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VIGNAN UNIVERSITY
RULES AND REGULATIONS OF RESEARCH PROGRAM LEADING TO PH.D. DEGREE

Revision: 1.3

Date: 14-06-2012

Approved by: Chairman, URC

Table of Contents

Page

1. INTRODUCTION

2. DEFINITIONS

3. ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATION OF STUDENTS

4. ADMISSION PROCESS

5. RESEARCH SCHOLARS MONITORING COMMITTEE

6. UNIVERSITY RESEARCH COMMITTEE

7. COURSE WORK

8. PROGRESS REPORT

9. CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION

10. RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENT

11. DURATION OF THE PROGRAM

12. CHANGE OF REGISTRATION FROM PART TIME TO FULL TIME AND VICE-VERSA

13. EXTERNAL REGISTRATION SCHEME

14. FEE PARTICULARS

15. PRE-SYNOPSIS SEMINAR

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16. SYNOPSIS OF THESIS

10

17. SUBMISSION OF THESIS

10

18. PREPARATION OF PH.D. THESIS

10

19. THESIS EVALUATION

11

20. ORAL EXAMINATION

12

21. AWARD OF PH.D. DEGREE

12

22. PUBLICATION OF THESIS

12

23. THE ACT OF PLAGIARISM

12

24. POWER TO MODIFY

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1.INTRODUCTION
The objectives of this document is to introduce the features, rules and regulations to be followed
by all the stakeholders of the programs that are to impart research training to the scholar, and
prepare for a career in independent investigation and original research so as to enable to make a
significant contribution to knowledge in his/her field and profession. The training program shall
ensure that it is not, an end in itself, but a means for a fruitful research career.
To achieve these objectives, the training program shall ensure the following:

Acquisition of fundamental knowledge in the chosen discipline.

Acquisition of in-depth knowledge in the field of research.
Training in the use of research tools of the field, and develop skill and capability to
conduct original research.

The testing and examination procedure to measure the achievement of these

objectives is prescribed in these Regulations under appropriate headings.

2. DEFINITIONS

Research means systematic study or investigation in order to discover new knowledge in

the form of facts/patterns or new interpretation of ideas or inventions of new devices or to
explore a unified theory to explain diverse facts.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) signifies that the awardee of the degree has undertaken a
substantial piece of original research, which has been conducted and reported by the holder
under proper academic supervision, and in a research environment for a prescribed period.

Research Student/Scholar means a student who is admitted to Ph.D. Program of the

Vignan University (VU) through the procedures adopted by the University.

Supervisor means a member of the faculty of VU or a person recognized by the VU and

authorized to be a supervisor who supervises the research work carried out by the Research
scholar for the award of Ph.D. degree.

Co-Supervisor means a person who may or may not be a member of the faculty of VU,
who is recognized by the University to supervise the research work of a scholar jointly with a
Supervisor.

University Research Committee (URC) is the apex body that administers the research
programs of the University. The Vice-chancellor of the University constitutes the committee by
nominating a Professor/HoD from Departments/Schools. The Vice-Chancellor shall be the
chairperson of the URC and Director - Research shall be the Member - Secretary.

Research Scholars Monitoring Committee (RSMC): This is the body that recommends
the course work, monitor and steer the progress of the research Scholoar. The formation of
the RSMC shall be initiated by the supervisor(s) to monitor the progress of each of the
research students.

Board of Examiners of Thesis (BET): Board of Examiners of thesis shall consist of two
external examiners who will evaluate the thesis. The external examiners shall be chosen by
the Chairperson, URC from a panel of eight members proposed by the RSMC. The RSMC
shall propose the panel of examiners at the time of submission of synopsis of the thesis.

