UGC asks universities to stop MPhil admission; reiterates it’s not recognised degree

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked universities to stop admissions to the MPhil programme. The commission had announced the discontinuation of the MPhil programme last year.

On November 7, 2022, the UGC has framed University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022. As per the revised PhD eligibility criteria, students with a four-year undergraduate degree with a minimum 75% marks or its equivalent grade will be eligible for a PhD.

The higher educational institution will have to obtain a “no objection certificate” for a part-time PhD programme from the appropriate authority in the organization where the candidate is employed. The candidate is permitted to pursue studies on a part-time basis.

Although MPhil has been scrapped, the UGC has made provisions for students who completed MPhil with at least 55% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade in a foreign university to take PhD admission in India.

Also read | Explainer: What are UGC’s new PhD eligibility criteria?

“It has come to the notice of the UGC that a few Universities are inviting fresh applications for the MPhil (Master of Philosophy) program. In this regard, it is to bring to the notice that the MPhil degree is not a recognized degree,” the commission said.

“The Universities authorities, therefore, are requested to take immediate steps to stop admissions to MPhil programme for the 2023-24 academic year. Further, students are advised not to take admission in MPhil programme,” it added.