MHRD Approves UGC Rules on Plagiarism in Research

The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has approved and signed off UGC’s new rules/ guidelines regarding plagiarism. As per the new rules, student researchers might lose their Ph.D. registration if they are found guilty of plagiarism. Similarly, teachers could lose their jobs if they are proved involved in plagiarism.

The ministry has approved the new rules with a motive to improve the quality of research and education in universities and higher learning institutes. Recently, the ministry also made Ph.D. mandatory to teach at university level from 2021.

The new UGC rules will regulate plagiarism in research which is rampant in universities across the country. The new rules of UGC are not only binding on fresh researchers but also on those who have already obtained degrees.

Also Read: UGC’s New Foreign Ph.D. Degree Equivalency Rules

UGC Plagiarism Norms in Research/ Ph.D.:

• As per the new rules, if plagiarism is less than 10%, the researchers need not submit a revised research paper.
• If the plagiarism is 10% to 40%, the researchers will have to submit revised research paper within six months.
• If there is a similarity between the submitted research work and previously published work are between 40-60%, UGC will debar the candidates from submitting a revised research paper for one year.
• The Ph.D. registration of particular students/ researcher will stand cancelled if plagiarism is above 60%.
• If the teachers’ research work has 10-40% similarity, they will be asked to withdraw the manuscripts.
• If the similarity of research work of teachers is around 40-60%, they will have no right to supervise new master’s/ M.Phil/ Ph.D. students for two years. They are also not eligible for any annual increment.
• If the plagiarism in research work of teachers is above 60%, they will be either suspended or dismissed.

Starting this year, Master’s, M.Phil and Ph.D. students might have a compulsory course on ‘Conduct of Research and Publication Ethics’. The new rules and course on the research publication ethics will bring awareness on responsible conduct of research in the promotion of academic integrity and prevention of misconduct that includes plagiarism in academic writing.

Also Read: UGC Looking for Possible Exam Reforms: Invites Suggestions

UGC further clarified that it is the responsibility of all the universities and higher learning institutes to create awareness on research and publication ethics. If necessary, educational institutes can also conduct seminars on the same. Varsities must also educate students on plagiarism detection tools, informed UGC.