Academic Research-draft

Offered by: ———————————————————

The Ph.D. programme at CMR University, seeks to inculcate in each research scholar the skills essential to become not only a qualified researcher, but also to excel in their chosen areas of research. At CMRU the emphasis has always been to elevate the quality of the research in order to contribute to the growing pool of knowledge in each discipline. We have ardently endeavored to groom Scholars into committed academicians and scientists who are capable of conducting good, independent research in a responsible and ethical manner.

We work hard to balance ‘academic rigor’ and ‘practical relevance’ in our research. Our focus has always been on a cross-disciplinary knowledge flow. Our scholars are encouraged to attain globally accepted standards in their research. The rigorous course-work, facilitated by eminent academicians, prepares our Scholars for research from the beginning itself. The programme is uniquely oriented towards application of both theory and knowledge as derived from Research. All of our Schools of Studies are equipped with state of the art laboratories and research facilities equipped to handle high-end result oriented research.

CMR University offers a unique environment for all research Scholars. Distinguished faculty who have strong industry and academic background with years of experience in research are available to guide students. Scholars in the programme will find themselves learning alongside a talented, vibrant and diverse peer group.

Candidates for admission to the Ph.D. Programme shall have a Master’s degree or a professional degree declared equivalent to the Master’s degree by the corresponding statutory/ regulatory body, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade ‘B’ in the UGC 7-point scale (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed) or an equivalent degree from a foreign educational Institution accredited by an Assessment and Accreditation Agency which is approved, recognized or authorized by an authority, established or incorporated under a law in its home country or any other statutory authority in that country for the purpose of assessing, accrediting or assuring quality and standards of educational institutions.

A relaxation of 5% of marks, from 55% to 50%, or an equivalent relaxation of grade, may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/differently-abled and other categories of candidates as per the decision of the University Grants Commission from time to time, or for those who had obtained their Master’s degree prior to 19th September, 1991. The eligibility marks of 55% (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed) and the relaxation of 5% to the categories mentioned above are permissible based only on the qualifying marks without including the grace mark procedures.

The University considers professional qualifications of Chartered Accountancy (CA) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and Cost and Management Accountants (CMAs) of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India as equivalent to PG Programmes as envisaged in Association of Indian Universities for the purpose of admission to Ph.D. Programme in Commerce and Allied disciplines.

The University considers professional qualifications of PGDM of premier Institutions of India approved by AICTE as equivalent to PG Programme as envisaged in Association of Indian Universities for the purpose of admission to Ph.D. Programme in Management discipline.

Admission to Ph.D. programmes of the University shall be based on the qualifying examination marks, written entrance test and interview, subjected to vacancy notified and availability of suitable Research Supervisors. Selection of applicants shall be done by the Selection Committee with the admission process supervised by the Admission Committee to the extent specified in the Regulations.

• Admission Notification

1. Admission notifications for Ph.D. Programmes are issued twice in a year (i.e. in January and July). However, the accumulated applications submitted by the interested candidates till the notification date are also considered for selection.

2. Before release of admission notification, the University shall decide on an annual basis through the academic bodies a predetermined and manageable number of Ph.D. scholars to be admitted under various faculty, depending on the number of available Research Supervisors and other academic and physical facilities available, keeping in view the norms regarding the scholar-supervisor ratio, laboratory, library and such other facilities.

3. The Admission Notification shall be released well in advance on the University website and also in public through wide publicity by indicating the number of seats for admission, Faculty/discipline-wise distribution of available seats, criteria for admission, procedure for admission, examination center(s) and all other relevant information for the benefit of the applicants.

• Written Entrance Test for Selection

1. Admission of candidates shall be through a two-stage process indicated below:
   a) In the first stage, an applicant shall appear for the written Entrance Test conducted for the purpose at the Test Centre(s) notified by the University. Only candidates obtaining passing marks of 50% and above are qualified for the next stage of selection.

   b) In the second stage, qualified candidates are interviewed to assess their background, research interest, research aptitude, domain expertise etc in the proposed area of research.

2. The Admission Committee shall scrutinize the received applications and prepare the list of eligible candidates under two categories as follows:

   a) Permitted to appear for Entrance Test

   b) Exempted from appearing for the written test only for the mentioned qualifications.

3. All the candidates under category (a), are required to appear for Written Entrance Test, which shall consist of following two papers, each of 60 minutes duration, comprising 60 multiple-choice questions of one mark each:
   a) Paper – I: Research Methodology and General Aptitude

   b) Paper – 2: Domain Specific Subject (Postgraduate Level)

4) The candidates qualified in the Written Entrance Test (as well as the candidates exempted from the Written Entrance Test) shall appear for an interview before the Selection Committee.

• Exemption from Written Entrance Test

The following category of candidates may be exempted from the Ph.D. Entrance Test:

a) The candidates who have qualified in UGC-NET (including JRF)/ UGC-CSIR NET (including JRF)/SLET/ GATE/ CAT/ GMAT/ GRE/ Teacher Fellowship holders or candidates who have passed M.Phil. (Full Time/Part Time) or any other examination considered equivalent by the Admission Committee.

b) The candidates with 10 years or more experience in the related field in academics/ administration/ management/ research function in Local/State/Central Govts and NGOs/ Corporates and MNC.

c) In respect of the NRI/ PIO/ Foreign candidates, the exemption may be given by the Admission Committee based on the credentials of the candidates. In accordance with exemption from the Entrance Test, the decision of the Vice Chancellor is final and binding on all concerned.

• Interview for Selection

1) The criteria for assessment at the time of the interview shall be as prescribed by the University from time to time, which shall be communicated at the time of inviting the eligible candidates for interview.

2) Under special circumstances, including the cases of NRIs/ Foreign Nationals, the interview may be conducted in video conferencing mode based on the discretion of the Admission Committee.

3) The interview shall also consider the following aspects, viz. whether:
(a) The candidate possesses the competence for the proposed research
(b) The research work can be suitably undertaken at the University
(c) The proposed area of research has potential to contribute to creating new/ additional knowledge.

4) The Admission Committee shall shortlist the candidates based on the varying weightages across their qualifying degree examination marks, marks in the Written Entrance Test and performance in the Interview. A separate list shall be prepared for the candidates exempted from writing the entrance test.

5) Based on the number of existing vacancies under different disciplines and specializations of Research Supervisors, the Admission Committee shall prepare the Final Selection List and additional 20% in the waiting list, which shall be operated if vacancies arise later within 6 months of announcement of the Final Selection List.

6) Admission offer to the successful candidates shall be issued on verification of the original qualifying degree certificate and other documents.

7) On payment of stipulated fee within the specified last date, University confirms the provisional registration of the candidates to the Ph.D. Programme.

8) The provisional registration shall remain valid for two years from the above specified last date.

The CMR University Ph.D regulations elucidate the norms, regulations and procedures associated with the Ph.D programme offered. The guidelines also explain the roles of supervisors, scholars and research committees associated with the PhD programme. Furthermore, the document describes the procedures for allocation of supervisors, coursework details, thesis evaluation as well as thesis submission procedures. Information on printing PhD thesis and synopsis can be found in separate handbooks in the format section.