UGC launches PhD Excellence Citation, Objectives, Eligibility
UGC launches PhD Excellence Citation is an annual award to recognize outstanding doctoral research in various fields. Check eligibility, selection process, and more details for this prestigious award.
Amit 2 Jan, 2025
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UGC Launches PhD Excellence Citation: The UGC has launched the "Ph.D. Excellence Citation" to recognize and honor exceptional PhD research across various fields. This initiative aims to encourage high-quality research in Indian universities and align with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which seeks to make India a global knowledge leader. Through this program, the UGC wants to promote innovation and excellence in doctoral studies, helping to shape the future of research in India.
What is UGC PhD Excellence Citation?
The UGC PhD Excellence Citation is an annual award program to celebrate exceptional doctoral research. Universities can nominate up to five theses from these streams:- Sciences (including Agricultural and Medical Sciences)
- Engineering and Technology
- Social Sciences (including Education and Humanities)
- Indian Languages
- Commerce and Management
Objectives of UGC PhD Excellence Citation
The UGC launches PhD Excellence Citation with the following key objectives:- Promoting Research Quality: Establishing a culture of excellence in research through recognition.
- Encouraging Innovation: Inspiring scholars to explore original and innovative ideas.
- Building a Knowledge Economy: Supporting the vision of NEP 2020 to make India a leader in knowledge creation.
- Recognizing Excellence: Honoring high-quality PhD work to motivate young researchers.
Subject-Wise Distribution of PhDs (2011–2018)
Higher education is crucial for a country's development, as it helps create new knowledge and innovation. To support high-quality research, the UGC introduced the "Ph.D. Excellence Citation" for Indian universities. A study conducted between 2011 and 2018 revealed a steady rise in Ph.D. admissions, with an annual growth rate of 10%. The table below shows the percentage of Ph.D. awards given in different subjects during this time:| Subject-Wise Distribution of PhDs (2011-2018) | |
| Subject | Percentage of Ph.Ds Awarded |
| Science | 30% |
| Engineering & Technology | 26% |
| Social Sciences | 12% |
| Indian Languages | 6% |
| Management | 6% |
| Agricultural Sciences | 4% |
| Medical Sciences | 5% |
| Education | 5% |
| Commerce | 3% |
| Foreign Languages | 3% |
Who Can Participate?
To be eligible for the Ph.D. Excellence Citation, both universities and students must meet certain requirements. The following outlines the eligibility criteria for universities and students, along with the streams covered by the citation.Eligibility Criteria for Universities
To participate in the program, universities must:- Be recognized under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act.
- Hold valid NAAC accreditation.
Eligibility Criteria for Students
Students must meet these criteria:- Have their theses uploaded on the INFLIBNET website.
- Produce significant publications or patents from their PhD work.
- Earn their PhD degree in accordance with UGC regulations.
- Have been awarded the degree during the calendar year preceding the award cycle.
Coverage of Streams
The citation recognizes exceptional work in the following streams:- Sciences (including Agricultural and Medical Sciences)
- Engineering and Technology
- Social Sciences (including Education and Humanities)
- Indian Languages
- Commerce and Management
How Many Citations Are Awarded?
The UGC launches PhD Excellence Citation to award 10 citations annually, with two recipients selected from each of the five streams. This ensures a balanced recognition across diverse academic disciplines, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of modern research.Selection Process for the UGC PhD Excellence Citation
The selection process for the UGC PhD Excellence Citation involves thorough evaluation by both university and UGC committees. Here’s how the selection procedure works:University Screening Committee
Each participating university forms its own screening committee to evaluate and shortlist up to five theses (one per stream) based on:- Originality and innovation
- Contribution to knowledge
- Research methodology
- Clarity and structure
- Societal impact
- Proper references and citations
- High-quality presentation
- Defense during viva voce
UGC Selection Committee
The UGC forms five dedicated committees, one for each stream, to evaluate the shortlisted theses. These committees recommend two winners per stream to receive the citation.Important Dates to Remember
The PhD Excellence Citation follows a well-defined timeline:- January 1: UGC invites nominations from universities and opens the application portal.
- March 31: Deadline for universities to submit their nominations.
- August 1: UGC selection committees finalize winners.
- September 5: Winners are felicitated on Teachers’ Day.
Focus on Multidisciplinary Research
As disciplines converge, the importance of multidisciplinary research becomes evident. The UGC launches PhD Excellence Citation to encourage scholars to address India-centric issues through innovative and collaborative approaches. By prioritizing societal impact and original contributions, the program promotes research that is not only academically valuable but also practically relevant.Application Portal
To streamline the process, universities can upload nominations on the UGC’s dedicated application portal. This platform ensures transparency and efficiency in managing submissions and evaluations.Felicitation of Winners
The winners will be honored with a citation during a special function organized by the UGC every year on September 5, coinciding with Teachers’ Day celebrations. This event acknowledges their remarkable contributions to research and innovation.UGC launches PhD Excellence Citation FAQs
What is the UGC PhD Excellence Citation?
The UGC PhD Excellence Citation is an annual award to honor outstanding PhD research across various fields. It aims to promote high-quality research and innovation in Indian universities.
What are the eligibility criteria for universities?
Universities must be recognized under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act and hold valid NAAC accreditation to participate in the program.
Who can apply for the PhD Excellence Citation?
Students whose PhD theses are uploaded on the INFLIBNET website, have significant publications or patents, and were awarded the degree in the previous year are eligible.
What subjects are covered by the PhD Excellence Citation?
The citation covers the following fields:
Sciences (including Agricultural and Medical Sciences)
Engineering and Technology
Social Sciences (including Education and Humanities)
Indian Languages
Commerce and Management
What is the selection process for the citation?
Each university forms a committee to shortlist the best theses. These are then reviewed by UGC committees for final selection.
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