12,000 applicants for first-ever PhD entrance

The director of board of college and university development Pandit Vidyasagar said there are 2,000 vacancies in the UoP for PhD. “That means not more than 2,000 candidates can register for PhD in a year. So candidates after 2,000 will have to wait for next year for registration,” he said.

According to senior members of the senate,the crux of the problem is that there are not enough number of PhD guides available in the varsity. “In traditional streams like arts,science or commerce,there are enough guides,but in streams such as engineering and architecture,there is a dearth of guides,” said senior member of senate A P Kulkarni.

He said the teachers in professional colleges are keen on doing PhD these days,as they can get three increments as per the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations if they complete the PhD while in service. “There are other benefits such as quick promotions,two-year paid leave to do the degree and exemption from NET/SET that are making college teachers apply for the doctorate,” he said.

Senate member Atul Bagul said any PhD guide in the varsity is allowed to guide a maximum of eight candidates registered for PhD in UoP.