New Delhi: Student community should remain alert before getting admitted to PhD courses through distance education/mode. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has clarified that no institute can award Doctorate  Degrees (PhD)  done through distance education. Hence, distance education PhD degree will not be recognized, said UGC.

In a circular Dt. 17 March 2017, the UGC informed that full-time and part-time PhD programs will treated as degrees.   University Grants Commission Regulations on Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education, 2O1O (4th Amendment) notified in the Gazette of India on 11th July 2016 has mentioned that the PhD should be in Regular Mode.

The UGC said that it has been receiving queries from various stakeholders/universities seeking clarification with regard to definition of the word Regular Mode. The commission at its meeting held on 22 February 2017 considered the issue and decided that it may be read as under: PhD degrees which are pursued either full time or part time will be treated as degrees awarded through Regular Mode provided these are in conformity with the existing Statutes/Byelaws/Ordinances etc. of the degree awarding University. However, the PhD acquired under distance mode is not permitted.