The University Grants Commission (UGC) is set to introduce the PhD Excellence Citations starting next year, aimed at recognising outstanding doctoral research across various disciplines. This initiative aligns with the 2020 National Education Policy (NEP) goals, which emphasises the importance of knowledge creation and exploration for India’s future. The program aims to foster a culture of high-quality research and highlight exceptional work by young scholars.
According to sources familiar with the matter, ten citations will be awarded annually, with two citations each dedicated to five fields: sciences, engineering and technology, social sciences, Indian languages, and commerce and management.
Eligible candidates must come from UGC recognised universities accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), including state, central, private, and deemed universities. Candidates can be nominated after successfully defending their theses, provided their work complies with UGC’s PhD regulations. To apply, scholars need to submit the URL of their thesis, uploaded on the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) website, along with significant research publications or patents.
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To qualify, scholars must have completed their PhDs between January 1 and December 31 of the preceding year. Each university can nominate up to five theses annually, one from each discipline. The UGC will begin inviting nominations on January 1, with the submission deadline set for March 31. A selection committee will review the nominations, and winners will be recommended by August 1. The citations will be officially awarded on Teachers’ Day, September 5.
Universities are encouraged to form their own screening committees to evaluate nominees based on criteria such as originality, research contribution, methodology, clarity, impact, references, presentation, and thesis defense. At the national level, the UGC will establish separate panels for each of the five disciplines, which will ultimately select two winners per stream. These panels will also have the authority to determine the most appropriate category for each thesis.
