Ministry proposes phasing out of MPhil degree

India may phase out MPhil degrees from academic institutions and allow students to pursue a doctorate programme after a four-year graduation course, writes Prashant K Nanda for Livemint.

“The MPhil programme shall be discontinued," says the final draft of the new education policy prepared by the Human Resource Development Ministry. “Undertaking a PhD shall require either a masters degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree with research,” the draft says. Livemint has seen a copy of the final draft, which will soon go to the cabinet for approval.

This comes as the MPhil, an advanced masters degree, is gradually losing popularity and the government is seeking to introduce a research component in graduation and restructure some of the higher education courses. The final draft of the new policy, which seeks to replace the one that has been in place for almost 30 years, underlines that the structure and length of degrees in colleges and universities may be adjusted.
Full report on the Livemint site