UGC asks universities, colleges to upload full-text PhD theses in Shodhganga

The number of PhD students who graduated is one of the sub-parameters used for ranking of HEIs under "Graduation Outcomes" of the NIRF

In order to derive authentic data and easy access to doctoral theses, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked institutions to upload full-text PhD theses in Shodhganga. Shodhganga has been created as a repository of full-text theses and dissertations.

In a letter sent to Vice-Chancellors of all universities and the principals of all colleges and institutes, UGC has stated that the number of PhD students who graduated is one of the sub-parameters used for ranking of HEIs under "Graduation Outcomes" of the NIRF. Ranking of Higher Education Institutions is done annually by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) using the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).

Shodhganga is a repository of full-text theses and dissertations. “Uploading the full-text PhD theses of students by institutions on Shodhganga will facilitate deriving authentic data on the number of PhD students who graduated. It will also help in making a formidable resource of research conducted in India,” reads the UGC letter.

It has been stated that the online availability of electronic theses through centrally maintained digital repositories will not only ensure easy access and archiving on Indian doctoral theses but would also help in raising the quality of research.

The UGC letter reads: “It may also be noted that the UGC has already mandated submission of PhD theses on Shodhganga through UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of M.Phil/Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2016.”

All the Higher Educational Institutions and their affiliated Colleges, Institutions have been asked to take necessary action to get the full-text PhD theses of the student uploaded in Shodhganga. The data on the number of PhD students who graduated in 2019, 2020 and 2021 will be taken from the Shodhganga repository for India Ranking 2023 by NBA.

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