SRM UNIVERSITY

Revised Ph.D. REGULATIONS(2017)

1. DEFINITIONS AND NOMENCLATURE

In the Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires,

i. University” means SRM University

ii. “Programme” means Doctoral Programme leading to the award of Ph.D. in

Engineering and Technology / Science and Humanities / Medical and Health
Sciences.

iii. DRCC means “Department Research Co-ordination Committee”.

iv. “Chairperson” means the Head of the DRCC.

v. “Supervisor” means any faculty member of the University who has been recognized
by the University to supervise the research scholars.

vi. “Doctoral Committee” means a Committee constituted by the University for each
scholar to monitor the progress of his/her research work.

vi. “Research Co-ordinator” means Head of the Institution / Department / Organization

of the Part-time (Ext.) scholar where he/she is employed.

vii. “Scholar” means any candidate admitted by the University either under Full-time or
Part-time category for pursuing research for the award of Ph.D.degree of the
University.

vii. “Course” means a theory subject/a practical subject of PG programme / a directed

study prescribed by the Doctoral Committee for the scholar to undergo as a part of
the Ph.D. Programme.

2. CATEGORIES OF Ph.D. CANDIDATES

There shall be three categories of Ph.D. candidates.

(i) Full Time candidates: All candidates who pursue full time research in this University
shall belong to this category.

(i) Part Time (Internal) candidates: All candidates employed in SRM University who
pursue part time research in this University shall belong to this category.

(iii) Part Time(External) candidates: All candidates working in Industrial units,

Colleges, Government departments, Research organizations or other Institutions,
sponsored for pursuing Ph.D. Programmes in this University while continuing to

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 serve in their respective Institutions /organizations which are recognized as
the Research Centers of SRM University shall belong to this category.
. They shall pursue research in their place of employment and /or in this University.

3. ELIGIBILITY

3.1. Two years of Master's degree or a professional degree declared

equivalent to the Master’s degree by the corresponding statutory
regulatory body, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its
equivalent grade 'B' in the UGC 7-point scale (or an equivalent grade
in a point scale wherever grading system is followed) or an equivalent
degree from a foreign educational Institution accredited by an
Assessment and Accreditation Agency which is approved, recognized
or authorized by an authority, established or incorporated under a
law in its home country or any other statutory authority in that
country for the purpose of assessing, accrediting or assuring quality
and standards of educational institutions.
3.2. Candidates who have cleared the M.Phil. course work with at least 55%
marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade 'B' in the UGC 7-point scale
(or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is
followed) and successfully completing the M.Phil. Degree shall be
eligible to proceed to do research work leading to the Ph. D. Degree in
the same Institution.
3.3. A relaxation of 5% of marks, or an equivalent relaxation of grade, may
be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC(non-creamy
layer)/Differently- abled.

4. DURATION OF THE PROGRAMME

The duration of the programme and the time for submission of thesis are
counted from the date of provisional registration.

. 4.1 All Ph.D. programmes shall be for a minimum duration of three

years, including course work and a maximum of five years for Full
time scholars and a maximum of six years for Part time scholars.

4.2. Part Time (Internal/External):

Part time Ph.D. programme is allowed provided all the conditions
mentioned in the extant Ph.D. regulations are met.

4.3 Under extraordinary circumstances if the candidate fails to submit the thesis within the
maximum period, further extension of the period for a maximum of two years may be
granted by the Vice Chancellor, on the recommendations of the Doctoral Committee,
Director of concerned Faculty and Director(Research).
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 After the expiry of the maximum period including the extension granted, a candidate will
be permitted to Re-register as per the following regulations.

(i) For those candidates who want to re-register under the same supervisor
on the same area of research, the earlier Doctoral Committee and the
course works completed will hold good.

(ii) For those candidates who want to re-register with a different supervisor
on a different area of research will be subjected to the regulations
applicable for the fresh candidates.

(iii) If the area of research is the same, the new Doctoral Committee will
decide whether the earlier course works completed can be considered
for exemption or not.

4.4 The women candidates and Persons with Disability (more than 40%
disability) may be allowed a relaxation of two years for Ph.D. in the
maximum duration. In addition, the women candidates may be
provided Maternity Leave/Child Care Leave once in the entire
duration of Ph.D. for up to 240 days.

