**Summary:**
In response to a question in Lok Sabha on August 4, 2025, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education addressed concerns regarding the issuance of Ph.D. degrees by Universities/Colleges. The response clarified that the authority to confer degrees rests solely with Universities, as per Section 22 of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956. To uphold educational quality, the UGC established the "University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2022" on November 7, 2022. The UGC investigates complaints from stakeholders regarding violations of these Ph.D. regulations by Universities through a Standing Committee. As of August 4, 2025, the UGC has investigated 92 Universities based on received complaints.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Education: The central government ministry responsible for education in India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Ashok Kumar Rawat: Member of Parliament who raised the question regarding the investigation of wrongly issued Ph.D. degrees.
University Grants Commission (UGC): A statutory body established by the Government of India for the coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of university education in India.
Dr. Sukanta Majumdar: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, who provided the answer to the question in Lok Sabha.
University Grants Commission Act 1956: The Act of Parliament that established the University Grants Commission (UGC) and defines its powers and functions.
University Grants Commission Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree Regulations, 2022: Regulations framed by the UGC to maintain the quality of Ph.D. programs in universities.
Standing Committee of UGC: A committee within the UGC that examines complaints regarding violations of Ph.D. regulations by universities.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2385
ANSWERED ON 04/08/2025
Investigation of Wrongly Issuance of Ph. D Degree
†2385. Shri Ashok Kumar Rawat:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether PhD degree awarded to the students by some Universities/Colleges is
under investigation; and
(b) if so, the total number of colleges falling within the purview of University Grants
Commission?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) and (b) The right of conferring or awarding degrees is only with the Universities
under the provisions of Section 22 of University Grants Commission (UGC), Act
1956. To maintain the quality of education UGC has framed and notified University
Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D.
Degree) Regulations, 2022 on 07.11.2022.
As and when, UGC receives complaints from the stakeholders on the violation
of the Ph.D Regulations by the Universities, such complaints are examined by the
Standing Committee of UGC. Till date, UGC has investigated 92 Universities against
whom complaints were received.
*****