MADURAI KAMARAJ UNIVERSITY

(University with Potential for Excellence)

M.Phil. / Ph.D. Regulations

Effective 5th May 2016

VICE-CHANCELLOR

REGISTRAR-IN-CHARGE
mkuregistrar@rediffmail.com

Director (Research & Projects)

director@mkuresearch.org

Palkalai Nagar, Madurai 625 021,Tamilnadu , India

Website : mkuresearch.org

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S.No. Particulars Page
No.
PART -I
GUIDELINES FOR RESEARCH STUDENTS

1 Preamble 4
2 Eligibility for Ph.D. Programme 4
3 Subject Research 5
4 Admission 5
4.1 Notification 5
4.2 Entrance Test 5
4.3 Interview 6
4.4 Selection 6
4.5 Allocation of Candidates 6
4.6 Exemption 6
5 Registration 6
5.1 Categories of Registration 7
5.1.1 Full Time 7
5.1.2 Part Time 7
6 Course Work 7
7 Duration of Research 9
8 Change of Guide 9
9 Change of Title 9
10 Cancellation of Registration 10
11 Requirements after Registration 10
11.1 Presentation of Seminars 10
11.3 Research Publication 11
12 Pre-Submission presentation 11
13 Submission of Synopsis 11
13.3 List of Examiners 12
14 Submission of Thesis 12
14.2 Plagiarism Check 12
14.3 Declaration in the thesis 12
15 Appendix to thesis 12
16 Appointment of Examiners 13
17 Evaluation Process and Award of Degree 13
17.6 Viva-voce Examination 14
18 Constitution of Public Viva–voce Board 14
19 Viva-Voce Notification 15
20 Guidelines for conducting public Viva-Voce for Ph.D candidates 15
21 Depository of Thesis 16
22 Publication of Thesis 16
23 Registration for Additional Ph.D. Degree 16
24 Special Provisions 17
25 M.Phil. Programmes 17
26 Fee Particulars 18
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S.No. Particulars Page
No.
PART -II
GUIDELINES FOR RESEARCH SUPERVISOR

1 19
Research Guide
2 Qualifications of a Research Guide 19
3 20
Procedure for Recognition of Guides
4 Tenure of Research Guide 20
5 Eligibility criteria to be a Research Supervisor, Co- Supervisor,
20
Number of M.Phil./Ph.D. scholars permissible per Supervisor, etc.
PART – III
GUIDELINES FOR APPROVAL OF RESEARCH CENTRES

6 Guidelines for approval of Research Centers 21

6.3 Colleges with adequate facilities for research as mentioned below
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alone shall offer M.Phil./Ph.D. programmes

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 PART I

Guidelines for Research Students

1. Preamble

Doctor of Philosophy abbreviated as Ph.D from the Latin Philosophiæ Doctor,

meaning "Teacher of Philosophy” is the highest academic degree which requires
extended study and intense intellectual effort. To obtain a Ph.D degree, as per the
regulations, a candidate must submit a thesis or dissertation consisting of a
suitable body of original academic research, after undergoing a course work,
which is in principle worthy of publication in a peer-refereed context and shall
defend this work before a panel of expert Examiners appointed by the University,
and the Public. There is a prescribed minimum period of study for the candidate
before submission of thesis.

Candidates shall remit all the fees, prescribed by the University through on-line
payment, into the MKU Registrar Account of State Bank of India, Madurai
Kamaraj University Branch, Madurai or in any one of its branches near the place
of the candidate or send a Demand Draft drawn on any nationalized bank in favour
of “The Registrar, Madurai Kamaraj University” payable at Madurai. NRI
candidates living abroad shall remit the fees in US $. Foreign nationals residing in
Indian shall be treated equivalent to NRI candidates and they shall pay the fee
either in US $ or its equivalent in Indian National Rupee.

2. Eligibility for Ph.D Programme

Candidates willing to register for Ph.D should have a Bachelor’s degree as well as
a Master’s Degree (10+2+3+2 pattern or equivalent in that order) of this university
or of any other university recognized by this university as equivalent thereto in
concerned discipline with not less than 55% of marks in the aggregate in Master’s
Degree.

A relaxation of 5% of marks, from 55% to 50%, or an equivalent relaxation of

grade, may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC(non-creamy layer) /
Differently-Abled and other categories of candidates as per the decision of the
authority from time to time, or for those who had obtained their Master's degree
prior to 19th September, 1991. The eligibility marks of 55% (or an equivalent
grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed) and the relaxation of
5% to the categories mentioned above are permissible based only on the
qualifying marks without including the grace mark procedures.

Junior/Senior Research Fellows working in research projects funded by various

external agencies of National and State level organizations and executed by the
Departments of University / Recognized Research Centres of the affiliated
Colleges/ Recognized Research Institutions and those who are working as
stipendiary/ non-stipendiary research scholars are also eligible to register for Ph.D.

