Indian Institute of Technology, Dharwad

Ordinances, Rules, andRegulations

PhD Programme
Approval year: 2021

Version 2.0.1
Last updated: 21st July, 2021

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Indian Institute of Technology, Dharwad

PhD Programme Overview
The PhD Programme at IIT Dharwad offers research opportunities under thebroad disciplines of Engineering, Sciences, and Humanities and Social Sciences. The
programme is aimed at promoting research, innovation and critical thinking in core andinterdisciplinary fields, expanding the frontiers of knowledge and training humanresources for research that caters to the needs of the nation.
The structure of the PhD Programme is two-pronged involving credits
accumulated through course-work and a research thesis. The Institute lays special
emphasis on promoting research that is cutting-edge, well-defined and impactful. It
undertakes collaborations, sponsored projects, and other forms of research throughengagements with organizations in the public and private sectors. IIT Dharwad also
ensures the availability of motivated and research-oriented faculty to facilitate
innovation.
IIT Dharwad is continuing to establish the required research infrastructure andmechanisms for research at a rapid pace. The Institute provides exposure to a richknowledge base byfacilitating interactions with industry experts, thinkers, scientists,
and academics from India and abroad.Lectures, workshops, seminars, industry-visits
and other similar avenues of thinking/learning are made available to all students.
At IIT Dharwad, researchers are also offered opportunities of pursuing researchunder various scholarships. The Institute caters to scholars undertaking projects andother defined academic schemes, while mentoring them through experts from within
the Institute and outside. Hostel facility is also normally provided to scholars during theresidential period requirements of their research.

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Contents
1.

PhD Ordinances

6

2.

Rules and Regulations

7

2.1

Admission

7

2.1.1

Student Status

7

2.1.2

General Eligibility Criteria for Admission to the PhD programme

8

2.2

Registration

10

2.3

Credit requirements

10

2.3.1

Applicable to students with M. Tech./M. Phil. or equivalent degree

11

2.3.2

Applicable to students with M.Sc./M.A. or equivalent degree

11

2.3.3

Crediting UG Course

11

2.3.4

Communication Skills (PP/NP zero credit course):

11

2.3.5

Timeline for completion of Credit requirements

12

2.3.6

Extra credit courses

12

2.4

Academic Performance Requirements

12

2.4.1

Minimum grade and CPI

12

2.4.2

Academic Probation

12

2.4.3

Confirmation of PhD Registration

12

Research Performance Requirements

13

2.5
2.5.1

Selection of Research topics, Areas of Research

13

2.5.2

Assignment of Research Supervisor

133

2.5.3

Research Progress Committee (RPC)

13

2.5.4

Research Proposal

13

2.5.5

Qualifier

14

2.5.6

PhD Registration

14

2.5.7

Annual Progress Seminar

14

Place of Work and Duration

15

2.6
2.6.1

Place of work

15

2.6.2

Duration of work

15

2.6.3

Validity of PhD Registration

15

2.7

Synopsis, Thesis submission and Evaluation

16

2.7.1

Pre-synopsis Seminar and Examination

16

2.7.2

Panel of Referees (External Examiners) for Evaluation of PhD Thesis

16

2.7.3

Referees’ Evaluation Reports on PhD Thesis

16

2.7.4

Board of Examiners for Defence

17

2.8

Other Administrative Rules

17

2.8.1

Financial Assistance

17

2.8.2

Leave Rules

18

2.8.3

Change of admission category

18

2.9
3.

Discontinuation options
Appendix 1 - Pattern of Courses and Credits, Course Assessment and Award of Grades

18
19

3.1

Credit Course

19

3.2

Credit Seminar

19

3.3

Communication Skills (PP/NP zero credit course)

19

3.4

Grade Points

20

4

3.5

Audit Course

20

3.6

II grades

20

3.7

Method of Computing SPI and CPI

21

4.
4.1

Appendix 2 - Procedures for Exit option from PhD Programme (with M. Phil./M.S. By Research)
Procedures for Evaluation of the M. Phil./M.S. Thesis:

