Effective from 1, January, 2006

(incorporating Academic Council, 7-10-2005 & Senate, 18-11-2005 Amendments, as approved)

Preamble :

Higher education and research constitute the backbone of the University system. Universities create the qualified manpower to meet the demand of the industries. Further improving quality of education has become essential to meet the stiff international and domestic competition. Thus, the research carried out in the university departments and recognized research centres should be of high standard and competitive at the international level. The publications of the Universities are an important index of productivity. It is not sufficient that research laboratories are well established and good enough alone. The manpower involved is an important component of this system, leading to effective delivery. Unless otherwise there is an ideal, healthier, intellectual atmosphere, the efforts may not yield the desired result. The psychological well being of the teachers and the students are important factors. All these depend on an ideal working condition and optimal utilization of available resources.

In India , like the west, most of the research funding agencies expect the institution to carry on the research once the grant has been sanctioned: they expect a speedy delivery. It is a mutual trust with the funding agencies and the Universities that the funds are periodically released and it is obligatory that the university follows the stipulations by the funding agencies and reciprocate in good faith. Upon sanction, many agencies expect the host institution to advance and get the money reimbursed periodically. Unless otherwise there is an effective machinery to maintain the accounts, make the claims, send the UC and settle the accounts, the progress of the research as a whole is jeopardized.

A major hurdle in the university system is the existing centralized system of management. UGC brought in the School concept to overcome this hurdle, though it is less implemented. Our university has approved autonomy schools and all schools are functioning reasonably well. Nonetheless, the administrative system struggles to cope up with the growing demands and expectations. For example, utilization of individual research grants from national agencies is a major problem in the university. Thus, not only the rules and regulations for Ph.D., needs to be ‘modernized' and revised but the whole supporting machinery such as Research fellowships claiming and disbursing section shall also be revamped to support research: The concerned and related sections shall be automated with modern provisions and paperless, e-administration. The fiscal policy of administering research shall thus be revised and implemented as suggested in section II.

The overall aim of this exercise is in consonance with the policy that the Universities become more of a research institution and affiliated colleges takes up the responsibility of post-graduate teaching and research in the long run. Certain colleges with good infrastructure for research may transform in future in to PG Colleges with research, may be a prelude to solitary University status as in the west.

OVERALL RECOMMENDATIONS OF Board of Research Studies

Instruction for Administration:

These revised regulations shall come into effect from 1st January 2006 :

Those who have completed the minimum period of research shall also present a colloquium along with the seminar conditions stipulated in the earlier version.

All application formats shall be revised fitting to the revised regulations and placed in the website for the candidates to retrieve and make use of them.

Any student with a Master Degree from any recognized University by UGC or AIU within or outside India shall be eligible to register for Ph.D. degree. Other University candidates shall produce the recognition Certificate for their Master degree from this University.

Where ever ‘Photocopy' or ‘Xerox' documents are indicated, it shall be changed to ‘attested Photocopy or Xerox'.

Where ever, ‘research committee' is mentioned these shall be read as ‘Board of Research Studies'.

The ambiguities in the examination and award processes in the earlier document shall be eliminated as indicated in the specific regulations referred thereon.

The fee structure is applicable to all the existing and new students from 1 st January 2006 .

Periodical update of research activities and related statistics shall be placed in the university website.

For better visibility of our research activities, each school / department / research institution / research centre/ colleges shall be asked to provide information on their webpages describing about their research activities and research areas of interest so that these shall be quoted and displayed in the University website and give link to their website.

The Research fellowships claiming and disbursing section shall be revamped towards an efficient communication and delivery to encourage research in the university: it shall be automated with modern provisions. The fiscal policy of administering research shall thus be revised and implemented as given below in section II.

