UGC discontinues MPhil degree, warns against admissions

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently discontinued the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree, cautioning prospective students against seeking admission to this programme, as it is no longer recognised. The official notice, issued on December 26, 2023, was prompted by a few universities inviting new applications for MPhil programmes.

In the notification, the UGC highlighted that MPhil is not a recognised degree, referencing Regulation No. 14 of the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D Degree) Regulations 2022. According to these regulations, higher educational institutions are prohibited from offering MPhil programmes. The UGC’s stance is outlined in the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022, published in the Gazette of India on November 7, 2022.

The notice explicitly states that it has come to the notice of the UGC that a few universities are inviting fresh applications for the MPhil programme. It emphasises the necessity for universities to adhere to the newly framed regulations.

To ensure compliance, the UGC has urged university authorities to promptly halt admissions to the MPhil programme for the academic year 2023-24. This decision marks a significant shift in the educational landscape and requires prospective students to consider alternative academic paths in light of the discontinued recognition of the MPhil degree.