PHD Rules

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY BOMBAY
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Ph.D. Programme
Academic Office
20192020
July, 2019
C O N T E N T S
 Ph.D. Rules and Regulations
 Ordinances
 Rules and Regulations
 Registration
 Course Adjustments
1. Admission
R.1.1 : Admission categories
R.1.2 : Registration/Temporary Withdrawal from/Leaving the Programme
2. Eligibility for Admission
R.2.1. : Minimum Qualification for Admission (General eligibility
criterion for Admission in all Academic Units)
R.2.2 : Change from M.Tech. to Ph.D.
R.2.3 : Change from one programme to another
R.2.4 : Concurrent registration of any PG degree at another
Organization by any Student
3. Pattern of Courses and Credits
R.3.1 : Course Credit Structure (LTPC)
R.3.2 : Credit Seminar
R.3.3 : Communication Skills I & II courses (PP/NP course)
R.3.4 : Requirement of no. of students to offer a course in a semester
4. Course Credit requirements and Registration for courses
R.4.1 : Applicable to students with M.Tech. or equivalent degree
R.4.2 : Applicable to students with M.Sc./M.A. or equivalent degree
and admitted to Ph.D. programme in Science discipline
R.4.3. : Applicable to students with B.Tech. or equivalent degree and
M.Sc. or equivalent degree admitted to Ph.D. programme in
Engineering discipline
R.4.4.1 : Applicable to students of Biomedical Engineering
R.4.4.2 : Applicable to students of School of Management
R.4.4.3 : Applicable to students of IDC
R.4.5. : Reduction in Course Credit requirement
R.4.6 : Minimum/Maximum Course credit registration in a Semester
R.4.7 : Language Courses
R.4.8 : Extension for Commencement of Coursework
Rules and Regulations for Ph.D. Programme 1

R.4.9 : The procedure for registration of courses
R.4.10 : Adjustment of Course(s)
R.4.11 : Dropping of course(s)
R.4.11(i): Course Withdrawn grade
R.4.12 : Duration for Dropping of course(s)
R.4.13 : Grade Improvement
R.4.14 : Transfer of PG level course(s) completed under CEP to Ph.D.
Registration
R.4.15 : Summer Registration
5. Course Assessment and Award of Grades
R.5.1 : Grade Points
R.5.2 : Failure Grades
R.5.2.1 : 'FR' grade for Academic Malpractice
R.5.3 : Reexamination in a course
R.5.4 : Audit Course
R.5.5 : Additional Learning
R.5.6 : II grades
R.5.7 : Seminar Grades
R.5.8 : Nonsubmission of Seminar Report/Absent for Presentation
R.5.9 : Award of Grades in Seminar after obtaining 'FF' in earlier
presentation
R.5.10 : Class Attendance RulesDX grade
6. Performance Requirements in Course Work for Qualifying to
Register for the Ph.D. Degree
R.6.1 : Required to maintain a minimum CPI of 6.00 at the end of each
Semester
R.6.2 : For students with credit requirement of 16 to 22 credits
R.6.3 : For students with credit requirement of more than 22 credits
R.6.4 : Students who obtains FF/FR grades as enumerated in R.6.2 & 6.3
R. 6.5 : Additional Qualifier requirement for Confirmation of PhD
Registration
R.6.6 : Confirmation of Registration
R.6.7 : Additional courses after the confirmation of Registration
R.6.8 : Confirmation of Ph.D. Registration Date
R.6.9 : Confirmation procedure
R.6.10 : Academic Probation to the students having marginally lower
SPI/CPI than the minimum required for continuation of their studies

7. Supervisor/Cosupervisor
R.7.1 : Selection of Research topics, areas of Research
R.7.2 : Assignment of Research Supervisor
R.7.3 : Change of Research Supervisor
R.7.4 : Arrangement of Temporary Research Supervisor when the
Main Supervisor is on leave
R.7.5 : Number of Students assigned to the Supervisor
R.7.6 : Research Progress Committee (RPC)
8. Place of work, Progress and Duration
R.8.1 : External Organization where a student can carry out the
Research
R.8.2 : Annual Progress Seminar (APS)
R.8.2.1 : Continuation of Registration in PhD Programme
R.8.2.2 : Extension of APS
R.8.2.3 : Panel for APS presentation
R.8.2.4 : APS Evaluation Report
R.8.2.5 : Performance in APS
R.8.2.6 : APS and PreSynopsis Seminar
R.8.3 : Guidelines for External students
R.8.4 : Minimum period of research for submission of thesis from the
date of confirmation
R.8.5 a): Period of Validity of Registration of the Ph.D. Programme
R.8.5 b): Registration of Ph.D. programme beyond Five years
R.8.5 c): Submission of synopsis and thesis from outside
R.8.6 : Procedure to be adopted by students for research work
involving human participation
9. Synopsis and Thesis submission and Evaluation
R.9.1 : Presynopsis Seminar and Examination
R.9.2 : Submission of Synopsis and Thesis
R.9.2.1 : Format of Synopsis and Thesis
R.9.2.2 : Procedure before accepting Synopsis and Thesis by PGC
R.9.2.3 : Submission of no. of copies of Synopsis and Thesis
R.9.2.4 : Patent is being/ has been filed
R.9.2.5 : Required Certificates for submission of Synopsis & Thesis
R.9.3 : Panel of Referees (External Examiners) for Evaluation of Ph.D.
Thesis
R.9.4 : Referees Evaluation Reports on PhD Thesis

R.9.5 : Approval of holding the defence and Board of Examiners for
Defence
R.9.6 : Defence Report
R. 9.7 : Submission of Final copies of Thesis
10. Teaching Assistantship
R.10.1 : Scholarship rate
R.10.2 : Period of Scholarship
R.10.3 : Enhancement of Assistantship
R.10.4 : Award of Teaching Assistantship to Ph.D. students with
B.Tech. from IITs without GATE requirements
11. Leave Rules
Rules for provision for exit degree from M.Tech. and Ph.D. programme,
refer http://www.iitb.ac.in/newacadhome/rules.jsp
****

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY BOMBAY
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Ph.D. Programme
As a result of the sound research base and extensive infrastructural

facilities available, the Institute offers a Ph.D. Programme in a wide range of
areas in Engineering, Science, Design and Humanities & Social Sciences,
Management. The broad objectives of the Ph.D. programme are : to keep pace
with the expanding frontiers of knowledge and to provide research training
relevant to the present social and economic objectives of the country.
The academic programme leading to the Ph.D. degree is broadbased. It
involves a minimum course credit requirement and a research thesis. The
institute also encourages research in interdisciplinary areas through a system of
joint supervision and interdepartmental group activities. The presence of a strong
research oriented faculty provides excellent opportunities for such programmes.
The Institute undertakes sponsored research and development projects from
industrial and other organizations in the public and private sectors.
Facilities for research work leading to the Ph.D. Degree are available in
all the Science, Engineering, Design and Humanities & Social Sciences,
Management departments. In addition to the facilities available in the laboratories
and Workshops of his/her own department, a Ph.D. scholar has access to the
central facilities available elsewhere in the Institute also. Several departmental
and Institutelevel seminars are held throughout the year. A large number of
distinguished scientists and engineers both from India and abroad, visit the
Institute to deliver lectures and hold discussions with the research groups. The
Ph.D. students thus get ample opportunities to pursue their research
programmes in a truly stimulating environment.

Ph.D. Rules and Regulations
Ordinances
The Ordinances of the Institute shall take precedence over the Rules in the
matter of any dispute.
O.D. 1
a) A student will be considered by the Senate to be eligible for registration for
the degree of Doctor of Philosophy on his/her making an application in the
prescribed form provided he/she has obtained M.Tech. degree of this
Institute or an equivalent qualification by virtue of an examination.
b) A student who possesses an M.Tech./M.Phil. degree or equivalent

qualification is not ipso facto eligible for registration but shall be required to
fulfill the minimum credit requirement under an approved programme of
studies.
O.D. 2
a) The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy may be conferred on a student subject
to the following conditions :
i) Research work has been carried out at the Institute under the guidance of
Supervisor(s) for at least two years in the case of all students (except
external students) and three years in the case of external students after
their date of registration on a topic duly approved by the Senate.
ii) The thesis submitted by the student is required to be recommended for the
award of the Ph.D. degree by two external referees and by the Board of
Examiners constituted for the vivavoce examination.
b) Notwithstanding the provision of O.D.2 (a), a student registered for the

