Categories of enrollment

A. Full-time enrollment

  • Enrollment for the Ph.D. Degree shall ordinarily be full-time. The candidate shall put in a minimum of three-years residence of which at least 18 months shall be in NLU Delhi. During this period, the candidate may be attached to a supervisor and the candidate may assist the supervisor in teaching at NLU Delhi. After this period, a candidate may be permitted to conduct research work outside NLU Delhi. There shall thus be provision for the candidate to earn credits for research work done outside NLU Delhi.
  • Six years shall be the maximum period within which a full time candidate should complete the doctoral research and submit the thesis for evaluation. However, this time period is extendable up to two years in case the candidate requests in writing for such extension after following the process of re-registration. The university may give two extensions of one year each or shorter duration on case to case basis. The total period for completion of Ph.D. programme will not exceed 8 years from the date of admission in the Ph.D. programme. This is subject to the approval of the doctoral committee on recommendation of the Research Advisory Committee. However, women candidates and differently enabled candidates (more than 40% disability) may be allowed an additional relaxation of two years for Ph.D. The total period of completion of a Ph.D. Programme in such cases should not exceed ten (10) years from the date of admission in the Ph.D. programme. In addition, the women candidates may be provided Maternity Leave/Child Care Leave once in the entire duration of Ph.D. for up to 240 days.

B. Part-time enrollment

  • There shall be provision for part-time enrollment for the Ph.D. Degree. A part-time candidate shall put in a minimum of four years of part-time study, and this includes the time spent for research at any other place with the permission of the supervisor.
  • The part-time candidates shall be in residence in NLUD for at least a total period of two semesters spread over the five-year period. However, persons working at senior level such as a Judge in the High Court / Supreme Court, a senior Advocate in Supreme Court and Judicial Officers (with LL.M. degree and ten years’ experience as Judicial Officer) and IAS/IPS/IRS and allied Services Officer (with LL.M. degree and 10 years’ experience as IAS/IPS/IRS and allied Services Officer recruited through UPSC) may be exempted from the said residence requirement on the condition that they should complete the certificate course in research methodology within six months after admission.
  • The part -time candidates will be required to submit "No Objection Certificate" from the appropriate authority in the organization where the candidate is employed, clearly stating that:
    • The candidate is permitted to pursue studies on a part-time basis.
    • His/her official duties permit him/her to devote sufficient time for research.
    • If required, he/she will be relieved from the duty to complete the course work.
  • Six years shall be the maximum period in which a part-time candidate shall complete the research work and submit it for evaluation. However, this time period is extendable up to two years in case the candidate requests in writing for such extension after following the process of re-registration. The university may give two extensions of one year each or shorter duration on case to case basis. The total period for completion of Ph.D. programme will not exceed 8 years from the date of admission in the Ph.D. programme. This is subject to the approval of the doctoral committee on recommendation of the Research Advisory Committee. However, women candidates and differently enabled candidates (more than 40% disability) may be allowed an additional relaxation of two years for Ph.D. The total period of completion of a Ph.D. Programme in such cases should not exceed ten (10) years from the date of admission in the Ph.D. programme. In addition, the women candidates may be provided Maternity Leave/Child Care Leave once in the entire duration of Ph.D. for up to 240 days.

C. Conversion

  • Conversion from either part-time to full-time or from full-time to part-time will be permitted only with the approval of the Doctoral Committee. All cases of pre and post-employment of candidates, including JRF and SRF, will be considered and approved by the Doctoral Committee.

D. Monitoring the research work

  • In cases of both part-time and full-time enrolment, the supervisor of the candidate shall ensure adequate and constant monitoring of the research work done outside the campus by the candidates by insisting on production of adequate proof of work done.

E. Expiry/Lapse of Enrollment

  • Enrolment for the Ph.D. shall be deemed to have lapsed after six years from the date of enrolment both in case of full-time candidates and part-time candidates unless the re-registration is done for extension by candidates.
  • A maximum of an additional two (2) years can be given through a process of re-registration after completion of six years. The total period for completion of a Ph.D. Programme should not exceed eight (8) years from the date of admission in the Ph.D. Programme.
    Provided further that the women candidates and differently enabled candidates (more than 40% disability) may be allowed an additional relaxation of two years for Ph.D. The total period of completion of a Ph.D. Programme in such cases should not exceed ten (10) years from the date of admission in the Ph. D programme.
  • In addition, the women candidates may be provided Maternity Leave/Child Care Leave once in the entire duration of Ph.D., for up to 240 days.