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SCTIMST - DM - MCH PHD July 2023

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श्री चित्रा चिरुनाल आयुचविज्ञान और प्रौद्योचिकी संस्थान, चत्रवेंद्रम

केरल– 695 011, भारत


(एक राष्ट्रीय महत्व का संस्थान, विज्ञान एिं प्रौद्योविकी विभाि, भारत सरकार)

SREE CHITRA TIRUNAL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL


SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY, TRIVANDRUM
KERALA - 695011, INDIA
(An Institution of National Importance, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India)

Integrated MD-PhD, DM-PhD & MCh-PhD Program

चववरण पचत्रका
PROSPECTUS

SESSION - 2023

www.sctimst.ac.in
Contents
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 3
2. Objectives of the Program ......................................................................................... 3
3. Program Flowchart ...................................................................................................... 4
4. Eligibility for Admission ............................................................................................ 4
4.1. Be a Resident of SCTIMST .................................................................................... 5
4.2. Educational Qualifications .................................................................................. 5
4.3. TCMC Registration.................................................................................................. 6
4.4. Upper Age Limit ...................................................................................................... 6
5. Duration of the Programs ....................................................................................... 6
6. Number of Seats ............................................................................................................ 7
7. Method of Selection ..................................................................................................... 7
7.1. Selection for MD/DM/MCH courses ............................................................... 7
7.2. Selection to Integrated MD-PhD/DM-PhD/MCh-PhD program ............ 7
8. Fee Structure.................................................................................................................. 8
9. Salary Payable ............................................................................................................... 9
10. Bond .................................................................................................................................. 9
11. Work Distribution ........................................................................................................ 9
12. Registration for the Integrated PhD Program ................................................... 9
13. Structure of the Integrated PhD Program .........................................................10
13.1. Coursework, seminars, credit distribution, and examinations ........10
13.2. Doctoral Advisory Committee and progress evaluation .....................12
13.3. Comprehensive examination ........................................................................13
13.4. Change of title of PhD thesis ..........................................................................13
13.5. Change of research guide ...............................................................................13
13.6. Thesis Submission ............................................................................................13
13.6. Panel of Thesis Examiners .............................................................................15
13.7. Thesis Evaluation ..............................................................................................15
14. Further information ..................................................................................................16

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Integrated MD-PhD, DM-PhD & MCh-PhD Program

1. Introduction
Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Trivandrum is
an Institute of National Importance under the Department of Science and Technology,
Government of India. The joint culture of medicine and technology, pioneered by its founders
more than four decades ago, has come of age and gained unprecedented acceptance in India.
The institute has the status of a university and offers excellent research and training facilities.
The Institute has three wings:
• Tertiary Referral Super Specialty Hospital
• The Biomedical Technology Wing
• The Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies

The purpose of starting the Integrated MD-PhD, DM-PhD and MCh-PhD program is to create a
new generation of medical specialists called ‘Physician-Scientists’ in the country. The
concept of Physician-Scientists, a well-established program in the western world is aimed to
bridge the chasm between patient care and research, define problems in patient care, and
through research help in improving patient care. The curriculum of the above-mentioned
course integrates clinical skill training of the MD/DM/MCh courses with high-quality research
skills of the PhD program. This will enable the residents to be better academicians in clinical
work and research and help them to become PhD guides of the future.

The scope of the present document is to provide details such as the eligibility, method of
selection, conduct, and syllabus for the MD-PhD, DM-PhD and MCh-PhD programs offered by
the institute. The course is a continuous five-year program. The program is divided into two
phases. The first phase, i.e., the initial three years, follows the syllabus of MD/DM/MCh
program, including clinics, and is a mandatory requirement. The second phase, i.e., 4th and 5th
year are devoted to research leading to PhD.

2. Objectives of the Program


The proposed objectives of this new program are:

• To train those eligible doctors pursuing the highest clinical training to do advanced
research.
• To enable the doctors to gain research exposure in the wide range of specialties offered
at our institute such as medical science, public health, biomedical engineering, and
technology.

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• To integrate the clinical and research fields, allowing an effective utilization of training
and resources, thereby reducing the duration of the course when separately done.
• To increase the research output of the country.
• To fulfill the Institute’s stated objectives, namely,
o Promote biomedical engineering and technology.
o Provide and demonstrate high standards of patient care in advanced medical
specialties.
o Develop innovative postgraduate training programs of the highest quality in
advanced medical specialties and biomedical engineering and technology.
o Participate in public health reforms through research, training, and
interventions.