degree of Doctor of Philosophy may be permitted to carry out a part or the
whole of his/her research work outside the Institute in a factory, laboratory,
workshop, worksite or other research centres duly approved for the purpose
by the Institute.
O.D.3
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy shall not be conferred as an ad eundem
degree.
O.D.4
Notwithstanding the provisions of O.D.1, the Senate will consider the
registration for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of a student who has obtained
the B.Tech./M.Sc./M.A. degree or an equivalent qualification by virtue of an
examination in a subject duly approved by the Senate, and has successfully
completed the minimum prescribed credit requirements under an approved
programme of studies.
O.D.5
Institute Faculty, Research Assistant, Technical Assistants or any other duly
approved category of Institute Staff may be registered for the degree of Doctor of
Philosophy under the provisions of O.D.1 and O.D.4.
Rules and Regulations
The Institute offers facilities for work leading to the degree of Doctor of
Philosophy (Ph.D.) in various departmental and Interdisciplinary research areas.
Extracts of the Rules and Regulations governing the Ph.D. programme are given
below:
REGISTRATION
1. On joining the Institute every student is required to plan his/her academic
programme in consultation with a Faculty Advisory Group of the academic
Unit (Department/Interdisciplinary Programme/ School/ Centre in which
the student is admitted. Details of the academic requirements of this
programme and details of courses available are given in the bulletin. The
bulletins are available on the website of each academic unit.
2. The registration for each semester is carried out through the

computerized “Online Registration” programme. This registration is
mandatory for all students, and they must register themselves on the
prescribed dates announced from time to time. Every student must
register in each semester until he/she completes the programme.
3. All students have to clear the Institute and Hostel dues before
Registration.
4. IIT Bombay follows a semester system, hence registration at the

beginning of each semester is mandatory for every student till he/she
completes his/her programme of study. If a student does not register in a
particular semester without prior permission of the PGAPEC, he/she
ceases to be a student and the admission is liable to be cancelled.
Further, if a student does not register for TWO consecutive regular
semesters, the admission will be cancelled by the PGAPEC suo moto.
5. The Faculty Advisory Group is authorized to carry out the course

registration and also adjustments as specified later.
6. Along with the credit courses, a student is normally allowed to register for
a maximum of TWO Audit course per semester, with consent of the
Ph.D. Supervisor and /or the Head/Convener of the concerned Academic
Unit. The registration for this is also to be done in consultation with the
Faculty Advisory Group/ Supervisor and at the same time as for the credit
courses.
7. A student is not permitted to reregister for a course, which he/she has
undergone and in which he/she has secured AU, DD or higher grades,
except for students who are under Academic probation and opt for grade
improvement. (Ref. Rule R.4.13)
8. Any student who concurrently registers for any postgraduate degree at
another organization shall be automatically deregistered at the Institute.
9. Submission of final year mark sheets/provisional certificates of their
qualifying degree by the Doctoral students
a) All Postgraduate students should ordinarily submit their certificates
latest by 31st July /30th January when admitted in the Autumn /
Spring Semester, of a given academic year, respectively, after
joining the Institute.
b) The students who are unable to submit their certificate by these
dates, should apply for extension along with an undertaking stating
the due date for submission, giving proper reasons on prescribed
form developed for the purpose.
c) Even if a student does not submit the certificate until the
commencement of the Semester end examination, he /she would
be allowed to appear in the examination. However, the results of
such a student shall be withheld until the required documents are
produced.
d)
Cases of students who do not submit the certificates after the first
semester will be reported to the PGPC and the Senate for further
consideration and decisions/actions.
COURSE ADJUSTMENTS
Within the period prescribed in the Academic Calendar, a student can
substitute one or more courses by others. For this purpose the student has
to carry out Course Adjustment in consultation with his/ her Faculty
Advisory Group.
12.Admission
R.1.1 : Admission categories (Amended as resolved in 141st meeting of the
Senate held on 11.3.98)
Student Status : The Status of the students admitted to the Ph.D. programme
shall be classified under any one of the following categories :
FULL TIME RESEARCH SCHOLAR
i) Teaching Assistantship (TA)
ii) Teaching Assistantship through Project (TAP)
iii) Govt./Semi Govt. Fellowship Award (FA) QIP, CSIR, UGC, DAE, DST,
DBT, NBHM, etc.)
iv) Sponsored Candidates (SW)
v) Self Financed (Indian Nationals/Foreign Nationals/Study Leave (SF)
vi) Foreign Nationals with Indian Council for Cultural Relation Award (ICCR)
PART TIME RESEARCH SCHOLAR
i) Institute Staff (IS), for Institute Staff of IIT Bombay
ii) Project Staff (PS), for Project Staff of IIT Bombay
iii) Research Assistantship (RA)
iv) Research Assistantship through Project (RAP)
v) External candidates, sponsored by recognized R & D organizations (EX)
vi) College Teacher : Candidates working in Colleges / Educational
Institutes (CT)
For more details regarding the above categories, kindly refer Ph.D. information
brochure on Institute portal. (http://www.iitb.ac.in/newacadhome/phd.jsp)
R.1.2 : Registration/Temporary Withdrawal from/Leaving the Programme
a) If a student leaves the programme any time within the first two years without
prior permissions of the Senate, he/she would forfeit his/her student status.
b) If a student withdraws from his/her Ph.D. programme any time without
intimation (within the first two years) after admission, his/her student status
ceases and he/she would not be readmitted with any weightage for the
credits acquired the period of stay.
c) In case a student wishes to temporarily withdraw from his/her Ph.D.
Programme, he/she may do so only after a period of two years following
his/her date of Confirmation of Registration with prior permission of the
Senate. The application for temporary withdrawal must be endorsed by the
Ph.D. Supervisor(s) and the Postgraduate Committee (PGC) of the academic
unit in which the student is registered. Temporary withdrawal could be
granted for, upto one year (two semesters) initially. Extension of the duration
of withdrawal beyond the period of one year would normally not be
encouraged, and could be granted by the Senate on recommendation by the
PGAPEC, only under circumstances which the PGAPEC deems to be
genuinely extraordinary. The period of temporary withdrawal will not be
counted, when counting the number of semesters of Ph.D. registration
already completed by the student. (Amended as resolved in 196 th Senate
held on 23092009)
d) A Research scholar, if recommended by DPGC/IDPC, recognised by PGPC
and approved by Senate, may be allowed to change his/her status to
"external student" earlier than 2 years if,
(i) He/she has completed all courses.
(ii) He/she gets a sponsorship certificate from the organization
(recognised by PGPC) he/she joins and
(iii) He/she is able to get a suitable local supervisor to act as guide in the
broad area of research approved by the DPGC/IDPC. The student is
required to complete all the formalities regarding the change of status
within one year of leaving the Institute.
2. Eligibility for Admission
R.2.1. : Minimum Qualification for Admission (General eligibility criterion
for Admission in all Academic Units)
For more details regarding the above, kindly refer Ph.D. information brochure on
Institute portal. (http://www.iitb.ac.in/newacadhome/phd.jsp)
R.2.2 : Change from M.Tech. to Ph.D.
If a particular student who is pursuing a full time M.Tech. Programme at
the Institute fulfills the minimum qualifications prescribed for admission to
any specific Ph.D. programme of the Institute and wishes to change over
to that Ph.D. Programme, he/she may be permitted to do so provided
he/she has obtained an SPI of 9.00 or above after having registered for
full credits of course work in the first semester (See M.Tech. rules MR 2.1
(2) and MR 2.1 (3)).
Note:
The student(s) shall apply for the change over by the end of the first semester
through the DPGCs/IDPCs/PGCs, will forward the application with due
recommendations to the PGAPEC for consideration.
R.2.3: Change from one programme to another (Ref. 141st Senate Meeting)
The following procedure is to be followed for change from one programme to
another.
i) These Transfers will be considered on a casetocase basis.
ii) Request for a change of PG programme should come from the student
and should be endorsed by the Supervisor/RPC.
iii) The application for consideration for admission to another PG programme
should be routed through the Postgraduate Committee of the
Dept./Group/Centre/ School in which the student was originally registered.
It must also be recommended favourably by the Postgraduate Committee
of the academic unit (Department/ Centre/ School/ Interdisciplinary
Progamme) to which the student wishes to be admitted.
iv) The candidates should satisfy all the academic requirements for the
award of the degree for which he is being considered.
v) DPGC/IDPC/PGC may recommend the time limits for submission of
Dissertation/Thesis, if required.
vi) The request will then be considered by PGAPEC and put up for
subsequent approval by the Senate, if the PGAPEC recommends the
change.
R.2.4 : Concurrent registration of any PG degree at another Organization
by any Student
Any student who concurrently registers for any postgraduate degree at another
organization shall be automatically deregistered at the Institute.
3. Pattern of Courses and Credits
The courses offered for the Ph.D. Programmes may be : Lecture Courses,
Laboratory Courses, Design Courses, Seminars, courses pertaining to
Communication skills.
R.3.1 : Course Credit Structure (LTPC)
The credit for a course depends upon the contact hours and selfstudy hours
associated with it and is obtained by adding all these hours. The credits for all
the available courses are indicated in the Courses of Study Bulletin.
R.3.2: Credit Seminar
A Seminar shall satisfy the following conditions:
a) Each seminar shall carry four credits.
b) The Seminar shall be treated as a course for the purpose of registration
and evaluation.
c) The Seminar coordinator appointed by the DPGCs/IDPCs/PGCs shall
arrange the seminars and forward the grades awarded by the panels of
examiners to the Academic Office by the end of the semester.
d) A student shall not take more than two Seminars during the entire Ph.D.
Programme.
R.3.3 Communication Skills I & II courses (PP/NP course) (Ref:165 th, 205th