Matters pertinent to Research and higher studies in this University shall come under the purview of Dean (Research) section: This has become essential for an effective implementation of higher education at par with international standards. It is thus proposed:

a. Dean (Research) shall be in-charge of the Ph.D. Programme of the university; both Ph.D. section and S&F section pertaining to Ph.D. Scholars.

b. Admission, fellowships, refilling the fellowships & vacancies, timely disbursement of fellowship and making timely claims to various funding agencies are the responsibilities of the section, guided by Dean (Research).

c. All letters, reports, Research applications and documents pertinent to Research and Research Scholarship and Fellowship shall be routed through Dean (Research)

d. All routine matters of Ph.D. admission, payments of fees etc., shall be executed by the Dean (Research).

e. A database be created and a separate computer network facility with internet connection shall be established at the Research Section.

f. A system manager cum operator with an assistant shall be instituted towards the purpose. The clerical assistants shall be adequately trained to handle these state of the art facilities.

g. A strong room be erected to deposit important documents such as Original certificates of the students, diplomas, degrees etc. This shall be either a central safe custody or provided to the section itself. This shall work under Dean Research.

h. This provision will facilitate maintenance of inventory, providing statistics, periodical reminder of examiners, receipts and payments, reconciliation, claim of dues from funding agencies and students and related matters.

i. A Sub Committee of Board of Research Studies (SCBORS) shall be constituted with a total of five members. This committee will include Dean (Research) and four members to be identified by the Vice-Chancellor from BORS members. The Sub Committee shall make decisions on matters relating to Recognition of Guideship, Ph.D. Registration, Recognition of Centres of Ph.D. Research and other matters and make the recommendation.

j. Board of Research Studies shall meet periodically once in three to six months or as and when required by the University.

SECTION II

Research: S&F Section:

The section shall be fully automated and integrated with the Ph.D. section. This is feasible by establishing by a computer network for the purpose. The LAN shall be integrated with the University network system so that Dean Research, Finance Section, Registrar Section, VC section and others shall act in tandem for an effective delivery.

A database shall be created and put to use towards the purpose.

Dean Research shall be empowered with routine decisions making powers such as sending letters/ reminders to examiners viva-voce etc(Research), Tuition fees, correspondence with funding agencies for fellowship, payment of fellowships, etc (S&F).

A Sub Committee of Board of Research Studies (SCBORS) shall be constituted with a total of five members. This committee will include Dean (Research) and four members to be identified by the Vice-Chancellor among the BORS members. The Sub Committee shall make decisions on matters relating to Recognition of Guideship, Ph.D. Registration, Recognition of Centres of Ph.D. Research and other matters and make the recommendation.

Once the sanction has been received from the funding agency for research fellowship, the fellowship shall deemed to have started. University shall advance fellowship from its own funds as per the budget sanctioned, and get it reimbursed once the actual money is received.

The research scholars receiving grants from various agencies may be paid during the first week of every month, to their respective bank accounts provided the students have had received definite sanction letter from the sponsor/ funding agency.

The S&F section shall also be responsible for claiming all back logs related to research grants and research fellowships: Dean Research shall perform this duty in a semi-annual basis.

The student shall pay all the fees directly to the university as stipulated in the proposed Ph.D. regulations.

None of the fee paid shall be refundable or transferable to another account/ head. The purpose of payment shall be legibly written on the payment chalan.

Revised Ph.D. Regulations:

Ph.D. REGULATIONS

Applicable to all those who register for Ph.D. from 1st January, 2006

GENERAL:

Candidates who have applied for registration for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy shall fulfill the following requirements and all other conditions laid down in this document.

1.1. Conduct research in one of the departments of the University (or) in a Recognized Research Department of a college affiliated to the University (or) Research Centre/ Institution recognized by the University for the purpose.

1.1.(a) All communications shall be routed through proper channel.

1.2. Remit all the fees, prescribed by the University, into State Bank of India, Palkalai Nagar Branch, Madurai Kamaraj University, Account No I: / Swift Address SBININDB454 A/C @ MKUniversity(2235): beneficiary ‘The Registrar, Madurai Kamaraj University : A/c. No. 10143135395 “Ph.D.”

1.2.(a) Should have fulfilled all the requirements and also fulfilled all other conditions as stipulated below (as applicable to various categories of candidates).

1.3 In the case of an independent candidate, certificates for seminar and colloquium shall be provided by the Coordinator

Head of the School/ Dept/ Principal / Head of the institution, where he/ she works.

1.4 Any Post graduate degree holder of this or other recognized universities with a work experience of minimum three years shall be eligible for registering for Ph.D., as part time, in this University School/ departments or in any recognized research Centre of this university.

Admission shall be made based on an Entrance Test conducted by the respective research centres/ School/ departments. Evidences to this effect shall be submitted to the university along with the Application for Registration. Candidates with CSIR / UGC / ICMR / ICAR /JRF / SRF shall be admitted for Ph.D. directly. Candidates appointed in Research Projects by a Committee constituted by the University (and drawing research fellowships) shall be eligible for Ph.D. admission at any time.

