REGULATION

FOR THE DEGREE OF

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PhD) PROGRAMME

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY MIZORAM

AIZAWL - 796012
INDIA

REGULATIONS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PhD)

1

GENERAL

1.1

The Institute provides facilities for research leading to the award of Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the areas related to all branches of Engineering,
Science and Humanities & Social Sciences.
(i) PhD Programme to be carried out at NIT Mizoram under supervision of faculty
of the Institute. In special cases joint supervisors/ Co-supervisor from outside the
Institute may be allowed.
(ii) For the internal faculty members who have joined the Institute after their M
Tech degree may be allowed to register for PhD programme with Supervisors /
Co- supervisors from Central Universities/ Central Institutes/ Universities or
Institutes of Repute such as IISc, IITs, IIMs, NITs, IIITs, NITIE, etc.

1.2.

2
2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

CATEGORIES OF PhD STUDENTS

The Institute admits PhD students under the following categories:
REGULAR
A student in this category works full-time for his/her PhD degree. He/she
receives assistantship from the Institute or fellowship from any recognized
funding agency depending on GATE/NET (UGC/CSIR)/other qualification.
SPONSORED
A student in this category is sponsored by a recognized R&D organization,
academic institution, government organization or industry for doing research in
the Institute on a fulltime basis. The Institute does not provide any
assistantship/fellowship to such a student.
SELF-FINANCED
A student in this category works full-time or part-time towards the PhD
Programme. The Institute does not provide any assistantship/fellowship to such a
student.
PROJECT-STAFF
This category refers to a student who is working on a sponsored project in the
Institute and is admitted to the PhD Programme to work on a full-time basis. The
remaining duration of the project at the time of admission should be at least one
year. If the project gets completed before the student completes his/her PhD
Programme, his/her category will be converted to that of REGULAR category.
PART-TIME
A student in this category is a professionally employed person, who pursues the
PhD Programme while continuing the duties of his/her service in NIT Mizoram or
elsewhere. The Institute does not provide any assistantship/fellowship to such a
student.
EXTERNAL
This category refers to a student employed in an R&D organization/academic
institution/industry having adequate research facilities. The research work
leading to the PhD degree may be carried out largely in the parent organization of

the candidate under a Local Supervisor from the organization but with the overall
guidance provided by a faculty member (Institute Supervisor) of the
Department/Centre in which he/she is registered. The Institute does not provide
any assistantship/fellowship to such a student.
3

4
4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

5
5.1
5.2

5.3

CHANGE OF CATEGORY
The Chairman, Senate on recommendation of the Doctoral Committee (DC)
approves change from one category to another after completing 3 semesters.
ADMISSION TO PhD PROGRAMME
Eligibility Criteria:
Details of eligibility criteria for admission to various PhD programmes are given
below. These criteria are revised by the Senate from time to time. Relaxation in
academic qualification for reserved categories of students is as per Government of
India guidelines.
PhD in Engineering:
Masters Degree in the area of Engineering/Technology from a recognized
University/ Institute with a minimum CGPA of 6.5 in 10 point scale or 60 % of
marks in the qualifying examinations.
OR
Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Technology in a relevant area with a minimum
CGPA of 7.5 or 70% of marks and with a valid GATE score.
PhD in Science:
Masters Degree in the area of Science from a recognized University/ Institute with
a minimum CGPA of 6.5 in 10 point scale or 60 % of marks in the qualifying
examinations and qualify the NET examination conducted by CSIR.
PhD in Humanities & Social Sciences:
Masters Degree in Arts/Commerce/Social Sciences/other relevant areas from a
recognized University/Institute with a minimum CGPA of 6.0 in 10 point scale or
55% marks in the qualifying examinations and qualify the NET examination
conducted by UGC.
ADMISSION PROCEDURE
Admission to the PhD Programme of the Institute normally takes place in
January/July every year.
Admission to all categories of students is granted on the basis of
interview/admission test held usually during the month of December/June every
year.
The following documents are to be furnished along with the application by
candidates falling under Sponsored, Project Fellow, Part-time and External
categories:
Form I: Sponsorship letter for Sponsored category.
Form II: No objection certificate from the Institute.

