union Gazette. This would modify the May 5, 2016, Regulation and its subsequent two amendments.

The proposals on the criteria for admission, eligibility, programme duration and evaluation are the following:

A) Proposed admission norms Admission should be given via the National Eligibility Test (NET) of the UGC or similar recognised test.

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Each year, the universities and colleges can determine the number of seats while taking into account the number of available research supervisors, basic facilities and the student-teacher ratio.

Relevant information such as the number of seats, subject-wise list, admission criteria and procedures should be published on the website in advance. If there is an entrance test, details of that should also be included. Details should also be published in two newspapers, including one in regional language.

The central/state reservation policy should be adhered to.

Sixty per cent seats to be filled from NET/JRF, while 40 per cent seats from the university/common entrance and the interview conducted by the institution. In case of vacant slots in one category, these can be filled from the other category.

Only those candidates with 50 per cent marks in the entrance exam should be considered. For SC/ST, OBC and differently-abled, 45 per cent.

Candidates in the NET/JRF categories should be ranked on the basis of their interview, and the others on their performance in the written test (70) and interview (30).

If retired professors get appointed as an emeritus professor at the same university, they can continue as supervisors till the age of 70.

B) Proposed eligibility norms One-year/two-semester Master’s degree with 55 per cent marks in aggregate or equivalent grade, after a four-year under-graduate degree. Two-year/ four-semester Master’s degree with 55 per cent marks or equivalent grade Four-year/ eight-semester 'bachelor’s degree with research' with a grade point average of at least 7.5/10.

Applicants should have completed MPhil course work, with 55 per cent marks in aggregate or equivalent grade. Candidates pursuing MPhil but have not completed viva voce and final defence can be given admission to PhD on a provisional basis.

Candidates in the SC/ST, OBC and differently abled categories and the economically-weaker section need only 50 per cent marks. The minimum marks/grade should be considered without including the grace mark.

C) Norms on programme duration The programme duration should be 2 to 6 years, excluding course work. If the duration is extended as per the special rule of a particular institution, it should not be more than 2 years.

For women and the differently abled, the duration can be extended up to 2 years. Women can also avail maternity/ childcare leave for 240 days. Women who have to relocate due to marriage or any other reason can be allowed to transfer the research study to a new centre, subject to conditions.

There is also a provision to take leave for a few weeks to take part in a student-exchange programme in the country or abroad that would help in preparing the thesis.

D) Evaluation method An anti-plagiarism software report also needs to be submitted along with the draft dissertation or thesis on the satisfactory completion of the course work. It is recommended to present the research work in the journal or present it in the conference, with the permission of the institution. But not mandatory.

No university or college should conduct the PhD programme in the distance education mode or online mode. Those in service should also follow the above-mentioned provisions while pursuing PhD.

Even though there is no MPhil programme from 2022-23 academic year onwards, the already earned MPhil degree would remain valid. On the satisfactory completion of the programme, the PhD provisional certificate should be given to the research student.

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UGC revises rules for PhD admission, 40% seats to be filled in entrance test apart from NET/JRF

New test to be conducted by universities/colleges to complement net/jrf. policy document lays out syllabus, qualifying marks, guidelines for areas of research, supervisors’ duties..

New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has revised the rules for admission to PhD programmes by including an entrance test for admission, apart from qualification through the existing National Eligibility Test (NET), ThePrint has learnt. The idea is to “reorient” PhD programmes across the country, officials said. 

NET/JRF (Junior Research Fellowship), conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is the exam that tests a student’s eligibility to enrol for a PhD in Indian universities. But now, 60 per cent of the total seats of the academic year for a PhD programme shall be filled by NET/JRF qualified students. The remaining 40 per cent shall be filled through the university/common entrance test.

The draft of the revised regulations — ‘UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2022’ — was approved in a commission meeting held on 10 March, UGC chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar confirmed to ThePrint. The document has been accessed by ThePrint.

The rules will soon be put on the official UGC website and made public. Based on the public feedback, the commission will finalise the regulations and send it to the Union Ministry of Education for approval.

For those who have qualified through NET/JRF, the selection will be based on interview/viva-voce. 

For candidates who have passed the entrance test, the selection shall be evaluated in the ratio 70 (written test) to 30 (interview). 

“Merit list for both shall be separately published. In case of unfilled seats in either of the categories, candidates from other categories can be requisitioned to fill up the vacant slots,” reads the policy document. 

Also read: Lateral entry in teaching? UGC working to bring in experts without PhD or NET qualification

Syllabus, qualifying marks, selection of research area

The syllabus of the entrance test shall consist of questions that test research/analytical/ comprehension/quantitative aptitude of a candidate, the document reads. It will be conducted by individual universities and colleges that have been permitted to do so. 

The university concerned shall devise its own admission procedure, along with eligibility conditions, to ensure that most of the seats under these categories are filled. 

