UGC Extends Validity for MPhil Course, Check Details Here

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently made a important announcement regarding extending the validity of MPhil Course in Clinical Psychology and MPhil in Psychiatric Social Work. UGC revealed that students can now be admitted to MPhil programs up to the academic year 2025-26. This decision comes as a recognition of the crucial role played by Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatric Social Workers in providing essential mental health services.

UGC Extends Validity for MPhil Course

The UGC’s decision is considered a partial relaxation to previous regulations, allowing Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to admit students to MPhil programs in Clinical Psychology and Psychiatric Social Work until the academic session of 2025-26. This extension comes despite the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s recommendation to discontinue the M.Phil. program entirely, streamlining the path to a PhD.

However, recognizing the crucial role played by clinical psychologists and psychiatric social workers in delivering mental health services, the UGC has carved out an exception for these two specialized fields i.e. MPhil programs in Clinical Psychology and Psychiatric Social Work.

The decision brings much-needed clarity for students who were enrolled in M.Phil. programs or aspiring to join them. The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), the regulatory body for these professions, had earlier clarified that the M.Phil. (Clinical Psychology) and M.Phil. (Rehabilitation Psychology) programs would continue unchanged. This latest announcement by the UGC further reinforces that assurance.

UGC Extends Validity for MPhil Course

UGC Previous Decision on Validity for MPhil Course

Earlier, in December of the previous year, the UGC had issued a warning to students, emphasizing that MPhil is not a recognized degree as per NEP 2020. Despite this, some universities were still accepting applications for MPhil programs. The UGC’s Regulation No. 14 of the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D degree) Regulations 2022 explicitly stated that Higher Educational Institutions should not offer MPhil programs.

UGC notification from December highlighted, “It has come to the notice of the UGC that a few Universities are inviting fresh applications for M.Phil (Master of Philosophy) program. In this regard, it is to bring to notice that the M.Phil degree is not a recognized degree.” The UGC further explained that the regulations for the award of Ph.D. degrees had been revised and published in the Gazette of India on 7th November 2022.

Benefits of UGC Decision for MPhil Students

UGC recent decision to extend the validity of MPhil in Clinical Psychology and Psychiatric Social Work demonstrates the UGC’s responsiveness to the evolving needs of the academic landscape, especially in fields related to mental health services. It provides a clear directive for HEIs to facilitate admissions until the 2025-26 academic session, ensuring a continued focus on producing well-trained professionals in these critical areas.

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