The UGC's decision stems from recommendations made by a standing committee tasked with monitoring compliance with PhD program regulations. Upon analyzing data submitted by various universities, the committee identified significant non-compliance issues at the three institutions. Despite being given opportunities to explain their deviations, the responses from these universities were deemed unsatisfactory, leading to the enforcement of the enrollment ban.
In an official notice, UGC Secretary Manish Joshi communicated the commission's decision to the concerned universities, directing them to cease PhD admissions immediately. The UGC also advised prospective students and their parents against enrolling in PhD programs at these institutions, cautioning that degrees obtained during the ban period would not be recognized for higher education or employment purposes.
UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar emphasized the importance of maintaining rigorous academic standards, stating, "Universities should be committed to maintaining the highest standards in PhD programmes. UGC will take appropriate action against institutions that fail to follow UGC's PhD regulations." He further revealed that the commission is currently evaluating the quality of PhD programs at several other universities and will take similar action against any found violating regulations.
The standing committee's assessment considered several parameters, including the weightage accorded to entrance scores and interviews, the frequency of student presentations to Research Advisory Committees (RAC), the quality of examiners post-thesis submission, and the incorporation of expert feedback into theses. The UGC plans to evaluate universities in batches of ten annually to ensure adherence to regulations, signaling its commitment to academic excellence and innovation.