UGC to study quality of PhD thesis for doctoral degrees awarded in last 10 years
New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) is planning to conduct a review of the quality of PhD thesis for which doctoral degrees have been awarded in last 10 years by varsities across the country.
The move comes following concern raised by various quarters about degrading quality of research in the country and duplication of subjects on which PhDs are done.
The commission has invited proposals to conduct the study over a period of six months.
"The UGC is planning to conduct a study on 'Quality of PhD thesis in Indian universities'. The scope of the study will involve the PhD thesis awarded in different disciplines by various central universities, state universities, state private universities and deemed-to-be universities in last 10 years," a senior official of the higher education regulator said.
"The study has to be pan India and may give findings at national as well as state-level with regard to the quality of PhD thesis indicating the quality aspects proposed by the interested parties," the official added.
The commission has asked interested individuals or groups to send their proposals while indicating their capabilities, track record, procedure to be adopted and estimated budget for conducting the study.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
