AICTE draft on DSc degree to keep faculty active in research work
Priyadarshini.Gupta@timesofindia.com 27.10.2025
A task force at AICTE has drafted a new regulatory framework to enhance the quality, rigour, and relevance of doctoral research. For the first time, the task force has proposed formal guidelines for awarding the Doctor of Science (DSc) degree to postdoctoral scholars, and the tenure consists of 1 to 3 years.
DSc is an advanced academic distinction awarded to research scholars who have made outstanding, original, and sustained contributions to knowledge in respective fields, including Engineering, Applied Sciences, and other allied disciplines. DSc signifies a high level of expertise and is often awarded for a portfolio of high-impact published, peer-reviewed journal papers, patents, research books, book chapters, that demonstrate original and distinguished contributions. Until now, the DSc degree in India has largely been conferred in an unregulated manne
r, with individual universities setting their own criteria for awarding it.
r, with individual universities setting their own criteria for awarding it.
Some institutions have treated it as an honorary recognition, often granted without rigorous evaluation, while others have had internal frameworks such as requiring 20 years of teaching experience, 50 published papers, books authored, and guiding several PhD scholars. The absence of a national standard has raised questions about the credibility of the DSc degree.
A senior academician, on the condition of anonymity, says, “The lack of uniformity has led to disparities in the valuation of DSc. To address this, the AICTE task force recently proposed a set of formal guidelines. The need for this was felt due to two key reasons: to formally acknowledge the lifelong research achievements of senior faculty members who have continued to make scholarly contributions, and the introduction of the new academic position of ‘senior professor’, which demands substantial academic contributions in the form of patents, publications, and PhD guidance.
The proposed framework will reward academic performance and create a structured path to keep the faculty engaged in advanced research, mentoring, and innovation.” The guidelines will act as a catalyst to strengthen research work in institutions. The academician says, “Universities aspiring to award DSc degrees will be compelled to invest in research infrastructure, modern laboratories, libraries, digital repositories, and funding support, to meet these benchmarks.
While there may initially be a gap between well-funded and smaller institutions, the introduction of a structured DSc framework is expected to gradually narrow this divide by motivating all institutions to strengthen their research infrastructure.” However, a few academics feel that the success of the reform will depend largely on its consistent and fair implementation.
Prof PV Navaneethakrishnan, former director of entrance exams and admissions, Anna University, Chennai, says, “Several Indian institutions treat research programmes as anecessity to stay relevant and perform well in rankings such as NIRF. However, this pressure to maintain rankings has sometimes led to unethical practices, which in turn lowers the quality of research. Simply announcing new regulations will not make a difference.” Highlighting existing accountability gaps within the system, he adds that the new norms will need to be enforced properly so that instances of malpractices are curbed.