“Qualifying marks in the entrance test will be 50 per cent, provided that a relaxation of 5 per cent of marks (from 50 per cent to 45 per cent) shall be allowed for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC (Non-creamy layers)/Differently-abled category in the entrance examination conducted by the universities,” the document states. 

“An interview/viva-voce has to be organised by the university/college concerned wherein the candidates are required to discuss their research interest/area through a presentation before a duly constituted departmental research committee,” it adds. 

The interview/viva-voce shall also consider whether the candidate possesses the competence for the proposed research, if the research work can be suitably undertaken at the institution/college and whether the research topic is relevant. 

The document also says that “selection of the area of research will get a special focus”.   

“Research on socially relevant/locally need-based/ nationally important/globally significant/create value to the society or in cutting edge areas or contribute to new/additional knowledge in the areas of emerging concerns worldwide will be encouraged,” the policy document adds. 

Obligations of supervisors

The revised policy document also has new sections on a supervisor’s obligations. The rules include that the supervisor should guide PhD candidates on whether the PhD project is feasible within the allotted time, explore the possibility that the project could lead to new results on a sufficiently high level to form the basis for a PhD thesis at an international level, and if there is enough time for the PhD student to have a realistic opportunity of submitting the PhD thesis on time.

“A good PhD programme requires that from the start of the PhD education there is a good working relationship between the student and the supervisor, in which the PhD student and the supervisor can reach an agreement on the demands and expectations placed on each other,” the document states. 

It adds that the supervisor is also responsible for being in regular contact with the PhD student, serving as a sounding board for the research project, advising the student about relevant courses and conferences and assisting the student in establishing contacts with relevant national and international centers of research. 

(Edited by Saikat Niyogi)

Also read: New schemes for students, regulations for online learning soon, says UGC head Jagadesh Kumar

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University Grants Commission revises regulations for taking up PhD programme

The university grants commission regulations, which set the minimum standards and procedure for awarding phds, have been revised according to the recommendations of national education policy.

Updated - December 03, 2022 01:35 pm IST

Published - December 01, 2022 08:29 pm IST - Bengaluru

A file photo of the University Grants Commission office.

To encourage research scholars to become well-trained researchers and inquisitive explorers, the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations, which set the minimum standards and procedure for awarding PhDs, have been revised according to the recommendations of National Education Policy (NEP-2020).

According to the new regulations, a candidate who has completed first or second semester Master’s degree programme, after four year or eight semester Bachelor’s degree (Honours degree) can apply for the PhD programme.

A candidate who has completed two years or four semester Master’s degree programme after a three years Bachelor’s degree programme or qualifications equivalent to the Master’s degree by the corresponding statutory regulatory body, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed, is also eligible for PhD programme.

A candidate who has equivalent qualification from a foreign educational institution accredited by an assessment and accreditation agency, which is approved, recognised, or authorised by an authority, established or incorporated under a law in its home country or any other statutory authority in that country to assess, accredit or assure quality and standards of the educational institution, can apply for the PhD programme.

The UGC has given relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade to those belonging to SCs, STs, OBCs, differently-abled, Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and other categories candidates.

Candidates who have completed the MPhil programme with at least 55% marks in aggregate shall be eligible for admission to the PhD programme.

The PhD programme will be for a minimum of three years, including course work, and a maximum of six years from the date of admission. A maximum of an additional two years can be given through a process of re-registration as per the ordinance of the higher educational institution concerned.

However, the total period for completion of a PhD programme should not exceed eight years from the date of admission.

Further, female PhD scholars and persons with disabilities may be allowed an additional relaxation of two years. However, the total period for completion of a PhD programme in such cases should not exceed 10 years. Female PhD scholars may be provided maternity leave or child care leave for up to 240 days in the entire duration of the PhD programme.

According to the new regulations, higher educational institutions may admit students who qualify for fellowship, scholarship in UGC-NET or UGC- CSIR NET, GATE, CEED, and similar national-level tests based on an interview or entrance test conducted at the level of the institutions.

The entrance test syllabus shall consist of 50% of research methodology, and 50% shall be subjects specific.

The PhD thesis shall be evaluated by a research supervisor and at least two external examiners who are experts in the field and not in employment of the higher educational institution.

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From Direct Admission After UG to No Research Paper: UGC Asks HEIs to Implement New PhD Norms

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Last Updated: November 15, 2022, 16:00 IST

New Delhi, India

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has revised its regulations, which set the minimum standards and procedure for awarding a PhD. (Representative image)

The updates, in accordance with the recommendations of National Education Policy 2020, were published by the UGC in an official gazette on November 7.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has revised its regulations, which set the minimum standards and procedure for awarding a PhD. The updates, in accordance with the recommendations of National Education Policy 2020, were published by the UGC in an official gazette on November 7.