216th & 231st Senate meeting)
a) These courses are compulsory for all Ph.D. students.
b) Ph.D. students are normally required to clear the Communication Skills
course within the first two semesters.
c) These courses are an addition to the minimum course credit requirement
prescribed by the DPGCs/IDPCs.
d) Exemption from doing Communication Skill course may be given to those
students who have completed their qualifying degree programme with
Communication Skill course from an IIT. This exemption shall be given
only if the Communication Skill course had been completed in the last five
years of his/her joining the PhD programme.
R.3.4 Requirement of no. of students to offer a course in a semester (Ref
229th Senate Meeting)
Minimum of 5 students should be registered in a course to be run as a
Department/Institute Elective course. If less than 5 students are registered at
any given point of time, the concerned DPGC/Head of Academic units may take
a decision on case to case basis.
Even a single (1) student if register for 'Minor' course, the course is
required to be offered.
4. Course Credit requirements and Registration for courses
All students in the Ph.D. programme are required to acquire the prescribed
credits through course work, which shall normally be completed :
a) Within one year from the date of joining by the students having M.Tech. or
equivalent qualification (206th Meeting of Senate) and
b) Within the first two semesters from the date of joining by the students having
B.Tech./M.S./M.A./equivalent qualification.
R.4.1 : Applicable to students with M.Tech. or equivalent degree
(Amended : 136th Senate meeting)
a) The credit requirements for students having M.Tech./M.Phil. or equivalent
qualification, will be a minimum of 16 credits i.e. 2 courses and a
seminar and maximum of 22 credits. The courses could be taken in any
academic unit of the Institute (Department/ Centre/ School/ Interdisciplinary
programme).
b) The students may earn upto a maximum of 4 credits through seminars.
R.4.2 : Applicable to students with M.Sc./M.A. or equivalent degree and
admitted to Ph.D. programme in Science discipline
a) The credits requirements for students having M.Sc./M.A. or equivalent
qualification admitted to a Science Department shall be 34 to 46
credits. The courses could be taken in any academic unit (department/
centre/ interdisciplinary programme/ school) in the Institute.
b) The students may earn up to a maximum of 8 credits through Seminars,
which should be spread over two semesters.
R.4.3. : Applicable to students with B.Tech. or equivalent degree and M.Sc.
or equivalent degree admitted to Ph.D. programme in Engineering
discipline
a) The credits requirements for students having B.Tech. or equivalent

qualification shall be 44 to 56 credits. The same number of credits should
also be earned by students with M.Sc. degrees of equivalent qualifications
admitted to the Ph.D. programme in any one of the Engineering disciplines.
b) The students may earn up to a maximum of 8 credits through Seminars,
which should be spread over two semesters.
c) The students may also register for a R&D project to complete credits.
R.4.4.1 : Applicable to students of Biomedical Engineering
The specializationwise and student's qualificationswise credit requirements can
be decided and administrated by the Department subject to minimum course
credit requirements as prescribed by the Institute norms. Students should be
informed about the requirements at the time of joining the programme. The
completion of the required coursework should be checked by the concerned
academic unit (BSBE Department), while forwarding the application for
confirmation of registration (Ref : 183 rd PGPC meeting).
R.4.4.2 : Applicable to students of School of Management (Amended :

186th Senate meeting)
The course requirement for students entering with an M.Mgt. or an equivalent
degree should be a minimum of 40 credits and maximum of 64 credits. For all
other students the course requirement would vary between 52 to 64 credits.
Candidates who register for the minimum credits should complete them within
two semesters as per rule, whereas students who have been assigned course
credit requirements more than minimum, may be considered on a case by case
basis by the PGC of the School. Their time period of completion of coursework
may be appropriately recommended to the PGAPEC. However, the total period
admissible for completing the programme will remain unchanged in all cases.
R.4.4.3: Applicable to students of IDC (Ref: 173 rd Senate Mtg.)
a) For students with Postgraduate design qualifications, the credit
requirement is 24 credits:
I semester – 20 credits; II semester – 4 credits
b) For students with Undergraduate design qualifications the credit
requirement is 56 credits and the courses will be common with the
existing M.Des. Programme.
R.4.5. : Reduction in Course Credit requirement
This rule applies to students who have a coursework requirement of two
semesters. The DPGCs/IDPCs shall carefully examine any case of reduction in
course credits and recommend such cases to the PGAPEC, giving appropriate
justification in terms of any relevant post B.Tech./M.Sc./M.A. or equivalent
qualification or proven capacity for independent research. While approving the
cases of students who have been recommended by the respective PGCs/IDPCs
for reduced course credits, the reason for prescribing such reduced course
credits shall be placed by the PGAPEC before the Senate for information. In no
case shall the reduced credits requirements be less than 24 credits.
R.4.6 : Minimum/Maximum Course credit registration in a Semester
The fulltime students shall register through their respective Faculty Adviser(s)/
Supervisor(s) for not less than 18 credits in the first Semester of the course
programme if the total credits required are 18 or more. However, staff members
of the Institute admitted to Ph.D. programme shall register for not more than 18
credits in the first Semester of the programme if the total credits required are
28 or more. Other students with course credits requirements below 18 credits
shall register through the Supervisor(s) for the entire prescribed credits in the
first Semester itself.
R.4.7. : Language Courses
A language course shall not form a part of the minimum requirements of credits,
prescribed for students with M.Tech. or equivalent qualification.
R.4.8. : Extension for Commencement of Coursework
Students who are unable to commence their course programme during the
Semester in which they have been admitted should apply to PGAPEC through
DPGC/IDPCs/PGCs and obtain permission to commence their course work in
the following semester.
R.4.9 : The procedure for registration of courses
The procedure for registration of courses shall be as follows:
a) The students, after payment of prescribed semester fees, complete their
registration online in consultation with the faculty advisor(s)/ Supervisor(s)
in the academic unit. Such registration is required to be approved by his/her
faculty advisor/ Supervisor. (Ref. 235th Senate meeting)
b) The Faculty Advisor shall be competent authority to approve the course
registration in all cases.
c) The students, in consultation with the supervisor/faculty advisor, can carry
out course adjustment within the time limit provided in the Academic
Calendar.
d) The DPGC/ IDPC/ PGC shall finalize the course programme of the students
in consultation with the Supervisor(s).
e) Recommendations, if any, about reduction of course credits shall be sent to
PGAPEC by DPGC/IDPC/PGC in the beginning of the I or II semester along
with the applications for registration for due approval.
f) The Academic Office shall inform the PGAPEC of any discrepancy in the
Registration. However, the students should ensure on their own that they
comply with the credit requirements listed under R.4.1, R.4.2,R.4.3,R.4.4,
R.4.4.1,R.4.4.2. R.4.4.3 above.
g) The PGAPEC shall approve the course programmes of all students after due
scrutiny.
R.4.10 : Adjustment of Course(s)
A student can add to his/her academic load, one or more courses not registered
for earlier or substitute one or more courses by others by filling the Course
Adjustment Form, within the first two weeks from the commencement of classes
provided the course credit requirements as prescribed under R.4.1, R.4.2, R.4.3,
R.4.4, R.4.4.1, R.4.4.2, R.4.4.3 remain unchanged.
R.4.11 : Dropping of course(s)
A student may drop courses for which he/she may have registered if the
academic load for the given semester is found to be too heavy (Course Dropping
Form). Such dropping is permissible till the date as given in the academic
calender provided the credits requirements laid down in R.4.1,R.4.2, R.4.3,
R.4.4.1, R.4.4.2 and R.4.4.3 are not violated.
R.4.11 (i) Course Withdrawn grade (Ref. 221 st meeting of the Senate)
After the last date of course adjustment, a student can drop course(s) till the last
date of dropping, as announced in the academic calendar. Such courses will
appear in the transcripts and final grade card with a 'W' grade (withdrawn grade).
These courses will have no impact on SPI/CPI.
R.4.12: Duration for Dropping of course(s) (Ref. 207th meeting of the Senate)
The last date for dropping a course by the student will be two weeks after the
midsemester examination for the semesterlong courses and one week after the
midsemester examination for the halfsemester courses. The last date for
course drop will be included in the Academic Calendar.
Note :
The student shall complete the prescribed Course Adjustment Form (CAF) and
Course Dropping Form (CDF) in consultation with the supervisor/ faculty advisor.
R.4.13 Grade Improvement (Ref 211th Meeting of the Senate)
1. A student in a PG Programme, where minimum CPI for coursework is 6.0,
will be eligible for repeating a course for grade improvement if he/ she has
a CPI less than 6.0 and has been permitted by PGAPEC to continue in
the Programme on Academic Probation.
2. For Grade improvement, a student has to reregister in the course in a
subsequent semester if the course is offered. The grade obtained in the
reregistered course will supersede the earlier grade and the same will be
reflected in the Semester Grade Card and in the Final Transcript.
3. The student can avail this option only for TWO courses in the entire
programme and only ONCE for a specific course.
R.4.14 : Transfer of PG level course(s) completed under CEP to Ph.D.

