Over the last ten years, there has been a significant increase in PhD enrolment in India. The All India Survey on Higher Education report shows that in 2023-24, PhD enrolment was 3,43,559. As doctoral education expands, it is useful to understand how prescribed PhD durations, along with regular progress reviews and institutional support, help scholars complete their work and produce good-quality research.
Under the UGC’s 2022 PhD Regulations, the minimum duration for completing a PhD is three years, including coursework. It notes that a PhD should be completed within a maximum of six years from the date of admission to the programme, subject to the permissible extensions. If the statutes or ordinances of a university permit, the UGC regulations allow a further extension of up to two years through the process of re-registration. In the case of female PhD scholars and persons with more than 40 per cent disability, there can be an additional relaxation of up to two years, taking the total PhD duration to ten years. Female scholars may also take up to 240 days of maternity or child-care leave during the PhD.
The UGC regulations apply to universities established under Central, Provincial or State Acts, colleges and deemed universities. However, IITs, which are Institutions of National Importance (INIs), are governed primarily by the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961, as well as by their own statutes, ordinances and Senate-approved academic rules.
A PhD registration is valid for six years at IIT Bombay, and its rules allow progress-linked extensions up to eight years. At IIT Madras, if a scholar reaches the prescribed duration, the doctoral committee can review their progress on a case-by-case basis, and there is a provision for re-registration and extension. IIT Kanpur’s Senate can permit continuation beyond the prescribed maximum period on a case-by-case basis. The prescribed duration provides a framework for completion. The maximum allowed period for completing a PhD is an outer limit and not the expected completion time for every scholar.
These institutional examples show how PhD programmes have a defined duration for completion, along with periodic reviews of research and opportunities for extension where necessary. This approach recognises that there are diverse needs and forms of PhD research.
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One timeline cannot fit all PhDs
Let us consider PhD research in experimental science and engineering as an example. Here, a PhD scholar may be required to build an experimental setup, fabricate a device or book a slot to use specialised equipment. Sometimes, they may have to undertake repeated measurements to check the consistency of results.
Similarly, in other areas such as life sciences, research may depend on biological cycles, sample collection and ethics approvals, each of which may take time. In theoretical or computational research, it may take considerable time for ideas to mature, and these ideas may require repeated validation.
In social-science research, scholars may have to conduct field surveys and collect data. Similarly, humanities scholars may need access to archives and collections located in different places, involving long-distance travel. The challenges in carrying out interdisciplinary research include working with experts from different disciplines and organisations.
While research is carried out in different ways, the requirements for completing a PhD are rigorous across disciplines. Progress can take place at different stages before the findings take final shape. The objective of regular reviews is to assess progress and provide feedback to scholars at different stages in relation to their research plans.
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Taking longer doesn’t mean poor research
While scholars undertake original research, the outcomes can be uncertain. This is another reason why there can be variations in the time taken for the completion of a PhD. For example, even if a scholar starts with an idea that appears promising in the beginning, it may require revision or a change in direction. In some cases, there may be a change in supervisor or an unexpected personal situation may develop. Such circumstances can disrupt research progress.
Lack of ability or commitment is not necessarily the reason for taking longer to complete a PhD. Similarly, completing sooner does not by itself establish research quality.
Well-designed PhD programmes have clearly defined stages. Generally, the major stages a PhD scholar goes through are completion of required coursework, preparation of the research proposal, presentation of a progress review every semester, submission of the pre-synopsis and final thesis submission. While pursuing doctoral research, scholars may also have opportunities to attend conferences and write research papers, depending on the nature and progress of their work.
It is during regular reviews that issues can be identified and, if required, the research plan can be adjusted. Such reviews help scholars, supervisors and institutions coordinate the steps needed for further progress. In case of an extension, clear guidance on what work has already been completed and what remains to be done can assist the scholar in planning the final stage of research.
There is no need to make PhD programmes shorter or longer for their own sake. The objective is clear — timely completion of rigorous research. An extension may be considered by the competent institutional authority under the applicable rules, taking into account the nature and progress of the research and the scholar’s circumstances.
PhD duration can best be understood by taking into account the stage-wise progress made, the quality of the research and the scholar’s circumstances. Clear timelines, regular reviews, academic support and justified extensions together help scholars complete rigorous research successfully. As PhD programmes expand, which is encouraging, the quality of doctoral research in advancing knowledge and contributing to society remains central.
Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar is Chairman, Review Committee for NEP 2020, Ministry of Education, GoI and Chairman, BoG, IIM Calcutta; and formerly Vice-chancellor, JNU and Chairman, UGC. Views are personal
(Edited by Asavari Singh)