2. REGISTRATION
There shall be two types of registration:
a. Full Time
b. Part Time.

2.1 FULL TIME:

Eligibility:

Master's Degree of this university or of any other university recognized by the university as equivalent thereto in any discipline with not less than 50% of marks in the aggregate. The candidate shall work as a research scholar for a minimum period of three years in the chosen subject/s which shall relate to the main branch of knowledge of the Master's Degree.

Exemptions:

If the candidate possesses an M.Phil., degree in the subject concerned related to Masters Degree or any other higher research degree he/she is required to work as a research scholar under a supervisor for a period of two years in the case of full time research and three years in the case of part time research. Such candidates shall be exempted from taking the examination in part I Methodology of Research.

2.2. PART TIME:

Eligibility:

2.2.1. Master's degree of this university or of any other university recognized by the University as equivalent thereto in any subject fulfilling the requirements under 2.2.3. to 2.2.12 as applicable.

A candidate shall work as a part time Ph.D., Scholar in chosen subject(s) that is related to the main branch of knowledge of the Masters Degree. A certificate from the guide to the effect shall be produced along with the application.

Note : i) Exemptions to this rule shall apply to subjects whose very nature is interdisciplinary. The concerned guide(s) shall certify to this effect

COLLEGE TEACHERS:

2.2.2. Any teacher with PG degree of the university department or a Teacher in an affiliated college of this university or in an affiliated college of any University in India with a minimum teaching experience of one year (with or without break) in the subject concerned can register himself/herself as a part time research scholar.

Note: The term Teacher includes (i) Librarian /Assistant Librarian

ii. Research Assistant/ Resource Person/ Teaching Assistant/ Physical Director/Physical Training Instructor/Part time lecturer / Guest Lecturer other academic non vacation positions in the university/affiliated colleges.

iii. The term ‘teaching experience' also means service in the respective academic non vacation positions.

OTHER THAN COLLEGE TEACHERS:

2.2.3. Any permanent staff in a government office, a recognized factory*, institution / business* with a minimum period of three years of administrative experience in the relevant job after obtaining the Master's Degree with a minimum of 50% of marks in the qualifying examination and at the time of registration working in an office/recognized factory/ institution/ business within India.

* (Staff includes Board of Directors, Proprietor and partners).

Note

i. Recognized factory means an industrial establishment established and regulated by the Factory Act.

ii. Recognized institution means any institution registered with a Registrar of Societies and has been duly audited by a recognized Auditor for the last three years from the date of application and duly supported by an audit certificate issued by him.

iii. Recognized business means a business organization duly registered with Commercial Tax Department for commercial and sales tax purposes and three years standing in their business duly certified by the Commercial Tax Officer of the Region concerned.

2.2.4. (a) Any staff other than teachers of this university/college affiliated to this university/recognized research centre and obtained Masters Degree with 50% of marks. Such candidates should have a minimum of three years experience after obtaining their Master's Degree.

Note : The term staff includes Scientist / Technical Assistant of recognised research centres / Technical Assistant in the library of the university/ affiliated college.

2.2.4. (b) Any serving/served Member of Parliament / Legislative Assembly/ Legislative Council / Local Bodies of Tamilnadu are eligible to register for research with the required qualifications prescribed (with 50% marks in the aggregate in the Master's Degree).

2.2.5. A teacher with Master's Degree with 50% of marks and with a minimum period of three years of teaching experience (with or without break) in any government / recognized primary/ middle/ high/ higher secondary school/ recognized matriculation school / ICSC school / ISC school / Industrial Training Institute / Polytechnic at the time of registration working within India. The subject for registration shall be the same as that of the Master's Degree.

2.2.6 (a) Any chartered Accountant/ Cost Accountant and Advocate/Company Secretary with Master's Degree and with not less than 50% of marks working within the jurisdiction of this university with minimum period of three years of continuous part-time teaching experience in related subject / subjects by handling classes for a minimum of five hours per week in this university or in a college affiliated to this university. The subject for registration may be the same as that of the professional qualifications in the case of Chartered Accountant / Cost Accountant and Master's Degree in the case of Advocate /Company Secretary.

2.2.6 (b) Any Advocate or a Registered Medical Practitioner (duly registered with the respective Registration Council) with Master's Degree with not less than 50% marks in their Master's Degree with 3 years of professional experience.

