The Executive Council of the University of Delhi (DU) has announced a 20-25% increase in PhD admission seats for the upcoming academic session. The move aims to enhance the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) and strengthen the research ecosystem. However, this expansion poses challenges for smaller departments with limited faculty and research guides.
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“The government has directed us to improve the GER, and this increase in PhD seats aligns with that objective.” Gandhi also noted that this decision will benefit candidates appearing for the NET examination, which now offers a one-year validity and is conducted twice a year.
The initiative is expected to boost research opportunities, enhance faculty capacities, and promote campus diversity by attracting students nationwide. “A more diverse student body enriches our academic and cultural fabric,” stated Haneet Gandhi, Dean of Admissions at DU.
Department-Level Challenges
Despite the benefits, several smaller departments, including African Studies and niche language courses, face faculty constraints that limit PhD intake. “As per UGC regulations, each faculty member can supervise only eight PhD scholars, making it impractical to enforce a uniform intake increase,” explained Vijaya Venkataraman, Head of the Department of Germanic and Romance Studies.
Larger departments such as Law, Commerce, and Physics, with stronger faculty strength, are better positioned to handle this growth. “Our department has around 150 faculty members, allowing us to accommodate more PhD students. Last year, PhD applications were eight times higher than available seats,” said Anumeha Mishra, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, DU.
With the development of new campuses and increased funding, DU aims to provide better research opportunities. However, the success of this expansion will depend on balancing faculty availability with infrastructure support.
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