Students to get 6.5 years for PhD at DU, entrance compulsory

Students pursuing PhD from Delhi University will now get six and half years to finish their research against the earlier deadline of four years and will have to clear an entrance test for admission to the same.
The researchers will also be required to submit a soft copy of the PhD thesis to the UGC within a period of thirty days on successful completion of the evaluation process and announcement of award of the degree.
The varsity has amended its PhD ordinance in accordance with UGC Regulation, 2009 (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of PhD degree)and UGC Regulation, 2010 (Minimum qualifications for Appointment of teachers and other academic staff in universities and colleges and measures for the maintenance of standards in Higher Education).

In a meeting of the Executive Council (EC) held yesterday, the varsity approved the amendments.
"The span period for submission of PhD thesis shall be five years, extendable up to a maximum of six and a half years. In exceptional cases, the span may be extended after proper justification," EC member Abha Dev Habib said.
Earlier, the students used to get four years and there was a provision for an extension of six months.

While the admission process for PhD programmes varied from department to department, it has now been made mandatory to admit the students only through an entrance test.

"An entrance test shall be conducted for admitting students to the PhD programme. However, separate terms may be decided for students with JRF and MPhil Degree," Habib said.
According to the amended ordinance, the number of students admitted and the allocation of the supervisor will be at the discretion of the Departmental Research Committee in mutual discussion with the supervisor.
Also prior to submission of the thesis, the student shall make a pre-PhD presentation in the department open to all faculty members and research students for getting feedback and comments, which may be suitably incorporated in the draft thesis.
"PhD students shall publish at least one research paper in a refereed journal before the submission of the thesis and produce a proof in the form of an acceptance letter or a reprint at the time of submission," Habib said.

"At least one of the external examiners shall be from outside the state. One examiner from outside the country may also be considered," she added.