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3. Subject of Research
The candidate shall work as a research scholar for a minimum period of three
years in the chosen subject which shall be the same as the main branch of
knowledge of the Master’s Degree. The candidate with a Master’s degree in a
particular discipline may register for Ph.D. in any other related discipline also, if
the topic of research is relevant to the discipline of the Master’s degree, as
certified by the Research Supervisor and the degree shall be awarded as Ph.D.
(inter-disciplinary).
In the case of inter-disciplinary candidates, the guide shall certify with a detailed
justification to the effect that the subject for research is inter-disciplinary in nature
and this certificate shall be produced along with the application for registration.
The candidates doing interdisciplinary research shall have a Guide in the main
area and a co-guide in the inter-disciplinary area. Of the two guides, at least one of
them shall be from the University. The interdisciplinary research shall be
permitted only on clear justification and on the specific recommendation of the
Supervisors concerned.

4. Admission
The University shall admit M.Phil/Ph.D. students through an Entrance Test
conducted by the University once in a year preferably in July. The admissions
will be made once in a year. The candidates for Ph.D. will be admitted under Full-
Time/Part-Time mode. The candidates for M.Phil shall be admitted only in the
regular (Full Time) mode and not in part-time or distance learning or any other
mode.
4.1 Notification

The University shall notify, in advance the information about admission to

M.phil./Ph.D programme in website and atleast two national newspapers applying
the reservation policy of the Government of Tamil Nadu. This notification shall
carry the information regarding the expertise available in the Research Department
/ Centre / Institution, the date of issue of application, the last date for submission
of application, the date and time of entrance test and interview and other relevant
information required by the candidates.

4.2 Entrance test

The entrance test shall be conducted by the University and shall comprise of two
parts, each of one hour duration. The tests shall be of objective type with a
maximum of 50 marks each. The first part includes Research aptitude, English
comprehension (for Indian Languages, respective language comprehension),
logic and general reasoning and the second part shall be in the subject
concerned in which the candidate is willing to pursue the Ph.D degree. The
questions shall be set by experts in the field concerned in the Research
Department / Centres of the University.

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 4.3 Interview

Following the entrance test , based on ranking, the candidates shall be short
listed and called for an interview by their respective Research Department /
Centre / Institution after approval by the University. The interview shall carry 50
marks.

An interview shall be conducted on behalf of the University at the Research

Department / Research Centre of the college when the candidates are required to
discuss their research interest/area through a presentation before a duly constituted
Department Research Committee consisting of the Head of the Institution, Head of
the Research Centre and the potential guides who have vacancies in the case of
affiliated colleges and the head of the department, the potential guides who have
vacancies and a Subject Expert preferably external in the specific area of research
preferred by the candidate.

4.4 Selection

At the time of interview, the department research committee shall interact with the
candidate and assess his/her research interest/aptitude. By integrating the entrance
test marks and the performance of the candidate in the interview, the department
research committee shall rank the candidates on the basis of the marks obtained in
the entrance test and the interview combined.

4.5 Allocation of Candidates

The Selection Board shall allot the candidates to guides, based on the rank of the
candidate and on the basis of the specific area of research preferred by the
candidate and the vacancy available with the guide.
After the selection process is over the consolidated list of selected and admitted
candidates in each Department / Research Centre shall be sent to the University
with evidence of all relevant documents for final approval.

4.6 Exemption

The following candidates are exempted from appearing in the entrance

examination and the interview and they may be directly admitted into the Ph.D
programme. However they need to apply for admission whenever it is notified.

4.6.1 Candidates with Junior/Senior Research Fellowship sanctioned by National/State

level research funding agencies who have been admitted by following the
recommended admission procedure.

4.6.2 Candidates duly selected by a Committee constituted by the Research Department/

Centre / Institution after proper notification and selection process and appointed in
Research Projects

5. Registration

The candidates selected and admitted in the research Departments/ Centres/

Institutions can register for doing Ph.D under different categories.
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5.1 Categories of Registration
There shall be Two categories of registration.

1. Full- time
2. Part-time
5.1.1 Full-time:

The candidate, who joins in a Research Department / Centre / Institution shall

work as a full time research scholar for a minimum period of 3 years in the chosen
subject which shall be related to the main branch of knowledge of the Master’s
Degree.

5.1.2 Part –time

The registration under part-time category shall be for those candidates,

irrespective of their employment status, who can work during week-ends, holidays
and vacations at the Research Institution where they are admitted for pursuing
research. The candidates registered under this category are required to be
available to the guide in order to carry out research during holidays and vacations
and week-ends.

If a candidate registered in this category is selected under a scholarship /

fellowship programme/ scheme, including Faculty Development Programme of
UGC, he/she shall be permitted to continue the research as a full- time research
scholar in the department where the guide works.

6. Course work

The candidates shall do pre-Ph.D registration after getting admission and

subsequently have to undergo a course work for one semester within one year of
registration failing which the remaining period of research shall be 2 years after
the date of completion of course work. After successful completion of the course
work, their pre-Ph.D registration shall be confirmed and the candidates will be
permitted to carry out research for Ph.D. Confirmation of Ph.D registration will
be made only on successful completion of course work.

The credit assigned to the course work shall be a minimum of 08 credits and a
maximum of 16 credits.

6.1 The course work shall be treated as pre-requisite for Ph.D. preparation. A
minimum of four credits shall be assigned to one course on Research
Methodology which could cover areas such as quantitative methods, computer
applications, research ethics and review of published research in the relevant
field, training, field work and the like.. Other courses shall be advanced level
courses preparing the students for Ph.D. degree. The Departments will send the
grades for course work to the research section which will issue a mark statement
through the Controller of Examinations.

