The University Grants Commission (UGC) has drafted guidelines to introduce a PhD Excellence Citation, an initiative aimed at recognizing exemplary research work in Indian universities. This move is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes the creation and exploration of new knowledge through high-quality research.
The PhD Excellence Citation will annually honor ten doctoral scholars, with two citations awarded in each of five academic disciplines. According to UGC Chairperson Prof. M Jagadesh Kumar, the initiative is designed to foster a robust research ecosystem and celebrate outstanding PhD research. “This initiative aims to commend exceptional doctoral research across a range of disciplines, reflecting the vision of the NEP to promote research excellence in higher education institutions,” said Prof. Kumar.
The draft guidelines, which are yet to be made public for feedback, outline a two-tier selection process: a screening committee at the university level and a final selection committee at the UGC level. Universities will be tasked with nominating up to five theses each year, one from each of the five designated streams: Sciences (including Medical Sciences), Engineering and Technology, Social Sciences (including Education and Humanities), Indian Languages, and Commerce and Management.
Eligibility criteria include successful PhD defense at recognized universities across India, including state, central, private, and deemed universities. Only universities accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and recognized under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act will be eligible to participate.
The PhD Excellence Citations will be presented annually on September 5, commemorating Teacher’s Day. Institutions will nominate theses completed during the previous year’s convocation period (January 1 to December 31). A key focus of the initiative is to encourage the identification of high-quality doctoral work among young researchers, ensuring that academic institutions play a vital role in driving innovation and generating new knowledge.
The UGC’s study on PhD trends from 2011 to 2018 provided key insights for shaping these guidelines. The study revealed a significant increase in the number of students pursuing research degrees, with admissions nearly doubling from 77,798 in 2010-11 to 161,412 in 2017-18, showing a 10% annual growth rate. The highest number of PhDs awarded during this period were in the sciences (30%), followed by engineering and technology (26%), and social sciences (12%).
The UGC’s new initiative is expected to not only highlight the growing trend in PhD research in India but also set a benchmark for quality and innovation across disciplines. Once the guidelines are finalized, this program could serve as a major incentive for universities to nurture and promote exceptional academic research.
