In India, as in many other countries, a significant majority of students pursue undergraduate degrees (78 per cent), with a smaller proportion continuing to postgraduate studies (11 per cent). Allowing direct entry into PhD programmes for undergraduate students taps into this larger talent pool that can engage in doctoral research that aligns with the goals of NEP 2020.
Better Bachelors, better scholars
The four-year Bachelor’s degree adopted by hundreds of universities across India, based on the national credit framework, is designed to offer rigorous training in research methods, critical thinking and analytical skills, preparing students for advanced academic inquiry. Besides, the flexibility to engage in independent research projects, internships, and research activities during the final year of undergraduate studies equips students with considerable experience and expertise. Therefore, restricting PhD eligibility to postgraduate students overlooks the potential of talented undergraduates and perpetuates unnecessary barriers to entry into doctoral research study.
UGC’s new policy also allows students to pursue a PhD in a subject of their choice, irrespective of the discipline of their four-year Bachelor’s degree. It is a global practice that promotes opportunities to pursue research across multiple disciplines.
UGC-NET, conducted by the National Testing Agency twice a year, is a national entrance test (NET) used to determine the eligibility for the award of a Junior Research Fellowship for PhD and also as an eligibility requirement for appointment as Assistant Professor for those who possess only a Master’s degree.
However, from the June 2024 session of UGC-NET, the “admission to PhD only” category has also been introduced so that universities nationwide do not have to conduct their entrance tests for PhD admissions; instead, they can use UGC-NET scores. While communicating about this change in UGC-NET to the universities, UGC provided this as an option in place of their entrance exams but has not mandated using only UGC-NET scores for PhD admission.
No dilution of PhD standards
After announcing the schedule for the UGC-NET June 2024 session, it is indeed mystifying to see a few academics questioning the entry of four-year Bachelor’s degree holders into PhD programmes, especially considering that the PhD admission regulations issued by the UGC in November 2022 already included provisions for such candidates.
The decision by the UGC to make four-year Bachelor’s degree holders eligible to write the UGC-NET for admission to PhD programmes is simply a continuation of an existing policy aimed at recognising the academic achievements of students from diverse educational backgrounds.
Also, it is essential to reiterate that students seeking admission after completing a four-year Bachelor’s degree programme must have a minimum of 75 per cent marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade. This criterion, specified in the November 2022 PhD admission regulations, affirms the integrity of PhD programmes. Therefore, any objections to the entry of four-year Bachelor’s degree holders into PhD programs based on concerns about dilution of quality are unfounded. Master’s degree holders continue to be eligible for admission to PhD programmes, opening up multiple pathways to do doctoral research.
The UGC-NET information bulletin specifies that candidates qualifying in the UGC-NET based on a four-year undergraduate degree are not eligible for appointment as Assistant Professors unless they subsequently complete a PhD and fulfil the requirements contained in the University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022. However, some seem to knowingly spread the mistaken notion that qualifying for the UGC-NET based on a four-year undergraduate degree automatically grants eligibility to teach undergraduate students as an Assistant Professor.
Reducing aspirants’ burden
Currently, students are often required to appear for multiple PhD entrance tests conducted by different universities, each with its own syllabi and exam patterns. Students face a considerable financial burden and undue stress and anxiety as they navigate through multiple exams. To mitigate this, UGC has requested universities to utilise UGC-NET scores for PhD admissions. If they do, students can concentrate on preparing for a single exam conducted twice a year and optimise their prospects of success. Moreover, adopting UGC-NET scores for PhD admissions will enhance the credibility of the admissions process.
Conducting separate entrance tests by the universities mandates significant administrative resources, including setting exam papers, managing exam centres, and evaluating answer scripts. Using UGC-NET scores, universities can streamline administrative processes, reduce logistical challenges, and allocate resources more efficiently towards other academic and student support initiatives.
Regulators and universities must ensure that our students have diverse options to pursue their doctoral research aspirations without having to write many entrance tests conducted by different universities. By providing both four-year Bachelor’s degree holders and Master’s degree holders access to doctoral research opportunities, universities can foster innovation, excellence, and inclusivity. By adopting this trend, India can position itself at the forefront of global research and innovation, enabling a new generation of young scholars trained to address complex challenges.
The writer is Chairman, University Grants Commission and former vice-chancellor, JNU. Views are personal
Regulators and universities must ensure that our students have diverse options to pursue their doctoral research aspirations without having to write many entrance tests conducted by different universities. (Representative/ Express file photo) 
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