The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced the launch of the “Ph.D. Excellence Citation” to honor exceptional doctoral research across various disciplines. This initiative aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes advancing knowledge exploration and fostering unique contributions in education.
The decision was made during a commission meeting on October 3, 2024, where the UGC outlined plans to award ten prestigious citations each year to top Ph.D. scholars. Disciplines such as Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences, and Indian Languages will be among those recognized for their exemplary research.
The selection process will involve a rigorous two-stage evaluation. First, a screening committee at the university level will review submissions, followed by a final selection committee at the UGC level. Factors such as originality, research impact, methodology, and clarity will be taken into account to assess the quality of the theses.
According to a recent UGC study, there has been a significant increase in Ph.D. admissions, which have more than doubled from 77,798 in 2010-11 to 161,412 in 2017-18, reflecting an annual growth rate of 10%. The study also provided insights into the distribution of Ph.D. degrees across various subjects, with 30% in Science, 26% in Engineering and Technology, 12% in Social Sciences, and 6% each in Indian Languages and Management.
“This initiative is set to recognize outstanding doctoral research across a range of disciplines. In alignment with the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes the creation and exploration of new knowledge as vital to India’s future, the Ph.D. Excellence Citation is an effort to identify and commend exemplary research work in Indian universities,” said UGC Chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar.
The program is open to research scholars who have successfully defended their theses at Indian universities, including state, central, private, and deemed universities. Only institutions accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and recognized under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act are eligible to participate. Each university may nominate up to five theses annually, one from each of the five disciplines.
