Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) has formally withdrawn its directive that permitted old PhD students to submit their research theses, following strong opposition during the recently concluded Senate meeting.In a circular issued on Tuesday, the university administration stated that, as per the decision taken at the Academic Council meeting held on December 5, 2025, the directive issued on November 4, 2025 (Reference No. 33/2025) titled “Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of PhD Degree, Regulations, 2025” has been revoked and will no longer be in force.
Earlier, based on a Senate decision, the university had granted old PhD scholars a final opportunity to submit their theses. However, the move triggered sharp resistance within the Senate, with members alleging that it violated University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations and unfairly benefited a limited group of students.
Senate member Advocate Manmohan Vajpayee was the first to flag the issue in a written complaint, stating that the directive was against UGC norms. As no action was taken initially, he raised the matter forcefully during the Senate meeting. Senior member Dr R. G. Bhoyar also strongly objected, warning that the issue would be taken to the Governor and even the President if the directive was not withdrawn. Several other members echoed these concerns, calling the decision detrimental to the university’s academic credibility and future generations, and demanded its immediate cancellation.
Amid mounting pressure and intense opposition in the Senate, the university ultimately decided to withdraw the directive.
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