NEW DELHI: The UGC has notified criteria for admission to the PhD programme for those who pass a 4-year integrated degree course with 75% marks. The requirement to publish findings in various journals to get a PhD has been waived. The UGC norms also state that henceforth there will be no degree in M.Phil. The 2016 norms have been replaced by new provisions...

The draft amendments were published in March for public comment. The draft proposal to reserve 60% of research seats in higher education institutions to NET and JRF winners was scrapped at the final stage. The existing mode of admission will continue.

For PhD admission: Pass with 75% marks in a 4-year undergraduate course. If the marks are less, then a one-year PG course should be passed with 55% marks. Candidates who have completed their PG with 55% after three years of study are also eligible to apply. There is a 5% relaxation for SC, OBC, differently abled, and economically backward categories. MPhil graduates with 55% marks are also eligible to apply.

 Duration of Study: Minimum 3 years and maximum 6 years, including course work. Girls and the differently abled will have an extra two years of relaxation. Girls will be allowed a maximum of 8 months of maternity and childcare leave.

Part-time: Professionals are also allowed to do part-time research. A letter of consent must be submitted from the employer. This should include the provision of leave to complete course work.

Research Guide: Teachers with less than 3 years of retirement are not allowed to enrol new students. A maximum of 8 students for professors and 6 students for Associate Professors. Asst. Professors can add up to four people.

Current Students: Currently registered students may follow the 2016 provisions or the new criteria for PhD degrees. The new conditions will not apply to M.Phil. students.