Mumbai: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has prohibited three universities in Rajasthan from offering PhD programmes for the next five years due to non-compliance with the UGC’s PhD regulations. This decision follows a review by a UGC Standing Committee, which found that these institutions had violated academic norms and failed to meet the regulatory requirements for awarding PhD degrees.

The UGC Standing Committee was established to monitor universities’ adherence to PhD regulations and ensure proper procedures are followed in the awarding of doctoral degrees. One of the committee's responsibilities is to recommend corrective actions for universities that do not comply with UGC standards.

After evaluating the data submitted by the universities, the committee concluded that the three Rajasthan-based institutions—OPJS University, Sunrise University, and Singhania University—had failed to follow the necessary provisions.

Despite being given an opportunity to explain their non-compliance, the universities’ responses were found to be unsatisfactory. As a result, the Standing Committee recommended that these institutions be barred from enrolling PhD students for the next five academic years, from 2025-26 to 2029-30.

In line with the committee’s recommendation, the UGC has decided to impose this restriction, instructing the universities to immediately cease enrolling PhD students. Prospective students and parents have been advised to refrain from enrolling in the PhD programmes at these three universities, as their PhD degrees will not be recognised for further education or employment purposes due to the lack of UGC approval.