5. ADMISSION PROCEDURE

(i) The number of available seats in the various specializations under different disciplines
will be determined well in advance depending on the number of available Research
Supervisors and other academic and physical facilities available, keeping in mind the
norms regarding the scholar- supervisor ratio (as indicated in Para 6.2. iii), laboratory,
library and such other facilities and will be notified in the University website and
through advertisement.

(ii) The candidates desirous of pursuing Ph.D. degree shall submit the application in the
prescribed form through proper channel wherever applicable, before 31st March /
30th September, each year to the Director (Research). The application form and
the necessary details are available in the SRM University website

(iii) The applications received will be sent to the respective Faculty Directors who
will forward the same to the Chairpersons of the Department Research Coordination
Committee (DRCC) of the departments. The DRCC will consist of all the recognized
supervisors in the department and a recognized supervisor from another department of
the University nominated by the respective faculty Directors. If the Head of the
department is a recognized supervisor he/she will be the Chairperson. If not, he/she
will nominate one of the recognized supervisors in the department as the
Chairperson of DRCC. In Schools, the Dean of the School will be the
Chairperson. The DRCC shall screen the applications and conduct the Entrance
Test.

(iv) The Entrance test need not be conducted for those students who
qualify UGC-NET (including JRF)/UGC-CSIR NET (including
JRF)/SLET/GATE/teacher fellowship holder.
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 (v) The DRCC shall admit candidates by a two stage process
through:

1. An Entrance Test shall be qualifying with qualifying marks as 50%.

The syllabus of the Entrance Test shall consist of 50% of research
methodology and 50% shall be subject specific. The Entrance Test
shall be conducted at the Centre(s) notified in advance.

2 An interview/viva-voce to be organized by the DRCC when the

candidates are required to discuss their research interest/area
through a presentation before the Department Research
Coordination Committee. The interview/viva voce shall also consider
the following aspects, viz. whether:
2.1 the candidate possesses the competence for the proposed
research;
2.2 the research work can be suitably undertaken at the
Institution/College;
2.3 the proposed area of research can contribute to new/additional
knowledge.
(vi) The allocation of Research Supervisor for a selected research scholar
shall be decided by the DRCC 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.

(vii) The respective DRCC will forward the list of selected candidates along with the
applications of all the candidates to the Director(Research) through the Directors of
the respective faculties.

(viii) The Director (Research) will seek the approval of the Vice-Chancellor for the
provisional registration of the selected candidates.

(ix) The Candidates whose registration has been approved by the Vice Chancellor
shall be provisionally admitted to the Ph.D. Programme by the Director
(Research) with intimation to the concerned Faculty Director, HOD, supervisor, the
candidate, and the sponsoring institution, if any.

(x) On receipt of the Provisional registration of the candidates, the supervisors of the
students shall recommend a panel of Six names for forming the Doctoral Committee
for their respective students and send the same to the respective Faculty Directors
through the respective Heads of the Departments. The Faculty Director shall form
the Doctoral Committee as in Para 9 below, get the approval of the Vice-Chancellor
and then communicate the same to the Director (Research) for record and to the
respective supervisors through the respective Heads of the departments for further
action.

(xi) The date of provisional registration shall be of 1st of July or 2nd of January of
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 each year.

(xii) The University shall maintain the list of all the Ph.D. registered scholars on its
website on year-wise basis. The list shall include the name of the registered
candidate, topic of his/her research, name of his/her supervisor/co-supervisor, date
of enrolment/registration.

6. ALLOCATION OF RESEARCH SUPERVISOR:

6.1 Recognition Of Supervisors

Recognition of Supervisor for guiding research work will be accorded by the Vice
Chancellor, on application to the Director(Research) through proper channel in the
prescribed format with the recommendation of a subject expert identified by the
Director of the concerned faculty

Only a full time regular teacher of the concerned University can act as
a supervisor.

