ugc guidelines for phd 2020 pdf

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INTRODUCTION

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has been entrusted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) with the task of conducting UGC-NET, which is a Test to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for ‘Assistant Professor’ as well as ‘Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor’ in Indian Universities and Colleges.The UGC-NET is being conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode w.e.f. December 2018 onwards.

Awarding of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and/ or Eligibility for Assistant Professorship depends on the aggregate performance of the candidate in Paper-I and Paper-II of UGC-NET. The candidates qualifying only for Assistant Professorship are not eligible to be considered for the award of JRF. Candidates who qualify the eligibility test for Assistant Professorship are governed by the rules and regulations of the concerned Universities/Colleges/State Governments, as the case may be for recruitment of Assistant Professor.

UGC-NET is conducted twice every year (June & December) . In order to regularize the UGC-NET examination cycle, the National Testing Agency (NTA), with the concurrence of UGC is conducting UGC NET December 2023 in 83 subjects, at selected cities across the country.

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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 amends rules for PhD admissions

The ugc has declared that beginning with the academic year 2024-25, phd students will be given admission based on their national eligibility test (net) scores.

In a landmark decision made by the University Grants Commission (UGC), aspirants for PhD admission will not be required to take university entrance exams.

The UGC has declared that beginning with the academic year 2024-25, PhD students will be given admission based on their National Eligibility Test (NET) scores.

The UGC Council approved new guidelines for PhD admissions under the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020. According to these guidelines, NET qualifiers will be eligible for three categories. Students with the highest NET scores will be placed in Category 1.

They will also be eligible for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), an assistant professorship, and PhD admission and fellowship.

They would have to give an interview for PhD admission, which will be based on UGC regulations 2022.

Following that, students with the highest percentage will be placed in the second group. These students will be considered for assistant professorship and PhD admissions.

Students who pass the exam but with a lower percentage will be placed in category 3. The candidate’s rank will be included in the final result certificate.

“For PhD admission, the net percentage of candidates in categories 2 and 3 will be considered for 70% weightage, while the interview will be weighted at 30%. The NET score in both categories will be valid for one year only, and if they do not participate in the PhD programme within that time frame, they will be ineligible for it. According to the circular released by UGC on Thursday, the candidate would have to retake the NET examination.

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UGC PhD Regulations 2024 - New Guidelines for PhD Scholars

Kopal Srivastava Aug 6, 2024 5.6K Reads

A doctorate in India is for those who are passionate about deep research. These studies often lead to new discoveries or significant scientific advances. Some findings improve our understanding of the world.

Others spark scientific revolutions acknowledged for decades. In this blog, we explain UGC regulations for pursuing a PhD in India. The guidelines are called UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2022.

They apply to :

• Universities established by Central, Provincial, or State Acts
• Institutions deemed to be Universities under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956

These guidelines are effective from the date as soon as they are published.To know more, you can even check the link given “REGULATIONS”

What are the Guidelines for Pursuing a PhD Program

The University Grant Commission (UGC) has decided starting in the 2024-25 academic year, that NET scores will be used for PhD admissions. This will replace the entrance exams that universities and higher education institutions used to hold. This change was announced on March 27, 2024 :

Three criteria are used to group NET scores :

• Award for JRF & Assistant Professor Appointment is the first category : If you meet the requirements, you can be considered for a PhD program, you are eligible for a Junior Research Fellowship, and an Assistant Professor appointment.
• Promotion to Assistant Professor and PhD Admission is the second category : The Junior Research Fellowship is not available to candidates in this category. You are still able to get a PhD and be assigned as an assistant professor, though.
• PhD Admission Only is the third category : Only PhD admission is eligible for this category. It is not possible for you to be appointed as an Assistant Professor or get a Junior Research Fellowship.
• Moreover, 30% of the weight for PhD admission comes from the interview and 70% comes from your NET score.
• For categories 1 and 2, the NET score is valid for a year, therefore you must submit a PhD admissions application within a year of passing the UGC NET.

Who is eligible for a PhD Program?

