New Delhi, 19 March 2022: Holders of four-year undergraduate degrees with a minimum CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) of 7.5 will be eligible for admission to PhD courses, according to revised norms proposed by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The UGC, regulator for Higher Education, has proposed some changes in the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2016.  The UGC has also proposed that sixty percent of the total vacant PhD seat of the academic year shall be filled from NET/JRF qualified students and the remaining forty percent through the university/common entrance test qualified students on the basis of Interviews conducted by the concerned Institute.

The draft of the revised regulations — ‘UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022’ is being uploaded on the official website of the UGC. The UGC has appealed the public to given their suggestions and feedback on these changes.

The Draft paper on the one of eligibility norms for PhD Admission reads a candidate seeking admission after a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree with Research should have a minimum CGPA of 7.5/10.

A relaxation of 0.5 score, i.e. CGPA of 7/10 or an equivalent relaxation of grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and other categories of candidates as per the decision of the Commission from time to time.

A 1-year/2-semester Master’s degree programme (after 4 year undergraduate degree) with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade ‘B’ in the UGC 10- point scale will be also eligible for PhD Admission in universities.

According to the document, there is a status quo in terms of the procedure of admissions. Meanwhile, the draft guidelines spell out the eligibility criteria after the discontinuation of MPhil degree under NEP 2020, and introduction of four-year undergraduate programmes (FYUP).