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1. PhD Ordinances
The Ordinances of the Institute shall take precedence over the Rules in the matter of any
dispute.
O.D. 1: The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme of IIT Dharwad is a programme of
Research withthe governing rules and regulations formulated by the Senate of the Institute.
The Senate can modify or change the structure, the governing rules and regulations fromtime to time.
O.D. 2: IIT Dharwad considers meritorious candidates, with appropriate research aptitudeand qualifications as decided by senate, for admission to the PhD programme.
O.D. 3: Confirmation of registration of a student in the PhD programme will be consideredby the senateonly after the successful completion of the prescribed requirements.
O.D. 4: A student who has registered for the PhD programme is awarded the PhD
degree aftersatisfying all of the following conditions
1. Successful completion of the minimum stipulated period of research
2. Recommendation of the research thesis submitted by the student, for the award of
the PhD degreeby the referees
3. Successful defence of the thesis by the student before the Board of Examiners
constituted for theviva-voce examination
4. Approval of the award of the PhD degree by the Senate, based on points 1-3 above.
O.D.5: The degree of Doctor of Philosophy shall not be conferred as an ad eundem degree62. Rules and Regulations
The Institute offers facilities for work leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
in various research areas. The Rules and Regulations governing the PhD programme are
given below.

2.1 Admission
2.1.1 Student Status
Students may be admitted as full-time or part-time research scholars. The full time researchscholars are expected to carry out their research normally at the Institute. The part time
studentsneed to be available full-time till they complete their coursework. They can carryout the research at their parent organization.
2.1.1.1 Full time research scholar
A full time research scholar can belong to one of the following types:
i)

ii)

iii)

iv)

Teaching Assistantship (TA):Funded by MHRD. The TAs are expected to assist in theacademic/administrative
work for smooth functioning of the InstituteProject Staff-Teaching/Research Assistantship through Project (PS-TAP/RAP):The students admitted in this type are funded from the specific sponsored
projects. They are expected to assistin the academic/administrative work of theInstitute.
Govt./Semi Govt. Fellowship Award (FA) (QIP, CSIR, UGC, DAE, DST Inspire, DBT,
NBHM,PMRF etc.):
Candidates who have been awarded any government/semi-government
fellowship, specifically, for doing PhD are considered for admission under FA
category. Students admittedunder this type receive their funding from the agency
that has awarded the fellowship. They are expected to assist in theacademic/administrative work for the smooth functioning of the InstituteSponsored Candidates (SW):The sponsored candidates receive their funding from their parent organizations.

72.1.1.2 Part time research scholar
The part time research scholars can belong to any of the following types:v) External candidates, sponsored by recognized R & D organizations (EX):The funding source is the parent organization.
vi) College Teacher (CT):Teachers from the AICTE/UGC approved colleges in thevicinity of IIT Dharwad
can apply in this category. Their funding source is the parent institute.
Please note that only select types may be admitted in a particular admission round as per
the Institute advertisement for PhD admission which will be updated for every round ofadmission.
2.1.2 General Eligibility Criteria for Admission to the PhD programme
IIT Dharwad considers the candidates with research aptitude and consistently excellent
academic recordsfor the admission to the PhD programme.
Discipline

Qualifying
DegreeEngineering

Basic Sciences

Humanities and Social
SciencesPhilor 1) M.
M.Tech. or equivalent 1) M.
PhilorequivalentOR
degree OR B.Tech OR
equivalent OR2) M. Sc. or equivalentequivalent2) M. A. or equivalentOR3) M.Tech.
orequivalent OR4) B.Tech or equivalentOR

Minimum Marks: 60% (55% formarks/CPI in SC/ST candidates)
Qualifying OR
DegreeCPI/CGPA: 6.0 (5.5 forMarks: 60% (55% for
SC/ST candidates)

Marks: 55% (50% for
SC/STcandidates)

OR

OR

CPI/CGPA: 6.0 (5.5 for CPI/CGPA:
5.5 (5.0
SC/ST candidates) on SC/ST candidates) on for SC/ST candidates)on the scale of 10
the scale of 10
the scale of 10

8Additional
If a candidate does not If a candidate does not If a candidate does not
Requirements have
M.Tech.
or have M. Phil. / M. Tech. have M. Phil. or
equivalent degree, the or equivalent degree, equivalent degree, thecandidate MUST fulfil the candidate MUST candidate NEEDS TO
any one of the fulfil any one of the fulfil any one of thefollowing
following:
following:
1) Valid GATE score