Registration (Ref. 210th Meeting of the Senate)
The transfer for PG level courses completed under CEP can be granted if
i) The courses are deemed to be suitable for Ph.D. coursework by DPGC.
ii) The courses have been completed within a period of two years
immediately preceding the date of joining the Ph.D. programme.
Such students need to fulfill the residential requirement at the Institute.
R.4.15 : Summer Registration
Ph.D. students may be allowed to register for courses, over and above the
backlog courses, in the summer semester, but under an ‘Additional Learning
(AL)’ tag. Such courses cannot be retagged as “Elective”, even later on.
5. Course Assessment and Award of Grades
R.5.1 : Grade Points
For every course taken by the student, he/she is assigned a grade based on
his/her combined performance in all the assessments. These grades are
described by the following letters and corresponding grade points.
AA (10 points), AB (9 points), BB (8 points), BC (7 points), CC(6 points), CD(5
points), DD (4 points), and FF (0 points), FR (0 points), PP (Passed, 0 points),
NP (not Passed, 0 points), AU (Passed, 0 points) DX (0 points) and W (0 points).
Minimum passing grade in a course is ‘DD’. Some courses are only
associated with PP/ NP grades. In such courses, satisfactory completion is
indicated by the award of the PP grade.
The minimum passing grade for all UG and PG courses is DD. However, PG
students should acquire a minimum CPI of 6.00 at the end of each
semester.
All grades (including FR, DX, W etc.) obtained by a student will be mentioned in
the transcript. (Ref. 225th Senate Meeting)
R.5.2 : Failure Grades
The letter grades FF and FR shall be treated as failure grades. Reexamination
may be permitted for a course if the student obtains FF grade. After such re
examination if the student passes in that course, he/she will be awarded the
maximum grade of DD* in that course. If a student does not take or fails in the
reexamination, he/she will be awarded the grade FR. (*Ref. : 167 th Senate
Meeting).
FR grade will be awarded in case(s) where, in the opinion of the Instructor

(panel of examiners in case of the Projects), the student has inadequate
academic exposure to the course/has very poor performance in the insemester
and/or endsemester examinations.
A student getting a FR grade has to reregister for the same course if it is a core
subject. If this course is an elective course, he/she may register for an
alternative course as prescribed by the DPGC/ IDPC/SPGC, without this being
counted as an additional courses.
R.5.2.1 : 'FR' grade for Academic Malpractice (232 nd Senate Meeting)
(i) “FR” grade may also be awarded for Academic malpractices. Details
pertaining to Academic malpractices are available at :
http://www.iitb.ac.in/newacadhome/punishments201521July.pdf
(ii) Academic Malpractices are severely dealt with. The details pertaining to

Academic malpractices are available at :
http://www.iitb.ac.in/newacadhome/punishments201521July.pdf
R.5.3 : Reexamination in a course
A student will be permitted to take the reexamination for a course where he/she
has an FF grade provided the number of failed backlog courses (with FR grade)
does not exceed the limit permitted i.e. At most two during the entire
programme. (Ref. 167th Meeting of the Senate and 182nd Senate).
R.5.4 : Audit Course
The students registered for auditing a course shall be awarded the grade AU if
they fulfill the requirement of a minimum of 80% attendance and duly satisfactory
insemester performance as prescribed by the Instructor. The Instructor shall
include such AU grades in the final grade report for that course. If the student
does not qualify for the grade AU, it will be assumed that the course has
been dropped by that student and the semester grade card issued accordingly.
R.5.5 : Additional Learning (Ref : 237 th Senate meeting)
The students have an option of taking a course as “Additional Learning” These
courses will be in addition to the minimum course credit requirement and will not
effect the SPI/ CPI, but the actual grades obtained will be shown in the grade
card and transcript. There will be onetime option of changing the tag of a
course. Registration for additional courses will require approval of the faculty
advisor.
The option of permitting student to register a course as “Audit” is left to the
course instructor.
R.5.6 : II grades (Ref : 207th meeting of Senate)
The grade II shall be awarded to a student in a lecture/ laboratory course if
he/she has satisfactory insemester performance and has fulfilled the attendance
requirement, but has not appeared for the semesterend examination. The
student will be eligible for a makeup for the semesterend examination if the
absence was due to medical reasons or extraordinary circumstances. For re
examination, the student will have to apply to the Academic Office. In case of
absence due to medical reasons, the application should be accompanied by a
medical certificate issued/ authenticated by IIT Bombay Hospital. In case of
absence due to extraordinary circumstances, the supporting documents should
be submitted. The Academic Office will decide whether reexamination is to be
allowed, after consulting with UGAPEC/ PGAPEC (in case of medical reasons)
and Dean AP (in case of extraordinary circumstances). In case a reexamination
is allowed and is conducted, the instructor shall decide the final grade on the
basis of sum of insemester and the reexamination marks. The weightage of the
reexamination would be the same as that of the final examination that the
student has missed. In all other cases the II grade will be converted to FR grade.
R.5.7 : Seminar Grades
For the students who have submitted the seminar report in time, but the
evaluation of which however could not be completed in time, the Seminar Co
ordinator shall award the grade II and shall forward the grade report to the
Academic Office before the end of the semester. All such II grades shall be
converted into suitable letter grades in due course of time, before one month
following the end of the semester.
R.5.8 : Nonsubmission of Seminar Report/Absent for Presentation
If a student either does not submit his seminar report by the prescribed date or
he/she is absent for presentation on the scheduled date he/she shall be
awarded FF grade unless he/she is given extension by the coordinator under
exceptional circumstances.
R.5.9 : Award of Grades in Seminar after obtaining 'FF' in earlier
presentation (Ref. 167th Meeting of the Senate).
All students who get FF grade in Seminar shall be allowed to complete the

evaluation during the period earmarked for reexamination and will not be
given a grade better than the minimum passing grade, DD.
R.5.10 : Class Attendance Rules
DX grade (Ref : 235th meeting of Senate) “ ‘DX’ grade is awarded to students
who have inadequate attendance as per following : IIT Bombay expects one
hundred percent (100 %) attendance from its students. If the attendance of the
student, as counted with effect from the first contact hour, falls below eighty
percent of the total attendance expected, the instructor may award the student,
a ‘Drop due to inadequate attendance’, ‘DX’ grade in that course. For the
purpose of CPI calculation, the ‘Drop due to inadequate attendance’ Grade
would, be treated as equivalent to a ‘Course Drop’ carried out on initiation by
the student. In calculating attendance, no specific concession may be given for
lack of attendance on Medical grounds. Further, if a student has 80%
attendance or more, he/ she cannot be awarded the ‘DX’ grade.”
The only exception to this rule are courses where the instructor has declared
that no DX grade will be awarded.
The instructor may also reserve some weightage upto a maximum of 20%, for
attendance and/or class participation.
6. Performance Requirements in Course Work for Qualifying to Register
for the Ph.D. Degree
R.6.1: Required to maintain a minimum CPI of 6.00 at the end of each

