Osmania University cancels nearly 80 PhD admissions
Osmania University has cancelled nearly 80 PhD admissions after scholars failed to present their Research Design Seminar within the stipulated deadline. While the varsity cites repeated reminders, affected students allege delays in coursework and lack of proper communication
Hyderabad: Cracking the whip on defaulting research scholars, Osmania University (OU) has cancelled nearly 80 PhD admissions.
The university’s Standing Committee comprising deans of all faculties recently took the decision as research scholars failed to submit their research design seminar (RDS) within the stipulated deadline. The university has also sent circulars, informing candidates regarding cancellation of their admissions.
These research scholars were admitted to various PhD programmes in different departments during the academic year 2022-23. As per PhD rules, candidates must present three seminars of which the first one – RDS – should be presented three months after the declaration of PhD course work examination results.
The OU conducted PhD course work examination in April 2024, with results declared in August 2024. After holding another examination in June 2025 for students who could not clear April 2024 exams, the varsity released results in September 2025. However, the research scholars failed to present the seminar within the stipulated time as per PhD coursework regulations.
Speaking to ‘Telangana Today’, OU Vice Chancellor Prof Kumar Molugaram said the research scholars were sent repeated reminders regarding the pending RDS presentation via the deans concerned and their contact numbers as well.
“Despite reminders, the research scholars did not present the seminars. The matter was discussed in the Standing Committee, which decided to cancel admissions of such research scholars who did not present the RDS. Most research scholars whose admissions were cancelled were pursuing part-time PhDs. We will not revoke the decision. We are focused on bringing out quality research and publications, and not just award PhDs,” he said.
However, researchers said they were given admissions in March 2023, and according to the PhD almanac, research methodology classes and the pre-PhD examination were supposed to be conducted within a set timeframe. They alleged that the university did not hold the classes on time, which led to delays in the examination and thereby RDS. They also alleged that only a few departments had informed regarding pending RDS via deans, other departments did not communicate the information.
Meanwhile, the university is gearing up to issue another PhD admission notification for category-I (JRF) followed by category-II (NET/TG SET).