1) Valid GATE score

1) Valid GATE score2) JuniorResearch 2) JuniorResearch 2) JuniorResearch
Fellowship (JRF) of Fellowship (JRF) of Fellowship (JRF) of
CSIR/UGCorDST CSIR / UGC / NBHM / UGCorother
INSPIRE Fellowship
DBT / ICAR / ICMR / equivalent fellowship
ICPR or DST INSPIRE 3) UGC-NET
Fellowship
Lectureship(LS)
•
•

•
•

•

•

•

The qualifying degree should be in one of the disciplines specified by the concerned
department.
Candidates with M. Sc. degree may be considered for admission insome EngineeringDepartments, provided they have either
i. Valid GATE score in appropriate discipline
ii. Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) of CSIR/UGC/NBHM/DBT/ICAR/ICMR/ICPR
or DSTINSPIRE Fellowship
Qualifying score (not necessarily valid) in one of the national level examination(GATE, NET etc.) is desirable for admission in the Engineering Departments.
Relaxation in the additional requirements, may be considered if a candidate has
minimum of 2 years of professional experience (acquired after obtaining thequalifying degree and completed before the starting of the semester in which
admission is sought).
In addition to the general eligibility criteria listed above, the applicant must satisfy
the eligibility criteria specified by the respective Departments in the publishedadmission advertisement brochure for every admission cycle. Further, theapplicable eligibility criteria for financial support need to be satisfied.
Candidates in the final year of their qualifying degree may be considered for theadmission to thePhD programme, provided, they graduate before the registration
date specified by the Institute.
Mere satisfaction of the eligibility criteria, does not automatically entitle theapplicant foradmission to the PhD programme.
9•For International students GATE score requirements can be waived or appropriate
exam score requirements such as GRE advanced (min score 300) and/or IELTS (minscore 6) and/or TOEFL (min score 60), etc. can be prescribed as eligibility criteria
to apply as per the department recommendation.

2.2 Registration
1. On joining the Institute every student is required to plan his/her academic
programme inconsultation with a Faculty Advisor/PhD Supervisor.
2. IIT Dharwad follows a semester system. All students have to clear the Institute andHostel dues and register in each semester until the submission of the thesis.
3. If a student does not register in a particular semester without prior permission of
the Institute, he/she ceases to be a student and the admission is liable to becancelled. Further, if a student does not register for TWO consecutive regularsemesters, the admission will be cancelled automatically.
4. All students should ordinarily submit their final year mark-sheet/provisional
certificates of the qualifying degree within a month after joining the Institute. The
original degree certificate must be produced for verification within one year fromthe joining date.
5. Candidates who are working with any organization, MUST submit the relieving
letter from thatorganization at the time of joining the Institute, if they are admitted
in TA, TAP or FA (other than QIP) category. For sponsored candidates
NOC/Sponsorship certificate is required.
6. Any student who is found to have concurrently registered for any postgraduate
degree at another institute/university shall be automatically deregistered fromthe Institute.
7. The admission of a student may be cancelled if it is found that any false
information is providedor any of the facts are misrepresented by the candidate. Ifsuch a candidate has already been awarded the degree, the same may be
withdrawn.

2.3 Credit requirements
All students in the PhD programme are required to complete the prescribed credits,which shall normally be completed:10a) Within one semester from the date of joining by the students having M. Tech./M.
Phil or equivalent qualification andb) Within the first two semesters from the date of joining by the students having
M.Sc./M.A./equivalent qualification.
c) Students may be allowed to take courses from other institutes subject to theapproval of the competent authority, based on the requirement and agreementwith those institutes. The credits for the courses done in institutes other than IIT
Dharwad would be transferred from those institutes to IIT Dharwad.
Details of the credit structure are given in Appendix 1.
2.3.1 Applicable to students with M. Tech./M. Phil. or equivalent degreea) The credit requirements for students having M. Tech./M. Phil. or equivalentqualification, will be a minimum of 16 credits.
b) The students may earn up to a maximum of 4 credits through seminars.
2.3.2 Applicable to students with M.Sc./M.A. or equivalent degreea) The credits requirements for students having M . S c . / M.A. or equivalentqualification will be a minimum of 32 creditsb) The students may earn up to a maximum of 8 credits through Seminars, whichshould be spread over two semesters.
2.3.3 Crediting UG Course
Maximum one course of UG difficulty level can be counted towards meeting necessary
credit requirements with an approval from respective host department DPGC. However,
CPI/SPI calculation will be based on grades of all the courses registered by the student.
2.3.4 Communication Skills (PP/NP zero credit course):
This course is compulsory for all PhD students.
a) PhD students are normally required to clear the Communication Skills course within
the first semester.
b) This course is in addition to the minimum course credit requirement prescribed.
c) Students having a qualifying degree from IIT who have cleared the ‘Communication
Skills’ course during their M. Tech./M. Sc. Programme are exempted from thisrequirement, subject to the production of appropriate transcripts.
11d) This is a Pass/No Pass (PP/NP) course. In case of NP grade in Communication
Skills, student can be given an extra chance without discontinuation from theprogramme. Future milestones of PhD, however, may be delayed for such student due
to mandatory requirement of PP grade in communications.
2.3.5 Timeline for completion of Credit requirements
Credit requirements for confirmation of PhD registration should be completed before thebeginning of 3rd semester.
2.3.6 Extra credit courses
PhD students will be allowed to take extra credit courses, if necessary.

