So, you were thinking about doing an MPhil, right? Maybe as your next step after your Master’s, or just to get into research! But then came with the big news that MPhil has been discontinued in India. Yep it’s not being offered anymore.
Now you might be thinking, why did they stop it? Well, the government felt that MPhil wasn’t really needed. Most students were either finishing their post-graduation or just moving on, or directly applying for a PhD. MPhil was just sitting in the middle, not very useful, but still taking time. That’s why, under the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, UGC decided to remove it.
In this blog, we’ll break it all down like what MPhil was, and Why MPhil Discontinued in India?, how it affects students, and what you can do instead though. So, let’s get into this!
In short—do your research, pick wisely, and you’ll be on the right track. Your MBA journey doesn’t need to be complicated—it just needs to be the right one for you.
What Is MPhil?
MPhil, short for Master of Philosophy, was a research-focused academic degree in India. It came after a Master’s and before a PhD, acting as a kind of bridge between the two. It was designed for students who were serious about research or planning to go into academics. Instead of just attending lectures, MPhil students worked on a research topic, wrote a thesis, and learned how to conduct proper academic research.
You didn’t need an MPhil to get a PhD, but some students chose it to test the waters before diving into full-time doctoral work. Over time, though, fewer people were taking this route, which is one reason the programme was eventually discontinued.
Why Mphil Discontinued In India?
Okay, so here’s the big question, why was the MPhil degree discontinued in India? Well, the short answer? It just didn’t make sense anymore in the new education system.
Earlier, if you wanted to do a PhD, many students felt they had to go through MPhil first. But with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, things changed. The government decided it’s better to let students go directly from a Master’s to a PhD, no extra stop in between.
This move was meant to make the whole process faster, more flexible, and less confusing. Another reason? Not many students were actually opting for the MPhil programme anymore. Some universities weren’t even offering it regularly. It kind of became a middle child, stuck between a Master’s and a PhD, but not really needed.
And let’s be honest, spending extra time and money on a degree that isn’t required? Most students just weren’t up for that anymore. So the University Grants Commission (UGC) stepped in and officially said: That’s it. No more MPhil.
Relatable:- PhD Vs MPhil: Which One Is Good?
The Role Of NEP 2020 In Ending Mphil
So, the ending of Mphil is only because of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. To make education simpler, faster, and more relevant UGC has discontinued the M.Phil program from 2022. Before this, many students believed that doing an MPhil was the only way to get into a PhD programme.
It was like a big problem. But NEP said, if you already have a Master’s degree, then you don’t need to spend extra years on MPhil. You can just directly go for a PhD.
The idea was to remove unnecessary steps and give students a more direct, flexible path in higher education. Plus, let’s be real, not many universities were actively offering MPhil, and fewer students were enrolling. It just didn’t fit well in today’s education system.
So, instead of dragging it along, the policy made it official, the MPhil programme is no longer needed. It’s all about saving time, focusing on quality research, and giving students more control over their academic journey.
Also Read:- New Education Policy 2024-2025
Was MPhil Necessary? Pros & Cons
Since the MPhil degree got discontinued, there’s been a lot of back and forth, was it really that important! For some students, it was a solid stepping stone to get into research. For others, it just felt like an extra, time-consuming step. So was it worth doing? Here are the both pros and cons of MPhil:
Pros. of MPhil
- Great for Research Preparation: If you weren’t confident about jumping straight into a PhD, MPhil helped you warm up. It gave you a taste of what research work is like—writing papers, doing fieldwork, and understanding research methodology.
- Useful for Teaching Careers: Back in the day, having an MPhil used to give you an edge when applying for lectureship or teaching assistant roles—especially in colleges that preferred candidates with research experience.
- Built Academic Confidence: It helped students improve their academic writing, learn how to present arguments, and understand how to structure research—all essential skills for higher studies.
- Bridges gap between Master’s and PhD: For many students, MPhil acted as a smooth transition between coursework-heavy Master’s and research-focused PhD. It helped fill the gap in confidence and experience.
Cons. of MPhil
- Took Extra Time and Money: MPhil typically took 1–2 years. That’s extra tuition fees, extra workload, and delayed entry into PhD or job market—which many students didn’t find worth it.
- Limited Job Value outside Academia: If you weren’t planning to go into teaching or research, the MPhil didn’t really add much to your resume. For most corporate or non-academic jobs, it wasn’t a deciding factor.
- Fading Interest and Availability: Many universities had already started phasing out their MPhil programmes even before the official discontinuation. Fewer seats, less demand, and not much clarity, students just didn’t see the point anymore.
