UGC launches PhD Excellence Citation to honour top research in Indian Universities

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced a new initiative to honour exceptional PhD research conducted by scholars across Indian universities. Known as the “PhD Excellence Citation,” this award aims to recognise high-quality, original research work annually. The decision was made during a UGC meeting, as part of efforts to promote a strong research culture in India.

According to UGC Chairman, Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar, the PhD Excellence Citation will reward outstanding doctoral research across various disciplines in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises the importance of generating new knowledge. The guidelines for this initiative have been approved, and the UGC will soon release them for public review.

The UGC study found that PhD admissions in India grew by 10% annually between 2011 and 2018, with admissions doubling from 77,798 in 2010-11 to 1,61,412 in 2017-18. The largest share of research work during this period was in the fields of science (30%), engineering and technology (26%), and social sciences (12%).

To be eligible for the PhD Excellence Citation, universities—whether state, central, private, or deemed—must be accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and recognised under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act. Each university can nominate up to five PhD theses, one from each of the following disciplines: sciences (including agricultural and medical sciences), engineering and technology, social sciences (including humanities and education), Indian languages, and commerce and management.

The thesis must be uploaded to the Inflibnet repository, and the degree must have been awarded between January 1 and December 31 of the year in which it is nominated.

Each year, the UGC will select two theses from each discipline for the award, totaling ten citations. The selection will be based on originality, innovation, the impact of the research on the respective field, and the candidate’s ability to defend their work. The awards will be announced on Teachers’ Day, September 5, following a rigorous evaluation process at both university and UGC levels.

This citation is part of the UGC’s broader efforts to foster innovation and knowledge creation in Indian universities, contributing to India’s growth as a knowledge superpower, as envisioned by the NEP 2020.