Semester
The performance of a student in a semester is indicated by a number called the
Semester Performance Index (SPI). The SPI is the weighted average of the
grade points obtained in all the courses taken by the student during the
semester.
Example : Suppose in a given semester, a student has taken five courses

having credits C1,C2,C3,C4,C5 and his/her grade points in those courses are
G1,G2,G3,G4,G5 respectively.
Then his/ her
C1 G1 + C2 G2 + C3 G3 + C4G4 + C5G5
SPI =
C1+ C2+ C3+ C4+ C5
SPI will be calculated (after reexamination, if any) on the basis of the final
grades awarded AA, AB, BB, BC, CC, CD, DD and FR. The SPI is calculated up
to two decimal places.
An uptodate assessment from the time the student entered the Institute is
obtained by calculating a number called the Cumulative Performance Index
(CPI). The CPI is the weighted average of the grade points obtained in all the
courses taken by the student since he/ she entered the Institute. It is calculated
in the same manner as the SPI.
A student who obtains a fail grade (FR) in a course more than once, the
grade points/credits will figure only once in the numerator as well as
denominator, respectively, for the purpose of SPI/CPI calculations. (Ref.
228th Senate Meeting)
R.6.2: For students with credit requirement of 16 to 22 credits
i) In the first semester, if a student fails in only one course and obtains the
grade FF, he/she can avail of a reexamination in that course at the end of
first semester. However, if he/she obtains more than one FF grade or an FR
grade, he/she is not entitled for a reexamination.
ii) The credit requirement as prescribed by the DPGC/IDPC/PGC must

normally be completed at the end of the first semester but can be extended
beyond the first semester if additional courses have been prescribed.
R.6.3: For students with credit requirement of more than 22 credits
i) A student must not obtain a failure grade (FR) for more than one course in
his/her entire course programme, else he/she has to quit the programme.
ii) In a semester, if a student fails in only one course and obtains the grade FF,
and if he/she has not obtained a failure grade (FF or FR) in the first semester
then he/she can avail of a reexamination in that course at the end of that
semester. However, if a student obtains more than one failure grade, than
he/she is not entitled for a reexamination and he/she has to quit the
programme.
Iii) In a given semester, if a student fails in only one course and obtains the
grade FR (after a reexamination, if any), and if he/she has not obtained a
failure grade (FF or FR) in an earlier semester then he/she will register either
for the same course or for an alternative course in the next semester, as
prescribed by the DPGC/IDPC/PGC.
iv) The credit requirement as prescribed by the DPGC/IDPC/PGC must normally
be completed by the end of the second semester.
R.6.4: Students who obtains FF/FR grades as enumerated in R.6.2 & 6.3
All categories of students not fulfilling the requirements as enumerated in R.6.2
and R.6.3 are liable to discontinue their Ph.D. programme. The PGAPEC will
take a decision in this regard after reviewing the cases of such students.
R. 6.5 : Additional Qualifier requirement for Confirmation of Ph.D.

Registration
Some academic units (departments/ interdisciplinary programmes/ centres/
schools) prescribe qualifying examinations for the Ph.D. programme. These
must be completed successfully prior to confirmation of registration.
Currently following Academic Units offers Qualifiers.
1. Chemical Engineering
2. Computer Science and Engineering
3. Biosciences and Bioengineering
4. Mathematics
5. Mechanical Engineering
6. Industrial Engineering and Operations Research
7. Systems and Control Engineering
8. Electrical Engineering
9. Civil Engineering
10. CSRE
11. Energy Science and Engineering
R.6.6: Confirmation of Registration
a) Students registered under R.4.1 who successfully complete their course
credit requirements in one/ two semester shall be granted registration
from the beginning of the semester in which they complete the course
credit requirements or from the date of joining the programme, whichever
is later.
b) Students registered under R.4.2 or R.4.3 shall be granted registration
from the first working day of the semester following the one in which they
complete 18 course credits, provided they complete the remaining course
credit requirement in the two semesters following the date of registration
so granted.
c) Students registered under R.4.4.2 shall be granted registration on the
following basis:
i. For B.E./ B.Tech./ M.Sc./ M.Com./ M.A. or equivalent degree holders,
the date of confirmation of Registration shall be one semester from the
date of Joining.
ii. For M.E./ M.Tech./ or equivalent degree holders the date of
confirmation shall be the date of joining if they complete the course
work in ONE semester or one semester from the date of joining if they
take two or more semesters for course work.
iii. For M.Mgt./ MBA students the date of confirmation of registration shall
be the date of joining, if they complete the course work in ONE
semester or one semester from the date of joining if they take two or
more semesters for course work.
d) Ph.D. candidates in the Interdisciplinary programme of Educational
Technology should maintain CPI of 7.00 for confirmation of their Ph.D.
registration.
R.6.7: Additional courses after the confirmation of Registration (Ref. 168th
Meeting of the Senate)
All Ph.D. students may be allowed to register for extra credit courses, after
confirmation of registration by following the present rules for confirmation of
registration i.e. SPI/CPI above 6.00, etc.
a) The present procedure for confirmation of registration will continue.
b) Extension of registration beyond the duration as specified in the rules will
not be considered due to registration for extra credit courses.

R.6.8: Confirmation of Ph.D. Registration Date
Registration dates of all students shall be decided by the PGAPEC. The final
approval to the registration shall be granted by the Senate.
R.6.9: Confirmation procedure
The procedure for confirmation of Registration shall be as follows:
i) Each student, on completion of the course requirements and Qualifying
Examination prescribed by DPGC/IDPC/PGC shall apply for confirmation
of Registration.
ii) The completed application form shall be forwarded by the
DPGC/IDPC/PGC to the PGAPEC, which will consider this application
and confirm the date of registration according to the rules R.6.1 to R.6.8
above, as applicable.
R.6.10 : Academic Probation to the students having marginally lower
SPI/CPI than the minimum required for continuation of their studies
(Ref: 184th, 190th and 206th Senate Mtg.)
For students who are identified by PGAPEC as ineligible for continuation of the
Doctoral Programmes, the following opportunity is available :
a) PGAPEC will directly offer probation to the students who are found
eligible as per the norms defined by PGAPEC, without waiting for the
appeal from the student. However, the necessary declarations from the
students and their guardians would still be taken as per requirements in a
reasonable time, after grant of probation.
b) In some cases, wherein , PGAPEC does not offer Probation to a student,
an appeal can be made for probation via DPGC to PGAPEC by the
students, which PGAPEC could consider on a case by case basis on its
merit.
c) Academic probation will be a one time exercise during the study
programme of the students for the period of ONE semester and decided
by PGAPEC in consultation with the Faculty Advisor and DPGC's.
d) For the Academic Probation Semester, the students must obtain such SPI
as to make his/her course work CPI greater than or equal to 6.0
immediately (excluding the dissertation project work) on including the
performance of the semester of Academic Probation. (Ref : 207 th meeting
of Senate)
e) Financial Support during the period of Academic Probation in Ph.D.
Programmes (New Policy) (Amended : 198 th Senate Meeting)
i. The student who are under Academic Probation may continue to be
paid Teaching Assistantship/Research Assistantship at the rate
applicable to them.
ii. However, no Teaching Assistantship duties should be given to them
on account of the need for them, to concentrate on their academic
performance and to improve the same.
iii. Therefore, these students would be expected to pay Non
Concessional Fees applicable to students of their academic
programme.
7. Supervisor/Cosupervisor
R.7.1 : Selection of Research topics, areas of Research
In each Department, applicants will be given, at the time of selecting the details
of various research topics, areas proposed by various faculty members for Ph.D.
programmes, so that they will have an opportunity to discuss those topic areas
with the respective faculty members and thereafter, indicate their choice in order
of preference. The applicants shall then be interviewed by a committee
constituted by the DPGC/IDPC/PGC.
R.7.2 : Assignment of Research Supervisor
a) All selected students shall be assigned tentatively to research
supervisor(s) at the time of selection. However, a Doctoral (Ph.D.) student
may opt to find a supervisor at the end of the first semester, if he/she so
desires. The Head of the Department would act as supervisor until the
student is assigned to a supervisor.
b) Each external student shall have only one Supervisor in the sponsoring
organization where he/she is employed and one or two at the Institute.
c) The Research Programme and the specific area of research of a selected
student shall be finalised by his/ her Supervisor (s) after mutual
discussion.
All Research Scholars should be finally assigned to Research Supervisor (s) at
the time of confirmation of Registration.
R.7.3: Change of Research Supervisor
a) Change of Supervisor(s) under exceptional circumstances shall be