6.2 In the case of M.Phil., there shall be a minimum of 12 credits and maximum of

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 16 credits. A minimum of four credits shall be assigned to one course on
Research Methodology which could cover areas such as quantitative methods,
computer applications, research ethics and review of published research in the
relevant field, training, field work and the like.. Other courses shall be advanced
level courses preparing the students for M.Phil. The Departments will send the
grades for papers and dissertation to the research section which will issue a mark
statement through the Controller of Examinations.

6.3 The Department where the scholar pursues his/her research shall prescribe the
course(s) to him/her based on the recommendations of the Research Advisory
Committee, as stipulated below, of the research scholar.

6.4 There shall be a Research Advisory Committee for each M.Phil. and Ph.D.
scholar. The Research Supervisor of the scholar shall be the Convener of this
Committee, the Head of the Department, one member of faculty of the same
department and an external expert in the same subject nominated by the
University shall be the members. This Committee shall have the following
responsibilities:
6.4.1 To review the research proposal and finalize the topic of research;
6.4.2 To guide the research scholar to develop the study design and
methodology of research and identify the course(s) that he/she may have
to do.
6.4.3 To review atleast once in six months and assist in the progress of the
research work of the research scholar. The review report shall be sent to
the Director (Research & Projects) as soon as it is conducted.
6.5 A research scholar shall appear before the Research Advisory Committee
once in six months to make a presentation of the progress of his/her work
for evaluation and further guidance. The six monthly progress reports shall
be submitted by the Research Advisory Committee to the University with a
copy to the research scholar. The research Advisory Committee shall
submit a report to the University once in 6 months after the meeting of
committee.
6.6 In case the progress of the research scholar is unsatisfactory, the Research
Advisory Committee shall record the reasons for the same and suggest
corrective measures. If the research scholar fails to implement these
corrective measures, the Research Advisory Committee may recommend
to the University with specific reasons for cancellation of the registration
of the research scholar. The University shall cancel the registration of such
candidates.

6.7 All candidates admitted to the Ph.D. programme shall be required to

complete the course work prescribed by the Department during the initial
one or two semesters. If the course work is not completed within one year
of registration, the period of research will be extended to the extent of
delay in the completion the course work.

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 6.8 Grades in the course work, including research methodology courses shall
be finalized after a combined assessment by the Research Advisory
Committee and the Department and the final grades shall be communicated
to the University.

6.9 Ph.D. scholar has to obtain a minimum of 55% of marks or its equivalent
grade in the UGC 7-point scale (or an equivalent grade/CGPA in a point
scale wherever grading system is followed) in the course work in order to
be eligible to continue in the programme and submit the dissertation/thesis.

7. Duration of Research

7.1 Minimum duration of Ph.D. research is 3 (three) years and the maximum duration
is 6 (Six) years from the date of registration. Women candidates and persons with
disability can avail further two more years of extension and the maximum duration
of research for them is 8 (Eight) years. In addition, the women candidates may be
provided Maternity Leave/Child Care Leave once in the entire duration of
M.Phil/Ph.D. for up to 240 days. The Maximum period of research for M.Phil. is
one year.

7.2 If a candidate fails to submit the thesis for the Ph.D degree within the stipulated
period, his/her registration will be treated as cancelled. The maximum period shall
not be extended for any reason.

8. Change of Guide

8.1 Change of Research Guide shall not be permitted as a routine. In exceptional

cases, such a change may be permitted, provided that the guide under whom the
candidate has originally registered gives a “No objection certificate” and the new
guide gives a “Certificate of willingness” to guide the candidate for the remaining
period of his /her research on the same topic.

8.2 The candidate shall submit a request for the change of Research Guide as
mentioned sbove. After the approval of the change of Research Guide, the
candidate shall continue his/her research with the new Research Guide for the
remaining period. In exceptional cases, the request of the candidate, even without
the “No objection certificate” from the guide shall be considered by the authorities
based on the merit of the case.

9 Change of Title:

Change of title shall be permitted only one time, when the required change is of a
minor nature as recommended by the Research Advisory Committee. In such cases
the research work shall be in the same area of the research. Requisition for a change
of title shall be submitted at least 3 months prior to the submission of the thesis.

Note: Title and Supervisor shall not be changed at a time.

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10. Cancellation of Registration

10.1 If the academic performance of the student is found not satisfactory to the extent
of non-compliance of the conditions stipulated during the registration period,
presentation of seminars, submission of reports, etc., action on this count to cancel
the registration shall be taken based on the report of the Research Advisory
Committee.

10.2 If the student fails to submit the thesis within the stipulated period after the date
of confirmation of registration, his/her registration shall automatically stand
cancelled. A cancelled registration shall not be revived / revoked.

10.3 If a student wishes to cancel his /her registration on his/her own, the requisition
for cancellation duly forwarded by the Research Guide and the Head of the
Department/ Head of the Research centre / Principal of the College shall be
submitted in writing. The candidate should pay all the fees due up to the date of
completion of the minimum period permitted or the date of cancellation whichever
is later.

11 Requirements after Registration

The progress of research work done by the registered candidates shall be
periodically evaluated by presentation of seminars, progress reports and
publication. Certificates / Reports to that effect and fee paid details and
recommendation to continue the research work should be given by the Research
Advisory Research Committee at 6 month intervals in the specified format given
in the annexure.

