The University Grants Commission (UGC) has made a significant announcement regarding the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree in a notice dated December 26. According to the notice, the UGC has discontinued the MPhil degree, which is a 2-year postgraduate academic research course. The MPhil degree also serves as provisional enrollment for a Ph.D. program. However, the UGC has clarified that the MPhil degree is no longer recognized, and universities are instructed not to invite applications for the upcoming session.

This decision by the University Grants Commission comes after some universities were found to be inviting applications for the MPhil program, despite the discontinuation. The official notice from the UGC states, "It has come to the notice of the UGC that a few universities are inviting fresh applications for M.Phil. program. In this regard, it is to bring to the notice that the M.Phil. degree is not a recognized degree."

The UGC has emphasized the regulations leading to the discontinuation of the MPhil course. According to Regulation No. 14 of the University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations 2022, higher educational institutions are explicitly prohibited from offering the MPhil program. This regulation serves as a clear directive from the UGC to universities to adhere to the new standards.

As a consequence of this decision, universities are directed not to grant admissions to the MPhil course for the upcoming academic year 2023-24. Additionally, students are strongly advised against seeking admission to the MPhil program. This measure is crucial to ensure that universities comply with the University Grants Commission directive and avoid unnecessary admissions to a program that has been officially discontinued.

The discontinuation of the MPhil course aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which proposed changes to the higher education system in the country. The NEP 2020 aims to bring about comprehensive reforms, and the discontinuation of the MPhil program appears to be a part of these broader changes. Universities are urged to align their policies with the NEP 2020 and take immediate steps to halt admissions to the MPhil program for the upcoming academic year.

You might also be interested in - UGC may allow post-graduate students greater flexibility in choosing subjects