2.4 Academic Performance Requirements
The details about course evaluation, grade assignment and calculation of Semester
Performance Index (SPI) & Cumulative Performance Index (CPI) are given in Appendix 1.
The registration of a student for PhD programme will be considered upon the successful
completion of the performance requirements given below:
2.4.1 Minimum grade and CPI
A student MUST get at-least CC grade in EVERY course registered as a credit course. Further,
the overall CPI should be at least 7.0. After satisfying these two conditions, the registrationof the student may be confirmed.
2.4.2 Academic Probation
Academic Probation to the students having marginally lower grade than the minimum
required for continuation of their studies may be offered. For students who have scoredgrade lower than CC in at most one course in their first semester, maybe offered an
academic probation, with appropriate conditions.
2.4.3 Confirmation of PhD Registration
Each student, on completion of the prescribed requirements shall apply for confirmation ofRegistration. Registration dates of all students shall be decided by the competentauthority. The final approval to the confirmation of registration shall be granted by the
Senate.
122.5 Research Performance Requirements
2.5.1 Selection of Research topics, Areas of Research
The details of research topics/areas proposed by various faculty members will be madeavailable to thestudents. The students are encouraged to discuss those topics/areas withthe respective faculty members.
2.5.2 Assignment of Research Supervisora) All selected students shall be assigned tentatively to research supervisor(s) at thetime of selection.
b) Each external student shall have only one Supervisor in the sponsoring organization
where he/sheis employed along with the supervisor(s) from the Institute.
c) The allocation of supervisor(s) to the Research Scholars will be finalized
at the time of confirmation of Registration.
2.5.3 Research Progress Committee (RPC)a) Research supervisor will propose a Research Progress Committee (RPC) for the
candidate to the respective Department Post-Graduate Committee (DPGC) which isdesignated as the approving authority for the RPC.
b) The RPC will normally consist of the Supervisor(s) and at-least two other faculty
members conversant with the field of research. The members of the RPC may befrom within or outside the Institute.
c) The names of the RPC members and any subsequent changes in its composition
shall be communicated to the Dean (AP) for record by the Research Supervisor, after
it is approved by DPGC which is designated as the approving authority for the
proposed RPC.
d) Normally one of the RPC members is expected to function as the internal examiner
for the evaluation ofthe thesis.
e) The RPC is expected to monitor the progress of the candidate until the completion
2.5.4 Research Proposal
PhD students need to present his/her research proposal to the RPC approved by DPGC.
Approval by DPGC implies all RPC members endorsed the potential of the proposed
research topic and have acknowledged their acceptance and suitability to monitor the13research. Research proposal has to be given within one academic year after registration in
the institute (before beginning of 3rd semester)
2.5.5 Qualifier
Some departments may require PhD students to clear the PhD qualifier examination before
the confirmation of the PhD registration. Respective DPGC policies with prior approval by
the Dean (Academic) would be applicable for qualifiers.
2.5.6 PhD Registration
Students can apply for the confirmation of PhD registration to DPGC provided otherrequirements such as credit requirement, Qualifier etc. are completed. PhD registrationneeds to be completed before the beginning of 3rd semester.
2.5.7 Annual Progress Seminar
All the research scholars (including CSIR and UGC fellows) shall submit a report of their workin the previous academic year to the concerned department and present their Annual
Progress Seminar (APS) to the RPC once a year, till the thesis is submitted.
2.5.7.1 Frequency of APS:
APS needs to be given within one academic year starting from the end of the semester inwhich the previous APS/Research proposal was submitted.
Note – In case the previous APS was completed in the second or later attempt, the first APS
attempt would be considered as the reference.
2.5.7.2 Policy for discouraging delayed APS
In order to ensure that the APS report submission and presentation of the same to the RPC
takes place within the time limits provided, the Institute may recommend a heavy penalty.
The penalty may be modified from time to time by the Institute. The penalty may be waived
by the Director only if convinced about the acceptability of the reason for the delay insubmitting the APS report or holding the presentation of the same to the RPC.