Oral Defense Evaluation Committee (ODEC): Oral Defense Evaluation is an essential

component of the evaluation process. Oral Defense Evaluation Committee of a research

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student shall evaluate the work carried out by the scholar. The committee shall consist of the
external examiner of BET selected by the Chairperson, URC, HoD and supervisor(s). Other
members of RSMC are invitees for the oral defense. Chairman, RSMC shall be the Chairman
of ODEC. If none of the External examiner of BET is available for evaluation of oral defense,
an alternative examiner shall be selected by the Chairperson, URC preferably from the panel
of examiners submitted by the RSMC. The comments of the external examiners of the thesis
shall be sent to the supervisor as soon as they are received for necessary action. They are
also shown to the examiner examining the scholar.

3. ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATION OF STUDENTS

3.1. Categories of Students
The University shall admit students to the research program leading to Ph.D. degree under the
following categories.
a) Full Time: Students under this category shall work full time for Ph.D. course work and thesis
and may receive assistantship from the University or fellowship from external agencies like
CSIR/UGC or any other recognized funding agency or may be self-financed.
b) Part Time: Candidates employed (full time) in academic institutions/universities (including
VU)/R&D organizations recognized by a regulatory body or industries that have facilities for
research (approved by VU) may be considered for admission into the Ph.D. program of the
University, under the supervision of a guide from VU, through the normal admission
procedure. They shall fulfill the stipulated requirements for Ph.D. admission.
c) Part-time (External): Candidates employed in an organization/institution/industry that has
facilities (approved by VU) to carry out research in the candidates chosen field, can register
as an external candidate. (S)He should take permission to work externally in his/her parent
organization. (S)He should have a supervisor authorized by the university either from his/her
organization or from another organization. (S)He should also have another co-supervisor from
the University.

3.2. Eligibility
3.2.1. General Guidelines

A candidate who wishes to get admitted for Ph.D. programme under full time/part
time/external scheme should apply in the prescribed form on or before the due date fixed for
the same.

External candidates sponsored by and employed in reputed Research and Development

Organizations/National Laboratories/Industry having research and development facilities
recognized by Department of Science and Technology or by the University Research
Committee of the VU, on request by the Industry can apply for external registration.

Members of faculty and research staff of the University who wish to work on a part time basis
for Ph.D. Degree should also apply in the prescribed form on or before the due dates.
Chairman URC has the powers to limit the number of Staff/Faculty members who wish to
pursue Ph.D.

Part time candidates from outside the University must be a regular faculty of UGC/AICTE
approved degree/PG level engineering institutes or scientists/Engineers in research
organizations.

3.2.2. Educational Qualifications

For engineering disciplines, candidates must have obtained Post Graduate Degree or
equivalent in the relevant engineering field. For management studies, the candidate must
have Post Graduate Degree in the relevant field or any Masters degree with relevant
experience. For biotechnology, sciences and humanities, candidates must have a relevant
Post Graduate degree or equivalent degree. Candidates must have obtained minimum marks
of 60% aggregate in the qualifying degree.

3.2.3 Test, Interview and Admission

Eligible candidates have to appear for a written Test and Interview. Chairperson, URC can
waive the Test at his/her discretion.
All candidates are required to qualify in a written test conducted by the University. Candidates
who have qualified in the GATE/UGC/CSIR/NET examination, or awarded with Research
Fellowship by UGC/CSIR/Government Organizations are exempted from written test for Ph.D.
admission but however they should appear for the interview.
Based on the performance of the candidate (S)He is provisionally selected for admission into
the Ph.D. program, subjected to satisfactory allotment of supervisor and further approval by
Chairman, URC.
Candidate whose selection is approved by the Chairperson, URC, will be admitted to Ph.D.
program after payment of prescribed fees and completion of all the admission procedures.

4. ADMISSION PROCESS
4.1. Initiation
Ordinarily, Director-Research seeks the information from the Heads of the Departments
(HoD) regarding the number of Ph.D. vacancies to be filled during a particular period. Once
the total number is known, the same is communicated to Director-Admissions who send out
an advertisement. It could be once in a year or twice based on the minimal availability of
seats to be filled by the University.
After the due date all the applications received by Director-Admission are sent to HoDs of
respective departments for scrutiny. The departments shortlist the candidates based on the
eligibility of the candidates and the requirement at that particular time. Shortlisted candidates
list will be sent to the Director-Admissions who in turn sent out letters to shortlisted
candidates for attending written test/interview.

