Centre For Research

Anna University is offering admission to Ph.D., M.S.(By Research) and (M.S.(By Research)+Ph.D.) programmes twice a year. Applications for admission to Ph.D., M.S.(By Research) and (M.S.(By Research)+Ph.D.) programmes are invited during August and February every year. The selected candidates may opt to get enrolled for Ph.D., M.S.(By Research) and (M.S.(By Research)+Ph.D.) programmes either in the current admission slot or in the next admission slot. The details such as eligibility and other information is given under Regulations tab.

SCHOLAR

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Admission :

1. When does Anna University conduct Ph.D. admissions?

• Anna University conducts Ph.D. admissions twice a year - for the January and July sessions. The admission notifications are typically released in the months of August (for January session) and February (for July session).
• Details regarding the written test, interview, and important dates will be announced on our official website:
https://cfr.annauniv.edu/research/academics/index.php

2. What is the eligibility criteria for Ph.D. admission, and where can I find the details of the supervisors?

• To know the eligibility criteria for Ph.D. admission, please refer to Clauses 1.0 and 2.0 of the Ph.D. Regulations available on our website.
• Details of supervisors, including their affiliations and areas of specialization, are provided under each Faculty section on our webpage.

3. I have been selected for Ph.D. admission but was unable to join in the current session due to certain reasons. I am willing to join in the next session. Will the University permit this?

• Yes, if a selected candidate is unable to join in the current session, their selection remains valid for the next immediate session. They may join during that session. However, if they fail to join even in the next session, their selection will be cancelled.

4. I am working in an industry. Am I eligible to apply for the Ph.D. programme?

• Yes, you can apply for the Ph.D. programme under the Part-Time category, provided your organization issues a No Objection Certificate (NOC) permitting you to pursue the programme.
• However, the firm where the applicant is employed must meet certain criteria (such as the number of years of establishment, annual turnover, number of employees, etc) for its employee to be eligible to pursue a Ph.D. at Anna University.

Course Work :

5. What is the procedure for the First DC Meeting (Coursework Approval)?

• The First DC meeting for coursework approval can be held either online or offline. It must be conducted only on working days (Monday to Friday).
• After the meeting, the original documents related to the coursework must be submitted within one week.
• For further details, please refer to the Ph.D. Regulations Clause: 13.1.

6. What should I do if there is a change in the course code due to a regulation change?

• If there is a change in the course code due to a regulation change, a clarification letter must be submitted through the proper channel at the time of confirmation.

7. How do I change the course code and title?

• If there is a need to change the course code or title, a revised DC meeting must be conducted.
• An intimation letter should be sent to inform about the revised DC meeting. Ensure that the option to modify the course work in the first DC minutes is requested in the letter.
• The revised minutes must be submitted, and please note that claims for the revised DC meeting cannot be made.

8. Is there any specific criteria for selecting courses through NPTEL for coursework registration?

• Yes, only Postgraduate (PG) level courses should be selected for coursework registration through NPTEL.

9. What should I do if I did not complete my coursework along with the PG students?

• Please refer to the Ph.D. Regulations Clause: 13.1.
• If you did not complete your coursework along with the PG students, you will be required to repeat the coursework as per the regulations.

10. Is it permissible to take the same course during a Ph.D. programme that I have already completed during my Masters programme?

• No, you cannot take the same course again for your Ph.D. coursework if you have already completed it during your Masters programme.

11. How many years does a scholar have to complete their Ph.D. coursework, and what should be done if they have an arrear in it?

• Ph.D. scholars are required to complete their coursework within 2 years from the date of provisional registration. For additional details, including information regarding coursework arrears, please refer to the Ph.D. Regulations, Clause 13.1.6.

12. Can I take coursework offered at Deemed Universities or Private Institutions not affiliated with Anna University?

• No, you cannot take coursework offered at Deemed Universities or Private Institutions that are not affiliated with Anna University.

Provisional Registration Confirmation :

13. What is the process for the Comprehensive Examination?

• The Comprehensive Examination should be conducted by the supervisor based on the coursework studied by the scholar.
• For detailed information regarding the comprehensive examination, please refer to the Ph.D. Regulations, Clause 13.2.

14. When should the Seminar be conducted in relation to the Confirmation DC meeting?

• The seminar should be given before the Confirmation DC meeting and it must be open to faculty members and research scholars.
• It should be held at the supervisors workplace on weekdays and must be conducted in physical mode (offline).

15. If the DC members are not satisfied with my performance and do not approve my Provisional Registration confirmation, will I get another chance to reappear and present my performance again?

