UGC restores validity of pre-2009 PhD, MPhil degrees with riders

In a major relief to a large number of students, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has restored the validity of PhD and MPhil degree of those who acquired it before 2009, but with certain riders.

At its meeting here on Tuesday, the higher education regulator also approved a proposal for granting autonomous status to the colleges which have secured A-grade in three consecutive cycles from the national assessment and accreditation council (NAAC), provided the university to which they are affiliated gives a no-objection certificate. 

The commission also approved relaxation in number of years given to women and special students to complete MPhil and PhD programmes as well as exclusion of a maximum 240 days of maternity leave and childcare leave once in the entire duration of their programme.

Besides, a proposal to facilitate migration of women students from one university to another, with certain riders, also got the UGC’s nod.

The commission also approved a proposal to give 12B status to those colleges under the UGC Act which are continuously affiliated to an university for 10 years. This will enable these institutions to get grants from the UGC and other government agencies.  Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday announced the higher education regulator’s decision holding a press conference after the meeting.

As per decision taken by the UGC, the pre-2009 PhD scholars are not required to take National Eligibility Test (Net) or any other examination conducted for appointment to various faculty positions in universities and colleges.

“Provided their degrees were awarded in regular mode only, thesis was evaluated by at least two external examiners and open viva-voce of the candidate was conducted,” said Smriti. Besides, these scholars are also required to show at least two research publications from their PhD work, with at least one of them published in a reference journal.

To avail the relaxation from Net and other tests, they are also required to show that at least two presentations, based on their PhD work, was made in conferences or seminars.