permitted on recommendation of the DPGC/IDPC/PGC after obtaining the
consent of (i) the student (ii) the present Supervisor(s) and (iii) the
proposed Supervisor(s).
b) If the research programme and/ or area of the work requires modification
due to this change, the student’s entire course programme requirement
shall be examined by the DPGCs/IDPCs/PGC. If there is a change in the
research programme and/or area of the work, the registration date may
be revised, if found necessary.
R.7.4: Arrangement of Temporary Research Supervisor when the Main
Supervisor is on leave
a) Whenever a Supervisor leaves the Institute permanently or temporarily for
a period greater than or equal to one year, the DPGCs/IDPCs/PGCs shall
provide new supervisor(s) for the students being supervised by him/ her
before his/her departure.
b) Whenever a Supervisor leaves the Institute temporarily for a period less
than one year, the DPGCs/IDPCs/PGC shall make an alternate
arrangement for the guidance of his/her students.
c) The DPGC/ IDPC/ PGC may consider continuation of the original
Supervisor on his/her return to the Institute, as CoSupervisor of his/her
students depending on the period for which he/she has supervised the
Ph.D. Programmes of the students concerned.
d) Any such arrangements made shall be forwarded to PGAPEC for prior
approval.
For more details, refer following links.
http://drona.ircc.iitb.ac.in/home/sites/default/files/node/413/Faculty_types_and_priv
ileges_2016_07_18.pdf and
http://drona.ircc.iitb.ac.in/home/sites/default/files/node/413/Permissible_Activities_
while_on_leave_2016_07_18.pdf
R.7.5: Number of Students assigned to the Supervisor (Ref.: 225 th Senate
Meeting held on 21042016)
At any given time, the number of Institute research scholars (TAs and/or RAs)
working with a supervisor shall not exceed FIVE. The DPGC/PGC of the
academic unit can decide on the total number of research students of all
categories working with him/her.
R.7.6: Research Progress Committee (RPC)
After the completion of the specified course requirements by a candidate, the
DPGC/IDPC/ PGC will constitute a Research Progress Committee (RPC) for all
candidates in consultation with the Supervisor and CoSupervisor if any. The
RPC will normally consist of the Supervisor & CoSupervisor (if any) and two
other faculty members conversant with the field of research. The CoSupervisor
and/or member of the RPC may be from outside the Institute. (Ref. 136 th Meeting
of the Senate).
The names of the RPC members and any subsequent changes in its
composition shall be communicated by the DPGC/IDPC/PGC to the PGAPEC
for record.
Normally one of the RPC member is expected to function as the internal
examiner for the evaluation of the thesis.
The RPC is expected to monitor the progress of the candidate until the
completion of the programme.
8. Place of work, Progress and Duration
On the recommendation of the Supervisor(s) and the DPGCs/IDPCs/PGCs the
Institute may allow the research work for the Ph.D. degree to be partially or
wholly carried out at another organization with the following provisions:
R.8.1: External Organization where a student can carry out the Research
a) The external organization where a student wishes to carry out the research
work partially or wholly shall have to be recognized by the Institute before
such work is undertaken. Persons working in Institutions, which are
affiliated to Universities where facilities for registration of postgraduate
programmes exist are not eligible for registration as external students.
The financial and other implications, if any, of such an arrangement should
be finalised at the Institute level. The student, however, shall not be
permitted to change his/her student status (as given under R.1.1) while
working at such an organization.
b) An external organization may be granted recognition by the PGPC as an
approved place of work.
i. The recognition shall normally be given only for the purpose of the
individual research project by a particular student.
ii. The details of research facilities available at the organisation shall be
furnished by the student along with the application for admission to Ph.D.
programme.
iii. The DPGC/IDPC/PGC shall examine the details given and may decide
either to ask for further information, or even collect first hand information,
if necessary, by deputing faculty member(s) to visit the organisation. Only
when the DPGC/IDPC/PGC is fully convinced about the adequacy of the
research facilities and the credentials of the external supervisor, it shall
recommend the case to the PGPC.
R.8.2 : Annual Progress Seminar (APS) – (Ref. 233rd Senate Meeting)
(i) All PhD students are required to submit a report (APR – Annual Progress
Report) and present a seminar (APS – Annual Progress Seminar) every year to
the research progress committee (RPC) in consultation with supervisor and co
supervisor (if applicable) till successful completion of presynopsis. Individual
academic units may consider the last date of APR submission prior to the last
date of APS presentation. Following is the schedules of APS presentation.
For students joining in Autumn semester : 1st July to 30th September of the year.
For students joining in Spring semester : 1st December to 28th/29th February of
the year.
Students, who have completed six years are required to present a Progress
Seminar biannually till the successful completion of the presynopsis.
To suit the specific requirement of a funding agency, students may apply to the
convener, PGAPEC for a different but fixed schedule (for every year) for APS
presentation.
(ii) In case of the conversion of M.Tech./M.Phil. students to the Dual Degree
(M.Tech/M.Phil + Ph.D.) programme, the successful presentation / defence of
the 'Research Proposal' will be treated as the APS in that academic year. (e.g.
a research proposal submitted in April, 2017 will be the APS of JulySeptember,
2017 and the student needs to present next APS in JulySeptember every year
starting with 2018). For such students, this will be considered as the FIRST APS.
R.8.2.1 : Continuation of Registration in PhD Programme
Successful completion of "PhD qualifier (if applicable)" and APS is mandatory for
continuation of PhD registration and teaching assistantship.
R.8.2.2 : Extension of APS
Extension of APS may be considered in exceptional cases only with prior
permission. Application for extension must be submitted by the student using
appropriate form through proper channel at least TWO WEEKS prior to the
expiry of the APS schedule. Late fine of Rs. 750/ per week will be applicable for
delay in APS presentation.
R.8.2.3 : Panel for APS presentation
The panel for APS presentation should consist of at least two members of RPC
(Refer R.7.6), supervisor and cosupervisor (if applicable). The RPC member(s)
may join APS through videoconference on approval of DPGC/PGC. In case of
unavoidable absence of RPC members, the DPGC/PGC may appoint a
substitute.
R.8.2.4 : APS Evaluation Report
The APS evaluation report in prescribed format must reach the Convener,
PGAPEC through Convener, DPGC/PGC within FOUR working days after APS
presentation. A copy of the APS evaluation report be made available to the
concerned student by the respective Academic Units.
R.8.2.5 : Performance in APS
i. The APS evaluation report with “Unsatisfactory” and / or “Insufficient”
remarks is treated as Poor Performance and will Suo moto call for a
repeat APS within 3 to 6 months from the date of APS, as recommended
by RPC / DPGC and approved by PGAPEC. Students, who have
completed six years since the date of joining, will Suo moto need to
repeat the Progress Seminar within 2 to 3 months in a similar instance.
ii. The PhD registration of a student is liable for cancellation on two
consecutive "poor performances" including repeat APS, at any stage
of the programme.
iii. Failure on the part of a student to present APS and/or Repeat APS,
without prior permission of DPGC and PGAPEC makes his/her Ph.D.
registration liable for cancellation.
R.8.2.6 : APS and PreSynopsis Seminar :
APS and Presynopsis seminar presentations are two separate events and
cannot be combined.
Note : For students admitted to a dual degree programme