11.1 Presentation of Seminars

Two research seminars (open to the Department) shall be presented by all

categories of research scholars (full-time and part-time) in the respective
University Department / Research centre of affiliated College or recognized
Research Institution. The guide and Head of the Department of the College / Head
of the Research Institution shall issue the requisite notifications of the seminars.

The first seminar shall be necessarily held in the department within the first year
of completion of research work on the research problem and objectives. The
second seminar shall be on data collection, analysis, tools employed and
inferences. A certificate shall be issued by the Guide / and Head of the
Department of the University/ research centre of the College / Institution, on the
day of presentation of the seminar to the candidate to the effect that the candidate
has satisfactorily presented the seminar. The list of attendees of the seminars along
with their names, designation, affiliation and signature shall be certified by the
guide and Head of the department in the University / Head of the research centre
in the college.

11.2 The second seminar needs to be after the first year but not later than the second
year of the research work in the department. Alternatively it can be the
participation of the candidate in National / International Seminar / Conference and
presentation of research paper in such a seminar/conference. The Research Guide
shall issue a certificate to the effect that the seminar is relevant to the field of
research of the candidate, along with paper presentation certificate issued by the
organizers of the Seminar.
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11.4 Research Publication

The candidate shall publish one research paper, relevant to the research area, in a
National/ International refereed journals as listed by the UGC. This paper shall be
published with the candidate as first author, and the guide may be the co-author, if
necessary.

12. Pre-Submission presentation

Prior to the submission of the dissertation/thesis, the scholar shall make a

presentation in the Department before the Research Advisory Committee
concerned which shall also be open to all faculty members and other research
scholars. The feedback and comments obtained from them may be suitably
incorporated into the draft dissertation/thesis in consultation with the Research
Advisory Committee. A certificate to the effect that the feedback has been
incorporated in the thesis shall be submitted along with the Thesis Submission
Form.

The Pre-Submission presentation shall be made not earlier than 3 (three) months
of the date of submission. The submission of the thesis shall be permitted only
after 1 (one) month of the date of pre submission presentation. The guide shall
certify that the corrections / suggestions are carried out before submission.

13. Submission of Synopsis

13.1 The candidate shall submit a Synopsis of the thesis along with the thesis. The
Synopsis shall be in 10 to 15 pages of A4 size paper typed in double spacing
using a legible font such as “Times New Roman - 12 points”. Figures and
tables may be included if considered absolutely necessary.

Name of the candidate and Name of the guide should not be mentioned in the
contents of the Synopsis anywhere.

13.2 Four hard copies of the synopsis of the thesis, duly signed by the candidate and
forwarded by the guide through proper channel, along with an electronic copy in
portable document format (pdf) written in a CD with due label, shall be submitted
along with the thesis.
The following documents shall be enclosed with the Synopsis submission Form:
a) A Copy of letter of confirmation of registration

b) The original certificates of evidence for the presentation of two seminars

and pre-submission presentation
c) A certificate from the Guide countersigned by the Head of the Department
/ recognized Research Centre / Institution where the candidate has worked
for the Ph.D degree during vacation and holiday periods as required by the
Guide (for part-time scholars).

d) All other certificates prescribed by the University from time to time.

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 13.3 List of Examiners

The Supervisor shall submit along with the thesis a panel of 10 (ten) Examiners
with email address, Phone/ Mobile number etc. Of the 10 (ten) Examiners, 5
(five) shall be from within the country excluding Madurai Kamaraj University
jurisdiction of whom 2 (two) shall be from outside Tamil Nadu and another 5
(five) shall be from outside the county. The Examiners shall be preferably at the
level of University Professors The designation, years of experience and area of
specialization of experts shall also be given in a prescribed format.

14. Submission of Thesis

The thesis as 4 hard copies shall be submitted within 3 months of the pre –
submission presentation. Four hard copies of the thesis and 3 soft copies of the
thesis shall be submitted. The hard copy shall be in A4 size of good quality paper.
The thesis may be printed in 1.5 line spacing on both sides of the paper, using a
legible font (e.g., Times New Roman 12 points). The thesis shall not exceed 250
pages. The soft copies shall be exact replica of the printed version of the thesis in
portable document format (pdf), made in such a way that any computer can read
and display the same.

14.1 The Ph.D thesis in all subjects shall be submitted either in English except in
Language subjects where the theses shall be in that particular language. The
candidates submitting Ph.D thesis in subjects other than languages, if submitted in
Tamil, should also submit an equal number of copies in English.

14.2 Plagiarism Check

Every Thesis need to undergo Plagiarism Check with the facility provided in the
Dr. T.P.M. Llibrary of the Madurai Kamaraj University and a certificate from the
Supervisor countersigned by the Director (Research) needs to be produced to the
effect that there is no Plagiarism in the thesis (content does not exceed 30% of the
total thesis for all subjects except languages and 50% for Mathematics). It shall
be done while making pre-submission presentation and also submission of thesis
as well.

14.3 Declaration in the thesis:

While submitting the thesis for evaluation, the dissertation/thesis shall have an
undertaking from the research scholar and a certificate from the Research
Supervisor attesting to the originality of the work, vouching that there is no
plagiarism and that the work has not been submitted for the award of any other
degree/diploma of the same Institution where the work was carried out, or to any
other Institution.