2.2.7 A candidate living in another country shall also be eligible to register as a part time scholar, provided he/she is willing to work for one year (with or without break) in the respective host institution, wherefrom he/ she is registered. They shall be selected provisionally with conditions and after fulfilling all the required conditions he/ she shall register for Ph.D.

2.2.8. Medical, Siddha, Unani, Homeopathy and other Indian system of Medicine professional with a PG degree are eligible to register for Ph.D. and carry out research in the university system in the Bio-Medical Subject under the faculty of Science.

2.2.9. Any teacher in this university or in an affiliated colleges of this University with 5 years of teaching experience shall be eligible to register for Ph.D. and work independently.

2.2.10 Any retired person with a PG degree shall register for Ph.D. programme as a full time/ part time scholar.

2.2.11. The one year full time research rule is applicable to all the categories of scholars.

2.2.11.(a) Candidates registered under part-time research shall work as full time scholars for a minimum period of one year as applicable before the submission of the thesis under the supervision of the guide in his/her department or in a neighbouring college/ research institution recognized for research by the university. Certificates to this effect shall be enclosed at the time of synopsis/thesis submission.

This period of one year may be staggered up to three or four maximum installments of four or three months each. The guide shall be solely responsible for this part of research and shall certify to this effect.

2.2.11 (b) Whenever the candidate attends the laboratory / institution for full time research for one year, shall sign in the attendance register of the host department every day and obtain ‘certificate(s) of attendance' from the concerned guide, duly endorsed by the Head/Coordinator of the Department / School / Institution as applicable. This shall be attached with the documents at the time of submission of synopsis/ Thesis.

2.2.12 All students, irrespective of their categories and subjects, shall be governed by the two seminars, one colloquium protocol and the fee structure indicated.

3. Duration of Research :

Minimum duration of research is three years for full-time and four years for part-time students. For full-time research the maximum duration is five years and for the part-time the maximum period is six years from the date of registration.

However this limit shall be extended to seven years / eight year for valid reasons if recommended by the guide, by paying appropriate fees. Women candidate can avail one more year extension if certificate is produced for the same.

If a candidate fails to submit the thesis for the Ph.D. degree within the period of seven years/eight years (eight years/nine years for women student) his/her registration shall automatically stand cancelled.

Exemptions:
Candidates in Para 2.2.2, under part time as indicated above are required to work for Ph.D., for a minimum period of three years if they possess M.Phil. degree or any other higher research degree in the subject concerned. Such candidates are exempted from taking the examination in Part I Methodology of Research.

4. PROCEDURE FOR REGISTRATION:

4.1. Application forms can be obtained from the Research Section of the University or downloaded from the University website. All applications for Registration for Ph.D. shall be submitted in the prescribed form on any working day.

4.2(a) All applications for full time Ph.D. (except those who come under 4.2.b) registration should produce evidence of having Financial support in the form of scholarship / fellowship from the University/government, quasi-government or government supported organizations/ institutions (such as UGC,CSIR, ICSSR, ICHR, RBI etc.) or from recognized International Agencies (with clearance from the Government of India wherever required) or other recognized organizations approved by the University.

4.2(b) All the approved / selected Non-stipendiary research scholars are also eligible to register for full-time Ph.D. degree.

4.2(c) All university / recognized research institutions, stipendiary / non- stipendiary / research fellows shall be selected through
‘entrance tests' conducted by respective institutions. The institution shall list their expertise in research and shall ask the student to mention their priority in the application form, and conduct the entrance test for all the applicants on the same day. The candidates shall be ranked based on the entrance test and the institution shall allot to various guides based on the rank of the candidates, their preference and the vacancy available with a guide.

This test shall be of objective type for a maximum of 100 marks. 25 marks shall be allotted for English comprehension (for Indian Languages, respective language comprehension). 25 marks shall be allotted for logic and general reasoning. 50 marks shall be allotted to test the candidate's knowledge in the concerned subject/s.

The common entrance test for Non-stipendiary conducted as per the discretion of the respective schools, departments/ research centers shall be notified in all the department notice boards of the institution as and when vacancy arises.

The common entrance test for University Stipendiary shall be conducted as and when vacancy arises by announcing in newspaper or on notice boards.

There is no pass mark and candidates shall be ranked in order of merit for selection.