3. Program Flowchart

A flow chart showing the design of the program is given below:

37th month:
36th month:
1st July: Enrolment to PhD Comprehensive
PhD Part 2 exams exam for continuation
(DM/MCh/MD) of PhD program.

7-18 months: 30th months


Thesis submission + 4th & 5th years:
Course work-
PhD work (70%) +
84 hours one original article
submission for clinical work (30%)
7 hours /month DM/MCh/MD

19-30 months: 55th month:


18th month: Final Thesis
Course work-
Part 1 exams submission + 2nd
84 hours
(DM/MCh/MD) Original article;
7 hours /month
60th Month-PhD
complete

4. Eligibility for Admission


For admission to the integrated MD-PhD, DM-PhD and MCh-PhD programs, the candidates
must fulfill the following requirements:

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4.1. Be a Resident of SCTIMST
Admission to the integrated programs is restricted to first-year residents admitted to regular
MD/DM/MCh program of SCTIMST. To get admitted to the integrated PhD program, the
resident must get enrolled within 6 months of joining the MD/DM/MCh program of SCTIMST.

4.2. Educational Qualifications


Various integrated programs available and the educational qualifications required for
admission to these programs are listed in the table below:

Name of the Eligibility criteria


program
• First-year resident of MD (Transfusion Medicine).
• MBBS degree or an equivalent degree from a recognized university
Integrated (Medical Council of India/National Medical Commission recognized or an
MD-PhD Institute of National Importance) with a one-year compulsory rotatory
internship from a medical college of repute.

• First-year resident of DM (Cardiology/Neurology).


• MD in General Medicine or Paediatrics from an Indian university
recognized by the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI) / National
Medical Commission (NMC) or Diplomate of the National Board (DNB) in
General Medicine/Paediatrics or any equivalent degree recognized by
NMC/erstwhile MCI/ an Institute of National Importance.

• First-year resident of DM (Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anaesthesia/


Neuroanaesthesia).
• MD in Anaesthesia or equivalent from an Indian university recognized by
erstwhile MCI/ National Medical Commission (NMC) or Diplomate of the
Integrated National Board (DNB) in Anaesthesia or any equivalent degree
DM-PhD recognized by National Medical Council (NMC)/erstwhile MCI/or any
equivalent degree recognized by NMC/erstwhile MCI/an Institute of
National Importance.

• First-year resident of DM (Neuroimaging and Interventional


Neuroradiology/Cardiac Radiology).
• MD in Radiodiagnosis from an Indian university recognized by
erstwhile MCI/ National Medical Commission (NMC) or Diplomate of
the National Board (DNB) in Radiology/Radiodiagnosis or any
equivalent degree recognized by NMC/erstwhile MCI/an Institute of
National Importance.

Integrated • First-year resident of MCh (Neurosurgery/Cardiothoracic and Vascular


MCh-PhD surgery (CVTS)/Vascular surgery).

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• MS in General Surgery from an Indian university recognized by erstwhile
MCI/National Medical Commission (NMC) or Diplomate of the National
Board in General Surgery or any equivalent degree recognized by NMC/
erstwhile MCI/an Institute of National Importance.

4.3. TCMC Registration


The candidate should have applied for registration with Travancore Cochin Medical Council
(TCMC) at the time of admission at SCTIMST and must submit the registration certificate
within two months of joining the program. TCMC registration is mandatory for admission.

4.4. Upper Age Limit

The upper age limit is forty years (as of 1st January 2023). Age relaxation of five years is
applicable for SC/ST candidates, sponsored candidates, and qualified ex-service
personnel with a service of not less than five years.

5. Duration of the Programs


The total duration of the integrated MD-PhD, DM-PhD & MCh-PhD programs will be five years,
of which the initial three years will be spent by the candidate undertaking the MD/DM/MCh
program. The final two years will spend pursuing the PhD through research work. During the
4th and 5th years, the time spent on research and patient care services would be in the ratio of
70:30. The residents pursuing the integrated programs shall submit their PhD thesis for
evaluation, two years after the completion of their MD/DM/MCh program. The maximum
duration to submit the thesis is six years after MD/DM/MCh program. No further extension
will be provided for thesis submission after 6 years. The fellowship for doing PhD will be
provided only for two successive years consecutively after the completion of the MD/DM/MCh
program. The candidate will also not be permitted to pursue the 30% clinical work within
his/her parent department after the two-year term following enrolling in the PhD program is
over.
In the integrated program, the residents are expected to complete their PhD coursework
during their MD/DM/MCh tenure and undertake the comprehensive viva-voce examination
for securing admission, soon after completion of MD/DM/MCh program. They will not be
required to further undertake the comprehensive written institute test to secure a placement
into the PhD program.