Form III: No objection certificate from the employer.

Form IV: Sponsorship certificate for External category.
Form V: No objection certificate for NIT Mizoram Employee.
6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4

7
7.1

7.2

7.3
7.4

8
8.1
8.2
8.3

ASSISTANTSHIP
Institute assistantships will be available to eligible students as per Institute
norms.
Assistantships from external funding organizations will be available as per terms
and conditions of the concerned funding organizations.
Students receiving assistantships from the Institute or fellowships from any other
funding agencies are required to perform academic duties as per Institute norms.
The continuation of the assistantship/fellowship is subject to satisfactory
performance of the assigned duties and satisfactory progress of the student in the
PhD Programme.
SUPERVISOR(S)
Every student admitted to the PhD Programme undertakes research under the
supervision of a faculty member of the Department/Centre in which he is
admitted. The faculty member is called his/her Supervisor. In the case of an
external category there is also a Supervisor in the parent organization (Local
Supervisor).
A student (other than external category) may have a second Supervisor from the
same or another Department/Centre. Second supervisors will act as a CoSupervisor.
Any faculty member of the Institute holding doctorate degree can act as
Supervisor.
The following categories of persons can act only as a Co- Supervisor:
(i) A faculty nearing superannuation with less than 3 years of service left at the
Institute.
(ii) A faculty on contract (including a Visiting Faculty) with less than 3 years of
service left at the time of appointment as a Co-Supervisor.
(iii) Senior level professionals from industry for students other than external
category. On recommendation of the DC, the Chairman Senate approves
appointment of such a Co-Supervisor.
APPOINTMENT OF SUPERVISOR(S)
The Chairman, Senate, appoints Supervisor(s) to a student after obtaining mutual
consent of both the student and the Supervisor(s).
The Supervisor(s) is identified and appointed at the earliest and latest by six
months from the date of admission.
The internal faculty/staff members (part-time category) who have joined the
Institute after their M Tech degree may choose the supervisor from Central
Universities/ Central Institutes or Universities/ Institutes of Repute. The

8.4

9
9.1

9.2

9.3

10
10.1

candidate has to suggest the name of supervisor along with his /her curriculam
vitae which will be further approved by Chairman, Senate.
A student under external category has one Supervisor from the
Department/Centre in which he/she is admitted and another from the parent
organization (Local Supervisor). On recommendation of the DC, the Chairman,
Senate, approves the appointment of the Local Supervisor.
CHANGE/ADDITION OF SUPERVISOR(S)
If a student has only one Supervisor and the Supervisor goes on leave for more
than 15 (fifteen) months, another Supervisor is appointed by the DC. Mutual
consent of both the student and Supervisor(s) is taken for such cases.
If the Supervisor of a student under external category proceeds on a leave for
more than 15 (fifteen) months, the Head of the Department/Centre looks after the
routine administrative issues. Otherwise, on recommendation of DC, the
Chairman, Senate, may appoint a new Supervisor. Mutual consent of both the
student and Supervisor(s) is taken for such cases.
The Chairman, Senate may permit a student to change his/her Supervisor(s) for
valid reasons. Mutual consent of the student and supervisor(s) and
recommendations of the DC are required. Such cases are reported to the Senate.
DOCTORAL COMMITTEE (DC)
To monitor the progress of research of a student, there will be a Doctoral
Committee with the following composition:
(i) Professor of the Department nominated by the Head Chairman
of the department/ Professor from other Central
Universities/ Central Institutes or Universities/
Institutes of Repute
(ii) Supervisor(s)
Member(s)
and
Convener

10.2

10.3
10.4

10.5

(iii) Two members of the Faculty from the Institute or Members

from other Central Universities/ Central Institutes or
Universities/ Institutes of Repute, to be nominated by
the concerned department/centre in consultation with
the Supervisor(s)
The DC is constituted in consultation with the Supervisor(s) within two months
from the date of appointment of the Supervisor(s). The list is sent to the Chairman,
Senate for approval.
A faculty member without doctorate degree will not be appointed as DC member.
External DC member may attend the meeting/seminar through video conferencing
provided they physically attend meetings at least once in two years and during the
synopsis seminar.
In case, the Chairman DC or any member goes on long leave, resigns or retires

from the Institute, the Chairman, Senate will appoint another member on the
suggestion of the Supervisor
11
11.1
11.2