(M.Tech./M.Phil./M.Sc. + Ph.D.), the date of successful presentation of
research proposal will be treated as the date of conversion from
M.Tech/M.Phil/M.Sc. to Dual degree programme (M.Tech./M.Phil./M.Sc. +
Ph.D.) and date of joining to the PhD programme.
R.8.3 : Guidelines for External students
a) Every external student shall carry out a part of study pertaining to his/her
research work residing at the Institute for a period, which shall in no case
be less than one semester.
b) Residential requirement must be fulfilled in the first two semesters
for students with B.Tech./M.Sc./M.A. or equivalent qualification who
have been advised to acquire 18 or more credits.
c) Students with M.Tech./M.E. or equivalent qualification who are
advised to acquire between 16 to 22 credits have to fulfill the residential
requirement in the first semester only.
d) Students sponsored by a local Organisation may, on the basis of an
application recommended by DPGC/IDPC, be exempted from stay on the
Institute campus while fulfilling the requirements under (a) above.
However, the work under this rule shall be carried out during normal
working hours of the Institute.
e) The organization has to certify that the student has been fully relieved of
normal duties/ granted leave during the period of the residential
requirement.
f) External students will be provided with hostel accommodation only during
the semester(s) in which the residential requirement is fulfilled.
R.8.4 : Minimum period of research for submission of thesis from the date
of confirmation
All students (except external students) have to carry out research in the
Institute for at least a period of two calendar years from the date registration
before submission of thesis. External students have to carry out research for
at least a period of three calendar years from the date of registration before
submission of thesis.
R.8.5 a) : Period of Validity of Registration of the Ph.D. Programme
For all categories of students, the period of validity of their Ph.D. registration is
six years from the date of registration. The students may submit their thesis
before the end of this period subject to the provisions of R.8.4. (199 th PGPC
Meeting)
R.8.5 b) : Registration of Ph.D. programme beyond Five years
Ph.D. students who have been registered for five or more years in the Ph.D.
programme are required to submit a properly completed application on the
approval form, for extension of Ph.D. registration to the subsequent year in the
Ph.D. programme. This application must be completed and submitted on or
before the last date for completing the Annual Progress Examination for the year
prior to the year for which extension of Ph.D. registration is required. A penalty
of Rs. 750/ per week or part thereof, shall be imposed for any delay in
completing this process, beyond this deadline. (Ref. 197 th Senate Adjourned
Meeting held on 27012010)
R.8.5 : c) Submission of synopsis and thesis from outside
Research Scholars/Staff who have completed their Presynopsis seminar and
examination may be permitted by PGAPEC, on recommendation of the
DPGCs/IDPCs/PGCs, to leave the Institute and submit the synopsis and thesis
together from outside within a period of four months from the date of
Presynopsis provided they fulfill the provisions of all other rules. In case the
student doe not submit his/her synopsis and thesis together within four months
from the date of presentation of Presynopsis seminar, his/her registration will be
deemed to be cancelled.
R.8.6 : Procedure to be adopted by students for research work involving
human participation
Students whose research work involves human participation (either directly or
indirectly), should obtain IIT Bombay Institute Ethics Committee (IEC) approval
prior to start of the study or the component of the study involving human
participation. IEC approval is mandatory for all such projects. In fact, this is
mandated by several funding agencies also e.g. DST, DBT, CSIR and ICMR.
IEC approval is also a prerequisite for such research work to be published in
peer reviewed journals of repute. IEC approval cannot be taken retrospectively.
R. 9 Synopsis and Thesis submission and Evaluation (amended on 051
2016 : Ref. Senate meeting no. 223rd held on 30102015)
R.9.1 : Presynopsis Seminar and Examination
Prior to the submission of the synopsis and thesis, a comprehensive internal
assessment of the research work should be made by a panel appointed by the
DPGC/IDPC/PGC in consultation with the supervisor(s). The panel must
comprise of at least two faculty members other than the Supervisor(s). These
will include RPC members.
a) This panel will assess the work through a presynopsis seminar and report.
The student can submit the synopsis only if the panel is satisfied about the
quality and quantity of the work for submission as a Ph.D. thesis.
b) Details of the presynopsis seminar will be notified so as to enable interested
staff members and students to attend.
c) The Convener of the DPGC/IDPC/PGC will forward the panel reports to the
Academic Office in the format prescribed for Presynopsis Examinations
(Presynopsis Report format available on academic homepage). List of
Publications/ Conference arising out of the thesis/other outcomes, if any, are
to be submitted along with the Presynopsis report.
d) Students should submit their synopsis and thesis within four months of the
Presynopsis seminar date.
e) If the synopsis and thesis are not submitted in the specified
period, the student is required to present the presynopsis seminar again
f) In case the student fails to submit his/her thesis or fails to present a repeat
presynopsis by the due date of completion of 4 months of the earlier date of
presynopsis presentation, a fine of Rs. 750/ per week shall be imposed
until the date of the repeat presynopsis. The thesis can be submitted only
after the repeat presynopsis and must be carried out within 4 months of this
date. (Ref. 202nd PGPC Meeting)
R.9.2 : Submission of Synopsis and Thesis
R.9.2.1 : Format of Synopsis and Thesis
The synopsis & thesis should be written in the approved format (Guidelines
available on the academic homepage).
R.9.2.2 : Procedure before accepting Synopsis and Thesis by PGC
Postgraduate Committee (PGC) should take the concurrence of the Research
Progress Committee (RPC) /panel for the presynopsis examination of the
concerned Research Scholar before accepting the synopsis and forwarding it
along with the panel of External Examiners. The RPC/panel for presynopsis
examination should ensure that the presentation of the synopsis is of an
acceptable standard and that the technical contents of the synopsis are
representative of the contributions of the Ph.D. thesis being submitted.
R.9.2.3 : Submission of no. of copies of Synopsis and Thesis (238 th Senate)
The synopsis should be submitted to the DPGC/IDPC/PGC and Two copies of
thesis to the department office along with the prescribed forms for submission
and certificates from the Accounts Section and the Hostel that there are no dues
against the student. After approval of the DPGC/IDPC/PGC, the soft copy of the
synopsis & Thesis and two hard copies of the thesis will be forwarded to the
Academic Office along with the forms and the required certificates.
Soft copies (pdf files, with file size less than 8 MB) of the synopsis and thesis
should be mailed to <[email protected]>.
R.9.2.4 Patent is being/ has been filed. (Ref : 207 th Meeting of Senate)
At the time of Synopsis/Thesis submission, the Supervisor should select one of
the following options for evaluation of the thesis (included in the Form for
submission of synopsis & thesis):
1) The thesis evaluation be processed immediately.
OR
2) The processing of the thesis evaluation be taken up after a communication
from the Supervisor or SIX months (whichever is earlier), as a patent is
being /has been filed and there is a need to maintain the confidentiality of
proprietary information.
OR
3) The thesis be sent for evaluation after the NonDisclosure Agreement has
been signed by the examiner, and there is a need to maintain the
confidentiality of proprietary information. The student has been informed that
obtaining NDA from prospective examiners may delay the thesis evaluation.
R.9.2.5 : Required Certificates for submission of Synopsis & Thesis

(included in the Form for submission of synopsis & thesis)
a) Certificate from the Convener, DPGC/IDPC/PGC that the presynopsis

seminar examination has been completed satisfactorily.
b) Certificate from the Student and Research Supervisor(s) confirming (i)
that there is a prima facie case for consideration of the thesis, (ii) that the
thesis does not contain any work which has been previously submitted for
the award of any degree except to the extent of collaboration, if any,
which may then be specified.
c) Certificate of authorization from the Research Supervisor(s) for
submission of the thesis.
d) Certificate from the Deputy Registrar (Academic) that the prescribed
course credits are completed.
R.9.3: Panel of Referees (External Examiners) for Evaluation of Ph.D. Thesis
R.9.3.1 : The DPGC/IDPC/PGC in consultation with the Supervisor(s) will

recommend to the Chairperson, Senate, a panel of External Examiners
(Referees for thesis evaluation) and the names of the Chairperson (2 names)
and Internal Examiner for the Ph.D. VivaVoce.
The examiners (Referees for thesis evaluation) who are currently evaluating
another thesis from IIT Bombay should not normally be included in the panel.
The thesis supervisor will opt for one of the following scheme (Scheme A
or Scheme B) for submitting panel of external examiners.
Scheme A
 The DPGC/IDPC/PGC will give at least 8 names of external examiners
(with at least 4 names from within India) for review of PhD Thesis. The
academic office will request the external examiners to be reviewers for
the thesis and after receiving acceptance, the thesis will be sent to
examiners by academic office.
 The thesis will be sent to only 2 examiners out of the 8.
Scheme B
 The supervisor(s) of the student will write to potential examiners
(approved by PGC of the department) asking them about their willingness
to examine the thesis, if requested to by the institute. The draft text for
such communication is available on the academic homepage. After
obtaining the willingness of the examiners, 4 names of such examiners
(with at least 2 names from within India) will be recommended by
supervisor(s). The PGC approved list will be then sent to the academic
Office.
 The Thesis will be sent to only 2 examiners out of the 4.
R.9.3.2 : Selection of Examiners for evaluation of Thesis :
A) From the panel of external examiners duly approved by the PGC, the

