In a significant move to address persistent bureaucratic hurdles, the Tamil Nadu higher education department is set to introduce a new digital portal aimed at streamlining the PhD research process. This initiative comes as a direct response to the extraordinary delays plaguing a majority of the 47,000 PhD scholars enrolled across the state's colleges and 13 state universities.
The Core Problem: Widespread Delays in Critical Stages
Research scholars in Tamil Nadu have been facing prolonged waiting periods at multiple stages of their doctoral journey. These bottlenecks include getting approvals for completing coursework, submitting their synopsis, selecting foreign examiners, and even scheduling the final viva-voce examination after thesis submission. Currently, scholars are expected to complete their research in a minimum of 3 years, with a maximum allowed period of 5 years and a provision for a 1-year extension. However, administrative delays often push scholars beyond these timelines, causing academic and personal hardship.
The Digital Solution: A Real-Time Tracking Portal
To mitigate these challenges, the Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TANSCHE) is developing a comprehensive portal slated for launch in the next academic year. This system is designed to monitor the progress of every PhD scholar from admission through to completion. Live status updates will be accessible to the scholars themselves, their supervisors, university officials, and the higher education department.
The portal will track and manage key milestones, including:
- Formation of doctoral committees.
- Research journal publications.
- Constitution of examination panels.
- Thesis submission and evaluation.
- Scheduling and completion of viva-voce.
A source from TANSCHE explained that the portal will send automated alerts and reminders for critical stages, ensuring no step is overlooked. It will also facilitate online approvals for tasks like travel to conferences, which currently contribute to delays, allowing scholars to focus more on their core research.
Groundwork: Surveying Scholars to Shape the Platform
To ensure the portal effectively addresses real needs, TANSCHE is concurrently conducting an extensive survey among PhD scholars in the 13 state universities. This survey seeks feedback on a wide range of issues, from admission procedures and access to research journals to the availability of equipment, fellowship disbursement, hostel facilities, and grievance redressal mechanisms. The survey also specifically probes the reasons behind delays in submitting research theses.
Over 3,000 scholars have already responded to this survey. TANSCHE will analyze these responses to inform the final design and functionality of the new portal, aiming to create a system built on the actual experiences and requirements of the research community.
This planned intervention by the Tamil Nadu government highlights a proactive approach to reforming research governance. By leveraging technology for real-time tracking and transparency, the state aims to empower its large community of PhD scholars, reduce unnecessary delays, and foster a more efficient and supportive ecosystem for higher education and research.
