The University Grants Commission (UGC) has granted an extension of validity to two MPhil programs, namely MPhil in Clinical Psychology and MPhil in Psychiatric Social Work, allowing student admissions until the 2025-26 academic session. This decision comes despite the discontinuation of the MPhil degree as per the UGC’s 2022 regulations, following recommendations from the National Education Policy (NEP). Recognizing the crucial roles of clinical psychologists and psychiatric social workers in mental health services, the UGC has made this partial relaxation. Higher education institutions can now admit students to these MPhil programs until the specified academic session only. The UGC had previously instructed universities to cease admissions to the MPhil program, as stated in the UGC PhD regulations, which also introduced new eligibility criteria for PhD admissions.
