A revised PhD regulation introduced by Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) has triggered concern among research aspirants, with many candidates who qualified the PhD Entrance Test (PET) reportedly unable to secure research supervisors due to a significant reduction in the number of eligible guides.
The issue stems from Direction No. 7 of 2026, which restricts PhD supervision to faculty members working in university departments or affiliated colleges that offer postgraduate programmes and have recognised research centres. As a result, several teachers who were previously recognised as PhD guides have become ineligible to supervise scholars.
The impact has been particularly severe in certain disciplines, with subjects such as Philosophy and Statistics reportedly left without any eligible research guides.
Highlighting the issue, RTMNU Senate member Manmohan Bajpai has submitted a representation to Governor and Chancellor C.P. Radhakrishnan and Vice-Chancellor Dr Manali Kshirsagar, urging immediate intervention to prevent disruption to doctoral admissions.
Bajpai said that while the university conducted the PET and declared a large number of candidates qualified for admission, the shortage of recognised supervisors has left many students without the opportunity to enrol for PhD programmes. According to him, the gap between the number of eligible guides and qualified candidates has widened considerably, creating a major bottleneck in admissions.
He also argued that although the revised norms are based on the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations, the university should frame implementation guidelines keeping local academic conditions in mind. The large number of vacant teaching posts, he said, has further reduced the pool of eligible supervisors and affected both aspiring researchers and faculty members.
Among the suggestions made, Bajpai has urged the university to restore PhD guide recognition to all previously approved supervisors, including qualified faculty members from affiliated colleges who are currently excluded under the new rules. He has also proposed allowing retired professors to supervise doctoral research, stating that their academic experience and availability could help address the shortage of research guides.
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