Indore : Much to the blow to NET, GATE and MPhil pass candidates, the amended version of PhD Ordinance has robbed them of the privilege to have exemption from entrance test for doctoral research degree programme.
This came to fore when the Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) on Tuesday uploaded on its website instructions for PhD and MPhil entrance test.
The instructions read “The NET (national eligibility test), GATE (graduate aptitude test in engineering) or MPhil pass students are not exempted from the entrance test for admission in PhD programmes.”
Till last year, NET, GATE and MPhil pass candidates were exempted from the entrance test for admission in PHD programmes.
DAVV PhD cell chairman Ganesh Kawadia said that the coordination committee of higher education lately approved amendments in the PhD Ordinance. “A major change in the Ordinance was not to exempt NET, GATE and MPhil pass candidates from the entrance test for admission in PhD programmes.”
He stated that the University Grants Commission had made this amendment two to three years ago but it was adopted in the state lately.
Thousands of candidates across the state pursue MPhil courses so that they get exempted from PhD entrance test. The amendment has come as a major blow to them. It also left GATE and NET qualifiers disappointed.
The instructions, however, states: “Candidates who are qualified in NET (LS) for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and foreign nationals with an International/ National fellowship like TWAS (Third world Academy of Science) will be exempted from entrance test for PhD but they have to appear for interview.”
Entrance test time and qualifying marks have also been changed in the new Ordinance. The test which used to be of three hours duration will now be of two hours duration. “The time has been reduced because the papers are not lengthy,” Kawadia said adding that the qualifying bar has also been raised from 40 percent marks to 50 percent marks.
The entrance test will comprise of one multiple choice objective type paper having one hundred questions of one mark each covering all the basic papers of the concerned Post Graduate course. Application forms have been uploaded on the website of the DAVV.
Entrance Test for 460 PhD, 560 MPhil seats
After a gap of one-and-a-half-year, the DAVV would hold exams for PhD and MPhil programmes. This year, the entrance test will be held combined. The entrance test will be held on September 1 for as many as 460 vacant seats in PhD programmes and 560 seats in MPhil programmes, including 480 seats in UTD and 80 in GACC.
Major highlight
Combined entrance test for admission in PhD and MPhil programmes
Test duration reduced from three hours to two hours
Qualifying marks increased from 40% to 50%
Only regular teachers can guide PhD candidates
Important dates
Last date to submit application: August 24
Entrance Examination: September 1
Results: September 12
DRCs for different programmes: September 14 to 30
Classes for Course Work : October 5 onwards
