Ph.D | Sciences

Ph.D. programme of a candidate shall consist of three parts in sequence, namely,

Part-I: Coursework, Part–II: Comprehensive Vice Voce, and Part-III: Synopsis Submission followed by Thesis Submission and successful defense.

A candidate shall be free to apply for a change in the Research topic / Coursework for the consideration of the Doctoral Committee before the completion of Part-I. But, the candidate shall not be permitted to change the Research topic after the completion of Part-I.

All the Ph.D. registrations shall be provisional initially and they shall be confirmed only on the successful completion of both Part-I and Part-II.

Proposing Coursework
The written examinations for the Coursework shall be conducted normally along with the PG Examinations of the University. The candidates shall be permitted to apply and appear for one or more courses at a time in a given examination.

• For each candidate of the M.Sc. (Engg.) by Research + Ph. D Integrated Dual Degree programme in the Faculty of Engineering, the Research Supervisor(s) shall propose four courses out of those listed by the University for Part-I relating to the area of research proposed by the candidate, along with his/her application for registration.
• The candidates with M.Sc. + M. Phil. qualifications registered in the Faculty of Science shall study four courses proposed by the Research Supervisor(s) out of those listed by the University for Part-I relating to the area of research proposed by the candidate, along with his/her application for registration and approval by the Doctoral Committee.
• The candidates with only M.Sc. qualification registered in the Faculty of Science shall study six courses proposed by the Research Supervisor(s) out of those listed by the University 1 for Part-I relating to the area of research proposed by the candidate, along with his/her application for registration.

In addition to the above specified Coursework, all the candidates (including those of the M.E./M.Tech./M.Arch. + Ph.D Integrated Dual Degree programmes) shall undertake a course on Research Methodology prescribed by the University, which shall include quantitative methods and computer applications. The Coursework shall be in the English language.

Coursework Approval

The Doctoral Committee shall scrutinize and approve the courses proposed by the Research Supervisor(s) in each case, with or without modification.

• In order to pass the coursework (Part I), the candidate shall obtain a minimum of 50% of the marks allotted to each Course in the University Examination.
• Letter Grades shall be awarded to the candidates declared successful in each course as follows:
  1. • 90-100 Marks: S Grade (Outstanding)
     • 75-89 Marks: A Grade (Excellent)
     • 60-74 Marks: B Grade (Good)
     • 50-59 Marks: C Grade (Satisfactory)
     • < 50 Marks: F Grade (Fail)

The University shall have the provision to issue Grade Card(s) to the candidates for the Coursework.

Norms for Maintaining Provisional Registration

The following norms/standards shall be applicable to all the candidates for maintaining their provisional registration:

• Each individual course to be successfully cleared in a maximum of two attempts;
• The entire coursework (Part-I) must be completed within two semesters from the date of provisional registration by Master’s Degree holders;
• Candidates with Bachelor’s Degree to complete the entire Coursework (Part-I) within three semesters from the date of provisional registration;
• Candidates upgraded to the M.Sc.(Engg.) by Research + Ph.D. Integrated Dual Degree to complete the entire coursework within two semesters from the date of provisional registration;
• Grace period of one more semester possible for all the candidates under extraordinary circumstances, based on the University receiving the candidate’s request supported by   the recommendations of the Doctoral Committee;
• Candidates failing to fulfill the above requirements liable to get their provisional registration automatically cancelled; such candidates to be free to apply for provisional registration for Ph. D.

Minimum Period for Submission of Thesis by Full-Time Students
Full-Time candidates for the Ph. D Degree including those upgraded to the M.Sc. (Engg.) by Research + Ph.D. and M.E./ M. Tech./M. Arch. + Ph.D. Integrated Dual Degree programmes, shall be normally eligible for submission of the thesis after a minimum period of three years from the date of provisional registration, subject to fulfillment of all the prescribed requirements. But, in exceptional cases having outstanding research contributions to be substantiated in writing by the Doctoral Committee, it shall be possible for a Full- Time Candidate to submit the Thesis in less than three years.

Maximum Period for Submission of Thesis by Full-Time Students
The maximum period for submission of the Ph.D. thesis by Full-Time candidates including those upgraded to the M.Sc. (Engg.) by Research + Ph.D. and M.E./M. Tech./M. Arch. + Ph.D. Integrated Dual Degree programmes, shall be five years from the date of provisional registration. But, the Vice Chancellor shall have the powers to extend the maximum period for submission of the Ph.D. thesis by such a candidate by one year on the specific recommendations of the Doctoral Committee forwarded through the Research Centre on receipt of a request for extension from the candidate not less than six months prior to the completion of the stipulated period. The decision of the Vice Chancellor in this regard shall be final. In the case of failure of the candidate to submit the thesis even after the extended period, the registration shall be cancelled, after issuing a show-cause notice to the candidate.

Minimum Period for Submission of Thesis by Part-time Students
Part-time candidates for the Ph. D Degree shall be normally eligible for submission of the Thesis after a minimum period of four years from the date of provisional registration, subject to fulfillment of all the prescribed requirements. But, in exceptional cases having outstanding research contributions to be substantiated in writing by the Doctoral Committee, it shall be possible for a Part – time Candidate to submit the thesis in less than four years.

Maximum Period for Submission of Thesis by Part-time Students
The maximum period for submission of the thesis for Part-time candidates shall be six years. But, the Vice Chancellor shall have the powers to extend the maximum period for submission of the thesis by such a candidate by one year on the specific recommendations of the Doctoral Committee forwarded through the Research Centre on receipt of a request for extension from the candidate not less than six months prior to the completion of the stipulated period. The decision of the Vice Chancellor in this regard shall be final. In the case of failure of the candidate to submit the thesis even after the extended period, the registration shall be cancelled, after issuing a show-cause notice to the candidate.