New AICTE Guidelines for PhDs in Technical Fields: Key Changes and Implications

Overview of AICTE's Proposed PhD Regulations

The All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) is nearing the completion of its new regulations for PhDs in technical disciplines. If sanctioned by the Ministry of Education, these guidelines could significantly alter the landscape of research in these fields. Notably, candidates will be mandated to publish their findings in recognized journals, although they will have the opportunity to finish their PhDs in just 2.5 years.

Formation of the Task Force

To establish a robust framework for technical research, AICTE has assembled a task force led by K.R. Venugopal, the former Vice Chancellor of Bangalore University. This group submitted its recommendations for PhD research in technical education to AICTE in July 2025, which are now awaiting approval from the Ministry of Education.

Transition from UGC to AICTE Regulations

The initiative by AICTE aims to create distinct regulations for PhD research in technical education, moving away from the existing University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines.

Mandatory Publication of Research

Under the proposed framework, PhD candidates will be required to publish their research articles. These articles must be submitted to journals and magazines that have been approved by their academic peers.

Accelerated PhD Completion Timeline

The new AICTE framework allows candidates to complete their PhD in 2.5 years instead of the traditional five. However, this expedited timeline comes with specific conditions: candidates must publish an article in a Scopus-indexed Q1 journal to qualify for this accelerated submission of their thesis.

Inclusion of AI and Guidance by Retired Professors

As per the new guidelines, PhD candidates are required to disclose any use of AI in their thesis submissions. While AI can be utilized, it must be acknowledged in a disclaimer that also includes information on copyright and references. Additionally, candidates will have the option to appoint retired professors as their guides and can transfer between universities.