Govt sets new rules for M.Phil, Ph.D degrees

Viral MCQ sets new for MPhil, PhD degrees EXAM click here

New Delhi: The human resource development ministry has set new rules for award of research degrees like M.Phil and Ph.D in Indian universities. It has also relaxed several rules for women candidates including allowing a 240 days break to avail maternity benefits within the study period. Following are some of the key changes:

1) Duration of M.Phil: Minimum two consecutive semesters or one year, and a maximum of four consecutive semesters or two years;

2) Ph.D duration: Minimum of three years, including course work, and a maximum of six years. Extension beyond the limit to be governed by statute or ordinance of the individual institution concerned.

3) Number of PhD. scholars per supervisor now has been fixed – 8/6/4 for Professor/Associate Professor/ Assistant Professor, respectively. It was eight per supervisor earlier.

4) Number of M.Phil scholars per supervisor is now 3/2/1 for Professor/Associate Professor/ Assistant Professor, respectively. It was five per supervisor earlier.

5) Only a full-time regular teacher of the concerned university/college can act as a supervisor. It means, an external, visiting, adjunct or part-time teacher in a university cannot be the core supervisor of a research scholar. However, co-supervisor can be allowed in inter-disciplinary areas.

6) Special provisions for women candidates have been provided. For a female research candidate the course duration has been relaxed by two years for PhD and one year for M.phil courses. It also applies to physically handicapped candidates with 40% disability.

7) The new rules allow women candidates maternity leave or child care leave once during the entire duration of M.Phil/Ph.D for up to 240 days.

8) Women candidates can now also transfer research data due to relocation to new institutions. It means, if women candidates shift their base of work or stay because of any personal or professional reasons, she can shift her research work from one university to another close to her place of stay.

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