The commission states that these fresh regulations are designed to encourage research scholars to become well-trained researchers and inquisitive explorers. It further requests that all higher educational institutions take the necessary steps to implement new regulations for the award of PhD degrees.

The new Minimum Standards and Procedure for the Award of PhD. Regulations 2022 has made significant changes. One notable change is that it has eliminated the necessity to publish a research paper in a peer-reviewed journal as part of the evaluation and assessment criteria for awarding a PhD.

Additionally, the MPhil degree, which served as a stepping stone for PhD programmes, has been completely abolished. The admissions criteria have been revised as well, allowing candidates to register for a PhD after completing four years of a graduate programme with at least 55 per cent marks or its equivalent grade. Candidates with three-year degree courses can opt-in for a PhD after completing their two-year master’s programme with a minimum of 55 per cent or equivalent grade.

There are also major changes to the curriculum. Previously, the description of coursework that the students were required to complete was more detailed, with at least four credits assigned to research methodology courses. Candidates were even mandated to complete this either in the first or second semester. Except those with an MPhil were exempted.

As per the new regulations, all PhD candidates “shall be required to train in teaching/ education/ pedagogy/ writing related to their chosen PhD subject.”

They can also be assigned 4-6 hours per week of teaching/research assistantship to conduct tutorials, laboratory work, and evaluations. The UGC now allows part-time PhDs, which were earlier prohibited under the 2009 and 2016 regulations.

Read all the Latest Education News here

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Soon, 4-year UG degree holders with 7.5 CGPA will be eligible for PhD admissions; UGC amends norms

The ugc has also proposed to reserve 60% of the available seats for national eligibility test (net)/ junior research fellowship (net-jrf) qualified candidates in all higher education institutions..

Holders of four-year undergraduate degrees with a minimum CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) of 7.5 will be eligible for admission to PhD programmes, according to revised norms proposed by the University Grants Commision (UGC).

In its latest draft of amendments to the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D Degree) Regulations, 2016, the UGC has also proposed to reserve 60% of the available seats for National Eligibility Test (NET)/ Junior Research Fellowship (NET-JRF) qualified candidates in all higher education institutions.

The draft UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2022, was approved during the 556th commission meeting held on March 10. HT has reviewed a copy of the document. The changes are in line with the National Education Policy, 2020 (NEP 2020).

The draft regulations are likely to be released for public suggestions on Thursday, said UGC officials familiar with the development.

According to the document, while there will be a status quo in terms of the procedure of admissions, the draft guidelines revised the eligibility criteria after the discontinuation of MPhil degree under NEP 2020, and introduction of four-year undergraduate programmes (FYUP).

Under the NEP 2020, universities and colleges will now offer 4-year undergraduate degrees with multiple exit and entry options. Several universities, including the Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University, have already decided to adopt these programmes from this year. After completing a four-year degree programme, the students will receive honours with a research undergraduate degree.

According to the new proposed norms, candidates having a four-year bachelor’s degree with research with minimum 7.5 CGPA will be eligible for admission to PhD programmes, along with first and second year post graduate students (after completing a four-year programme).

Confirming the development, UGC chairperson Jagadesh Kumar said, “The four-year undergraduate programme is beneficial to students in several ways. Those who are interested in research can do either multidisciplinary research or focus on a single discipline in their final year. Those who do well in the 4-year undergraduate program will be eligible to join in a PhD programme. I believe that this will enhance the research ecosystem in our country.”

Besides, candidates who have cleared M.Phil with at least 55% marks in aggregate will continue to remain eligible. “The MPhil degree shall be de-specified from the Academic year 2022-23 onwards. MPhil degree awarded till the date of notification of these regulations shall remain valid,” the document stated.

The document further stated that 60% of the total vacant seats of the academic year shall be filled from NET/JRF qualified students. “The remaining 40% through the university/common entrance test qualified students on the basis of interviews conducted by the concerned institute,” it said.

Presently, there is no such fixed criteria for universities and colleges. NET/JRF qualified students do not have to appear for an entrance test and are admitted on the basis of viva (spoken examinations) or interviews. Others have to undergo the test and the weightage assigned against interview/viva is 70:30.

Under the amended regulations, the minimum duration for completion of PhD has been revised from three years to two years while the maximum duration remained unchanged at six years. The UGC has also provided for leaves for research scholars to undertake research expeditions, research missions, and exchange programmes.

The proposed regulations also extend a 5% relaxation in eligibility criteria to the economically weaker sections (EWS). The document further stressed on the areas of research and recommended that topics that are “socially relevant, locally need-based,and nationally important” to adding value to society should be encouraged.

Several amendments have been proposed in the role and obligations of research supervisors and co-supervisors, the biggest of them being that they will be allowed to guide two international students on a supernumerary basis.

Besides, under the amended regulations, the quality assessment of PhD degrees should be the responsibility of higher education institutions and they will be free to evolve guidelines in this regard.

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