New Delhi: As per UGC's proposed revised norms, holders of four-year undergraduate degrees with a minimum CGPA of 7.5 will be eligible for admission to PhD programmes.
In its most recent draft of amendments to the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2016, the UGC also proposed that 60% of available seats in all higher education institutions be reserved for NET)/ NET-JRF qualified candidates.
During the 556th commission meeting on March 10, the proposed UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022, were adopted.
While the admissions procedure would remain the same, the draft guidelines updated the qualifying requirements following the discontinuation of the MPhil degree under NEP 2020 and the introduction of four-year undergraduate programmes (FYUP), according to the paper.
Check: UGC Issues Draft Guidelines for Multidisciplinary Education
Universities and colleges will now be able to provide 4-year undergraduate degrees with several exit and entrance options under the NEP 2020. Several institutions, notably JNU and DU, have already made the decision to implement similar programmes this year. Students will obtain honours with a research undergraduate degree after finishing a four-year degree programme.
Candidates with a four-year bachelor's degree in research with a minimum 7.5 CGPA, as well as first and second-year postgraduate students, will be eligible for admission to PhD programmes under the new proposed norms (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.
Check: UGC to Allow Industry Experts without PhD to Teach in Central Universities
Further, the document stated, “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 further said that NET/JRF certified candidates will fill 60% of the total unfilled seats for the academic year.
“The remaining 40% through the university/common entrance test qualified students on the basis of interviews conducted by the concerned institute,” it said.
There are currently no such fixed criteria for universities and colleges. Students who are NET/JRF qualified do not have to take an entrance exam and are admitted based on a viva or interviews. Others must take the exam, which is weighted 70:30 in favour of the interview/viva.
Check: UGC issues guidelines for the establishment of research and development cells at HEIs
The minimum length for completing a PhD has been reduced from three to two years under the new laws, but the maximum period has stayed fixed at six years. The UGC has also allowed research scholars to take time off to participate in research expeditions, research missions, and exchange programmes.
The proposed laws also grant the economically disadvantaged groups a 5% waiver to the economically weaker sections (EWS). The statement went on to underline the need for research topics that are "socially relevant, locally need-based, and nationally important" in terms of delivering value to society.
Several changes to the function and responsibilities of research supervisors and co-supervisors have been suggested, the most significant of which is that they will be able to supervise two overseas students on a supernumerary basis.
Furthermore, under the revised regulations, higher education institutions will be responsible for assessing the quality of PhD degrees, and they will be permitted to develop guidelines in this respect.
Also Read:
Comments