4.2. Written test/interview

Every candidate has to appear for a written test at the date and time mentioned in their call
letter or stipulated by competent authority. Persons who have qualified in the national level
tests like GATE, CSIR, UGC etc are exempted from the written test. Their date and time of
interview would be intimated. The shortlisted candidates of the written test will be put up at
the notice board with in the same day or immediately next day and the time of interview will
be intimated to them.
The list of selected candidates after the interview is sent to Director Admissions, who after
satisfying himself regarding the required paperwork, external guide recognition, certificates
verification and other admission procedures, forward the list to the Director Research with
the names of the candidates along with the guides (internal/external depending on the case).
Director Research after satisfying himself, forward the names of the candidates to VC for
approval.
If any candidate did not find a suitable supervisor within the University and has identified a
potential supervisor somewhere else, the external supervisor may be recognized by the
university based on the eligibility criteria of supervisors as described in section 4.4. An

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internal supervisor will be allotted for such candidates and they are considered as part-time
research scholars.
The admission process is concluded once the candidates pay the required fees, and the
candidates formally become Ph.D. scholars of VU.
In the first week of joining of all the Ph.D. scholars, each supervisor initiates the process of
formation of Research Scholars Monitoring Committee (RSMC) for each candidate as per the
Rules and Regulations of VU.
A Research Calendar is drawn as described in section 5.3 for each candidate once the
RSMC is formed.
Each Scholar is supposed to complete a minimum of 3 courses prescribed by the RSMC, of
which two are common to all the scholars (Research Methods & Technical Writing). The other
course could be related to broad research area of the scholar. The scholar is advised to give
a research seminar on thorough review of the published research in the area of research of
the scholar and plan of his/her proposed research. The seminar is expected to be delivered
within one year after completion of the course work.
Director Research, in consultation with other HoDs/supervisors, will arrange for classes on
Research Methods and Technical Writing. The other course is conducted/monitored by the
research supervisor.
Information on these courses, number of students attending, their Research Calendar is
conveyed to Director Evaluation for appropriate actions at different times.

4.3 Choice of Supervisors

After the interviews and the selection of candidates, tentative allotment of research scholars
to supervisors will be made by the Head/Dean of the School taking into consideration the
preferences of the research scholars and Supervisors with their consent obtained in writing.
The list of selected candidates along with their guides is forwarded to the Director
Admissions, who in turn forwards the same to Director Research, after satisfying himself
with all the admission procedures.
In case of part-time/external students/scholars, the supervisors may be chosen by the
students/scholars from a list of external recognized supervisors. In such cases the admission
process is deemed completed after the acceptance of the supervisor to guide the student.
Alternately, if the student wishes to work under the guidance of a supervisor already
recognized by the student, the process of admission could only be completed when the
University recognizes the supervisor as per the laid down procedure.
There shall not be more than two guides for a research scholar under normal conditions.

4.4 Supervisors and their eligibility

All permanent faculty members of the college/institute/university or regular faculty of
AICTE/UGC approved Engineering/Management Institutes and other Institutions with Ph.D.
qualification and having 2 research papers in refereed international journals or international
conferences of repute as senior author (corresponding author) are eligible to guide Ph.D.
students.
Notwithstanding what is stated above, the Chairperson, URC reserves the right to approve
any faculty member as Research Supervisor, depending upon the merit of the case.
An external supervisor could be recognized by the University if he/she fulfills the normal
criteria as prescribed above. The external supervisor has to follow all the guidelines of the
Vignan University during the period of his/her recognition as a research guide.
Any change of supervisor(s) under appropriate request, the RSMC will evaluate the merit of
the case and may recommend to the Chairman, URC who may permit the change.