11.3

11.4

11.5

11.6

12
12.1

12.2
12.3
12.4
12.5

12.6
13
13.1

COURSE WORK
The DC of the student prescribes the courses of study. Supervisor may prescribe
courses if the DC is not yet constituted which need to be ratified by the DC.
A student of Engineering/Technology/Science/Humanities & Social Sciences
Department with an entry level qualification of two-year Masters degree
registers for a minimum of 4 (four) courses amounting to at least 24 credits and
has to obtain a CGPA of at least 6.5 on a 10 point scale.
A student with entry-level qualification other than those under Clause 11.2 above
registers for a minimum of 6 (six) courses amounting to at least 36 credits and
has to obtain a CGPA of at least 6.5 on a 10 point scale.
A student is expected to complete all course work requirements within two
semesters by registering for at least two courses in the first semester. In each
semester, the CGPA should not be less than 6.0 on a 10 point scale.
If at the end of any semester, a student maintains a SGPA of 6.0 on a 10 point
scale, but fails in a course, he/she is allowed by the concerned department to
repeat/substitute it in the following semester(s) with the recommendation of DC.
In exceptional cases, a student may be permitted by the chairman. Senate to
undertake one course per semester under self-study/virtual class room mode
with proper evaluation mechanism.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
To test the overall competence and academic preparation of a student in the PhD
programme, a Comprehensive Examination is to be conducted within 18 months
of joining for students with masters degree and within 24 months of joining for
the students with only Bachelor degree.
Comprehensive Examination is held only after successful completion of course
work requirements.
The mode of Comprehensive Examination (oral or written or both) is decided by
the concerned department and is intimated to the students.
The date of the Comprehensive Examination is informed to the student at least
three weeks prior to the date of examination.
A student failing in the Comprehensive Examination in the first attempt is given a
second attempt scheduled not before one month and not later than six months
from the date of the first attempt. If the student fails in the second attempt,
he/she is not allowed to continue in the PhD programme.
All cases of failure in the Comprehensive Examination are reported to the Senate.
STATE-OF-THE-ART SEMINAR
Within 6 months of the successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination,
a student needs to present a State-of-the-Art Seminar (SOAS). The presentation is

13.2
13.3
13.4

14
14.1
14.2

14.3

15
15.1
15.2

15.3
15.4

16
16.1

16.2

open to all. In this, he/she presents literature survey and broad plan of research
work to be under taken.
A student should submit a SOAS report to the DC members at least one week
before the date of the SOAS.
A report on the successful completion of the SOAS, is to be submitted by the DC to
the Chairman, Senate in the proper format.
Within a month, a student delivers another SOAS if the first SOAS is not
satisfactory.
PROGRESS REPORT
After the State-of-the-Art Seminar (clause 13), a student presents his/her
progress report in each semester to DC. Such presentations are open to all.
The DC reviews the progress and submits a report based on terms of Satisfactory
(S) or Un-satisfactory (X) to the Academic section. This report also contains a
recommendation for continuation of studentship and/or scholarship.
Based on requirement, the DC may fix a minimum number (up to fifteen) of
contact days at NIT Mizoram per semester for part-time/external category
students for his/her research work.
ENROLMENT
Students of all categories will have to enrol in person every semester on the
stipulated date till the submission of their theses.
They are required to pay the prescribed fees till the submission of their theses
within stipulated dates. However, internal faculty/staff members (part-time
category) shall be exempted from payment of any tuition fee and other fee except
the following:
(i) Admission fee (Enrolment cum Registration fee)
(ii) Thesis evaluation fee
A student may be exempted from the prescribed fees for the last semester if
he/she submits thesis within 30 days from beginning of the semester.
Semester drop: Up to two semesters drop may be permitted in the entire duration
of the PhD Programme on bonafide grounds. Except on medical grounds,
semester drop is not permissible before successful completion of Comprehensive
Examination by a student. On recommendation of the DC and the concerned
department, the Senate approves a semester drop. No assistantship is provided
during the period of a semester drop. The period of semester drop is not counted
in the prescribed time limit for completion of the PhD Programme.
CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE
Regulations for Conduct and Discipline are common for all students of NIT
Mizoram, and these are the same as those prescribed in the B Tech Rules and
Regulations.
In addition, unauthorized absence for more than one month leads to disciplinary