4.3. All applications from those who are employed shall be forwarded through the head of the institution where the applicant is working.

In addition

i. F I P candidates shall produce the letter of approval from the Director of Collegiate Education along with F I P offer letter.

ii. Teachers working in the Govt. Colleges shall produce Permission Certificate from the Director of Collegiate Education.

iii Teachers working in High Schools and Higher Secondary / Primary / Middle / Matriculation schools shall produce the permission letter, issued by the employer and Head of the Institution.

iv. Teachers in ITI / Polytechnics shall produce the permission letter issued by the employer and Head of the Institution.

v. Candidates under 2.2.4(b) shall produce evidence to their service in such bodies issued by the Election Officer / Collector as the case may be.

vi. In all other cases permission letters / certificates issued by the Head of the Government Department / Appointing authority shall be produced.

vii. Candidates from legal/medical /other professions shall produce Registration Certificates from the respective Registration Councils and employment certificate or work certificate from the employer or letter of request in their official letter head.

viii. Proof of having paid the prescribed fee -(see fee structure under Regulation 10).

General:

a. Original Master's Degree with Attested copy of the Master's Degree /Provisional Certificate.

b. Original M.Phil. Degree with Attested copy of the M.Phil., degree in case of M.Phil., degree holders/Provisional Certificate.

c. Attested copy of the Master's Degree Examination Mark List.

d. Outline of the proposed research not exceeding 500 words together with the views of the supervisor.

e. Willingness of supervisor (s)

f. Recognition certificate, if the qualifying degree is obtained from university other than this University.

For Full Time Scholars

g. Attested Photocopy of award of scholarship / fellowship / financial assistance from the agency / organization / institution.

h. Attested Photocopy of the fellowship order.

i. Attested Photocopy of the permission obtained from the Registrar of this university / Principal of the college concerned to join as non-stipendiary Ph.D. scholar.

j. Joining report as a full-time scholar.

k. Certificate from the supervisor stating that the subject of research comes under the approved project / scheme in which the candidate is appointed.

For Part Time Scholars :

l. Service certificate from the head of the institution in the given format (Appendix / website).

m. Certificate from the supervisor countersigned by the head of the department of the college /university / institute where the candidate proposes to do research as full time scholar for one year as per regulations. Certificate shall indicate that all facilities will be provided to the candidate to complete the proposed research (Annexure-Format)

n. Applications complete in all respects received for Ph.D. registration shall be put up for orders. Registration for Ph.D. shall be made and communicated to the candidate.

o. The date of registration shall be the date of approval by the Vice-chancellor for both full time and part time scholars.

p. The candidate shall pay the prescribed applicable fees on the given Registration date of every year till the submission. Fee for every year shall be remitted within 30 days of the Registration day of every year.

q. One year grace period shall be availed by the candidate by paying the penal fees of Rs. 500/-

5. Special Provisions:

5.1(a) If the supervisor is transferred/ appointed to a recognized University / College / research institute he may continue to guide the student if substantial work has been done by the student as certified by the supervisor. If no substantial work has been done, the scholar may ask for a change of supervisor and this may be granted on merits after due consideration by the BORS.

5.1(b) If a candidate registered for Ph.D. as part-time scholar is transferred or redeployed to another college / office / institute, he may be permitted to continue his / her research if the subject for research falls within a subject that requires no laboratory work. If the subject involves laboratory work continuance of research shall be based on the recommendations of the guide for the availability and adequacy of laboratory facilities.

5.2 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 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 complete the minimum period requirement of two /Three / one year full time (in the case of M.Phil. candidate) research and Methodology obligations. One year full time requirements is not necessary for students of arts and humanities.

5.3. Cancellation of Registration

a) If the academic performance of the student is found not satisfactory to the extent of not accomplishing the objectives of the research programme, action on this count will be taken based on the report of the guide duly endorsed by the Head and Co-ordinator of the school / Head of the research institution / Principal of the College.

b) If the student fails to submit the thesis within the period of 7 years (eight years for part time and women student) from the date of registration.

c) If a student wishes to cancel his registration, in request for cancellation be made by the student in writing. Such request is to be forwarded by the guide and the Head and Co-ordinator of the school / Head of the Institution / Principal of the college. The cancellation shall not be retrospective.

