Oriental University, Indore
Established under M.P. Niji Vishwavidyalay Adhiniyam 2007 | Sanwer Road, Jakhya, Indore – 453555 (M.P.)
Doctoral Programme (Ph.D.)
Embark on a journey of original inquiry — a rigorous, research-intensive pathway that transforms curious minds into scholars who push the boundaries of human knowledge.
Programme Introduction
Governed by Ordinance No. 10 (amended 2018) and aligned with UGC Ph.D. Regulations 2022, the Oriental University Ph.D. programme is designed to cultivate scholars who contribute substantively to their disciplines. Whether driven by scientific discovery, humanistic inquiry, or the imperatives of commerce and governance, the programme offers a structured yet flexible research environment where ideas flourish and intellectual potential is fully realized.
Programme Objectives
Key Programme Facts
Disciplines Offering Ph.D.
| Faculty | Disciplines |
|---|---|
| Engineering & Technology | Mechanical, Computer Science & Engineering, Electrical & Electronics, Electronics & Communication, Civil, Science & Pure Sciences, Computer Applications, Agriculture, Pharmacy |
| Education | Education |
| Humanities & Social Sciences | English, Political Science |
| Law | Law |
| Library & Information Science | Library and Information Science |
| Science | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
| Management & Commerce | Commerce, Management |
| Pharmacy | Pharmacy |
Eligibility for Ph.D. Admission
Candidates must meet one of the following academic qualification categories. A 5% marks relaxation applies for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/EWS candidates across all categories.
| Category | Minimum Qualification | Marks Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Standard — Master's Degree | 2-yr/4-sem after 3-yr Bachelor's, or 1-yr after 4-yr Bachelor's | Min. 55% marks or equivalent grade |
| M.Phil. Degree Holders | M.Phil. with equivalent grade 'B' on UGC 7-point scale | Min. 55% marks; direct Ph.D. entry permitted |
| Foreign Institution | Equivalent qualification from accredited foreign institution | Recognized by assessment/accreditation agency |
Reservation & Special Provisions
- SC / ST / OBC-NCL / PwD / EWS candidates are entitled to a 5% relaxation in minimum marks across all eligibility categories.
- Candidates whose M.Phil. dissertation has been evaluated but viva voce is pending may also be considered for admission.
- Research in allied subjects of an interdisciplinary nature within the same or allied faculties is permitted, subject to Academic Council approval.
Admission Procedure
Admission is offered via two routes: direct admission for fellowship/exam qualifiers, and entrance examination (DET) for all other candidates.
Mode 1 — Direct Admission (No Entrance Test)
Candidates who have qualified any of the following are admitted based on interview only (100% interview weightage):
- UGC-NET / UGC-CSIR-NET
- GATE / GPAT / SLET
- State-level Fellowship examinations
- Teacher Fellowship awarded by statutory bodies
Mode 2 — Doctoral Entrance Test (DET)
All other candidates must appear in the DET followed by an interview.
- Part A — Research Methodology: 50 MCQs / 50 Marks
- Part B — Subject Specific: 50 MCQs / 50 Marks
- Total: 100 Marks in 100 Minutes
- No negative marking
- Qualifying mark: 50% in DET
- Weightage: 70% DET + 30% Interview
Duration & Course Work
The minimum Ph.D. duration is 3 years (including coursework) and the maximum is 6 years from date of registration. Extensions and special provisions apply for certain categories.
| Category | Duration |
|---|---|
| Minimum Duration | 3 years (including course work) from date of DRC registration |
| Maximum Duration | 6 years from date of DRC registration |
| Extension (Re-registration) | Up to 2 additional years — total not to exceed 8 years |
| Women Scholars & PwD (>40%) | Additional 2-year relaxation — total not to exceed 10 years |
| Maternity / Child Care Leave | Up to 240 days once during the entire programme |
| Part-Time Ph.D. | Permitted, provided all regulation conditions are fulfilled |
Mandatory Course Work (15 Credits)
| Paper | Credits |
|---|---|
| Research Methodology | 3 |
| Research and Publication Ethics | 3 |
| Review of Published Research | 2 |
| Computer Applications | 1 |
| Term Paper / Project | 3 |
| Discipline Specific Core | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
Research Degree Committee (RDC)
- Reviews and finalizes the synopsis and thesis title.
- Approves the supervisor, co-supervisor(s), and place of research.
- Registers the candidate effective from the date of payment of registration fee.
- Meets twice a year at the University office.
Supervision
Supervisor & Co-Supervisor
Supervisors must be regular faculty members with a Ph.D. and requisite publications. Each supervisor has a capped scholar load based on designation.
