STANDARDS AND PROCEDURE FOR AWARD OF M.PHIL. AND PH.D. DEGREES

1. Eligibility criteria for admission to the M.Phil. programme :

• 1.1. Candidates for admission to the M.Phil. programme shall have a 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.
• 1.2. A relaxation of 5% of marks, from 55% to 50%, or an equivalent relaxation of grade, shall be allowed for those belonging to reserved categories/Differently-Abled and other categories of candidates as per policies of the Government of Maharashtra prescribed 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.

2. Eligibility criteria for admission to Ph.D. programme :

• Subject to the conditions stipulated in this Annexure, the following persons are eligible to seek admission to the Ph.D. programme :
• 2.1. Master’s Degree holders satisfying the criteria stipulated for M.Phil.
• 2.2. 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 in an integrated programme. A relaxation of 5% of marks, from 55% to 50%, or an equivalent relaxation of grade, shall be allowed for those belonging to reserved categories/Differently-Abled and other categories of candidates as per policies of the Government of Maharashtra prescribed from time to time.
• 2.3. A person whose M.Phil. dissertation has been evaluated and the viva voce is pending may be admitted to the Ph.D. programme of the same institution.
• 2.4. Candidates possessing a Degree considered equivalent to M.Phil. Degree of an Indian institution, 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. Duration of the Programme :

• 3.1. M.Phil. programme shall be of a minimum duration of two consecutive semesters/ one year and a maximum of four consecutive semesters / two years.
• 3.2. Ph.D. programme shall be of a minimum duration of three years, including course work and a maximum of six years.
• 3.3. Extension up to a maximum period of two semesters/one year for M. Phil. and a maximum period of four semesters/two years for Ph.D. shall be given by the Research and Recognition Committee concerned on the recommendation of the Research Advisory Committee. The candidate concerned shall submit the application in prescribed format for extension through his Research Supervisor and Head of the Place of Research (Head of the University Department/Principal or Director of the recognized research centre at affiliated college or recognized institution or recognized research institution) three months before the expiry of the registration period.
• 3.4. The women candidates and persons with disability (more than 40% disability) may be allowed an additional relaxation of one year for M.Phil. and two years for Ph.D. in the maximum duration. In addition, the women candidates may be provided Maternity Leave once in the entire duration of M. Phil. /Ph.D. for up to 180 days.