Mangaluru: Mangalore University (MU) has tightened norms for enrolment of PhD research guides under its revised PhD Regulations 2026, restricting recognition to eligible permanent faculty from govt colleges. The decision was announced during the Academic Council 2026-27 meeting held on Tuesday.The move follows the state higher education department’s rejection of the university’s earlier proposal to enrol more than 200 senior teachers from private and constituent colleges to address a shortage of research guides. With the proposal turned down following UGC directives, eligibility has now been narrowed to doctorate holders serving in govt colleges with at least 10 years of postgraduate teaching experience. The change is expected to bring the eligibility criteria to around 50 faculty members.Addressing the decision, vice-chancellor PL Dharma said, “We had initially proposed enrolling experienced faculty across colleges to accommodate more applicants, but the govt made it categorical that degrees must strictly adhere to UGC norms. The directive makes it clear: You can extend guide recognition provided they have taught in postgraduate programmes for at least 10 years in govt colleges.”The revised regulations retain entrance exemptions for candidates who have qualified UGC-NET, JRF or KSET, or hold an MPhil degree. Other applicants must clear the university’s entrance test.The vice-chancellor also pointed to a shift in the approach of doctoral aspirants, saying candidates are increasingly selecting guides based on academic expertise, publications and specialisation, rather than simply opting for available seats.He said, “Scholars are no longer enrolling merely because a seat is vacant; they are actively seeking out domain experts based on their publications and specialisation. They are coming not just because the opportunity is there, but because the right guide is there.”The university has retained emergency discretionary powers under Rule 17 to address genuine difficulties and prevent procedural hurdles from denying eligible researchers opportunities. The revised norms aim to maintain academic standards in doctoral research, he said.
