Varsity to conduct PhD entrance test by end of August

The University of Mumbai is expected to conduct the PhD Entrance Test (PET) by the end of August as results of many post-graduate courses are yet to be announced.

According to officials, in light of the new guidelines for PET issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and pending results the PET had been delayed by a month and dates for PET.

According to an official from the university, the PET exams that are a requisite for candidates aspiring to pursue a doctorate in any subject were to be held in July but have been delayed. “There have been various reasons for the delay and the university has been meeting regularly to sort out the issues.

The last meeting held last week managed to sort out most of the issues as well as give the go ahead for conducting the PET,” said the official.

The UGC has issued new guidelines for intake of PhD candidates that stipulates that the universities and institutes will admit ‘a predetermined and manageable number of PhD scholars depending on the number of available research supervisors and other academic and physical facilities available, keeping in mind the norms regarding the scholar- teacher ratio (as indicated in Para 6.5), laboratory, library and such other facilities.’

As a result of this the university has had to rework the number of seats available after accomodating the number of candidates on the waiting list.

“The meetings have been trying to ascertain the status of available seats as well the delayed results of post-graduate courses are the main reasons for the delay in conducting the PET. However, we are hopeful of the issues being sorted out soon and the PET could be held by the end of August,” said Deepak Wasave, in-charge controller of examination, MU.