UGC issues warning: M.Phil Programme is no longer recognised as a Degree

A notice from the University Grant Commission warns students not to pursue an MPhil degree since it is no longer recognised. Universities have been cautioned by the commission not to provide the programme, and admissions for the 2023–2024 academic year are forbidden. 

According to the commission’s public notification, not all universities are accepting new applications for the MPhil (Master of Philosophy) programme. It further said that an MPhil degree is now not accepted. 

“The UGC found out that several universities are accepting new applications for the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programme. In this context, it is to inform you that the MPhil degree is no longer recognised”, stated UGC Secretary Manish Joshi.

According to UGC, Regulation No. 14 of the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations 2022, which forbids higher education institutions from providing MPhil programmes, was highlighted in the notification. Prior to this, UGC had declared the MPhil degree to be invalid and ordered universities to stop providing MPhil programmes.

Higher education institutions are prohibited from offering MPhil programmes by Regulation No. 14 of the UGC Regulations, 2022, according to Manish Joshi, who also stated that “students are advised not to take admission in any MPhil programme”.

The Commission ended the MPhil programme in November of 2022. The MPhil programmes that started prior to the PhD regulations being announced won’t be impacted. 

The UGC has said clearly that students who enrolled in M.Phil programmes prior to the announcement in 2022 will not be impacted and may finish their programmes.