UGC: PhD done through distance mode will not be recognised

UGC: PhD in distance mode will not be recognised

University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a circular stating that PhD programmes pursued in the distance education mode will not be recognised henceforth. Thus, if any candidate wants to be appointed as a teacher or academic staff in a colleges or university then they need to pursue their PhD as a full time or part time course.

UGC in a circular had earlier mentioned that, “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. However, the PhD acquired under distance mode is not permitted.''

A leading national daily has reported that UGC has asked colleges/universities to upload/share information regarding PhDs of their students/staff and special mention was made to inform about the mode in which they secured their PhD degree.

UGC has undertaken this step because it is felt that PhD programmes should be pursued only in the regular mode as this alone would help in maintaining the standard of higher education imparted in the country.

Apart from this, it is also felt that PhD degree requires a lot of seriousness and unlike a post-graduation course, it requires rigorous approach.

Most of the registered universities in India offer PhD course in the full-time or part time mode only. The only exception to this rule being open universities like Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open Universities (YCMOU) and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).