Three Rajasthan universities face five-year PhD enrollment ban

Three universities will not be able to accept scholars for PhD programs for the next five years, from the academic year 2025–2026 to 2029–2030, according to a notification issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The universities have been informed of the decision and have been directed to stop accepting PhD students immediately.

The three universities affected by the UGC's decision are OPJS University in Churu, Sunrise University in Alwar, and Singhania University in Jhunjhunu, all located in Rajasthan.

The institutions were blacklisted following the judgment of the Standing Committee, which was established by the UGC to supervise universities.

The committee's purpose was to ensure that institutions adhered to the protocol and awarded PhD degrees in accordance with UGC regulations.

This Standing Committee's mandate includes suggesting corrective steps and recommending action against erring universities.

"After analyzing/examining/evaluating the information/data submitted by the universities, the Standing Committee has found that three universities did not follow the provisions of the UGC PhD regulations and also the academic norms for the award of PhD degrees,” reads an official notification by the UGC.

“These universities were given an opportunity to explain why they failed to comply with the provisions of the UGC PhD regulations; however, the responses received from these universities were not found satisfactory. The Standing Committee has, thus, recommended that the UGC may debar these universities from enrolling PhD students for the next five years,” it added.

"Prospective students and parents are hereby advised not to take admission in the PhD program offered by the above three universities from now onwards. In the absence of UGC approval, PhDs awarded by the above three universities will not be treated as recognized/valid for the purpose of higher education and employment," added the notification.