New Delhi : The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is preparing to introduce tougher regulations for PhD programmes in technical education. A task force, headed by Prof. K.R. Venugopal, former Vice-Chancellor of Bangalore University, has recommended mandatory publication of research in peer-reviewed journals and full disclosure of Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistance in theses.

Mandatory Publications

Under the proposed framework, research scholars must publish articles from their thesis as first and corresponding authors in peer-reviewed journals or conferences. Those publishing in Scopus Q1 journals may be allowed to submit their thesis within two-and-a-half years, instead of the usual minimum duration. The move is aimed at enhancing research quality and ensuring candidates can independently guide future scholars.

AI Usage Guidelines

• The task force has also proposed strict norms for AI use in research.
• AI contributions must not exceed 20% of the thesis.
• All AI-generated content must be cited and disclosed through disclaimers, alongside plagiarism checks and copyright statements.
• Prof. Venugopal noted that while AI is now integral to research, transparency and originality remain essential.

Flexibility & Other Provisions

The recommendations also include:

• Faster PhD timelines for high-achieving students.
• Scholar mobility, allowing candidates to migrate between universities across India.
• Permission for retired faculty and professors of practice to co-guide research scholars.
• New DSc programmes in engineering, technology, and applied sciences, lasting 1–3 years, for postdoctoral researchers.

The committee’s proposals align with the National Education Policy (NEP) and global PhD standards. The report, submitted to AICTE in July 2025, now awaits approval from the Ministry of Education and subsequent gazette notification.

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