5. RESEARCH SCHOLARS MONITORING COMMITTEE

5.1. Committee Constitution
The Research Scholars Monitoring Committee shall consist of the following members:
1. Director (Research) Chairman.
2. The HOD/Dean of the Department/School - Member
3. Supervisor / Co-supervisor Member(s)
4. A minimum of two members from the parent dept/school or other dept/school within the
university or from an external organization/institution who are otherwise eligible to be a
research supervisor.
5.2 Functions of the Research Scholars Monitoring Committee
After the registration of the scholar for the program, the Research Scholars Monitoring
Committee shall perform the following functions:
Shall recommend the subjects of course work for the scholar as specified and as approved by
the URC. The recommendation in the prescribed format shall be submitted to the Controller of
Examinations through Director - Research for conducting the qualifying examination.
Shall draw the Research Calendar for the scholar.
Shall make half yearly review of the progress of research work in the case of full-time
scholars and annual review of part-time scholars.
Shall forward the review report to the Chairperson, URC, through Director - Research on the
progress of scholars research program in the prescribed format.
The progress of the research scholar will be categorized as one of the following by the
RSMC:
o Excellent/Very Good/Good/Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.
Suggest suitable remedial action if the scholars progress is not satisfactory for any reason.
If the progress of a scholar is observed to be unsatisfactory for a consecutive period of two
years, the matter shall be referred to the Chairman, URC for a possible termination of the
registration based on the recommendation of the RSMC.
Shall assess the research work of a scholar based on a pre-synopsis seminar for submission
of synopsis.
When the scholar submits the synopsis of his/her thesis, the RSMC, after due verification of
the compliance requirements, shall recommend names of external examiners for the
evaluation of the Thesis. The same shall be submitted to the Chairperson, URC through the
Director Research and Director - Evaluation for further necessary action.
On receipt of the comments/recommendations of the external examiners of the thesis, shall
submit these with the Committees recommendations to the Chairperson, URC through the
Director (Research) for further necessary action.
It is the responsibility of RSMC to ensure that the work done by the Scholar is authentic and
not copied from any other source and does not fall into the category considered as plagiarism.

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5.3. Research Calendar
The Research Calendar is a document which specifies the entire calendar for a scholar regarding
his/her course work tentative schedules, timelines for finishing the course work, collection/review
of literature, problem setting, annual/half-yearly report submissions, research/review seminars,
submission of synopsis and final thesis submission. The calendar may deviate, but RSMC will
keep track of the Research Calendar and make remedial actions at appropriate times.

6. UNIVERSITY RESEARCH COMMITTEE (URC)

The URC is the body which monitors and regulates all the research activities of the University
including Ph.D. programme. It is headed by the Vice Chancellor as the chairman and Director
Research is the secretary of the committee. The chairman of URC constitutes the URC by
nominating faculty members who are involved in active research or have good knowledge of
research processes. The URC has to meet at least once in a year and oversee the research
related matters of the university, give guidance and monitors the set agenda of the university.
As far as the Ph.D. program is concerned the URC has an important role to play because
research scholars working for their Ph.D. constitutes the major part of the research activities of
the university. Proper guidance and monitoring is required for establishing a strong Ph.D.
programme with adequate guidelines and regulations.
Functions of the URC:
1. The URC defines how the Ph.D. program has to run, keeping in mind a variety of
departments exist in the university.
2. The URC defines the admission process, eligibility of students in different departments and
different modes (Full Time, Part Time, Part Time-external), eligibility of guides, fixing of fees
for different departments and modes.

7. COURSE WORK
The Ph.D. Program is aimed at giving a broad based training in the concerned field in addition to
specialization in a particular area.

Completion of post-graduate/doctoral level coursework of 8-12 credits is compulsory for

doctoral students entering with M.E./M.Tech./M.S./M.Sc/M.Phil/MBA or equivalent degree.

The candidates are required to complete the course work with minimum marks of 50% in
each subject. If a candidate scores less than 50% in any subject he/she may take further
attempts to get 50%. In case a candidate fails to clear a subject with 50% marks in three
attempts, his/her admission shall be cancelled.

