AICTE Sets New PhD Rules: 2.5 Years, Publications Required

• PhD completion in 2.5 years is allowed if the research is published in journals.
• Use of AI in research must be credited and strictly limited.
• Scholars can transfer universities; retired faculty are allowed as co-supervisors.

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has suggested modifications to the PhD programs in engineering and associated disciplines.

A committee established by the council has suggested that candidates could finish their PhD in just two and a half years, as long as their research is published in respected journals.

PhD regulations India draft stipulates that PhD candidates in technical education must publish their research in peer-reviewed journals or conferences, listing the candidate as the first and corresponding author. If the research is published in prestigious outlets such as Scopus-indexed Q1 journals, the candidate may qualify to submit the thesis after 2.5 years rather than the typical three to six years.

The panel has recommended that the function of AI disclaimers in research should be explicitly stated. Any content produced with these tools must have appropriate credit given, and its input should be confined to a specific percentage of the total project. This alteration in PhD standards aims to promote transparency and uphold academic integrity.

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According to reports, additional suggestions from AICTE involve enabling research scholars to transfer between universities during their PhD studies, and allowing retired faculty to serve as co-supervisors post-retirement.

The AICTE task force has established guidelines for the Doctor of Science (DSc) degree in engineering, applied sciences, and related fields, which can be finished in one to three years These suggestions will need authorization from the Ministry of Education and an official announcement before they take effect.