Nagpur University has officially retracted a contentious directive that permitted long-pending PhD scholars to submit their research theses. The university administration took this step following intense opposition and heated debates during a recent Senate meeting.
Senate Meeting Sparks Heated Debate
The decision to withdraw was formalized in a circular issued on Wednesday. The administration clarified that, as per the resolution taken in the Senate meeting held on December 5, the directive issued earlier on November 4, 2025 would no longer remain in force. This directive was officially known as "Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of PhD Degree, Directions, 2025" (Direction No. 33/2025).
Originally, a few months prior, the university had granted what it called a final opportunity to old PhD scholars to submit their theses based on a Senate decision. However, this move backfired, triggering sharp criticism from within the Senate itself.
Allegations of Violating UGC Norms
Senate members launched a fierce attack on the directive, alleging it was in clear violation of the regulations set by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Critics argued the move was designed to extend undue and exclusive benefits to a select group of students, potentially compromising the institution's academic standards.
Senate member Manmohan Bajpai was the first to raise a red flag. He formally wrote to the university, terming the directive contrary to UGC regulations. When his initial representation failed to get the instruction withdrawn, he forcefully escalated the issue during the Senate meeting.
The debate grew intense, with senior Senate member RG Bhoyar adopting an aggressive stance. Bhoyar issued a stern warning, stating that the matter would be taken to the Chancellor, the Governor of Maharashtra, if the directive was not revoked immediately. Other members joined the chorus, demanding an immediate withdrawal. They contended that such a decision could severely damage the university's academic credibility and have a negative impact on future generations of scholars.
University Forced to Retreat
Faced with overwhelming opposition and mounting pressure within its highest academic body, the university administration was compelled to retreat. The administration also disclosed a key detail: during the brief period when the controversial directive was active, 22 old PhD scholars managed to submit their theses. It was noted that some of these submitted research works were over six years old.
The withdrawal marks a significant victory for the protesting Senate members and underscores the ongoing tension between administrative decisions and the imperative to uphold national educational standards as mandated by the UGC.
