NEW DELHI: The
University Grants Commission
(
UGC
) on Wednesday asked higher education institutions (HEI) not to invite fresh applications for
MPhil
(
Master of Philosophy
) programme, reiterating that it is no longer a “recognised degree”.
UGC, through its Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of
PhD Degree Regulations
, 2022, as reported by TOI in September 2022, introduced a number of reforms for enrolment in PhD programmes.
Eligibility to take the test for PhD enrolment include 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in four-year/ eight-semester bachelor’s degree programme while scholars with one-year/ two-semester master’s degree programme after a four-year bachelor’s programme are also eligible. MPhil programme was discontinued by UGC in 2022.
Cautioning students against taking admission in such programmes, UGC, in a notice on Wednesday, said: “It has come to the notice of UGC that few universities are inviting applications for MPhil (Master of Philosophy) programmes. In this regard, it is to bring to notice that MPhil is not a recognised degree.”
“Regulation number 14 of the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022 clearly states that higher educational institutions shall not offer an MPhil programme,” said UGC secretary Manish Joshi. “MPhil courses which commenced prior to the notification of the PhD regulations will not be affected. Existing students will be allowed to complete the courses for the award of MPhil,” Joshi said.
English (US) ·