15. Appendix to thesis:

15.1 Research article(s) of the work of the student as the single author or with the
guide as co-author, published in refereed journals during the tenure of the research
shall be appended to the thesis. In case the article is not published at the time of

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 submission, a certificate of acceptance (or) a “in press” certificate from the
Publisher of the Journal together with the manuscript shall be attached. Seminar
papers as presented and publication materials shall also be attached.

15.2 Candidate shall submit a Thesis Submission Form along with the thesis forwarded
by the guide and Head of the Department/the Head of the Institution /
Organization where the research was carried out.

15.3 The Thesis Submission Form shall be submitted with the following enclosures:
Original diplomas of PG degree and other research degrees, No-due certificates
from the Research section, Department, Department library, and T.P.M. Library.
Candidates doing research in the departments of the University shall enclose
No-due Certificates from Hostel and Staff quarters also as applicable.

15.4 The candidate is allowed maximum of 3 months grace period to submit the thesis
after availing the stipulated / extension period of research with a penalty of
Rs.500/- per month. If the delay exceeds 3 months the candidate has to pay the
Research and Extension fees to submit the thesis as applicable.

16. Appointment of EXAMINERS

16.1. Along with the submission of Synopsis / Thesis, the Supervisor is required to
submit a panel of 10 Examiners for the candidate in a sealed cover to the Research
Co-ordinator / Registrar by name without fail as stipulated under 13.3 above. In
case the Supervisor failed to provide the list of Examiners, the Vice Chancellor
shall provide the list of Examiners in consultation with the relevant Subject
Experts.

16.2 The Vice Chancellor shall appoint the board of Examiners for adjudication of the
thesis, consisting of the Supervisor as Convener and Two other external
Examiners, from the panel of 10 Examiners suggested by the Supervisor. It is to
be noted that no close or immediate relative of the candidate or Supervisor be
suggested as an Examiner.

16.3 Substitute Examiners shall be decided by the Vice-Chancellor at the first instance
while constituting the Board of Examiners from the same panel of names
suggested by the Supervisor. If any of the Examiners, in the Board of
Examiners, declines the offer or no reply is received within 15 Days from the
date of actual dispatch of offer, such Examiners may be substituted with the
name already decided by the Vice-Chancellor.

17. Evaluation Process and Award of Degree.

17.1 The copy of Ph.D. thesis of a candidate shall be dispatched through Speed
Post/Registered Parcel / Courier to the Examiners as and when their acceptance is
received.

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17.2 If the Examiner prefers to evaluate on electronic form,\the thesis copy in CD
shall be sent to the In the first instance itself the Examiner shall be given this
option to inform the university accordingly in the acceptance proforma.

17.3 The Examiners shall send their report in the prescribed form mentioning in their
report the grading of the thesis as (a) Satisfactory or (b) Not Satisfactory along
with separate detailed report on the merits and demerits of the thesis. If the
evaluation report of the external examiner is Not Satisfactory, the University shall
send the dissertation/ thesis to another external examiner out of the approved panel
of examiners and the viva-voce examination shall be held only if the report of the
latest examiner is satisfactory. If the report of the latest examiner is also Not
satisfactory, the dissertation/ thesis shall be rejected and the research scholar shall
be declared ineligible for the award of the degree.

17.4 The Two external Examiners shall send their individual reports together with their
recommendations to the Director (Research & Projects) of the University with a
copy to the Supervisor. The research supervisor who is also the Convener of the
viva voce board shall give his/her own report and consolidate all the reports of the
Examiners bringing out the salient points made out in the individual reports and
send the same to the Director (Research & Projects) The thesis may be retained by
the Examiner after completing the evaluation or sent to the Dr. T.P.M. Library of
the University.

17.5 If any one of the three Examiners fails to send the evaluation report on the Ph.D.
thesis within a maximum period of two months from the date of the dispatch of
the thesis, a reminder through post / e-mail / fax shall be sent in the third month.
If in case the evaluation report is not received within 15 days of the reminder, the
thesis shall be sent to the substitute examiner in relevant category like
Indian/Foreign.

17.6 Viva-voce Examination:

A thesis shall be accepted for the award of Ph.D. Degree when all the three
Examiners have found the thesis satisfactory for award and then a public viva-
voce examination is conducted. The conduct of public viva voce shall be
mandatory.

18. Constitution of Public Viva–voce Board:

The Vice-chancellor shall constitute a viva-voce Board of Examiners for the

conduct of the viva-voce examination and one of them shall be the Supervisor and
the other shall be a member of the board of Examiners within Tamil Nadu. The
Supervisor shall be the Convener of this board. The Supervisor and External
Examiner shall then be requested to fix a date for the viva-voce examination
giving at least 10 days for the University to provide permission for the conduct of
the viva voce and 15 days time for the candidate. If there is co-guide he / she shall
also be the member of viva-voce board.

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19. Viva-Voce Notification

As soon as the viva-voce Board is constituted by the University, the Convener of

the Viva-voce Board in consultation with the other Examiner shall fix a date for
the Public Viva-voce. The viva voce shall be conducted only in the University
Departments for the candidates who have been registered with the Guides in the
University departments and those who have registered with guides in institutions
which are not research centres for the concerned disciplines. In the case of other
candidates, the viva voce shall be conducted in the recognized research centres
where the candidates have registered.

The Guide shall in consultation with the Head of the Department fix the venue
for the meeting and a public notice be issued to as many departments/Colleges as
possible. The evidence for sending such notice to various Departments/Colleges
should be submitted along with the Viva-voce examination report. Such a notice
shall be circulated to all the members of the Faculty of the School. When the
information for public viva-voce examination is sent, the Supervisor shall be
authorized to organize the public viva-voce examination for which the Faculty
members, Research Scholars, the Public and the other experts from this University
and other Universities may be invited. A notice shall also be displayed in the
department notice board 15 days in advance of the date of viva-voce examination.
A copy of the thesis shall be made available to the public at the Department for
perusal at least 15 days prior to the date of the Viva-voce examination.

20. Guidelines for conducting public Viva-Voce for Ph.D candidates:

The viva-voce examination shall be conducted only on a working day and during
working hours within 30 days of the constitution of the viva-voce board. The
evaluation reports of Examiners shall be kept with the Supervisor. A list of
attendees with their names, designation, address and signatures shall be obtained
and sent along with the recommendation. The Convener of the Viva-voce Board
and head of the department of the university/ Head of recognized Research
Centre shall be responsible for the conduct of the viva-voce and shall certify to
this effect.

20.1. On the day of the viva-voce examination at the appointed time, the Convener shall
proceed to the examination hall and introduce the Ph.D. candidate to the audience
and the research topic. The Convener shall also introduce himself / herself and
introduce the external Examiner. He/She shall also explain the mode of conduct of
the Viva-Voce Examination.

The candidate shall present his/her thesis within a period of 30 minutes indicating
its relevance/importance, methodology, limitations and his/her findings/
discoveries/ inventions etc.

After the presentation, the external Examiner shall be given time to raise his/her/
questions or the clarifications needed. Then the Convener shall read the questions
raised by the other Examiners one by one and seek responses from the candidate .
Then the audience shall be permitted to ask questions one by one. The total time
for questions/clarifications shall be limited to 60 minutes. When all the questions
are answered, the Board shall conclude the examination as closed and prepare a

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 report showing the performance of the candidate. The report shall be given/ sent
along with the recommendations to Whether the candidate has performed
satisfactory or not satisfactory to the Registrar the same day duly signed by the
members of the Board.

20.2 A candidate who submits a satisfactory thesis but fails to satisfy the viva- voce
board may on the recommendations of the board shall be permitted to submit
himself/herself for a viva-voce examination a second time within three months of
the date of viva voce. A candidate who fails to satisfy the viva-voce board for the
second time will have his/her thesis finally rejected.

20.3 The recommendations of the viva-voce board for the award of Ph.D. degree
along with all the evaluation reports and the consolidated report shall be placed
before the Syndicate for approval. After the approval of the recommendations
of the viva-voce board by the Syndicate, the result shall be declared and the
degree shall be conferred.

20.4 The date of viva-voce as approved by the Syndicate shall be reckoned as the date
of award of Ph.D degree.

20.5 In the case of inter-disciplinary research, the Ph.D. degree shall be awarded in the
faculty/ subject to which his / her Master’s degree belongs mentioning e.g., Main
subject (Interdisciplinary Subject –Interdisciplinary).

21. Depository of Thesis

a. After the evaluation, the guide shall send one hard copy of the thesis and
one CD to the Library of the concerned School of the University /
Research Institution / College.

b. One copy of the thesis and one CD kept in the Research Section shall be
handed over to the TPM Library and receipt of the thesis from library be
produced along with viva-voce report after completion of public viva-voce
examination.

c. Following the successful completion and award of the thesis, the soft copy
of the thesis in CD form shall be forwarded by the University to the UGC
within a period of 30 days to be hosted in the INFLIBNET and shall be
accessible to all Universities/Institutions.

22. Publication of Thesis

After the award of Ph.D degree, the thesis may be published by the candidate in
the form a book with the permission of the University in which case 25 copies of
the book published have to be given to the University.

23. Registration for Additional Ph.D. Degree

A candidate, if he/she wishes to register for an additional Ph.D. degree in the
University, it could be done so “only” after successful completion and award or
cancellation of the earlier registration. All other regular conditions are applicable.
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24. Special Provisions
(a) If the Supervisor is transferred/ appointed and shifted to another
recognized University /College / Research Institute he/she may continue to
guide the student if substantial work had been done already by the student
as certified by the Supervisor. If no substantial work has been done, the
scholar may request for a change of supervisor and this may be granted on
the basis of the merit of the case after due consideration by the authorities.

(b) If a candidate registered for Ph.D as part-time scholar is transferred or

redeployed to another College / office / institute, he/she may be permitted
to continue his / her research if the subject of research falls within a
subject that requires no laboratory work. If the subject involves laboratory
work continuance of research shall be based on the recommendation of the
guide for the availability and adequacy of laboratory facilities.
(c) If a College teacher registered for Ph.D, as a part time scholar, is selected
under Faculty Development Programme of UGC he/she may be permitted
to continue the research as a full time scholar in the Department where the
guide works.

(d) A candidate who has registered as a full time scholar in this university and
who subsequently joins as a teacher in this university / in a College
affiliated to this university / in an institution recognized by this university
for research in the subject concerned may be permitted to convert his/her
registration from full time to part time research. In such cases the
candidate shall send a request through the guide for such conversion.
However, the candidate must fulfill the minimum period of requirement of
Two /Three / one year full time research and Methodology obligations (as
the case may be).

25.M.Phil. Programmes

Candidates need to apply and write the entrance exam and attend the interview as
in the case of Ph.D. candidates. On the basis of the overall merit, they will be
admitted. A Research Advisory Committee consisting of the Guide, Head of the
Department and one more member of faculty in the department will be formed.
The Research Advisory Committee shall meet once before the candidate proceeds
for dissertation work. The candidate needs to undergo a minimum of 3 courses
with 4 credits each prescribed by their respective departments in the first
semester. In the second semester, they need to work on and submit the dissertation
under the supervision on an approved guide. The dissertation will be evaluated by
the Guide and one external examiner fixed by the research advisory committee.
On obtaining the evaluation marks from the external examiner, the guide shall
forward the internal and external marks of the papers attended in the first semester
and the marks obtained in the dissertation to the University for declaration of
results.

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 26. Fee Particulars
Details of fee INR US $

750 75
Cost of Application for Ph. D Registration
--
Cost of Application for guide ship 1000
200
Registration fee – one time 2,000
65
Recognition fees (applicable for other University degrees) 650
Research & Administration fee Annual
4,000 + 400+
First Extension fee (Research Fee + Extension Fee) Research Research Fee
Fee
4,000+ 400+
Second Extension fee (Research Fee + Extension Fee) Research Research Fee
Fee
300
Third Extension fee (for women candidates only) 3,000
200
Fee for change of Topic / Title 2,000
200
Fee for Change of Guide 2,000
Fee for change of Institution / conversion - Full time to Part time and 1,000 100
vice-versa
Fee for submission certificate / viva-voce certificate /To issue 100 10
Duplicate Copy of any communication (eg., Registration letter,
Change of Title etc.,)
50
Fee for permission to publish Thesis 500
Fee for submission of thesis & Postal charges during submission of 7,000 700
Thesis
Fee for the resubmission of thesis & Postal charges during 7,000 700
submission of thesis
Research fee to be remitted
only to University
Research + Administration fee (Annual) for Science Subjects Rs. 9,500 950
7000/- + Rs. 2500/-)
Research + Administration fee (Annual) for Arts and Humanities 7,500 750
subjects (Rs. 5000/- + Rs. 2500/-)

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 PART II

Guidelines for Research Supervisor

1. Research Guide

All full time and part time candidates registered for Ph.D shall work under the
supervision of a research guide.

2. Qualifications of a Research Guide :

The research guides shall be Assistant Professors, Associate Professors and

Professors drawn from University Departments / DDE / affiliated colleges of this
University. A research guide shall be an active researcher with a Ph.D or higher
qualification as evidenced by regular, periodical refereed publications, participation
in national and international seminars, expert committees and related academic
activities. Publications relating to his/her Ph.D work shall not be considered as an
indication of active research. The guides may be from institutions other than the
University area as well, in disciplines not available in the University or in disciplines
where there is a shortage in the number of approved research guides. A research
Guide should have a minimum of three years of service before retirement while a
candidate is registering under the Supevisor.

2.1 All Professors, Associate Professors and Assistant Professors with a Ph.D degree
working in the University Schools / Departments of DDE /Departments drawing
UGC Scales of pay for research and are currently engaged in research with two
years of research experience are eligible to be Research Guides.

2.2. Teachers of (PG/UG) departments of Affiliated colleges which are not

approved research centres shall be permitted to guide Part-time Ph.D scholars only.

a) They shall have two years of Research experience after the date of award of Ph.D.,
degree. Publications of their independent original research work (other than their
Ph.D work ) as mentioned in 5.1 below in refereed journals listed by UGC and
having a minimum of 5 years of regular teaching experience in affiliated colleges
of the Universities. Experience of teachers in regular UGC pay scale alone will be
counted as experience.

(or)
b) Those who have carried out 2 Major or 3 Minor research projects sanctioned by
government funding agencies like CSIR / DST / DBT / UGC / ICSSR / ICPR /
ICHR / AICTE etc., are eligible to be recognized as guides.

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 3. Procedure for Recognition of Guides
The application for recognition as guide by an individual shall be submitted
through proper channel along with the Curriculum Vitae, list of research
publications in the journals prescribed by UGC with photocopies of such
publications, attested by the Head of the University Department/Affiliated
College. The application will be referred to a subject expert to obtain the
recommendations for the recognition of the applicant as a research guide. The
University shall issue the certificate of Recognition as Guide with a proper ID
Number. A teacher shall be permitted to apply for Guideship in only one
discipline which shall be the same Discipline in which he has been awarded with
Ph.D. All the existing dual guide ship will be cancelled. The recognized guide
shall be permitted to guide only in the discipline he has been provided with
guideship excepting in case of interdisciplinary research,

4. Tenure of Research Guide

The recognition given to a researcher as guide shall be valid till his/her retirement. A
research Guide should have a minimum of three years of service before retirement
while a candidate is registering under the Supevisor. If, for any reason, the guide
takes voluntary retirement from service or leaves the service or moves away from the
jurisdiction of the University, his/her guideship shall stand cancelled. However, such
guides shall be permitted to complete their commitments to the students already
registered.

5. Eligibility criteria to be a Research Supervisor, Co- Supervisor, Number of

M.Phil./Ph.D. scholars permissible per Supervisor, etc.
5.1 Any regular Professor of the University/Institution Deemed to be a
University/College with at least five research publications in refereed journals
and any regular Associate/Assistant Professor of the university/institution
deemed to be a university/college with a Ph.D. degree and at least two research
publications in refereed journals may be recognized as Research Supervisor.

5.2 Provided that in areas/disciplines where there is no or only a limited number of

refereed journals, the Institution may relax the above condition for recognition
of a person as Research Supervisor with reasons recorded in writing.
5.3 Only a full time regular teacher of the concerned University/Institution Deemed
to be a University/College can act as a supervisor. The external supervisors are
not allowed. However, Co-Supervisor can be allowed in inter-disciplinary areas
from other departments of the same institute or from other related institutions
with the approval of the Research Advisory Committee.
5.4 The allocation of Research Supervisor for a selected research scholar shall be
decided by the Department concerned depending on the number of scholars per
Research Supervisor, the available specialization among the Supervisors and
research interests of the scholars as indicated by them at the time of
interview/viva voce.
5.5 In case of topics which are of inter-disciplinary nature where the Department
concerned feels that the expertise in the Department has to be supplemented
from outside, the Department may appoint a Research Supervisor from the
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 Department itself, who shall be known as the Research Supervisor, and a Co-
Supervisor from outside the Department/ Faculty/College/Institution on such
terms and conditions as may be specified and agreed upon by the consenting
Institutions/Colleges.
5.6 A Research Supervisor/Co-supervisor who is a Professor, at any given point of
time, cannot guide more than three (3)M.Phil. and Eight (8) Ph.D. scholars. An
Associate Professor as Research Supervisor can guide up to a maximum of two
(2) M.Phil. and six (6) Ph.D. scholars and an Assistant Professor as Research
Supervisor can guide up to a maximum of one (1) M.Phil. and four (4) Ph.D.
scholars.
5.7 In case of relocation of an M.Phil/Ph.D. woman scholar due to marriage or
otherwise, the research data shall be allowed to be transferred to the University
to which the scholar intends to relocate provided all the other conditions in
these regulations are followed in letter and spirit and the research work does
not pertain to the project secured by the parent institution/ supervisor from any
funding agency. The scholar will however give due credit to the parent guide
and the institution for the part of research already done.

PART III

6. Guidelines for approval of Research Centres

6.1 Colleges may be considered eligible to offer M.Phil./Ph .D programmes only if

they satisfy the availability of a minimum two Research Supervisors, required
infrastructure like 1 class room, 1 tutorial room,1 computer per candidate with
internet access, 100 books(may be hard copies or soft copies), subscription to 10
national and 10 international journals (may be off line or on line) separately for
the research department and supporting administrative and research promotion
facilities as per these Regulations.
6.2 Post-graduate Departments of Colleges, Research laboratories of Government of
India/State Government with at least two Ph.D. qualified teachers/scientists/other
academic staff in the Department concerned along with required infrastructure, supporting
administrative and research promotion facilities as per these Regulations, stipulated under
sub-clause 6.3, shall be considered eligible to offer M.Phil./Ph.D. programmes. Colleges
should additionally have the necessary recognition by the Institution under which they
operate to offer M.Phil./Ph.D. Programme.

6.3 Colleges with adequate facilities for research as mentioned below alone shall offer
M.Phil./Ph.D. programmes:
6.3.1 In case of science and technology disciplines, exclusive research
laboratories with sophisticated equipment as specified by the Institution
concerned with provision for adequate space per research scholar along
with computer facilities and essential software, and uninterrupted power
and water supply;

6.3.2 Earmarked library resources including latest books, Indian and

International journals, e-journals, extended working hours for all
disciplines, adequate space for research scholars in the Department/ library
for reading, writing and storing study and research materials;

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 6.3.3 Colleges may also access the required facilities of the neighboring
Institutions/Colleges, or of those Institutions/ Colleges / R&D
laboratories/ Organizations which have the required facilities.

6.4 The institution or a department to be recognized as a research centre by the

University, shall have at least two research guides duly recognized by Madurai
Kamaraj University, under whom candidates can register for doing Ph.D. This is
mandatory to apply for the recognition of research centre. Such institutions may
apply with all other requisite information in the prescribed form along with a
recognition fee of Rs.20,000/- and Rs. 5,000/- as visiting fee.

6.5 An inspection commission comprising subject experts appointed by the University

shall inspect and report on the available infrastructure including
journals/books/instruments/laboratory space and equipment/internet and other
facilities established in the center and research work already going on in the centre
as evident from the list of publications made from the centre. Considering the
report, the Department / Centre may be approved as a Research Institution. The
University shall issue the certificate of Recognition to the Centre with a proper ID
Number.

6.6 The Research Centre will be reviewed by the University atleast once in two years
with a team of Subject Experts from the University.

6.7 An annual renewal fee of Rs.10,000/- shall be paid by all the approved Research
Centres failing which registration of M.Phil./Ph.D. candidates will not be allowed.
A periodical review of the Research Centre will be made by the University once in
two years.

*****

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