New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC), the higher education regulator, has notified amendments in the regulations for award of MPhil and PhD. The amendments notified that for selection of candidates, a weightage of 70 % to the Entrance Test and a weightage of 30% to the performance in the interview/vice-voce shall be given.

As per PhD Regulations, Higher Education Institutes admit students to MPhil and PhD program through a two-step process which should include an entrance test and an interview or viva-voce. Earlier the PhD Entrance Test has been qualifying in nature. Final merit list is being prepared on the performance of the candidates in an interview or viva-voce.

After the second amendment, the final merit list will be prepared on the performance of candidates at both Entrance Test and Interviews having more weightage in Entrance Test (70%) and less weightage (30%).

This regulation will be known as University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of M.Phil/Ph.D Degrees) (2nd amendment ) Regulations, 2018.

During 2016-17, a total number 28,779 students were awarded PhD. level degree with 16,274 males and 12,505 females, as per All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2016-17 report.

A total number of 1,41,037 students are enrolled in PhD that is less than 0.4% of the total student enrollment.