It may be noted that during the first three years of the integrated PhD program, the rules and
regulations pertaining to the MD/DM/MCh programs (i.e., fee structure, curriculum, postings,
clinical work, resident evaluation, examinations, etc.) will be followed as per the institute rules
and guidelines of the respective programs.

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6. Number of Seats
The approved number of seats for the Integrated MD-PhD, DM-PhD & MCh-PhD program is
one per specialty per year. If any of the integrated program seats remain vacant in the January
session in a particular specialty, an opportunity will be given to those candidates for joining in
the July session of that specialty where the seat had remained unfilled. However, there will not
be a carry-over of the unfilled seats from a particular year to the next year.

7. Method of Selection
7.1. Selection for MD/DM/MCH courses

The admission of the candidates to the MD/DM/MCh programs is based on the selection
criteria laid down in the entrance examination of the INI-CET (Institutes of National
Importance-Common Entrance Test) and the INI-SS (Institutes of National Importance-Super
Specialty) conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and
following further verification of certificates and other credentials/documents by SCTIMST. For
further details on the entrance exam, admission, and selection process, please visit the
following website: http://www.aiimsexams.ac.in

7.2. Selection to Integrated MD-PhD/DM-PhD/MCh-PhD programs


Only the first-year residents who have joined the MD/DM/MCh program at SCTIMST are
eligible for pursuing the integrated program. For pursuing the integrated program, they must
get enrolled within 6 months of joining the MD/DM/MCh program via the institute’s PhD
admission process.

The eligible candidates who wish to join the integrated program shall fill in the application
form for the integrated course through the online mode. Candidates shall upload a Research
Proposal (about 1000 words) and a Statement of Purpose for undertaking a research career
(about 300 to 500 words) while submitting their applications.

The topic for the research area for PhD should be different from the dissertation topic of the
MD/DM/MCh program. The guides for the two programs (MD/DM/MCh and the PhD) shall
mandatorily be different. Both of them, however, will be assigned to the candidate during the
first year itself of his/her pursuing the MD/DM/MCh program. Collaborative research
proposals related to biomedical technology, public health, or interdisciplinary clinical areas of
the institute would be given priority for the integrated PhD selection.

The selection for the integrated PhD program will be done through a comprehensive viva-voce
examination for securing admission, soon after completion of MD/DM/MCh program.

A rank list consisting of selected and waitlist candidates will be published based on the
performance in the interview for each department. From those departments that conduct two
different DM/MCh courses like Anesthesia, Radiology, and CVTS, only one candidate per

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specialty will be permitted to register for the integrated program. Once short-listed for
integrated PhD, the cut-off date for joining the program shall not exceed thirty days.

The DM/MCh candidates admitted in the January batch have to appear for the selection of PhD
in the July session of the same year. In departments where the seat of the integrated PhD
program was not filled by the January batch of residents, and if the DM/MCh candidates are
admitted to the department in July session of INI-SS/INI-CET, the candidates can be allowed
to appear in the interview in the next year’s January session. However, if the integrated PhD
seat is already filled in the June PhD interview by the candidate who joined the department in
January that year and the candidate has joined the integrated course, then the department will
not be allowed to recruit another candidate from that year’s batch in the next January session
selection until an increase in seats is approved by statutory bodies of the institute.

The Institute reserves its right to shortlist candidates based on the applicant's academic merit
and scientific records and the availability of research guides during that year.

The list of recognized guides and their areas of research interest is available at:
[https://www.sctimst.ac.in/Academic%20and%20Research/Academic/Guidelines,%20Man
uals,%20Forms/resources/PhD_Guides_list_Dec_2021.pdf]

7.3. Important Dates

Admission notification 15th March 2023


Availability of online application 15.03.2023 to 14.04.2023 (up to 5.00 pm)
Hall ticket download Ten days prior to the entrance examination
Date of interview 03rd June 2023
Commencement of the program 1st July 2023

8. Fee Structure

For the first three years, the yearly prescribed institute fees need to be paid by the residents
for the MD/DM/MCh program. The fee details for PhD program are as follows,