action, in the form of reduction of assistantship or even termination of

studentship.
17
17.1

17.2

17.3
17.3.1

17.3.2

18

LEAVE RULES
Ordinary Leave
A full-time PhD student is eligible for 30 days leave for every completed year
(calculated in terms of two consecutive semesters, from the time of his/her
joining the programme). Saturdays, Sundays or holidays during the leave period
are counted towards leave, except for prefixed or suffixed holidays.
Of the 30 days leave, a maximum of 15 days of leave is permitted in a semester.
However, a student can accumulate leave, and avail a maximum of 30 days' leave
at a time in a year. The maximum number of carried-over leave, from one
completed year to another, is 15 days. Head of the Department/Centre sanctions
leave on recommendation of the Supervisor.
Maternity/Paternity Leave
A student is eligible for 4 months maternity leave or 15 days of paternity leave as
applicable only once during the PhD Programme. The Head of the
Department/Centre sanctions maternity/paternity leave on recommendation of
the Supervisor and submission of a certificate from Medical Officer.
Academic leave
Academic leave is permitted on the following grounds:
To attend conferences/seminars/workshops/trainings/short-term courses. A
maximum of 20 days of leave is permissible in a calendar year. A maximum of 30
days of leave in a semester is permissible for field trips such as data collection,
survey work, etc. The Head of the Department/Centre sanctions academic leave
on recommendation of the Supervisor. Academic leave exceeding 30 days but up
to a maximum of 60 days in a semester is approved by the Chairman, Senate on
recommendation of Supervisor.
Academic leave of more than 60 days but up to a maximum of 12 months is also
permissible to carry out part of the research in another institute/R&D
Lab/industry in India or abroad. For sanction of such a leave, a letter of consent
from the host institute is required. This leave is permissible only after the student
has passed the comprehensive examination and has done part of the research
work at NIT Mizoram.
On recommendations of the Supervisor, the DC and the Chairman, Senate
approves such an academic leave. Such cases are also to be reported to the Senate.
A student granted academic leave for one or more semesters, pays prescribed fees
in every semester. If a registration date falls during the period of academic leave,
a student completes the registration procedures at the expiry of his/her academic
leave.
CANCELLATION OF STUDENTSHIP
The PhD studentship is liable to be cancelled for any of the following reasons:
(i) Giving false information at the time of application/admission.

(ii) Not conforming to the regulations of the programme.

(iii) Failure in coursework requirement.
(iv) Failure in Comprehensive Examination.
(v) Consistent lack of progress in research.
(vi) Violation of discipline and conduct rules of the Institute.
(vii) Not submitting a thesis within the stipulated period.
(viii) Not enrolling for a semester within stipulated dates.
19

DURATION OF THE PHD PROGRAMME

The duration of the PhD programme is as follows:
(i) The minimum duration of the PhD Programme (excluding dropped
semester(s)/maternity leave) is four semesters for FULL TIME candidates and six
semesters for PART-TIME candidates from the date of admission.
(ii) The maximum duration of the PhD programme is 5 years for a FULL TIME
student and 6 years for a PART TIME student from the date of admission.

20

PUBLICATION
The candidates are expected to publish at least two papers in reputed journals out
of which at least one publication in the SCI Journalm in his/her field of research
and present their research findings at national/international level conferences
during their tenure.

