Delhi University likely to extend validity of two MPhil courses till 2025-26

NEW DELHI: The Delhi University is likely to table a proposal to extend the validity for two of its MPhil in Clinical Psychology and Psychiatric Social Work till the academic session in 2025-26, in partial relaxation to the UGC's notification to discontinue MPhil courses as per the recommendations of NEP 2020.

The proposal is likely to be placed before the university's executive council for consideration in a meeting slated for March 8. According to the agenda for the meeting, the varsity last year had written to the University Grants Commission (UGC) for resumption of MPhil at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) as an interim arrangement in the interest of students and patient care till necessary final decision is taken by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI).

The university took the initiative after the dean of the university's Faculty of Medical Science expressed apprehension over the matter. "Taking cognisance of the apprehensions made by the faculty of medical science dean, vide its letter dated August 11, 2023 followed by another dated October 6, 2023 addressed to the UGC secretary sought the direction of the commission for resumption of MPhil (Clinical Psychology) Course at IHBAS," the agenda document read.

Following the university's request, the UGC in a public notice dated January 30 decided to extend the validity of MPhil in Clinical Psychology and MPhil in Psychiatric Social Work till 2025-26, only in partial modification to UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022 notified in December 2022. The decision was taken "considering the vital role played by clinical psychologists and psychiatric social workers in delivering mental health services," the notification read.

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The Academic Council and the Executive Council of the University, in a resolution in 2021, had decided to discontinue MPhil programmes from the academic year 2022-24 keeping in line with the National Education Policy 2020. As per the UGC's 2022 regulations for Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of PhD Degree, higher education institutes can no longer offer MPhil programmes. The commission last year had also requested the universities to take immediate steps to stop admissions to MPhil programmes for the 2023-24 and also advised students not to take admission in MPhil programmes.