Soon, Indian Universities will follow the guidelines set by the HRD ministry to award M.Phil and Ph.D degrees.
Relaxing several rules for women candidates, the HRD Ministry said, "Women candidates, who are pursuing research degrees are permitted to take 240-day maternity break from their studies."
"The new rules are aimed at putting in place a "proper system" for doctoral studies and streamline their administration, duration and quality," said higher education secretary V.S. Oberoi speaking to LiveMint.
Women, Differently-abled to get more time to complete Ph.D/M.Phil
Following are the new guidelines set by HRD:
M.Phil duration | Candidates can pursue course for minimum of 2 consecutive semesters or 1 year, and a maximum of 4 consecutive semesters or 2 years. |
Ph.D duration | Minimum of 3 years, including course work, and a maximum of 6 years Extension of course beyond the limit to be governed by statute or ordinance of the individual institution |
Number of Ph.D scholars per supervisor | Professor - 8 scholars Associate professor - 6 scholars Assistant professor - 4 scholars |
Number of M.Phil scholars per supervisor | Professor - 3 scholars Associate professor- 2 scholars Assistant professor - 1 scholars |
Criteria for Supervisors | Supervisor should be serving as a full-time regular teacher of the concerned university/college. Any external, visiting, adjunct or part-time teacher in a university cannot act as a supervisor for a research scholar. Nevertheless, a co-supervisor can be allowed in inter-disciplinary areas. |
Provisions for women and physically challenged | Women scholars will enjoy special provisions under new rules, wherein the course duration has been relaxed by 2 years for Ph.D and 1 year for M.Phil courses. The same rule applies to physically challenged candidates with 40% disability. |
Maternity Leave | Women candidates are entitled to maternity leave, or child-care leave. This provision can be availed once by the candidates during the entire duration of their research programmes for up to 240 days. |
For relocating candidates | Women candidates are granted permission to transfer research data due to relocations to new institutions. Women candidates have the provision to switch their research work from one university to another, close to their residences if they are moving because of any personal/professional reasons. |
NET exempted for candidates registered for M.Phil/Ph.D prior July 2009