What’s The New Path to a PhD Now?
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has already sorted that out with a couple of clear options under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Option 1: The traditional route
If you’ve completed a 2-year Master’s degree and scored at least 55% marks or 50% if you’re from a reserved category, you can appear for the UGC NET exam. Once you crack it, you can go ahead and apply for a PhD. Plus, clearing NET also makes you eligible for teaching jobs (like Assistant Professor) and the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), which also means you get paid to do research. Win-win, right!
Option 2: For those who want to skip the Master’s
If you’ve done a 4-year undergraduate degree (like the new honours or research-based programmes) and scored at least 75% marks, then guess what—you can directly apply for the NET exam, even without a Master’s. If you clear NET, you can jump straight into a PhD. This is great for students who are sure about research and want to save time.
So in simple words:
- Master’s (2 years) + NET (55% marks) = PhD
- 4-year UG degree + NET (75% marks) = PhD
That’s it. No more MPhil in between. You just choose the path that works best for you and go for it.
How Does This Change Impact Students?
- Less time, less hassle
Before, a lot of students thought they had to do an MPhil before getting into a PhD. That meant spending another 1 to 2 years on a course that wasn’t always needed. Now? You can head straight into a PhD after your Master’s, or even after a 4 year bachelor’s if you’ve scored 75% or more. That’s a big time-saver!
- No more confusion
MPhil always sat in this weird middle space. Some universities offered it, some didn’t. Some treated it as a must, others didn’t care. It just confused everyone. Now that it’s gone, your academic path is more straightforward—Master’s + NET or 4-year UG + 75%, that’s it.
- It reduces your financial burden
Let’s not ignore the money part, education isn’t cheap. Cutting out one extra degree means fewer tuition fees, less time spent on books, travel, or living costs. That’s a big relief for a lot of students and their families.
- Time to strategize
Now that MPhil isn’t part of the journey anymore, it’s actually a great chance to move ahead quicker, just with a bit of smart planning. If PhD is on your radar, try to score well in your Master’s or aim for that 75%+ in your four-year undergraduate. Little steps mean less delay, so just stay focused and use this to your advantage!
- The focus is now on real research
Instead of spending time in a course that wasn’t always research-heavy, now you can jump straight into actual research work during your PhD. That’s what the new policy is trying to promote less fluff, more meaningful academic work.
What Should You Do If You Planned For MPhil?
- Jump straight into a PhD after your Master’s:
If you’ve completed your Master’s with at least 55% marks (or whatever applies to your category), you can now go straight for the NET (National Eligibility Test). Once you clear it, you’re all set to apply for a PhD at most universities. This has kind of become the usual way now, especially since MPhil is no longer around.
- Got a 4-year Bachelor’s with 75% or more:
Thanks to the new education policy, if you’ve done a 4-year UG course and scored 75% or more, you can skip the Master’s and still go for a PhD. You’ll still have to crack the NET, but it saves you both time and effort.
- Work on a strong research proposal:
Now that MPhil is out of the picture, your research proposal really matters. It needs to show that you know what you want to study and why it’s important. A solid proposal can really make you stand out during the selection.
- Connect with professors or guides:
If you already have a topic in mind, try reaching out to professors or research guides in that field. A quick chat can help you shape your idea better and make the PhD journey a lot smoother.
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Takeaway
So yeah, MPhil’s gone! But honestly, it’s not the end of the world. With the new education policy, you can now jump straight into a PhD after your Master’s or even after a 4 year bachelor’s if you’ve scored well. No need to take a longer route anymore.
Sure, MPhil had its place back then, but things have changed. Now it’s all about saving time, being flexible, and focusing more on quality research. If you’re planning to do a PhD, just focus on building a solid proposal, clear your NET, and stay curious. The way is still there, it just a little shorter now.
FAQs
Q1. Is MPhil banned in India now?
Ans:Yes, MPhil has been officially discontinued as per the NEP 2020 guidelines. Universities are no longer allowed to offer it.
Q2. Can I still do an MPhil from a private university?
Ans:No, even private universities in India have been directed to stop offering MPhil courses.
Q3. Is my old MPhil degree valid?
Ans:Yes, all MPhil degrees awarded before the discontinuation are valid for jobs and academics.
Q4. Can I do a PhD without MPhil now?
Ans:Yes, students can apply for PhD programs directly after completing their Master’s degree.
Q5. What are the alternatives to MPhil now?
Ans:You can prepare for PhD directly after your post-graduation, or pursue research internships, fellowships, or take up research assistant roles to gain experience.