(i) Any Professor of the University with at least five research

publications in indexed journals with SNIP/ IF > 1 in the last 5 years
may be recognized as a research supervisor. Any Associate Professor
with a Ph.D. degree with at least 3 publications in indexed journals
with SNIP/ IF > 1 in the last 3 years and a minimum of two years of
research or teaching experience after acquiring Ph.D. degree may be
recognized as a research supervisor. Any Assistant Professor of the
university with a Ph.D. degree and at least two research publications
in indexed journals with SNIP/IF > 1 in the last 3 years and a
minimum of two years of research or teaching experience after
acquiring Ph.D. degree may be recognized as Research Supervisor.
All publications mentioned above must be in approved journals list
available in the University website.
(ii) A research supervisor without Ph.D. qualification in Medical Sciences should have not
less than 15 years of teaching and research experience after obtaining his/her Post
Graduate qualification and shall also have not less than 10 years of Post Graduate
teaching experience as a faculty member with a minimum of two publications in the
relevant or allied areas of research in indexed journals with SNIP/IF >1 in the
last 3 years

(iii) All the supervisors must have been active researchers during the past
five years. In areas/disciplines where there is no or only a limited
number of indexed journals, the university may relax the above
condition for recognition of a faculty as Research Supervisor with
reasons recorded in writing. The minimum impact factor (IF)
requirements may be somewhat relaxed by the Vice Chancellor for

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 humanities, social sciences, and other areas where a rich research
culture has not yet been established.

(iii) 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 Vice Chancellor.

6.2 Allocation of Supervisors

(i) The allocation of Research Supervisor for a selected research scholar shall be decided
by the DRCC 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.

(ii) In case of topics which are of inter-disciplinary nature where the Department
concerned feels that the expertise in the DRCC has to be supplemented from outside,
the Department may appoint a Research Supervisor from the 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.

. (iii) A Research Supervisor/Co-supervisor who is a Professor, at any

given point of time, can guide upto three (3)M.Phil. and six (6) Ph.D.
scholars. An Associate Professor as a Research Supervisor can guide
up to a maximum of two (2) M.Phil. and four (4) Ph.D. scholars and
an Assistant Professor as a Research Supervisor can guide up to a
maximum of one (1) M.Phil. and three (3) Ph.D. scholars. Guiding
research scholars is a significant investment of ones time. Care must
be taken before accepting doctoral scholars considering the load on
hand.

6.3 In case of relocation of an 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 Supervisor and the
institution for the part of research already done.

7 . SUPERVISORS

(i) All Ph.D. candidates are required to work under the guidance of a recognized
Supervisor from the University.

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 (ii) The part time (external) candidates shall be required to have, in addition to a
Research Supervisor from the respective faculty of this University, a recognized Co-
supervisor/Research coordinator from the institution/organization/department where
he/she is employed, who is responsible to provide all necessary resources and help to
complete the research work in a time bound manner. The institution
/organization/department where the candidate will pursue his/her research work
should be recognized as a research centre by the university.

(iii) When a supervisor of a candidate happens to be away from the University, for more
than 6 months, he/she may continue to guide the candidate, but a supervisor
belonging to the same faculty of the University shall be officially nominated as a
Co-supervisor by the DRCC of the department and forwarded through proper
channel to the Vice Chancellor for approval.

(iv) If the supervisor leaves the University, he/she may be permitted to continue as a
supervisor for his/her students depending upon the availability of the individual,
subject to the approval of the Vice Chancellor. Otherwise a new supervisor belonging
to the ame faculty of the University, officially nominated by the Research
Coordination Committee of the department will be appointed as the Supervisor after
obtaining necessary approval from the Vice Chancellor.

8. RECOGNITION OF RESEARCH CENTERS

. Various National and Regional Laboratories / Institutions / Organizations /

Industrial Establishments/ Industries recognized by DSIR are eligible to admit
candidates for Ph.D. under this University provided they possess recognition from
the University. Other Institutions desirous of getting recognition must apply to the
University for securing recognition as Centers of Research. The University will get
these institutions assessed through a committee before awarding the recognition,
wherever necessary as per the guidelines approved by the Doctoral Committee.

9. DOCTORAL COMMITTEE AND ITS FUNCTIONS

The following members shall constitute the Doctoral Committee as approved by
the Vice-Chancellor.

(i) The Supervisors (Convener)

(ii) Two External experts selected by the Director of the respective faculty from a panel
of six experts recommended by the Supervisors from the academia/Industries / R&D
organizations.

(iii) The Co-supervisor, if any.

(iv) In case of Part time external candidates, the Co- Supervisor / Research coordinator
from the organization where he/she is employed.