• Yes, if the Doctoral Committee (DC) members are not satisfied with your performance during the Provisional Registration Confirmation, you will be given one more opportunity. For further details, please refer to Ph.D. Regulations, Clause 13.2.2

16. When should the comprehensive examination be conducted by the Doctoral Committee (DC)?

As per Ph.D. Regulations, Clause 13.2.1, the Doctoral Committee shall conduct the comprehensive examination within six months from the date on which the results of all the prescribed coursework are declared.

Change of DC Member / Supervisor :

17. What are the reasons for changing a DC (Doctoral Committee) member?

According to the Ph.D. Regulations 2025, Clause 12.6, the following are valid reasons for changing a DC member:
• Change in the research topic before the confirmation of Provisional Registration.
• Deceased DC member.
• Non-responsiveness of the DC member to attend Doctoral Committee meetings.
In all the above cases or any other compelling reasons, the change in DC member may be approved by the concerned Faculty Chairperson.

18. What is the procedure for changing a DC member?

To change a DC member, follow the steps below:
i.Upload the following documents in the "Scholar Login – Request Form – Revised DC/MC Panel":
• Change of DC Member Request Letter from the supervisor, forwarded through the HoD and Principal (with seal and signature).
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the changing DC member.
ii.Once the online approval is granted by the Centre for Research, you will be redirected to the Revised DC Panel Form. Nominate the new DC members, take a printout, and have the documents signed by the appropriate authority.
iii.Submit the following documents:
• Supervisors request letter.
• NoC from the DC member being replaced.
• Revised DC/MC panel.
• List of Publications of the nominated DC members in the revised panel.

19. What is the procedure for changing a supervisor?

To change your supervisor, follow these steps:
i.Fill out the online form: Go to "Scholar Login – Request Form for Change of Supervisor" and complete the form.
ii.After completing the form, approval from the proposed supervisor is required. Once approved, take a printout of the form.
iii.Submit the documents: The printed form must be endorsed by:
• The current supervisor.
• The proposed supervisor.
• The respective Heads of Departments (HoDs).
• The Principals (with seal and signature from all members).
iv.Depending on the reason for the supervisor change, you must submit relevant documents, such as:
• Change of workplace: Provide the relieving order from the previous institute, the appointment order from the new workplace, and a copy of the new ID card.

20. My supervisor has changed his/her workplace to another affiliated engineering college. Should I change my supervisor?

If a supervisor joins a new college where his/her department is recognized as a research department, the scholar may continue the research programme under the same supervisor. However, if the supervisor joins a college where the department is not recognized as a research department, the scholar may still continue under the same supervisor, but only with the appointment of a Research Coordinator from a recognized department, provided the conditions specified in Clause 8.4 of the Ph.D. Regulations 2025 are fulfilled by the scholar. If these conditions are not met, the scholar must change his/her supervisor.

Category Change :

21. What is the procedure to convert from Full-time to Part-time (College/Industry)?

To convert from Full-time to Part-time status (either in a college or industry), the following steps shall be adopted:
1.Submit a request letter from the scholar, with approval from the supervisor, HoD, and Principal (with seal and signature).
2.Provide a copy of the appointment order from your workplace.
3.Submit the joining report from your workplace.
4.Provide an original No Objection Certificate (NoC) from your workplace.
5.Make the online fee payment of Rs. 5000 for the category change (available in the scholar login).
Note: For industry-based scholars, the NoC must be submitted every 6 months along with each progress report.

22. What is the procedure to convert from Part-time to Full-time?

To convert from Part-time to Full-time status, follow these steps:
1.Submit a request letter from the scholar, with approval from the supervisor, HoD, and Principal (with seal and signature).
2.Provide a relieving order copy from your workplace.
3.Make the online fee payment of Rs. 5000/- for the category change (available in the scholar login).

23. What are the rules for changing my Ph.D. category?

1.Category changes can only be made after the Ph.D. programme is confirmed. In case of change of category from Full-time to Part-time or Vice-Versa, the minimum period shall be accounted as whichever is high.
2.Category change is permitted only once during the entire Ph.D. programme.

Research Coordinator :

24. When can a Research Coordinator be nominated, and do they receive credit similar to the Supervisor?

• A Research Coordinator (RC) may be nominated in cases such as the migration of the Supervisor to a non-recognized Institute/Department, the retirement of the Supervisor, or transfer to another University. For further details, please refer to Clause 8.0 of the Ph.D. Regulations.
• No, the RC is not entitled to receive credit for the Ph.D. degree.

