NEP 2020: UGC proposes revised norms for PhD admission
The candidates who have cleared M.Phil course with at least 55% marks in aggregate or a candidate whose M.Phil dissertation has been evaluated and recommended for award of the degree may be admitted to PhD programme
Under the New Education Policy (NEP)-2020, those holding four-year undergraduate degrees with a minimum CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) of 7.5 with 1-year/2-semester master’s degree programme (after 4-year undergraduate degree) with at least 55% marks in aggregate will be eligible for admission to PhD programmes, according to revised norms proposed by the University Grants Commision (UGC).
Under the NEP-2020, universities and colleges will now offer 4-year undergraduate degrees with multiple exit and entry options. Other eligibility criteria are 2-year/4-semester master’s degree programme or a candidate seeking admission after a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s degree with research should have a minimum CGPA of 7.5/10.
The candidates who have cleared M.Phil (Master of Philosophy) course with at least 55% marks in aggregate or a person whose M.Phil dissertation has been evaluated and recommended for award of the degree may be admitted to the PhD programme in any institution on a provisional basis even before the viva voce or final defence.
The UGC has proposed a relaxation of 5% of marks, from 55% to 50%, or an equivalent relaxation of grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/differently-abled, economically weaker section (EWS) and other categories of candidates as per the decision of the commission from time to time.
These regulations may be called University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022. Every degree-granting autonomous college and every affiliated college are allowed to offer PhD programmes.
PhD programme shall be for a minimum duration of two years excluding course work and a maximum of six years. Extension beyond the above limits will be governed by the relevant clauses as stipulated in the statute/ordinance of the individual institution concerned but not beyond more than two years.
Women candidates and “Persons with Disabilities” (more than 40% disability) may be allowed a relaxation of two years for a PhD in the maximum duration. In addition, women candidates may be provided maternity leave/child care leave for up to 240 days once in the entire duration of PhD.
For student exchanges, provided that they contribute significantly to the completion of the thesis, leave of absence may be granted from the second year onwards.
All universities shall admit PhD scholars through a National Eligibility Test (NET) or National Entrance Test or an entrance test conducted at the level of individual universities. The admission shall be based on the criteria notified by the institution, keeping in view the guidelines/norms in this regard issued by the UGC and other statutory bodies concerned and taking into account the reservation policy of the central/state government from time to time.
Sixty percent of the total vacant seat of the academic year shall be filled from NET/JRF qualified students and the remaining forty percent through the university/common entrance test qualified students on the basis of interviews conducted by the concerned institute. However, in case of an unfilled vacancy in either of the category, candidates from another category can be requisitioned to fill the vacant slots in the order of merit reservation norms.
The syllabus of the entrance test shall consist of questions that test research/ analytical/ comprehension/quantitative aptitude. The entrance test shall be conducted at the centre(s) notified in advance by the organisation conducting the examination.
Qualifying marks in the entrance test will be 50% provided that a relaxation of 5% of marks (from 50% to 45%) shall be allowed for the candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layers)/differently-abled category in the entrance examination conducted by the universities.
The university/college shall maintain the list of all the registered PhD scholars on its website on a year-wise basis. The list shall include the name of the registered candidate, the topic of their research, the name of their supervisor/co-supervisor, date of enrolment/registration.
Proposed area of research is 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.
Eligibility criteria to be a research supervisor, co supervisor, number of Ph.D. scholars permissible per supervisor etc. A PhD scholar has to obtain a minimum of 55% of marks or its equivalent grade in the UGC 10-point scale (or an equivalent grade/CGPA in a point scale wherever grading system is followed) in the course work in order to be eligible to continue in the programme and submit the thesis.
There shall be a research advisory committee or an equivalent body for a similar purpose as defined in the statutes/ordinances of the institution concerned for each PhD scholar. The research supervisor of the scholar shall be the convener of this committee. It is aimed to review the research proposal and finalise the topic of research.