21
21.1

SYNOPSIS OF THESIS
Prior to the submission of the thesis, a student submits the synopsis of thesis and
a draft copy of the thesis to the DC. The synopsis contains outline of the thesis.
The student makes a presentation of his/her thesis work before the DC in an open
seminar (named as Synopsis Seminar). The synopsis is submitted one week
before the Synopsis Seminar date.
If the DC approves the synopsis and draft copy of the thesis, the student is allowed
to submit the synopsis of the thesis. The DC sends report of the Synopsis Seminar
and Synopsis to the Chairman, Senate.
If a student fails to submit the thesis within 3 months from the date of the
Synopsis Seminar, he /she shall present another Synopsis seminar. His /Her
synopsis has to be approved by the DC and sent to the Chairman, Senate.

21.2

21.3

21.4

22
22.1

22.2

PANEL OF EXAMINERS
At least fifteen days prior to the submission of the thesis, the DC submits a panel
of eight examiners to the Chairman, Senate in the prescribed format. The
Chairman, Senate appoints two examiners as external experts to examine a thesis.
The list of examiners remains confidential with the Academic Section. The
Academic Section makes all correspondence with the examiners. The name of the
examiners is made available to the thesis Supervisor(s) after both the reports
have been received.

23
23.1
23.2

24
24.1
24.2

24.3

24.4
24.5

24.6

24.6.1

24.6.2

25
25.1
25.2

SUBMISSION OF THESIS
After successful completion of Synopsis Seminar, the DC will recommend the
submission of thesis.
Within three months of the acceptance of the synopsis by the DC, the student
submits five (or six, if there are two supervisors) copies of his/her thesis in
prescribed format to the Academic Section along with a soft copy of the thesis.

THESIS REPORTS
Examiners are expected to send reports on the thesis within two months from the
date of receipt of the thesis.
If an examiner does not send his/her report within two months, reminders are
sent. If the report is not received within four months (in spite of reminders), the
Chairman, Senate may replace the examiner.
If both the thesis examiners recommend the thesis for award of the PhD degree,
the Chairman, Senate approves the conduct of Oral examination. Corrections in
the thesis, responses to comments of examiners are to be ratified by the DC.
If an examiner suggests re-submission of the thesis, the student is allowed to
resubmit the thesis after due revision within the time stipulated by the DC.
If one examiner recommends the thesis, and the other rejects, then the chairman
senate under DCs recommendation may ask the student to modify the thesis as
suggested within six months. The modified thesis is sent again to the same
examiner with a request to review it.
If both the examiners do not recommend the thesis for the award, the reports are
sent to the DC which can decide on one of the following based on their
assessment.
If the DC is satisfied with the work already done and the contents of the thesis
already submitted, it may request the Chairman, Senate that the thesis may be
sent to another set of examiners.
The DC may advise the student for augmenting the research done and re-submit
the synopsis. If both the examiners do not recommend the thesis for the award for
second time, the student is not awarded the degree and the registration is
cancelled.
ORAL EXAMINATION
In the oral examination, the student makes an oral presentation on his/her thesis.
The presentation is open to all.
The following is the composition of the Oral Examination Board (OEB).
Chairman of the DC
Chairman
Supervisor(s)
Member(s)
One External Examiner of the Thesis
Member

25.3
25.4

25.5

The other members of the DC of the student will be invitees to the Oral
Examination.
The OEB conducts the defence of the thesis by the candidate ensuring that he/she
answers all the queries of the thesis examiners satisfactorily.
If the OEB finds the performance of the student unsatisfactory, the student will be
asked to reappear for another oral examination at a later date (not earlier than a
month and not later than six months from the date of the first oral examination).
If the OEB finds the performance of the student unsatisfactory on the second
occasion also, then the matter will be referred to the Senate for a decision.

26

AWARD OF PhD DEGREE

If the OEB recommends award of the degree, a student will be awarded the PhD
degree on the recommendation of the Senate with the approval of the Board of
Governors of the Institute.

27
27.1

HONORARIUM AND TA/DA

The external examiner and external members of DC shall be paid honorarium as
well as TA/DA as per Institute norms.
Both the external examiners shall be paid honorarium for thesis evaluation as per
Institute norms.