The full time candidates may attend to classes along with P.G., students of the respective
department or allied departments, if the subjects prescribed to them are offered in the
ongoing PG programs.

The External and Part time candidates will be permitted to write examination after attending
the classes along with PG students or the classes conducted exclusively for them.

8. PROGRESS REPORT
A research scholar shall submit, at the end of each 6 months period, a written report of
research work done by him/her in the prescribed pro-forma to the supervisor who shall
forward it to the Director Research through HOD/Dean for consideration by the RSMC.

The progress report in the prescribed pro-forma is to be approved by the members of RSMC
before transmission to Director Research.
A research scholar shall appear before the RSMC once every semester (once in a year for PT
scholars) after completing the course work to present his/her work for progress evaluation.
Meetings of the RSMC will be convened twice (once for PT scholars) in a year to assess the
progress of research work in the School/Department and recommend renewal of
scholarship/registration wherever applicable. If the progress is not satisfactory, the RSMC
shall record the reasons and suggest corrective measures.
The progress of the research scholar will be categorized as one of the following by the
RSMC:
o Excellent/Very Good/Good/Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

9. CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION
The registration of a research scholar whose progress is not satisfactory for a period of three
years consecutively or who has not registered for any semester is liable to be cancelled by
the Chairperson, URC or his nominee on the recommendation of RSMC.
The registration of a research scholar who has not submitted his/her thesis by the end of the
extended period will be cancelled by the Chairman, URC or his nominee on the
recommendation of RSMC.

10. RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENT

The residential requirement is essential to build the research atmosphere in the Institute and
completion of the prescribed course work. The fulfillment of residency requirement has to be
certified by the RSMC at the time of submission of his/her thesis.
The full-time scholar for the Ph.D. program should normally carry out his/her research work at
the Institute. In special cases, depending on the merit of each case, the RSMC may permit a
scholar to do part of his/her work in another institution/organization.
All scholars registered for Ph.D. work at this Institute shall make at least one yearly
presentation of his/her work on a date and time as directed by the Chairman of RSMC. The
venue of the yearly presentation shall be within the Institute. A copy of the Annual Progress
Report with the comments of the RSMC must be sent to the Director - Research within a
week of the presentation.
For Part time students the residency is 4 weeks in the first year and one week every following
year till they submit the Ph.D. Thesis.

11. DURATION OF THE PROGRAM

Research Scholars can submit thesis at any time after completing 3 years from the date
of registration.
Early Submission:
If a research scholar desires to submit a thesis prior to the completion of three years,
he/she should have
Completed two/two-and-half years (for FT/PT scholars respectively)

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Published at least two (2) international journal papers from the Doctoral
research work emanating from the doctoral research work
Have recommendation of RSMC
Have an outstanding contribution
Passed the prescribed courses
The maximum duration to submit the thesis is within 5 years (6 years for Part
time scholars) from the date of registration.
However, the chairman, URC may extend the period of submission of thesis
by another 2 years on valid reasons and on the recommendation of the
RSMC. The extended period is given for only one year and new extension is
sought before completion of the one year, if required.

12. CHANGE OF REGISTRATION FROM PART TIME TO FULL TIME AND VICEVERSA
A student admitted to Part time/External registration programme may be allowed to
change his/her registration to Full time studies on the recommendation of RSMC and with
the approval of chairman, URC. However, for determining the duration of the programme,
one half of the period spent, as a Part time student, will be counted.
Similarly, a student admitted to a Full time Ph.D. programme may be permitted to change
to a Part time Ph.D. programme on a request from him/her, provided:
He/She has completed the prescribed coursework.
Get the request endorsed by the Supervisor(s) and the RSMC.
Produce
a
no
objection
certificate
from
the
Head/Director
Institution/University/Organization, which he/she proposes to join.

of

the

13. EXTERNAL REGISTRATION SCHEME

A candidate working in Research and Development Establishment with adequate research

and library facilities may be considered for admission to Ph.D. programme provided they
satisfy the minimum eligibility conditions. There must be a competent person to supervise his
work in that organization. The candidate should provide the Bio-data of the prospective
supervisor. External Registration will be granted only when the URC recognizes that the
prospective supervisor has necessary academic qualification.