• 1-Year Master’s Degree : Candidates with a 1-year divided into 2-semester Master’s degree, must have completed an undergraduate of 4 years with at least 55% marks or a 'B' grade on the UGC 10-point scale can apply to a PhD Program.Or you must have an Equivalent degree from an accredited foreign university are also accepted.
• 2-Year Master’s Degree : Candidates with a 2-year divided into 4-semester Master’s degree must meet the same eligibility as above.
• Bachelor’s Degree : Candidates with a 4-year divided into 8-semester Bachelor’s degree are only allowed not with a 3-year bachelor’s degree for Research need a minimum CGPA of 7.5/10. Or a 75 percent mark in the graduation.

M.Phil. Candidates :

• Candidates who completed the M.Phil. coursework with at least 55% marks or a 'B' grade on the UGC 10-point scale are eligible. Equivalent degrees from accredited foreign institutions are also accepted.
• If the M.Phil. dissertation is evaluated and recommended for the award, candidates can be admitted to the Ph.D. program provisionally before the viva voce.

Relaxations :

• Marks Relaxation : A 5% relaxation in marks (from 55% to 50%) or equivalent grade relaxation is allowed for SC/ST/OBC category, Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS), and other categories as per the Commission’s decision.
• CGPA Relaxation : A relaxation of 0.5 in the CGPA score (to 7/10) or an equivalent grade is allowed for the same categories mentioned above.

Note :  The 55% eligibility marks (or equivalent grade) and the 5% relaxation for specific categories are based only on qualifying marks without including grace marks.

Program Duration

• The duration of a PhD Program is a minimum of 2 years excluding a course work and it can extend up to 6 years.
• Extensions beyond six years are allowed as per the institution's rules, but not for more than two extra years.
• Women and Persons with Disabilities over 40% disability can get an extra two years for their Ph.D. Women can also take up to 240 days of Maternity/Child Care Leave during their Ph.D.
• For student exchanges that help complete the thesis, leave may be granted from the second year onwards
• Short research trips (less than one month) need supervisor and department head approval.
• Longer research missions that last more than one month need department proposals and approval from the Research Advisory Committee for work in National/International Research Labs or Centres of Excellence.

Admission Procedure of a PhD Program 

Ph.D. candidates may apply to any university using the National Eligibility Test (NET), a National Admission Test, or one of their own admission exams. Universities are required to comply with notifications on common entrance exams issued by the Ministry of Education or the UGC.

Colleges and universities that provide Ph.D. programs need to :

• Determine the annual number of Ph.D. candidates to accept based on the facilities and supervisors that are available.
• Publicize on their website and in two national publications (one in the local language) the availability of seats, the entrance requirements, and other pertinent information.

Observe any state or federal reserve laws :

The admissions requirements must take into account state and federal reservation rules, as well as UGC and other legal requirements. A two-stage admissions process utilizing National Level Entrance Exams or comparable exams will be used.

• Those who meet the requirements for the NET and JRF will occupy 60% of the seats, while those who pass the university or common admission exam will occupy 40%. Candidates from the other category may fill open seats in accordance with reservation policies and merit.
• Research, analytical, understanding, and mathematical skills will all be evaluated through an entrance exam. With a 50% qualifying mark (45% for SC/ST/OBC and Differently-abled candidates, it will be held in centers that have been notified. Within a month, a Special Admission Drive will take place if the reserved seats are not filled.
• Candidates will describe their research interests via interview. For applicants who pass the entrance exam, selection will be made in a 70:30 ratio; for JRF/NET candidates, selection will depend only on the interview. There will be distinct merit lists released.

The interview will evaluate :

• The applicant's research proficiency of the candidate.
• The capacity of the organization to fund the study.
•   The study topic's applicable.
• Academic institutions are required to publish a list of all Ph.D. candidates, together with their name, research subject, supervisor's name, and registration date, on their website each year.

Course Work

The Ph.D. program requires a minimum of 12 credits and a maximum of 16 credits.

Coursework is a prerequisite for Ph.D. preparation. Four credits must be assigned to one or more courses on Research Methodology, covering quantitative methods, qualitative methods, 3) computer applications, research ethics, review of published research in the relevant field, and fieldwork.

All Ph.D. students must take courses in teaching, education, pedagogy, or writing related to their subject.

Other courses will be advanced-level to prepare students for their Ph.D.

  Experienced researchers with original contributions can choose courses that help monetize their intellectual property.

  Credits earned from coursework can be transferred between institutions through the Academic Bank of Credits.

Ph.D. students should gain 3-4 hours of teaching experience per week through assistantships or other knowledge dissemination activities.