The candidate should pay the fees up to date and request for cancellation.

d) Cancellation will be promptly intimated to the school research institution / college and the guide through proper channel. If the cancellation is effected due to the students request and if the students want to revoke the cancellation on a later date a revoke fee of Rs.10,000/- will be charged.

6. Conduct of Methodology Test

All registered candidates for Ph.D. degree, except those who are specifically exempted under these rules shall take an examination in Part I Methodology of research after 12 to 18 months of research from the date of registration.

This examination shall be conducted by a Committee of three examiners of which the guide is one.

The Committee shall test the candidate's attainment on the methods of research and test his/her ability to continue research in a written examination, followed by oral test.

All the papers connected with the test shall be forwarded to the Registrar with the declaration of results.

In the Minutes of the Meeting, the committee shall categorically declare that the candidate has passed or failed in the Research Methodology Test (Both written and oral) and the candidate may be/may not be permitted to continue his/her further research.

If the candidate fails in Part I Methodology of Research he/ she may appear again after a period of six months from the date of previous test. If he/ she fails second time he/ she shall not be permitted to continue research and his/ her registration shall be cancelled. In such case the fees once paid will not be refunded/ adjusted.

If the methodology test is not held in the due period, the research duration shall be extended as follows:

Methodology                Submission period

Test by                       Full time                Part time

12-18 months              36 months               48 months

19-24                           ,, 42                           ,, 54 ,,

25-30                           ,, 48                           ,, 60 ,,

31-36                           ,, 54                           ,, 66 ,,

7. Presentation of Seminars/ Colloquium

7(a) Two research seminars shall be presented by research scholars (full-time, part-time or independent candidates) in the respective School/ dept. of University or recognized research institution/ college. The supervisor and Head and Co-ordinator of the University Schools/ Head of the Department / or the Principal of the college / Head of the Institution shall issue the requisite notifications of the seminars and certificates to this effect shall be issued by Co-ordinator, Principal or Head of the institution. The certificate in original shall be submitted by the candidate at the time of submission of synopsis.

7(b) The third presentation shall be in the form of ‘Colloquium' and it shall be presented in the concerned School/ Dept/ Institution, before the submission of synopsis. The regulations in the previous paragraph shall be followed. Colloquium is a consolidated presentation of all the findings that will be included by the candidate in the Ph.D. thesis. This certificate shall also be attached with the documents while submitting the synopsis.

7(c) For ‘Colloquium', the list of attendees with their Names, Designations, Affiliation and signature shall be obtained and this shall be submitted along with synopsis. This shall be certified by the concerned guide and Co- ordinator of the School and / or Principal of the College / Head of the recognized Research Institution. They shall maintain a copy of all these documents.

7.1. The above rule is applicable to all the research scholars registered for Ph.D. The Seminars/Colloquium shall be on the following :

a) Research problem, objectives, review of literature and methodologies

b) Data collection, analysis, tools employed and inferences.

c) The entire thesis or any other problem approved by the guide.

7.2. The candidate shall request the respective Head of the Department/Co-ordinator of the School in the University or the Research centre through the Supervisor for organizing the seminar/ colloquium.

7.3. The Head of the Department / Co-ordinator of the School shall arrange for the seminar/ colloquium, evaluate and send all the reports of the seminar and colloquium, signed by the Supervisor and the Head / Co-ordinator.

These reports shall be enclosed along with the synopsis.

8.Change of Guide

Change of Supervisor / guide shall not be permitted as a routine. In exceptional cases such change may be permitted provided that:

i) the Supervisor under whom the candidate has originally registered gives a “No Objection Certificate” and

ii) that the new supervisor / guide gives a “Certificate of Willingness” to guide the candidate for the remaining period of his research on the same topic.

iii) In case the “No Objection Certificate” is not obtainable the case shall be considered on its merit.

iv) The student shall submit a request for such change of guide. After approval the candidate shall continue Ph.D. research with the new supervisor / guide for the remaining period.

9. Change of Topic and Change of Title:

Change of topic may be permitted within one year from the date of registration or at the time of methodology examination.

Note: Topic refers to specific area of research.

Change of title , shall be permitted only once, when the required change is of a minor nature as recommended by the guide. In such cases the research work shall be in the same area. Requisition for a change of title shall be submitted at least three months prior to the submission of the thesis, change of title, recommended by thesis examiners, shall be approved.

Note : Topic/Title and Supervisor shall not change at a time.