MPhil is not a recognised degree, UGC asks students not to take admission 

“The Universities authorities, therefore, are requested to take immediate steps to stop admissions to the MPhil program for the 2023-24 academic year. Further, students are advised not to take admission in the MPhil Program,” the notice added.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a notice reiterating its advice to students tp not take admission in the MPhil programme since it is not recognised by the commission.

UGC also directed the universities to stop admissions to the MPhil programme for the 2023-24 academic year.

“It has come to the notice of the UGC that a few universities are inviting fresh applications for MPhil (Master of Philosophy) programme. In this regard, it is to bring to the notice that the MPhil degree is not a recognised degree. The Regulation No 14 of the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations 2022 clearly states that higher educational institutions shall not offer the MPhil programme,” read the notice.

“The university authorities, therefore, are requested to take immediate steps to stop admissions to the MPhil programme for the 2023-24 academic year. Further, students are advised not to take admission in the MPhil programme,” the notice said.

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Earlier, the UGC mandated that no foreign higher educational institution (HEI) will offer any programme in India without the prior approval of the commission.

The regulations also mandate that the HEls shall not offer programmes under any franchise arrangement and that such programmes shall not be recognised by the UGC. This includes twinning programmes, joint degree, and dual degree programmes.

“The University Grants Commission has observed and has been informed that many HEls/colleges have entered into collaborative agreements/arrangements with foreign-based educational institutions/providers not recognised by the Commission and have been facilitating the issuance of degrees to the students enrolled in those institutions/college from such foreign-based educational,” the notice read.

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