Files related to around 200 PhD scholars at the University of Madras have been pending for nearly a year, as they await approvals and signatures from the Higher Education Department, according to information that has surfaced.
The university attracts research scholars from multiple states. PhD candidates are required to submit their research work within a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years, and must first file a synopsis before the final thesis is processed.
As part of the evaluation process, the guide submits a list of 12 potential experts, from which the university selects three to review the thesis. With the university currently without a Vice-Chancellor, members of the Vice-Chancellor coordination committee are expected to approve the selection of experts.
Sources said 140 theses are awaiting the committee’s approval for expert selection, while another 60 files—linked to candidates whose reviews have been completed—are pending approval for awarding the doctoral degree. They attributed the delay to the need for signatures from the three-member coordination mechanism, administrative sluggishness in forwarding long-pending files, and the Higher Education Secretary being changed three times in succession.
There have been calls for the Higher Education Secretary and the coordination committee to expedite clearances, citing the impact of prolonged delays on students’ academic and career prospects.
