Difference Between M.Phil. and Ph.D. Degrees

M.Phil. means “Master of Philosophy” and Ph.D. means “Doctor of Philosophy”. Both the degrees are research based and can be opted after the master’s degree has been completed. In some university Ph.D. can be pursued after bachelor’s degree with excellent academic record. The students have to submit research paper work in both the courses of M.Phil. and Ph.D. in order to appear. The study structure is almost same in both M.Phil. and Ph.D. course but still there are some difference between the both. 

1. Generally M.Phil. degree is of two years course but in some cases it can be of three years as well. The M.Phil. degree is mostly a thesis based course and known as a Senior OR Second Master’s Degree between a Ph.D. and a taught Master’s Degree. A student can get an M.Phil. degree after few years’ original research but before the giving dissertation. This degree may work a pre-requisite for enrolling a Ph.D. degree as well.

2. A Ph.D. degree has a high edge over an M.Phil. degree. M.Phil. is generally used as training in advanced research work. In M.Phil. degree the research work generally has to be original. The research work in the dissertation need not to be compulsorily original rather it can replicate a research that has already been done.

3. Ph.D. is a Doctorate degree awarded by universities. The education level needed to pursue Ph.D. course depends on country, institution and time period as well. A student who completes Ph.D. degree, he/she known to as a “Doctor”. The term “Doctorate of Philosophy” does not only relates to the field Philosophy but is used in a wider spectrum.

4. The requirements in order to complete Ph.D. degree differ from university to university. In some universities of US, Canada and Denmark, they need additional course work to write a thesis. Some universities need the author of the thesis to defend the thesis work before it goes to panel of experts for examination. The thesis should contain good synthesis and tough abilities and detailed investigations along with practical illustrations.

5. The M.Phil. degree generally referred as a pre-requisite to do a Ph.D. degree. The dissertation for M.Phil. does not have to be based on originality rather it can be replicated on someone else’s research. Whereas the thesis for a Ph.D. degree has to be original and will be examined by a panel of judges to give doctorate degree. Ph.D. has a value on higher note than an M.Phil. degree. M.Phil. is only a Master’s degree, on the other hand Ph.D. is termed as Doctorate. 

Aadhar Mandatory For Research Scholars Getting Scholarships / Fellowships / Subsidies

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has written to all central universities asking them to provide the names of research scholars getting a fellowship and their Aadhaar numbers by the end of July so that there is no duplication and real beneficiaries get the benefits of government scholarships and fellowships.

According to a senior UGC official, fellowships and scholarships have been linked to Aadhaar from this academic year. It has been made mandatory for scholars who have qualified NET and are availing the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) to provide their Aadhaar card number to the universities.

“The HRD ministry had instructed the UGC that from the financial year 2016-17 Aadhaar has been made mandatory for disbursement of all government subsidies/scholarships/fellowships. These will be disbursed directly to the beneficiaries’ account (Direct Bank Transfer),” a senior official said. 

The official said that they have sent a number of communications to the universities to comply with the order. He added that the proposal will ensure students get their fellowship amount on time and there is no discrimination.

“A decision was taken to link every student’s bank account with their respective Aadhaar numbers to ensure they can apply for their fellowship as well as scholarship without any problem. It will also allow greater transparency and we will have a data of the number of students who are getting the benefit,” the official said.

Sources said there will be a delay in processing the fellowship amount in case students are unable to provide their Aadhaar number. 

The Supreme Court said last year that Aadhaar could be linked to six government schemes – Public Distribution Scheme, LPG distribution Scheme, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, the National Social Assistance Programme, Prime Minister’s Jan Dhan Yojana and Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation – on a ‘voluntary’ basis. 

UGC Official Notice: