UGC Launches Ph.D. Excellence Citation to Recognize Young Researchers

A recent UGC study, examining Ph.D. trends from 2011 to 2018, highlighted a doubling of Ph.D. admissions, reflecting a 10% annual growth.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced the introduction of the Ph.D. Excellence Citation, aimed at recognizing young scholars who have made significant contributions to research across various fields. Starting January 1, 2025, Vice Chancellors of various universities are invited to nominate eligible Ph.D. researchers, with nominations closing on March 31.

The initiative, in line with the National Education Policy 2020's focus on knowledge creation, aims to promote a high-quality research ecosystem. The citation will annually award ten winners, selected from streams including Sciences (Agricultural and Medical Sciences included), Engineering & Technology, Social Sciences, Indian Languages, and Commerce & Management.

A recent UGC study, examining Ph.D. trends from 2011 to 2018, highlighted a doubling of Ph.D. admissions, reflecting a 10% annual growth. The study also provided insights into the distribution of awarded Ph.D.s across ten subjects: Science (30%), Engineering and Technology (26%), Social Sciences (12%), Indian Languages (6%), Management (6%), Agricultural Sciences (4%), Medical Sciences (5%), Education (5%), Commerce (3%), and Foreign Languages (3%).

Winners will be honored on September 5 each year, coinciding with Teacher’s Day. The UGC will facilitate a rigorous selection process involving university-level and UGC-level committees to ensure the citation recognizes only the most outstanding research work.