(v) An expert in the allied areas of research from the University, if required.

(vi) Chairperson of DRCC of the concerned department.

This Committee shall have the following responsibilities:

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 (i). To review the research proposal and finalize the topic of
research.
(ii). 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.
(iii). To periodically review and assist in the progress of the
research work of the research scholar.

10. COURSE WORK

All candidates admitted to the Ph.D. programme shall be required to complete the
course work prescribed by the Doctoral Committee during the initial one or two
semesters.

(a) For Engineering and Technology /Architecture

(i) The research scholars should successfully complete a minimum of four courses
(minimum of 12 credits) prescribed by the Doctoral Committee and approved by the
concerned Boards of Studies.

(ii) A minimum of four credits shall be assigned to one or more courses on Research
Methodology with a minimum of four credits which could cover areas such as
quantitative methods, computer applications, research ethics and review of published
research in the relevant field, training, field work, etc.

(iii) The other courses may be special courses decided by the Doctoral Committee relating
to the area of research of the candidate.

(b) For Science and Humanities and Medical and Health Sciences

(i) All candidates shall complete three courses (minimum of 9 credits) prescribed by the
Doctoral Committee and approved by the concerned Boards of Studies.

(ii) The courses shall be (i) Research methodology for the subject (ii) A background
subject related to his/her Ph.D. research (iii) An advanced subject in the area of
research.

(iii) In the case of candidates with M.Phil. degree, the course work on Research
Methodology may be exempted.by the Doctoral Committee.

10.1. Directed Course :The directed course is done under the guidance of the Supervisor.
For the internal evaluation there should be the following two components.

i. 5 Seminars - 15 Marks
ii. 3 Tests - 15 Marks
----------------------
Total 30 Marks
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 ----------------------
The syllabus for the directed course is assigned to the above components in such a
way that the entire syllabus is covered. The schedule for the course may be prepared
by the Supervisor who teaches the course in the format given below and may be
submitted to the Controller of Examination well in advance.

Course Code & Title :

Name of the Supervisor :

Department :

Sl.No. Component Syllabus Date

1 Seminar - 1 From unit 1

2 Seminar – 2 From unit 2

3 Seminar – 3 From unit 3

4 Seminar – 4 From unit 4

5 Seminar – 5 From unit 5

6 Test – 1 Covering Units - 1 & 2

7 Test – 2 Covering Units - 3 & 4

8 Test – 3 Covering All the Units

Signature of the Head of the Department Signature of the Supervisor

10.2. For each of the courses, the maximum internal mark awarded is 30 marks. All the
candidates have to appear for an external(Semester) examination in each subject conducted
by the Controller of examinations for 70 marks. The passing minimum is 35 marks in the
semester examination.. The over all passing minimum is 55 marks.

Letter Grades and Grade Points(GP)

Based on the performance in each subject, the student is awarded a final letter grade
. The letter grades and the corresponding grade points are as follows.

Letter Grade Grade Points Range of Marks

O (Outstanding) 10 95-100
A+ (Excellent) 9 90-94
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A (Very Good) 8 85-89
B+ (Good) 7 75-84
B (Above Average) 6 65-74
C (Average) 5 55-64
P (Pass) 4 50-54
F (Fail) 0 <50 Failure due to insufficient marks in the course
Ab (Absent) 0 Failure due to non-appearance in the examination

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 thesis. A scholar
who gets less than C grade in a course work, he/she has to redo that
course.
11. COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

(i) A research scholar shall take a comprehensive examination after the completion of
two semesters of his/her research programme but before the completion of four
semesters. The comprehensive examination is mandatory.

(ii) The comprehensive examination shall be in the form of written and/or oral as
recommended by the Doctoral Committee.

(iii)Comprehensive examination shall be conducted by a panel of examiners which

consists of the members of the Doctoral Committee along with one external examiner
as recommended by the supervisors and forwarded through proper channel and
approved by the Vice Chancellor.

(iv) The Supervisor shall intimate the research scholar sufficiently in advance, the scope
of the examination and other relevant details.

(v) If the performance of the research scholar in the comprehensive examination is

satisfactory, his/her provisional registration shall be confirmed. If the performance is
unsatisfactory, he/she shall be given one more opportunity to appear for the
examination within six months of the first examination. In case, the research scholar
fails to successfully complete the comprehensive examination within the prescribed
time limit, his/her provisional registration shall be cancelled by the University.