Change of Supervisor
Permitted only under special circumstances, on recommendation of a VC-constituted committee. No change in research topic shall be permitted solely due to a change of supervisor.
Progress Reporting
Each semester, the Ph.D. scholar shall appear before the Progress Review Committee (PRC), submit a brief progress report, and make a presentation. Unsatisfactory progress in two successive reports, or no reports for one year, may result in cancellation of registration.
Thesis & Evaluation
Before submission, candidates must pass a Pre-Submission Defense (PSDC). The final thesis is evaluated by external examiners followed by an open viva-voce examination.
Pre-Submission Requirements
- Published at least 2 research papers (as first/main author) in journals indexed in SCOPUS / Web of Science Core Collections / ABDC
- Presented 2 research papers at national or international conferences of repute
- Similarity Index (plagiarism): less than 10%
- AI Content: less than 20%
Final Thesis Submission Checklist
- 5 hard-bound copies of the thesis
- Declaration from candidate certifying original work
- Certificate from Supervisor
- Forwarding letter from Head of Department
- Prescribed examination fee
- No-dues certificate from place of work and University library
- Undertaking for plagiarism and AI content
Examiner Appointment
Three months before anticipated submission, the supervisor submits a panel of at least 6 external examiners (not below Associate Professor rank; from different state of India or abroad). The Dean of School submits a separate panel of 6. The Vice-Chancellor appoints two examiners from these panels.
Thesis Evaluation Process
| Examiner Outcome | Action |
|---|---|
| Both reject OR one rejects + one recommends revision | Thesis is rejected |
| Both recommend revision | Candidate is asked to revise and resubmit |
| One approves, one rejects or recommends revision | Sent to a third examiner; third examiner's opinion is final |
| Both accept OR third examiner accepts | Candidate is called for viva-voce examination |
Viva-Voce Examination
The viva-voce is an open examination, notified at least one week in advance. Board comprises:
- Vice Chancellor or nominee
- Dean of Faculty
- BOS Chairman / Head of Department
- Supervisor and Co-supervisor(s)
- One external examiner who accepted the thesis
Publications & Other Requirements
Each Ph.D. candidate must publish a minimum of two research papers as first author in recognized indexed journals, directly related to their approved research title.
Minimum Publication Requirement
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Minimum Papers | 2 research papers as first/main author in journals |
| Journal Indexing | SCOPUS, Web of Science Core Collections, or ABDC |
| Review Papers | Do not count towards this requirement |
| Relevance | Must be directly related to the approved research title |
| DOI | Active Digital Object Identifier (DOI) mandatory for each paper |
| Conferences | At least 2 papers presented at national/international conferences of repute |
Accepted Journal Databases
- SCOPUS
- Web of Science (WoS) Core Collections
- ABDC (Australian Business Deans Council) Journal Quality List
Authorship Order
Publication Ethics
- Publications in predatory, cloned, or fabricated journals are not accepted under any circumstances.
- Each paper must have an active DOI; papers without a valid DOI shall not be accepted.
- Any form of misconduct including data fabrication, plagiarism, or publication in cloned journals shall result in strict disciplinary action.
Other Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Attendance | Minimum 240 days after successful completion of course work at the Research Centre or with supervisor/co-supervisor during the entire tenure of research. |
| Simultaneous Enrolment | No research scholar shall join any other degree course, except Certificate/Diploma courses in languages, research methodology, statistics, or computer applications. |
| Withdrawal of Degree | On detection of any irregularity or plagiarism, the University shall take suitable steps to withdraw the degree, decided by an appropriate University-level committee after due inquiry. |
⚡ Quick Reference — Research Scholars Key Requirements
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Minimum Publications (Ph.D.) | 2 research papers as first/main author in SCOPUS / WoS / ABDC indexed journals |
| Conference Presentations | At least 2 papers at national/international conferences based on Ph.D. work |
| DOI Requirement | Active DOI mandatory for each publication |
| Plagiarism / AI Check | Similarity Index < 10%; AI Content < 20% |
| Thesis Copies | 5 hard-bound copies |
| Attendance | Minimum 240 days after course work |
| Course Work Pass Criterion | Minimum 55% marks as per UGC 2022 |
| Programme Duration | 3 years (min.) to 6 years (max.) from date of DRC registration |
| Extension | Up to 2 additional years via re-registration (max. 8 years total) |
| Women / PwD (>40%) | Additional 2 years relaxation (max. 10 years total) |
| Maternity / Child Care Leave | Up to 240 days (once during entire programme) |