Chairperson, Senate or his nominee will choose 2 names. Additional
examiners will be contacted, if the need arises.
B) The referees independently send the thesis evaluation report to the
Senate through the Registrar of the Institute. The evaluation includes :
i. A critical survey and evaluation of the quality and quantity of the work
as embodied in the thesis.
ii. Questions, if any, to be asked or points to be clarified at the vivavoce
examination, and
iii. A definite recommendation as to whether the thesis is acceptable for
the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
C) If a referee in his/her report is not in a position to make a definite
recommendation for the award of the degree, he is requested to assist the
Senate in deciding whether the student is required to :
i. Make substantial revisions involving rewriting of one or more chapters
without, however, doing any further research work.
ii. Completely rewrite the thesis, if the thesis, though not acceptable in
the present form, reveals sufficient quality and quantity of work to
warrant the student being given an opportunity for further research
work and/or reinterpretation of results.
D) The Internal Examiner of the Ph.D. thesis will be a faculty member of the
Institute, who is a member of the RPC of the concerned student.
R.9.4: Referees Evaluation Reports on PhD Thesis
i. If both the referees recommend acceptance of the thesis as it is (i.e “a”),
or with clarifications of minor points at the time of the viva voce (i.e “b”),
the defence can be held directly.
ii. If one or both the referees recommend minor modifications in the thesis
(i.e “c”), the defence can be held only after the internal examiner
certifies that the changes have been carried out.
iii. If one or both the referees recommend major revisions in the thesis
(i.e. “d”), the revised thesis should be resubmitted within 6 months after
incorporating the revisions to the satisfaction of the supervisors and
internal examiner. This will then be sent for further review.
iv. If one referee recommends rejection (i.e. “e”), an opinion of a third
examiner will be sought.
v. If two referees recommend rejection of the thesis, the thesis in the current
form is rejected. In such a case, a new thesis may be submitted only
once for review, after 1 year and no later than 2 years from the date of
intimation by the PGAPEC, after presenting a presynopsis seminar.
Note : The copies of the referee reports will be made available to the
supervisor/cosupervisor and the internal examiner, with a intimation to the
student.
In case of (i) above, the copies of reports will be sent to supervisor(s) and
internal examiner simultaneously along with the intimation of defence approval.
In case of (ii) & (iii) above, the copies of both the reports to be sent to
Supervisor/Cosupervisor for ensuring that all the corrections including minor
modifications in the thesis suggested by the external referees have been/will be
incorporated. After receiving the response of the Supervisor/Cosupervisor, the
reports of the referees and the responses of the Supervisor/Cosupervisor will
be sent to Internal Examiner to ensure that the corrections including minor
modifications, revision suggested by the external referees have been/will be
incorporated.
The Supervisor/Cosupervisor and the Internal examiner will submit their
response within 7 working days from the date of receipt of the
reports/supervisors's response for consideration and approval by the PGAPEC.
The Senate shall, however be the final authority in deciding whether the
thesis be accepted for the award of the degree.
R.9.5: Approval of holding the defence and Board of Examiners for
Defence
PGAPEC will approve holding of the vivavoce examination (PhD defence)
and Board of Examiners for defence.
a) A student whose thesis has been accepted for the award of the Ph.D. degree
will defend his/her work at an open vivavoce examination conducted by a
Board of Examiners at the Institute.
b) An external examiner, from among the approved panel of examiners, is
required in the Board of Examiners for the Ph.D. vivavoce Examination.
However, the external examiner could participate in the examination
by means of video conferencing in case he/she is not able to be
physically present. The Chairperson of the Ph.D. vivavoce examination
panel will certify the acceptance of the Thesis and successful
conduct of the Ph.D. vivavoce Examination on behalf of the
external examiner, when the external examiner participates through
video conferencing.
c) The Board of Examiners will be appointed by the Chairperson, Senate and
it shall consists of:
i. A professor of the Institute, outside the department, as Chairperson;
ii. The research supervisor(s);
iii. A faculty member of the Institute conversant with the subject to act as the
internal examiner; and
iv. One of the referees, who has reviewed the thesis (failing which a referee
from the approved panel).
d) The Board of Examiners will submit its report in the prescribed form to the
Senate.
R.9.6: Defence Report
a) On satisfactory completion of the vivavoce examination, the degree may
be conferred upon the student after approval by the Senate.
b) If a thesis has been accepted but the student fails at the vivavoce
examination, he/she may be permitted by the Senate Chairperson to re
appear for vivavoce examination again at a later date. The
recommendations of the Board of Examiners conducting the vivavoce
examination will be considered in taking a decision in this respect.
R. 9.7 : Submission of Final copies of Thesis
a) After successful completion of the Ph.D. Vivavoce examination, the
student will submit to the Academic Office the final bound hard copies of
his/her approved thesis, alongwith the prescribed form, within 2 months,
from the date of defence.
b) If the copies of thesis are submitted after the due date, a fine of
Rs. 5000/ per month from the due date of submission, till the date of
submission will be levied on the student (Ref : 207 th Meeting of Senate).
The final transcripts/provisional degree certificate/final degree certificate will be
issued only after receipt of the final copies of the Thesis.
10. Teaching Assistantship
R.10.1: Rate of Assistantship
The Institute research scholars will be paid scholarship at a rate in accordance
with the directives from the appropriate authorities.
R.10.2: Tenure of Assistantship
Institute research scholars are eligible to receive Assistantship for a maximum
period of FIVE years as communicated by the MHRD (Revised w.e.f. October,
2014).
R.10.3 : Enhancement of Assistantship
a) All Institute research scholars shall apply for enhancement of Assistantship
two weeks before completion of two years from the date of joining. They shall
submit five typed copies of summary of their work described in five to six
pages, to the Convener, DPGC through their respective supervisor(s). A
special committee either for each research scholar or for a group of them as
may be found convenient, consisting of three or four members, including the
Supervisor(s) shall be constituted by the DPGC/IDPC/PGC for this purpose.
Each research scholar concerned shall give a seminar before this committee
which will assess the candidates’ work, progress and make suitable
recommendations. The recommendations of the committee along with the
application for enhancement of scholarship of the research scholar should be
forwarded by the DPGC/IDPC/PGC (comments, if any) to the PGAPEC within
two weeks after completion of two years.
b) Subject to satisfactory assessment, the candidates will be eligible for
enhanced Assistantship after the completion of two years from the date of
joining.
c) If in the opinion of the committee, the enhanced Assistantship cannot be
recommended, the committee may stipulate a period of time, not less that
three months, for the candidate to reappear before the committee for the
consideration of enhanced Assistantship.
d) Continuation of Teaching Assistantship until the period of entitlement.
(Ref. : 191st Senate Meeting)
The Research Scholars with Teaching Assistantship/ Fellowship/ Financial
Support routed through the Institute who submit their thesis before the
stipulated period of 5 years, may continue to avail of their financial support
until the date of their Ph.D. Viva Voce Examination or the end of the period of
their entitlement, whichever is earlier.
The Head/ Supervisor of the concerned Department may recommend such
cases by certifying the needs in consultation with the Ph.D. Supervisor(s).
R.10.4 : Award of Teaching Assistantship to Ph.D. students with B.Tech.
from IITs without GATE requirements. (192nd Senate meeting)
Teaching Assistantship will be awarded to the Ph.D students admitted with a
B.Tech qualifying degree from the IITs, without GATE requirements, provided
the candidates had a CGPA/CPI greater than or equal to 8.00 on a 10 point
scale in their B.Tech. Degree.
11. Leave Rules
R.11.1 : All Research Scholars under TA/RA/SF are entitled for leave for a
maximum of 30 days per year in addition to Public Holidays. Also 10 days
leave on medical reasons is permitted. The leave due can be carried over to the
next year and accumulated upto 90 days.
R.11.2 : Women Scholars are entitled for maternity leave at the full rate for a
period of not exceeding 180 days, once during the tenure of their studentship.
This should be supported by a medical certificate.
R.11.3 : Male Scholars are entitled for 15 days paternity leave once during the
tenure of their award. This should be supported by a medical certificate.
The Head of Department/ Academic unit/ Convener of the Interdisciplinary
Programme is authorized to sanction the above leave.
R.11.4 : No vacation in Summer/Winter is admissible.
R.11.5 : Special Leave to attend Seminars/Conferences in India/abroad to
present research papers is admissible as follows.
Event Duration Stipend Sanctioning
Authority
* Conference / 5 working day per semester Yes Head of the Academic
Seminar Unit
* Internship Upto 6 months during the No Convener, DPGC (in
entire tenure of the Ph.D. consultation with
programme. DPGC)
* Academic leave in excess of above shall be considered by the Dean (AP) on
the recommendation of the Convener, DPGC.
R.11.6 : Research Scholars under CSIR/UGC and other categories are

governed by the rules of the bodies which provide financial support. In absence
of specific rules of the funding agencies the students shall be governed by the
Institute leave rules.
R.11.7 : Leave rules for M.Sc. +Ph.D. (Dual Degree)
i) Leave rules as applicable for 2 year M.Tech. programme (note : not two
year M.Sc. Programme) be followed for such students until the point of
confirmation of Ph.D. Registration – typically at the end of the fifth semester
of the Dual Degree programme.
ii) Ph.D. Leave rules be followed after the point of Confirmation of Ph.D.
Registration.
o0o
Updated as on : 15.07.2019

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INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY BOMBAY

Rules and Regulations for Ph.D. Programme 1

Rules and Regulations for Ph.D. Programme 2

Rules and Regulations for Ph.D. Programme 3

Rules and Regulations for Ph.D. Programme 4

As a result of the sound research base and extensive infrastructural

Rules and Regulations for Ph.D. Programme 5

b) A student who possesses an M.Tech./M.Phil. degree or equivalent

b) Notwithstanding the provision of O.D.2 (a), a student registered for the

2. The registration for each semester is carried out through the

4. IIT Bombay follows a semester system, hence registration at the

5. The Faculty Advisory Group is authorized to carry out the course

R.3.3 Communication Skills I & II courses (PP/NP course) (Ref:165 th, 205th

a) The credits requirements for students having B.Tech. or equivalent

R.4.4.2 : Applicable to students of School of Management (Amended :

R.4.14 : Transfer of PG level course(s) completed under CEP to Ph.D.

FR grade will be awarded in case(s) where, in the opinion of the Instructor

(ii) Academic Malpractices are severely dealt with. The details pertaining to

All students who get FF grade in Seminar shall be allowed to complete the

R.6.1: Required to maintain a minimum CPI of 6.00 at the end of each

Example : Suppose in a given semester, a student has taken five courses

ii) The credit requirement as prescribed by the DPGC/IDPC/PGC must

R. 6.5 : Additional Qualifier requirement for Confirmation of Ph.D.

a) Change of Supervisor(s) under exceptional circumstances shall be

Note : For students admitted to a dual degree programme

R.9.2.5 : Required Certificates for submission of Synopsis & Thesis

a) Certificate from the Convener, DPGC/IDPC/PGC that the pre­synopsis

R.9.3.1 : The DPGC/IDPC/PGC in consultation with the Supervisor(s) will

A) From the panel of external examiners duly approved by the PGC, the

R.11.6 : Research Scholars under CSIR/UGC and other categories are

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a) Certificate from the Convener, DPGC/IDPC/PGC that the presynopsis