The Departments/Schools will have to identify an internal guide to each of the candidates who
would work under the External Registration Scheme. If suitable guide is not available in
Department, the External Registration to such a candidate will not be granted.

It is for the RSMC to recommend to the URC for approval of an organization for carrying out
Ph.D. research in a specified area under the External Registration Scheme. An application for
admission from a candidate working in the approved organization will be considered only if
he/she wishes to work in the specified area recognized by Vignan University.

14. FEE PARTICULARS

On selection for admission, candidates shall be required to pay the prescribed fee as
determined by URC from time to time. The fee and deposits have to be paid on stipulated
dates regularly every semester, till the successful completion of the programme and
submission of thesis or cancellation of the admission as the case maybe. If the fee is not paid
by the stipulated due date, a late fee will be levied. Nonpayment of the prescribed fee beyond
the extended due date will lead to the cancellation of admission with prior notice to the
candidate.

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15. PRE-SYNOPSIS SEMINAR

Each candidate shall present a seminar before submission of thesis in the concerned
Department/School to the RSMC on the research work carried out by him/her. The RSMC is
empowered to make suggestions for improving the work on the basis of the seminar. The
seminar is followed by submission of synopsis and subsequently the thesis submission.
Guidelines for Pre-Synopsis report/seminar
1. The scholar shall submit the report to RSMC through the supervisor at least two weeks in
advance.
2. The exact title of thesis may also be discussed during the seminar if the same is not
already approved by the RSMC.
3. Presentation of approximately 1 hour should be made. The presentation must cover the
following.
Objectives and Scope of the Study
Literature review (briefly 2-3 slides only)
Identification of the research gaps based on literature review
Problem Formulation
Research Methodology
Experimentation/ Data Collection/Analysis
General Conclusions
Specific Conclusions /Contributions of the research
Further Scope of Research
4. The presentation should mainly concentrate on the candidates work/contribution.
5. The suggestions/corrections given during the seminar shall be discussed with supervisor
and incorporated in thesis.

16. SYNOPSIS OF THESIS

1. On satisfactory completion of the research work carried out after successful completion of all
prescribed courses and seminars, the candidate shall submit to the RSMC through the
Research Supervisor, ten copies of the synopsis of the Ph.D. work carried out.
2. The synopsis shall be accepted only when the Research Scholar has at least one paper
either published or accepted for publication in a refereed journal.
3. The synopsis defense meeting shall be conducted by the RSMC. After satisfactory
presentation of the research work reported in the synopsis, the RSMC shall forward five
copies of the revised synopsis including the feedback from the Synopsis viva to the Controller
of Examinations along with panel of examiners. The RSMC must suggest a panel of eight
examiners well known to be in the field of research of the scholar.

17. SUBMISSION OF THESIS

Each Candidate, after completing the due formalities is required to submit his/her thesis along
with the prescribed application form and evaluation fee (which may be fixed by URC from time
to time). A candidate may submit the thesis any time during the stipulated duration/ extended
duration of research, as the case may be.

18. PREPARATION OF PH.D. THESIS

1. The thesis shall be prepared in an organized and scholarly fashion with an account of the
original research work of the candidate leading to the discovery of new facts or techniques or

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correlation of facts already known (analytical, experimental etc.) and demonstrating a quality
as to make a definite contribution to the advancement of knowledge and the candidates
ability to undertake independent research and present the findings in an appropriate manner
with actual accomplishments of the work, plainly stated and honestly appraised.
2. Five copies of the thesis shall be prepared and submitted to the Controller of Examinations in
accordance with the format and specification prescribed. Thesis shall be submitted within six
months of the approval of the synopsis by the RSMC.
3. The thesis shall include certificate from the concerned Supervisor (and Co-Supervisor if any)
to the effect that the thesis is a record of bonafide research work carried out by the candidate
under his/her/their supervision and guidance and that the work reported in the thesis has not
been submitted elsewhere for a degree or diploma. A similar certificate from the scholar is
also included in the thesis regarding the authenticity of the work.
4. The candidate shall submit a no dues certificate from all concerned to the Controller of
Examination.

19. THESIS EVALUATION

1. The RSMC suggests a panel of 4 examiners from foreign universities and 4 examiners from
Indian universities/institutes of repute.
2. The thesis shall be referred to the two examiners nominated by the Chairperson, URC from
the panel of names recommended by the RSMC.
3. The Director - Research shall take such steps through the Director Evaluation/Controller of
Examinations as deemed necessary to enable the reports of the Examiners to be received as
quickly as possible. The examiners are expected to send, in the prescribed form, their reports
within two months from the date of receipt of the thesis.
4. The examiner shall include in his/her report an overall assessment, placing the thesis in one
of the following categories:
Recommended for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy: Highly commended /
commended.
Revision required (need not be resubmitted)
Revised thesis be resubmitted
Rejected
5. If all the examiners recommended the award of the degree, the thesis shall be provisionally
accepted. Any minor revision, modification etc., suggested by the examiners shall be carried
out before the oral examination is arranged.
6. If all the examiners recommended rejection, the thesis shall be rejected and the registration of
the research scholar stands cancelled.
7. If one examiner recommends the award of the degree while the others recommends rejection,
the Director Evaluation/Controller of Examination may chose to send to a third examiner.
Alternatively, then the scholar be given an additional time to resubmit the thesis by
incorporating the justification to the comments given by the rejected-mentioned examiners
and this will purely depend upon the decision of URC. If the scholar is unable to resubmit
within the stipulated time the thesis shall be rejected and the registration of the research
scholar stands cancelled. In case the thesis was sent for a third examiners review the
decision of two of three examiners is considered.
8. If any examiner recommends revision of the thesis the candidate shall be permitted only once
to revise and resubmit the thesis.

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8. Individual cases not covered by the above clauses shall be referred to the Chairperson, URC.
On deemed fit reasons, the chairman, URC shall refer to the Director - Research which in turn
shall refer to the RSMC, if necessary.

20. ORAL EXAMINATION

1. The Board of ODEC shall be
Director - Research - Chairman
One of the examiners who valued the thesis to be nominated by Chairperson,
URC
HoD/Dean of school
Supervisor(s)
2. The ODEC will see whether the scholar has fulfilled the publication conditions as per
22.1. The decision of the ODEC shall be final.

21. AWARD OF PH.D. DEGREE

If the Board of ODEC recommends, the candidate will be awarded Ph.D. Degree with the
approval of the Academic Council.

22. PUBLICATION OF THESIS

1. Papers arising out of the thesis may be published by the candidate. A minimum of 2
international papers should be published by the scholar before he is awarded the Ph.D.
degree.
2. The thesis as a whole shall not be published by the candidate without the specific approval of
the URC of the University.
3. The abstract of the thesis will be uploaded on to the internet by the Director - Research.
4. The same copy of the thesis in a CD-ROM, shall also be submitted to Director - Research
immediately for depository with UGC and uploading in INFLIBNET.

23. THE ACT OF PLAGIARISM

In the case of research scholars found to have copied a dissertation / thesis / book for Ph.D.
degree his/her thesis shall be forfeited and his/her research registration shall be terminated in
this university and also he/she shall be debarred to register for any other program in this
University. Also, the recognition of his/her supervisor shall be withdrawn for a period of 5
years and the supervisor shall be debarred from guiding the research scholars for any
research program in this University till such period. If such a case has been observed from an
external supervisor who is not part of Vignan University, he/she would lose his/her recognition
forever.

24. POWER TO MODIFY

Notwithstanding anything contained in the above said regulations, the University Research
Committee reserves the right to modify any part or all of the above said regulations from time
to time.