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2.5.7.3 Insufficient of Unsatisfactory APS
If the work presented by a student is found insufficient or un-satisfactory by the RPC, thestudent has to submit a report and present APS again, after working on thecomments/recommendations of the RPC, not later than three months from the previous
APS date.
2.5.7.4 Continuance of registration and financial assistance:a) Continuance of registration - The continuance of registration of all students is
subject to favourable recommendation by the RPC based on their APS.
b) Continuance of financial assistance - Continuance of financial assistance is subject
to completion of the regular research responsibilities and Teaching Assistance (ifapplicable) or assistance in other form on a regular basis.
c) Regarding stipend increment – Any increment in the stipend (TA) would be subject
to the endorsement by the RPC and would be applicable from the subsequentmonth from the date of recommendation by RPC for increase in stipend.

2.6 Place of Work and Duration
2.6.1 Place of work
Research work is to be carried out at the Institute under the guidance of Supervisor(s) forat least two years in the case of all students (except external students) and three years in
the case of external students after their date of registration on a topic duly approved by the
Senate.
2.6.2 Duration of work
For the full-time scholars, it is expected that, normally, the research work is carried out
within the Institute. However, if necessary, on the recommendation of the Supervisor(s),the Institute may allow the research work for the PhD degree to be partially or wholly
carried out at another organization approved by the Institute.
2.6.3 Validity of PhD Registration
For all categories of students, the period of validity of their PhD registration is six years fromthe date of registration.
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2.7 Synopsis, Thesis submission and Evaluation
2.7.1 Pre-synopsis Seminar and Examination
Prior to the submission of the synopsis and thesis, a comprehensive internal assessmentof the researchwork should be made by the RPC.
a)b)

The RPC will assess the work through a pre-synopsis seminar and report. The student
can submit thesynopsis only if the panel is satisfied about the quality and quantity of
the work for submission as a PhD thesis.
Students should submit their synopsis and thesis within four months of the successful
Pre-synopsis seminar date.

2.7.2 Panel of Referees (External Examiners) for Evaluation of PhD Thesis
The PhD supervisor(s) of the student, in consultation with the other members of RPC, will
recommend a panel of External Examiners (8 names with at least 4 from within India) andthe names of the Chairperson (2 names of faculty from department other than hostdepartment of the student) and Internal Examiner for the PhD Viva-Voce to the Chairman,
Senate, through APEC.
The academic office will request the external examiners to be reviewers for the thesis andafter receivingacceptance, the thesis will be sent to examiners by academic office.
The thesis will be sent to only 2 examiners duly selected by the Chairman, Senate or
his/her nominee.
2.7.3 Referees’ Evaluation Reports on PhD Thesisi) If both the referees recommend acceptance of the thesis as it is (i.e. “a”), or withclarifications of minor points at the time of the viva voce (i.e. “b”), the defence canbe held directly.
ii) If one or both the referees recommend minor modifications in the thesis (i.e. “c”),
the defence can be held only after the internal examiner certifies that the changes
have been carried out.
iii) If one or both the referees recommend major revisions in the thesis (i.e. “d”), therevised thesis should be re-submitted within 6 months, after incorporating therevisions to the satisfaction of the supervisors and internal examiner. This will thenbe sent for further review.
16iv) If one referee recommends rejection (i.e. “e”), an opinion of a third examiner will besought.
v) If both the referees recommend rejection of the thesis, the thesis in the current
form is rejected. In such a case, a new thesis along with synopsis may be submitted,
only once, for review, after 1 year and no later than 2 years from the date of
intimation by the Academic Office. Before the resubmission of the thesis, thecandidate is required to present a pre-synopsis seminar to the RPC.
2.7.4 Board of Examiners for Defence
The Board of Examiners will be appointed by the Chairman, Senate and it shall consist of:i) A professor, as Chairman;ii) The research supervisor(s);iii) A faculty member of the Institute conversant with the subject to act as theinternal examiner; andiv) One or both of the referees, who has reviewed the thesis (failing which areferee from the approved panel).
The Board of Examiners will submit its report in the prescribed form to the Senate. On
satisfactory completion of the viva-voce examination, the degree may be conferred upon
the student after approval by the Senate.

