UGC simplifies hurdles in PhD admission, introduces new criteria

higher education
Representational image. Photo: TippaPatt / Shutterstock.com

New Delhi: The UGC has notified the criteria for PhD admission, including that for the entry of those who have passed the four-year combined degree course with 75% marks. It also removed the condition that, for awarding a PhD, the candidate should publish the findings in various journals.

The UGC criteria make it clear that there will not be an MPhil degree from now onwards. The new conditions come into being in the place of the 2016 criteria.

People’s views were sought on the draft amendment in March. The draft proposal to reserve 60% of the research seats in higher education institutions for the NET and JRF awardees was given up in the last phase. The current mode of admission will continue.

For PhD admission
Pass the four-year combined degree course with 75% marks. If the mark is less, the candidate should pass the one-year PG course with 55% marks. Those who have completed the three-year UG course and passed the PG course with 55% marks can also apply. There is a concession of 5% for SC/ST, OBC, differently-abled, and economically backward sections. Those who have passed their MPhil with 55% marks can also apply.

Course period
The course period will be a minimum of three years, including coursework, and a maximum of six years. There is a concession of two more years for differently-abled and girl students. Girls can avail of a maximum of eight months of leave for delivery and infant care.

Part-time
Professionals will be allowed to undertake part-time research. The consent letter from the employer should be produced for the purpose. The letter should make clear that leave would be granted, including for completing coursework.

Research guide
Teachers who have less than three years for retirement won’t have permission to allow new students to join. Professors can allow a maximum of eight students, associate professors six students, and assistant professors four students.

The condition that the research details have to be published in international journals will not be applied henceforth. That doesn’t mean that PhD students should entirely avoid it. Those who do high-quality research should always try to publish their findings.

M Jagadesh Kumar, UGC Chairman

In the case of the PhD of students currently registered, the 2016 criteria or the new conditions can be applied. Those who study for the MPhil course will not be covered by the new criteria.

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