Is the MPhil Programme Discontinued?, Read Here

The M.Phil degree, short for Master of Philosophy, is an advanced two-year postgraduate research program. Although officially classified as a master’s degree, it is akin to a doctorate due to its emphasis on independent study and focused subject matter. MPhil students engage in similar activities as PhD students, making it a valuable and rigorous academic pursuit. The program is open to students from all disciplines, and those aspiring to enroll must meet the eligibility criteria of securing at least 55% marks in their chosen subject at the postgraduate level.

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MPhil Programme Highlights

Interested candidates from any stream, including humanities, science, commerce, and education etc. can pursue an MPhil programme. Here, they study both theory and practice. The MPhil Course has long been viewed as a bridge between the master’s and doctorate programmes.  Some highlights of the programme are stated below:

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NEP (National Education Policy)

NEP 2020 is the education policy of the 21st century in India post-Independence. The very first policy for education was introduced in 1968 and the second in 1986. The National Education Policy (NEP) is a policy document released by the Ministry of Education, formerly known as the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India, in July 2020.

The NEP aims to revamp the education system of India, from primary to higher education, to make it more holistic, flexible, and multidisciplinary. It strives to have an efficient education system by 2040 with an equitable permit to high-quality education for all learners regardless of their socio-economic background. The National Education Policy 2020 had stated, “There may be an integrated five-year Bachelor’s/Master’s programme. Undertaking a PhD shall require either a degree or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree with Research. The MPhil programme will be discontinued.”

NEP and MPhil Programme

National education policy 2020 is an attempt to reform the Indian education system to make it effective. There are different alterations proposed in this policy. One of such effort is the removal of the two-year M.Phil program which was an intermediate step between a postgraduate degree and a PhD degree. Students can now directly pursue a PhD after completing their postgraduate or a four-year undergraduate degree with research.

The decision to discontinue the M.Phil program was made to streamline the process of pursuing a PhD and reduce the time and cost associated with obtaining a PhD. The NEP aims to make PhD programs more accessible to students and reduce the drop-out rates among PhD scholars.

This change is expected to have a significant impact on higher education in India. It will allow students to pursue research in a more seamless and integrated manner and encourage more students to pursue research careers. However, it may also lead to a decrease in the number of M.Phil degrees awarded in India.

What is the NEP Means for the MPhil programme?

Is the MPhil Programme Discontinued?

The National Education Policy (NEP) has proposed discontinuing the two-year M.Phil program as an intermediate step between a postgraduate degree and a PhD degree. The reasons for this decision are:

• Streamlining the Education System: The NEP aims to streamline the education system in India by reducing the number of degrees and eliminating redundancies. By eliminating the M.Phil program, the NEP intends to simplify the education system and make it more efficient.
• Reducing Time and Cost: The M.Phil program adds an extra year or two to the time and cost involved in obtaining a PhD. By eliminating the M.Phil program, the NEP aims to reduce the time and cost involved in obtaining a PhD degree.
• Encouraging More Students to Pursue Research: The M.Phil program has a high drop-out rate, and many students who start the program do not complete it. By allowing students to directly pursue a PhD after their postgraduation or a four-year undergraduate degree with research, the NEP aims to encourage more students to pursue research careers.
• Promoting Multidisciplinary Research: The M.Phil program is often seen as a narrow specialization program, and The NEP encourages universities to establish multidisciplinary departments and encourages students to pursue research in a more multidisciplinary manner. By removing the M.Phil program, the NEP aims to encourage students to pursue research in a more integrated and interdisciplinary manner.

M Phil Clinical Psychology Continued

As per NEP 2020. Mphil Programme will be discontinued for all course. Candidate who are enrolled in M.Phil Clinical Psychology program are confused regarding their course status. To clarify that the RCI has officially stated in their October 2020 notification that the M.Phil. (Clinical Psychology) and M.Phil. (Rehabilitation Psychology) programs, which are professional training programs in the areas of mental health and rehabilitation, will continue without any changes in their nomenclature or structure.

The RCI has advised universities to continue offering the approved two-year M.Phil. (Clinical Psychology) and M.Phil. (Rehabilitation Psychology) programs and award degrees accordingly, until further notice. Therefore, aspiring Clinical Psychologists can rest assured that the M.Phil. (Clinical Psychology) program will continue to be available and recognized by the RCI, and any changes in nomenclature will be intimated in due course of time

In conclusion, the NEP means for the M.Phil programme is a part of the government’s efforts to streamline the education system in India and make it more efficient. The removal of the M.Phil programme may have some potential drawbacks, but it will provide more flexibility for students to choose their research topic and specialization. It is intended to simplify the education system, reduce the time and cost involved in obtaining a PhD degree, encourage more students to pursue research careers and promote multidisciplinary research. 

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