2.8 Other Administrative Rules
2.8.1 Financial Assistance
There are various sources from which a research scholar is provided financial assistance.
The Teaching Assistants will be paid stipend as per the rules in force from time-to-time.
Currently, Teaching Assistants are eligible to receive Assistantship for a maximum period of
FIVE years or till the date of the defence, whichever is earlier, as communicated by the
MHRD. For receiving the stipend, the TAs are expected to assist in academic/administrative
activities for smooth functioning of the Institute.
The funding of the research scholars receiving stipend for projects/fellowships is governedby the rules of the funding agency.

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2.8.2 Leave Rules
2.8.2.1 : All full-time Research Scholars are entitled for leave for a maximum of thirtydays per year inaddition to Public Holidays. Also 10 days leave on medical reasonsis permitted. The leave due can be carried over to the next year and accumulated
up to 90 days.
2.8.2.2 : Women Scholars are entitled for maternity leave at the full rate for a period
not exceeding 180days, once during the tenure of their studentship. This should be
supported by a medical certificate.
2.8.2.3 : Male Scholars are entitled for paternity leave of 15 days once during thetenure of their award.This should be supported by a medical certificate.
2.8.2.4 : No vacation in Summer/Winter is admissible.
2.8.2.5 : Special Leave to attend Seminars/Conferences in India/abroad to present
research papers is admissible, subject to the approval of the competent authority.
2.8.2.6 : Research Scholars under CSIR/UGC and other categories are governed by therules of the bodieswhich provide financial support.
2.8.2.7 : Temporary Withdrawal from the programme - The request for temporary
withdrawal at any stage will be considered by competent authority on case-to-casebasis.
2.8.3 Change of admission category
The request for change of admission category at any stage will be considered bycompetent authority oncase-to-case basis.

2.9 Discontinuation options
It is expected that a research scholar whose registration for PhD has been confirmed, will
normally, complete the PhD programme in the stipulated period. In exceptional
circumstances, permanent withdrawal from the programme with an exit degree may bepermitted to the research scholars who havecompleted two years in the PhD Programme.
For exercising this option, the research scholars need to submit a report on the work-done
and present a seminar in front of a committee duly appointed for this purpose. On
successful defence, this committee may recommend the award of an M.Phil. Degree (to thestudentsfrom Science/Humanities and Social Sciences Stream) / an M.S. by Research (tothe students fromthe Engineering Stream).

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3. Appendix 1 - Pattern of Courses
and Credits, Course Assessment andAward of Grades
The courses offered for the PhD Programmes may be: Lecture Courses, Laboratory Courses,
Design Courses, Seminars, Supervised learning courses, courses pertaining toCommunication Skills.

3.1 Credit Course
The credit for a course depends upon the contact hours and self-study hours associatedwith it and is obtained by adding all these hours.

3.2 Credit Seminar
A Seminar shall satisfy the following conditions:a) Each seminar shall carry four credits.
b) The Seminar shall be treated as a course for the purpose of registration andevaluation.
c) The Seminar coordinator shall arrange the seminars and forward the grades
awarded by the panels of examiners to the Academic Office by the end of thesemester.
d) A student shall not take more than two Seminars during the entire PhD Programme.

3.3 Communication Skills (PP/NP zero credit course)This course is compulsory for all PhD students.

193.4 Grade Points
For every course taken by the student, he/she is assigned a grade based on his/hercombined
performance in all the assessments. These grades are described by the following letters andcorresponding grade points.
AA (10 points), AB (9 points), BB (8 points), BC (7 points), CC (6 points), CD (5 points), DD (4points),and FR (0 points), PP (Passed, 0 points), NP (not Passed, 0 points) or AU (Passed, 0points).
Some courses are only associated with PP/ NP grades. In such courses, satisfactorycompletion is indicated by the award of the PP grade.

