Students are advised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to be wary of universities that are admitting them to the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) program. The caution is issued because, despite the university body's earlier discontinuation of the course, several universities are still providing the MPhil degree.
The commission had already declared that MPhil programs would no longer be given by higher education institutions, and that the MPhil degree course offered by all universities would no longer be valid. Additionally, the administration of the university has been requested to act immediately to cease accepting new students into the MPhil program for the 2023–2024 academic year.
In addition, the UGC letter advises students not to enroll in the MPhil Program.
Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, UGC Chairman said, “higher education institutions can offer only those degrees as specified by the UGC.” UGC (minimum standards and procedure to award Ph.D degree) regulations were notified on 7 November 2022 which states that the M.Phil programme commenced prior to the notification of the above regulations will not be affected.
“However, after the notifications of the above regulations, higher educational institutions cannot offer the M.Phil programme.” Kumar said, adding that the students who are already enrolled for the degree will not be affected.
Official notification
The university body issued a fresh notification stating, "It has come to the notice of the UGC that a few universities are inviting fresh applications for MPhil (Master of Philosophy) programme. In this regard, it is to bring to the notice that the MPhil degree is not a recognised degree. The Regulation No 14 of the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations 2022 clearly states that Higher Educational Institutions shall not offer MPhil programme."
The UGC further stated, ‘It is hereby informed that the UGC has formulated the University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022, published in the Gazette of India on November 7, 2022. Therefore, university authorities are urged to take immediate measures to cease admissions for the MPhil program in the 2023-24 academic year."
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