The MPhil degree has been deemed invalid by the University Grants Commission (UGC), accompanied by a warning to universities to cease MPhil admissions in accordance with Clause 14 of the Commission. Secretary Manish Joshi issued a notification addressing concerns about some universities soliciting fresh applications for the M.Phil. (Master of Philosophy) program.
The notification underscores that the M.Phil. degree lacks recognition, citing Regulation No. 14 of the UGC Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations 2022, which explicitly prohibits Higher Educational Institutions from offering M.Phil. programs.
Secretary UGC highlighted that the Commission formulated the University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2022, published in the Gazette of India on November 7, 2022.
The notification urges university authorities to promptly halt admissions to the M.Phil. program for the academic year 2023-24. Additionally, students are advised against seeking admission to the M.Phil. program.
This decision follows the Commission’s previous announcement that the MPhil degree courses across all universities would no longer hold validity, instructing higher educational institutions not to offer MPhil programs.
All university authorities in states and Union Territories (UTs) are instructed to take immediate measures to cease admissions to the MPhil program for the academic year 2023-24.