Mphil To Be Discontinued, New Research Oriented MSc Courses Under Modi Govt’s New Education Policy
Draft of National Education Policy (NEP) was released by a committee headed by eminent scientist K. Kasturirangan last Friday with a recommendation to discontinue M.Phil degree, which is likely to affect many research scholars in India.
The draft forwarded suggests changing the higher education pattern by introducing a four-year Bachelor’s degree instead of a three-year course. It also aims to formulate research-oriented Masters courses, thereby eliminating the requirements of an M.Phil degree.
The committee recommends the qualification required to do a Ph.D. now should either be a “Master’s degree or a four-year Bachelor’s degree with research”.
Under the current education system – Mphil can be pursued after a Masters degree which provides a student with a two-year window to take a call on whether they want to go for a Ph.D. degree next or just proceed to next level – job after M.Phil.
For students pursuing masters degree now, there are no essential requirements of doing a dissertation work or to submit a thesis, whereas M.phil evolves around more of research-oriented work & dissertation.
The committee has suggested few alternatives for an M.Phil degree.
- Different versions of Masters degree program can be introduced
- Two-year duration Masters degree program – with 2nd year devoted completely to do research work for those who have completed a 3-year durations undergraduate program.
- A 5-year duration – Bachelor’s/Master’s program
- There can be a 1-year Master Degree Program For Students completing a 4 -year bachelor’s course with research.
The whole aim of this proposal for restructuring the current education system is to make it more liberal – says the committee.
Indian Universities under the present education system does not offer much in terms of a research-oriented curriculum, which is a must for a Ph.D. degree.
Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), BHU are among few universities in India that offer substantive M.Phil degrees to students with at least 20-30 seats present in each department per year. As per stats reported by the Print – JNU & Delhi University alone this year has provided 300 & 200 M.Phil degrees recently.
If the draft is approved – this could bring a drastic change in our education system. Do let us know your take on this proposal. Do you think its a wise decision – restructuring the higher education system – Mphil To Be Discontinued? What other changes you would like the Govt to add in the proposal? Do share your views below in the comment section.
Absolutely, makes sense!
Good decision
Excellent program. Numbers of brilliant students will be benefited.
Its extremely good but there is a matter, what about the candidate who already finished their MPhil degree without PhD. New rules makes sense a lot .we have no degree either B.Ed nor PhD in this case what about our future.
Sounds good only if students gets research oriented experience in UG and PG
4years Bachelors with 1year Masters is a great idea.
It is a good decision. Students should get research exposure and more applied subjects which should address environmental/health/food/water problems.
What about those who hve already applied and sat for Mphil entrance…or r going to sit for it …wt about them? Shld they sit for the entrance or not? The new proposal is good no doubt but will they get enough oppertunities and placements?
Great step by our government. Looking forward for more educational reforms in our future..
What about those students who already have applied for MPhil entrance ,
What about those students who are pursuing mphil degree in current year❓
Yes it’s good idea but what about those who are persuing mphil and going to apply now on for new admission in certain university.
Good decision. System of evaluation also should change… Should be more project based than memory based ..In masters and undergraduate.
That’s a great idea
That’s great. One thing I would recommend that recruitment of Assistant professor should be transparent and should not involve taking any bribe by colleges.
That’s a very good idea. I want immediately implement of this proposal.
Yes
The decision of restructuring the higher education system is definatly required. As far as research at bachelors level will be quite early. After completion of B Sc . , Masters degree with research project and thesis should be continued but with more seats providing more career opportunities . The proposal of M Phil discontinuation is good idea. Because NET Exams are already on merit basis. The present scenerio indicates a limited scope for M Sc ( by research) degree holders. If there is more scope for research students after graduation then certainly there would be a motivation for more meritorious, innovative and productive research work. Thanking you very much.
Great policy! MPhil has become a monopoly of the privateers as seats are numbered for the general, with the rest reserved and competition is tough for the government institutes This holds true especially in the field of Clinical Psychology. And despite these degrees, the skill set acquired does not convert into employment.
Though I am interested to know when this draft policy would be passed so accordingly we skip or continue with MPhil.
Although one suggestion would be if RCI licensing is based not on degrees but work experience. Spending 7 years just on education gives only a theoretical base not a practical one, the latter is what makes you a good practitioner and so basing the license on the same makes bette sense.