12. SEMESTER REGISTRATION

All Research scholars whose registration for research degree is in force, are required to
report in-person to the Supervisor each semester on the stipulated date till their
submission of thesis, in the prescribed registration form and the same shall be forwarded
to the Director (Research) through the Head of the department and the Director of the
respective Faculty.

13. MONITORING THE PROGRESS OF CANDIDATES

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(i) A research scholar shall appear before the Doctoral 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 Doctoral Committee to the Director(Research)
with a copy to the research scholar. The Doctoral Committee meeting
may be conducted through Skype/video conferencing if a DC member is
not able to attend the meeting.
(ii) In case, the progress of the research scholar is unsatisfactory, the Doctoral Committee
shall record the reasons for the same and suggest corrective measures. If the
research scholar fails to implement these corrective measures, the Doctoral Committee
may recommend to the respective Faculty Director with specific reasons for cancellation
of the registration of the research scholar.

14. CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION

(i) The registration of a research scholar whose progress is not satisfactory or who has
not reported in person to the supervisor for any one semester is liable to be cancelled
by the University.

(ii) The registration of a research scholar who has not submitted his/her thesis by the end
of the prescribed /extended period as provided in the Regulations will be cancelled by
the University.

15. SUBMISSION OF SYNOPSIS

(i) Upon satisfactory completion of the research work and after the
publication of at least two research papers in indexed journals
approved by the University and making two paper presentations
in conferences/seminars, the research scholar is permitted to submit
the synopsis of the Ph.D. work to the Controller of Examinations.
The synopsis could be submitted after two years and nine months
from the date of registration.

(ii) Prior to submission of the synopsis, the student shall make a pre-Ph.D. presentation in
the Department that may be open to all faculty members and research students, for
getting feedback and comments, which may be suitably incorporated into the synopsis
and thesis under the advice of the supervisor.

(iii) After the approval of the research work reported in the synopsis by the Doctoral
Committee, the Supervisor shall forward 6 hard copies of the synopsis of the proposed
thesis, with a soft copy on CD to the Controller of Examinations along with a panel of
at least six names (three from India, outside the State of the University campus and
three from abroad) as examiners for adjudication of the Ph.D. thesis and a panel of
three Indian examiners for the viva voce examination.

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16. SUBMISSION OF THESIS

(i) The research scholar shall, within six months of submission of the synopsis, prepare
thesis in accordance with the format and specification prescribed. The thesis shall
report, in an organized and scholarly fashion, highlighting the original contribution
made in the research work of the candidate.

The thesis should be submitted after the completion of the minimum

period and before the completion of the maximum period of the Ph.D.
program.

(ii) While submitting for evaluation, the 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 after testing the thesis with a Plagiarism software
recommended by the university 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.

(iii) He/She shall submit 6 hard copies of the thesis along with a soft copy on CD to the
Controller of Examinations through proper channel under the intimation to the
Director(Research). Under no circumstances, the submission of thesis shall be delayed
except under special circumstances, where an extension of three months may be
granted with the recommendation of the Doctoral Committee by the Vice-Chancellor.

17. THESIS ADJUDICATION

(i) The Ph.D. thesis submitted by a research scholar shall be evaluated by his/her Research
Supervisor and at least two external examiners nominated by the Vice Chancellor from
among the panel of examiners recommended by the Supervisor who are not in
employment
of the University, of whom one examiner should be from outside the country and
another examiner from outside the state(where the University campus is located). The
Vice Chancellor, if he deems it necessary, may also nominate examiners from outside
the panel.

(ii) The Controller of Examination shall take such steps as deemed necessary to enable the
reports of the examiners to be received as quickly as possible.

(iii) In the case of undue delay in receiving the report from the examiner, the Controller of
examination shall refer the thesis to the second examiner selected by the Vice
Chancellor, after waiting for three months and ensuring that the first examiner is not
going to respond within a reasonable period of time.

(iv) The examiner shall include in his report an overall assessment placing the thesis in one
of the following categories:
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 a) Recommended for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy: Commended
/ highly commended.

b) Recommended that the candidate revises the thesis as suggested in the report and
the revised thesis be referred to the Supervisor for verification.

c) Recommended that the candidate revises the thesis as suggested in the report and
the revised thesis be sent to the examiner for revaluation.

d) Not recommended.