3.5 Audit Course
The students may be allowed to register for at most two Audit courses per semester, in
addition to the specified credit requirements. The option of permitting student to registera course as “Audit” is left to the course instructor. The students registered for auditing acourse shall be awarded the grade AU if they fulfil the requirement as prescribed by theInstructor. The Instructor shall include such AU grades in the final grade report for thatcourse. If the student does not qualify for the grade AU, it will be assumed that the course
has been dropped by that student. It will not appear on the semester grade card/transcript
issued.

3.6 II grades
The grade II shall be awarded to a student in a course if he/she has satisfactory in-semester
performance and has fulfilled the attendance requirement, but has not appeared for thesemester-end examination. The student will be eligible for a make-up for the semester-end
examination provided the student submits valid documental proof on the reason of theabsence. The Academic Officewill decide whether re-examination is to be allowed, after
consulting with the Dean (AP). In case a re- examination is allowed and is conducted, theinstructor shall decide the final grade on the basis of sum of in-semester and the reexamination marks. The weightage of the re-examination would be the same asthat of the
final examination that the student has missed. In all other cases the II grade will be
convertedto FR grade.

203.7 Method of Computing SPI and CPI
The performance of a student in a semester is indicated by a number called the Semester
Performance Index (SPI). The SPI is the weighted average of the grade points obtained in
all the courses taken by thestudent during the semester.
Example:Suppose in a given semester, a student has taken five courses having credits C1, C2, C3, C4,
C5 and his/her grade points in those courses are G1, G2, G3, G4, G5 respectively.
Then his/ her
𝑆𝑃𝐼 =𝐶1 𝐺1 + 𝐶2 𝐺2 + 𝐶3 𝐺3 + 𝐶4 𝐺4 + 𝐶5 𝐺5𝐶1 + 𝐶2 + 𝐶3 + 𝐶4 + 𝐶5

SPI will be calculated (after re-examination, if any) on the basis of the final grades awarded
AA, AB, BB,BC, CC, CD, DD and FR. The SPI is calculated up to two decimal places.
An up-to-date assessment from the time the student entered the Institute is obtained by
calculating a number called the Cumulative Performance Index (CPI). The CPI is theweighted average of the grade points obtained in all the courses taken by the student sincehe/ she entered the Institute. It is calculated in the same manner as the SPI.

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4. Appendix 2 - Procedures for Exit
option from PhD Programme (withM. Phil./M.S. By Research)
1. If APEC decides to recommend discontinuation of PhD with an option of
conversion to M. Phil. / M.S. (Research) then the student will be informed
accordingly.
2. The student should apply for conversion within a month through the Supervisor.
3. If the student applies, and the timelines are approved by the APEC, then the PhD is
discontinued &converted to M. Phil./M.S. (Research).
4. If no response is received from the student within a month, the APEC may
recommend discontinuation of his/her PhD, without the option of conversion to M.
Phil. / M.S. (Research).

4.1 Procedures for Evaluation of the M. Phil./M.S. Thesis:
1. The thesis be sent to two external examiners.
2. The first report to be received from any of the two external examiners report beconsidered (if favourable) to permit the student to appear in the Viva-Voceexamination.
3. However, if this examiner has marked either option (d)- The thesis requires major
modifications/revision. The nature of the modifications required are indicated. It is
recommended that the revised thesis be referred again by an external examiner. OR
option (e) – The thesis be rejected, the office may wait for the recommendation of thesecond referee and if favourable, may beconsidered to permit the student to appear
in the viva-voce examination.
4. If both reports are unfavourable, the APEC may treat each such case individually ona case to case basis.
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5. The Viva-voce examination will be conducted by a Committee appointed by the
Head of the Department, consisting of:i)Supervisor(s)ii)
Internal Examiner External Examiner/Additional Internal Examiner* in absenceof the external examiner if approved by the Departmentiii)
Chairperson: A Professor/ Associate Professor from another department or adifferent specialization / research area.
The Department may decide if a Chairperson is needed for the viva or if one of theInternalExaminers can also act as a Chairperson. In case the Internal Examiner happens
to be a Professor/ Associate Professor, he may be designated to also serve as the
Chairperson with prior approval of the Head of the Department.
6. The M. Phil./M.S. Degree be awarded after receipt of favourable reports and a
successful viva-voce examination.
The presence of an External Examiner is desirable. However, in case of difficulty in finding
an external examiner in the required areas, an additional Internal Examiner may be
appointed in place of the external Examiner subject to the approval of the Head of the
Department.

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