PhD duration max 6 yrs, not to be offered through Distance/Online Mode: UGC Draft Regulations 2022

The Draft Regulations says 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 University Grants Commission (UGC) has come u with draft regulations on PhD degrees and has invited suggestions from stakeholders on its various provisions. The new regulations are in line with the recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020.

As per the Draft Regulations 2022, A candidate seeking admission in a PhD programme should have scored 55 percent in his or her Masters or MPhil, however, there is 5% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC, Differently-abled and EWS category candidates.

The University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022 states that the PhD programme shall be for a minimum duration of two years excluding course work, and a maximum of six years. However, two years of relaxation will be given to women and Persons with Disabilities.

The Draft also states that the minimum number of the credit requirement for the PhD programme should be at least 12 credits and a maximum of 16 credits. “No University/College shall conduct PhD programmes through distance education mode/online mode,” reads the Draft Regulations.

The UGC Notice states that the PhD Degree Regulations, 2022 are available on the UGC website and stakeholders can share their feedback, suggestions by March 31, 2022.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates for admission to the PhD programme shall have successfully completed a Master's degree programme (after a four-year undergraduate degree) with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade 'B' in the UGC 10- point scale. It states that a candidate seeking admission after a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree with ‘Research’ should have a minimum CGPA of 7.5/10.

Candidates who have cleared the M.Phil. course work with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade 'B' in the UGC 10-point scale (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed) or an equivalent degree from a Foreign Institution accredited by an Assessment and Accreditation Agency approved by the authority of that country.

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-voice or final defence.

The Draft states: “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, or for those who had obtained their master’s degree before 19th September 1991.”

Duration of Programme

The Draft states that PhD programme shall be for a minimum duration of two years excluding course work, and a maximum of six years. 3.2 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.

Candidates to be admitted through NET, Entrance Test

The UGC Draft regulations states that 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.

NO PhD through Distance Mode/ Online

The Draft Regulations clearly states that notwithstanding anything contained in these Regulations or any other Rule or Regulation, for the time being in force, no University/College shall conduct PhD programmes through distance education mode/online mode.

De-specification of M.Phil Degree

The M.Phil (Master of Philosophy) degree shall be despecified from the Academic year 2022-23 onwards. M.Phil degree awarded till the date of notification of these regulations shall remain valid.

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