The examiner shall enclose a report of 200 to 300 words, indicating the standard
attained in case(a), the nature of revision in case (b) or (c) and the reasons for
rejection in case (d)

(v) On receipt of the reports from the examiners, the following procedure shall be
adopted:

a) If all the examiners recommend 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.

b) If any examiner recommends revision of the thesis, the candidate shall be

permitted to revise and resubmit the thesis within 6 months with the approval
of the Doctoral Committee. The revised thesis shall be referred to the same
examiner, if the examiner has insisted the University to send the thesis back to
him/her after revision for offering his/her final recommendation on the thesis. In
such a case the examiner should offer his/her comments for the second time either
as recommended for the award or rejection. In case, the examiner did not insist on
sending the thesis back to him, then the University may refer the revised thesis to
the Supervisor for verification.

c) If one external examiner recommends the award of the degree while the other
recommends rejection, then the thesis shall be referred to a third examiner to be
nominated by the Vice Chancellor. If the third examiner recommends the award,
the thesis shall be provisionally accepted. Otherwise, the thesis shall be rejected
and the registration of the candidate cancelled.

d) If both the external examiners recommend rejection, the thesis shall be rejected
and the registration of the candidate be cancelled.

e) When the commendation of the examiner on the revised thesis is not as stipulated
in Clause 18 (v)(b) above or in the case of any dispute, the Vice Chancellor, if he
deems it necessary, shall refer the thesis and the comments to a committee
constituted by the Vice Chancellor for this purpose.

f) Individual cases not covered by the above regulations shall be referred to the Vice
Chancellor for his final decision.

18. PUBLIC VIVA VOCE EXAMINATION

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 (i) The public viva-voce of the research scholar to defend the thesis shall be
conducted by a board of examiners to be constituted by the Vice
Chancellor. only if the evaluation reports of the external examiner on the
thesis are satisfactory and include a specific recommendation for
conducting the viva-voce examination.

(ii) The public viva-voce examination board shall include:

a) The examiner of the thesis from India or if the Indian examiner of the thesis is
not available, a member from the panel of Indian examiners already
recommended by the Supervisor.
b) An examiner from the panel of oral examiners already approved.
c) Supervisor of the candidate.

(iii) The convener of the Doctoral committee will be the Convener of Oral examination
board and the oral examination shall be conducted as “Open defence type”
examination.

(iv) If the performance of the candidate in the Oral examination as reported by the Oral
examination board to be NOT SATISFACTORY, the candidate may opt to reappear
for the Oral examination at a later date (not later than six months from the date of the
first Oral Examination). On the second occasion, the Oral examination board shall
include one more examiner nominated by the Vice Chancellor.

(v) If the performance of the candidate in the oral examination on the second occasionalso
is reported to be NOT SATISFACTORY, the Vice Chancellor, if he deems it
necessary, shall refer the remarks of the Oral examination board, along with the
thesis and comments of the examiners, to a committee constituted by the Vice
Chancellor for this purpose and decide. The decision of the Vice Chancellor shall be
final.

(vi) The University shall develop appropriate methods so as to complete the entire
process of evaluation of Ph.D. thesis within a period of six months from the date of
submission of the thesis.

19. AWARD OF Ph.D. DEGREE

If the performance of the research scholar in the Oral examination is satisfactory, he/she
will be awarded Ph.D. degree on the recommendation of the Academic council and with
the approval of the Board of Management of the University.

20. PUBLICATION OF THESIS

(i) After the viva voce examination the candidate shall submit a copy of the thesis in CD
ROM duly certified by the Supervisor that all the corrections have been duly carried out
as
suggested by the examiners, if any, for UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES.

(ii) The University shall submit an electronic copy of the Ph. D. thesis to the INFLIBNET,
for hosting the same so as to make it accessible to all Institutions/Colleges.

(iii) Papers arising out of the thesis may be published by the candidate. However, the thesis
as a whole shall not be published by the candidate without the specific approval of the
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 University.

21. CHANGE OF REGULATIONS

The Academic Council of SRM University may revise, amend or change the regulations
from time to time.

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