New era: HPU unveils revised regulations for PhD programme

Himachal Pradesh University’s (HPU) Standing Committee of the Academic Council has approved the Dean’s Committee recommendations on revised regulations for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme. These changes will come into effect from the academic session 2025-26.

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According to the approved recommendations, the PhD programme will be offered only through university departments under various faculties. These include Languages, Performing and Visual Arts, Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Commerce and Management Studies, Education, Law, Engineering and Technology, Environment Sustainability and Development Studies. Notably, no chair established within any department or faculty will be allowed to offer PhD programmes.

Further, the committee recommended that colleges seeking recognition to offer PhD programmes must meet specific criteria. These include adequate infrastructure, administrative support, library resources and research facilities as per the University Grants Commission (UGC) norms. A minimum of two faculty members holding PhD degrees in the relevant subject, along with eligible research supervisors, is also mandatory.

The regulations also state that every application for PhD registration must first be reviewed and recommended by the concerned Department Council before being submitted to the Standing Committee for final consideration. The Standing Committee will comprise the Dean of the Faculty as Chairperson, the Department Chairperson, all Professors of the department and one Associate Professor or Assistant Professor appointed by the Vice-Chancellor for a two-year term on a rotational basis, based on seniority.

The Standing Committee will have the authority to approve, reject or defer registration applications. If approved, the committee will also appoint a supervisor for the candidate. It was further clarified that candidates who are already registered and pursuing PhDs will continue to be governed either by the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022 or by the new university-approved regulations.