27.2

28
28.1
28.2

To,

OTHER MATTERS
All other matters not covered by the clauses above shall be referred to the Senate.
Any legal matter relating to Rules and Regulation shall be subjected to
jurisdictions of Court(s) in Aizawl.
FORM I
SPONSORSHIP LETTER
(This should by typed on the letter head of the sponsoring organisation)
Reference No
Date:

The Director
National Institute of Technology Mizoram
Sub: Sponsoring an Employee for PhD Programme
Dear Sir,
We hereby sponsor the candidature of Mr/Ms ...............................who is an employee in
our organisation, for joining PhD Programme in ......................at your Institute as a full time
student. It is certified that he/she has completed 1(One) year of service in our
organization/institute as a regular employee. We shall relieve him/her of his/her duties in
the organisation during the tenure of PhD programme.
Signature and seal of the Sponsoring Authority
FORM II

To,

NO-OBJECTION CERTIFICATE FOR NIT MIZORAM PROJECT STAFF

(This should be typed on the letterhead of the of NIT Mizoram)
Reference No
Date:

The Director
National Institute of Technology Mizoram
Sub: No-Objection Certificate for NIT Mizoram Project Staff
Dear Sir,
The Department of ..........................., has no objection if Mr./Ms./Mrs............................ a
project employee in the project ................under.................department, is admitted to the PhD
programme in ..................
Principal Investigator of the concerned project has agreed to allow him/her to attend
classes/research work during the PhD programme.
Signature and seal of the Head of the Department
FORM III
NO-OBJECTION CERTIFICATE FOR PART-TIME STUDENTS
(This should be typed on the letter head of the sponsoring organization)
Reference No
Date:

To,
The Director
National Institute of Technology Mizoram
Sub: No-Objection Certificate
Dear Sir,
We have no objection if Mr./Ms./Mrs. ..............an employee in our organization, is
admitted to the PhD programme in .............. at your institute as a PART-TIME student. It is
certified that he/she has completed one year of service in our organization/institute as a
regular employee. We shall grant him/her leave of absence to attend classes/research
works at NIT Mizoram during the PhD programme.

To,

Signature and seal of the Sponsoring Authority

FORM IV SPONSORSHIP CERTIFICATE OF EXTERNAL REGISTRATION
(This should be typed on the letterhead of the sponsoring organization)
Reference No
Date:

The Director
National Institute of Technology Mizoram
Sub: Sponsoring an Employee for PhD Programme for External registration
1. Name and Address of the sponsoring organization:
2. Designation of the applicant:
3. Present status of the applicant:
4. List of Division/Section where research work is proposed to be done:

5. List of available local supervisor(s):

(Bio-data of local supervisor(s) to be enclosed giving details of designation, qualification,
research experience with area of research etc. along with their consent for research
guidance)
6. Details of relevant facilities which will be made available to the candidate:
It is certified that he/she has completed 1(One) year of service in our
organization/institute as a regular employee. If Mr./Ms./Mrs. ............................is admitted to
the PhD programme, we agree to relieve him/her to enable him/her to be available at NIT
Mizoram to attend classes for completion of his/her course works relating to the PhD
programme. Mr/Ms./Mrs. ............................will be permitted to carry out research leading to
the PhD degree at our organization under the guidance of selected local supervisor. The
necessary facilities will be provided for the purpose.
Signature and seal of the Sponsoring Authority

To,

FORM V
NO-OBJECTION CERTIFICATE FOR NIT MIZORAM EMPLOYEE
(This should be typed on the letterhead of the of NIT Mizoram)
Reference No
Date:
The Director
National Institute of Technology Mizoram

Sub: No-Objection Certificate for NIT Mizoram Employee

It is certified that we have no objection if Mr./Mrs/Ms. ............................, Designation:
............................, a (regular/contractual) employee of this Institute, working in the
department of. ............................, is admitted into the PhD Program in the department of
............................ at this Institute as a part-time student. If selected, he/she shall be allowed to
attend classes/research work without affecting normal duties assigned to him/her.
Signature of Head
(Department: )

Signature of Registrar