Dissemination activities, including presentations, articles, and research, must be approved by the Research Committee.

All Ph.D. courses must meet credit hour requirements and be approved by academic bodies.

The Department, based on the Research Advisory Committee's recommendations, will prescribe courses for the scholar.

Ph.D. students must complete coursework within the first one or two semesters, with blended learning options in case of pandemics.

Candidates with an M.Phil. may be exempt from Ph.D. coursework.

Government-sponsored candidates may also be exempt if they have completed equivalent coursework.

Course grades will be assessed by the Research Advisory Committee and the Department.

Ph.D. students need at least 55% marks or an equivalent grade to continue and submit their thesis.

Evaluation and Assessment

• Ph.D. candidates must begin research and prepare a draft dissertation or thesis within a response time frame specified by the university after finishing courses with the necessary grades.
•   Scholars are required to present their work to the Research Advisory Committee and obtain feedback from faculty members and other researchers before submitting their thesis.
• It is encouraged to present research at conferences and publish it in peer-reviewed publications. Universities have the authority to establish standards and should guarantee the caliber of Ph.D. degrees.
•  An originality report generated by anti-plagiarism software must accompany the thesis submission. Managers need to look over this report.
• Institutions need a way to identify plagiarism. A statement of originality from the student and a supervisory certificate must be submitted with the thesis.
• The supervisor and two outside examiners, who are professionals not affiliated with the university, will assess the thesis. Examiners may come from outside India, but at least one must be from outside the state.
•  The supervisor and one or more external examiners will conduct the Interview test. The Research Advisory Committee, academic staff, research researchers, and other specialists are welcome to attend.
• The applicant and supervisor are required to notify the institution if the study findings result in the possibility of intellectual property rights. It is possible to handle the thesis in private and to postpone the public defense for up to a year.
• Only if the examiners approve the thesis only then will the Interview take place. An additional examiner will be consulted if one examiner rejects it. The thesis will be dismissed if the secondary examiner concurs.
• After submission, the Ph.D. thesis assessment procedure should be finished in full within three months.
• It is recommended for Ph.D. scholars to spend a minimum of three consecutive weeks, one to six months, working at different research institutes, including foreign ones.

PhD through Distance or Online Mode

Ph.D. programs cannot be conducted through distance education or online mode. However, candidates in service can pursue a Ph.D. as long as they meet all eligibility conditions specified in the Ph.D. regulations.

Moreover, if you want to pursue an Online PhD, you can opt for its alternative which is an Online DBA. DBA stands for Doctor of Business Administration and it is also a doctorate program and adds up a “Dr” title before your name.

There are various universities offering you an Online DBA. Some of them are mentioned below :

Provisional Certificate

Before the degree is officially awarded, the university will issue a provisional certificate confirming that the degree has been granted in line with UGC Regulations.

Colleges Offering a PhD In India

There are various government and private colleges offering a PhD program, Some of them are mentioned below :

Before directly applying to a PhD program, it is a must for you to go through all the rules and regulations by the UGC for pursuing a PhD Program. It will help you to fill in all the necessary information regarding the PhD program such as eligibility, duration, and many more.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

⭐ what are the new ugc phd regulations.

Now, candidates can pursue a PhD straight after completing a four-year undergraduate degree. Regardless of their undergraduate major, individuals can take the NET in the PhD topic of their choice; all they need is a minimum of 75% of marks in their graduation 

⭐ Is a UGC NET required for a PhD?

Indeed, NET scores will be used to determine PhD admissions beginning with the 2024–2025 academic year. For a PhD, university entry tests are no longer necessary.

⭐ What is better JRF or NET?

You can work as an assistant professor at colleges and universities if you have NET. Top NET scores are given Junior Research Fellowships (JRFs), which come with stipends for research.

⭐ Can one pursue a PhD part-time and is it valid?

Part-time PhDs are recognized by UGC, yes you can obtain a part-time PhD. Your employer must provide you with a "No Objection Certificate". You have to enroll in full-time classes for a minimum of six months.

⭐ Can my PhD be published as a book?

It is possible to publish your doctoral study as a book.

⭐ Do PhD candidates receive a stipend?

Indeed, a monthly stipend is provided to PhD students to cover living expenses, research costs, and housing.

By Kopal Srivastava

10 Years of Experience / Storyteller / Research-driven Writer

Loves to create story and narrating them through a Podcast

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