25. What is the procedure for nominating a Research Co-ordinator?

To nominate a Research Co-ordinator, follow these steps:
1. Fill out the online form: Go to the "Scholar Login – Request Form for Nomination of Research Co-ordinator" and complete the form.
2. After completing the form, approval must be given by the proposed Research Co-ordinator. Once approved, take a printout of the form.
3. The printed form should be endorsed by:
• The Supervisor.
• The proposed Research Co-ordinator.
• The respective Heads of Departments (HoDs).
• The respective Heads of Institution (HoIs).

Break of Study / Programme Extension / Programme Cancellation :

26. Can I avail a Break of Study (BoS), and for how long?

Yes, a scholar may avail a Break of Study (BoS) under extraordinary circumstances such as medical reasons or other compelling situations that require a temporary absence from the programme. A BoS may be granted for a maximum period of one year. For further details, please refer to Clause 10.6 of the Ph.D. Regulations.

27. What is the procedure to apply for a Break of Study (BoS)?

To apply for a Break of Study, follow these steps:
1. Submit a request letter from the scholar, with approval from the supervisor, HoD, and Principal (if applicable), with the official seal and signature of all endorsing authorities.
2. Provide a valid medical certificate / relevant certificate.
Note:
• If prior permission is not obtained for the Break of Study (BoS), it may lead to the cancellation of the Ph.D. programme.
• During the BoS period, the scholar must continue to submit progress reports and pay the required fees.
• The BoS period will be included in the maximum duration of the Ph.D. programme.

28. What is the procedure for applying for an extension of the Ph.D. programme?

• Scholars who are approaching the 6-year duration of their Ph.D. must apply for an extension three months before the completion of the 6 years.
• Using Scholar login, the extension shall be applied through proper channel.
• During the extension period, scholars are required to pay double the fees.
• For detailed information, refer to the Ph.D. Regulations, Clause 11.0.

29. What is the procedure for the cancellation of a Ph.D. programme?

To cancel the Ph.D. programme, the scholar must submit a formal request letter to the Centre for Research. The letter should be duly forwarded by the Supervisor and the Head of the Department (HoD) and Principal (if applicable), with the official seal and signature of all endorsing authorities.

Submission of Synopsis :

30. What are the basic conditions that must be fulfilled before conducting the synopsis meeting?

The scholar must have completed the provisional registration confirmation meeting (Clause 13.2 of the Ph.D. Regulations); completed the second open seminar (Clause 13.2 of the Ph.D. Regulations); met the paper/patent requirement (Clause 16 of the Ph.D. Regulations); and fulfilled the minimum duration of the programme as specified in Clause 10 of the Ph.D. Regulations.

31. Can the synopsis meeting be conducted in online mode, and can it be held in the absence of one Doctoral Committee (DC) member and without the draft thesis?

No, the synopsis meeting should be conducted in offline mode with the full presence of all Doctoral Committee members. The scholar must also be present with the draft thesis, so that the DC members can provide suggestions, if any, for incorporation into the thesis.

32. If my synopsis not accepted by the University, what shall I do?

The University may reject a scholar’s synopsis if it fails to comply with the Ph.D. regulations. Common reasons include exceeding the acceptable plagiarism level, retraction of a published paper, submission of a non-full-length research paper, not meeting the authorship requirements (e.g., number of authors or corresponding authorship), or conducting the synopsis meeting in a non-recognized research department and etc.
If the synopsis is returned, the supervisor should arrange a new synopsis meeting for the scholar once all the required conditions for synopsis submission have been fulfilled.

33. What is the procedure for submitting the Synopsis?

To submit the synopsis, follow these steps:
1.Intimation:
Apply for the Seminar-cum-Doctoral Committee (DC) meeting intimation through the supervisors login and submit the details to the Centre for Research (refer to the Centre for Research website circular dated 10.12.2024).
All documents must be signed by the authorized signatory on the date of the meeting.
2.DC Meeting:
The synopsis meeting can be conducted only after the scholar has completed the minimum duration of the Ph.D. programme.
However, if the scholar wishes to conduct the synopsis meeting before completing the minimum duration, they must fulfill the conditions stated in Clause 16.1 of the Ph.D. Regulations.
3.Submission of Synopsis Documents:
The synopsis documents must be submitted within seven working days from the date of the DC meeting.

34. Can the synopsis meeting be conducted on a Saturday or public holiday?

No. All DC meetings, synopsis meeting and viva-voce examinations must be conducted only on working days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

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