Particulars Fee, INR

Application fee (to be paid at the time of submitting the application) 1,500 (1200*)
Admission fee (to be paid at the time of registration to PhD 2,000
program)
Tuition Fee (to be paid after MD/DM/MCh program - payable on the 20,000 (per year)
4th and 5th years of the program)
Comprehensive Examination (to be paid at the time of submitting 6,000
the application for comprehensive examination)
Thesis Evaluation Fee (to be paid at the time of submitting the thesis) 15,000
*for SC/ST candidates

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The fee may be revised by the Institute periodically. The fee once paid will not be refunded.
The fee for the fourth year needs to be paid immediately after completion of the MD/DM/ MCh
program.

9. Salary Payable
The integrated MD/DM/MCh-PhD candidates will be paid the salary of the third-year senior
resident of the institute for the 4th and 5th Year. No private practice or other employment will
be allowed during the entire program. PhD fellowship will be provided for two years after the
completion of MD/DM/MCh program (provided the candidate has successfully cleared the
comprehensive viva voce examination for entry into the integrated PhD program) and no
fellowship will be provided after completion of the 5th year tenure of the integrated program.

10. Bond
The candidate may have to undertake a mandatory bond for the MD/DM/MCh programs based
on government rules and regulations. The period of PhD program will not overlap with the
mandatory bond period (if relevant) applicable for the MD/DM/MCh programs. However, the
bond will not be required for PhD program. The candidate may be allowed to opt out of the
integrated PhD immediately after completion of the MD/ DM/MCh programs if he/she wishes
to do so, with appropriate reason.

11. Work Distribution

The integrated PhD is a full-time program and those enrolled will not be allowed to pursue
other employments or engage in private practice. During the first three years the candidate
will complete the MD/DM/MCh course along with PhD course work. It is permissible for the
candidate to spend at least 30% of time in clinical work in the 4th and 5th year in the
department of their specialty; and, 70% of the time during the 4th and 5th years will be
exclusively reserved for the PhD research work.

12. Registration for the Integrated PhD Program


Candidates who have qualified for admission to the integrated PhD program are encouraged
to meet the recognized guides and decide to join with one of them based on their areas of
interest and the available facilities. The list of research guides along with their areas of
specialization is available on the Institute website. A topic of research that falls in line with the
interests of the Institute may be submitted to the Division of Academic Affairs along with the
‘Acceptance Letter’ of the research guide for the process of registration.
(Format of the Registration form is available on the website under the link:
https://www.sctimst.ac.in/Academic%20and%20Research/Academic/Guidelines,%20Manuals,
%20Forms/ .

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13. Structure of the Integrated PhD Program
13.1. Coursework, seminars, credit distribution, and examinations
Coursework is an integral part of the PhD program. The minimum required credits for the PhD
coursework are fourteen. This includes 2 credits acquired through seminars. Each credit
requires 15 hours of classroom teaching or 30 hours of practical (clinical/wet lab) work.

The required courses are divided into two types:


a) Mandatory courses: A scholar shall acquire 8 credits from the mandatory courses. The
course in ‘Research Methodology’ offered by the Institute will be mandatory.
b) Optional courses: In addition to the ‘Research Methodology’ course, students will be
expected to attend courses related to their field of research. They shall acquire 4 credits by
clearing optional courses. During the first three years, the scholar may complete all the
mandatory (8 credits) and optional (4 credits) courses.

Six seminars related to the topic of research shall be presented by the scholar and the
candidate shall acquire 2 credits through them. The schedule and the topics for the seminars
will be decided by the Doctoral Advisory Committee (DAC). These seminars may be completed
during the first 3 years.

During the fourth and fifth years, 70% of their time shall be dedicated to the research,
participating in wet laboratory activities, presenting seminars, etc. They shall spend 30% of
their time for engaging in clinical work.

The scholar shall complete the PhD coursework in two phases, as shown in the table and flow
chart below:

Phase Coursework and Examinations to clear Other research


credits related work
Phase 1 The candidate is (1) Examination for 12 The candidate is
(1st, 2nd and expected to acquire credits of PhD course expected to finalize the
3rd years) 14 credits: work. PhD guide, co-guide,
8 credits from (2) Internal assessment Doctoral Advisory
mandatory courses (theory) of MD/DM/MCh. Committee and the
and 4 credits from Some of the internal topic; and,
optional courses examinations will be obtain Internal Ethical
related to research considered valid for Committee (IEC) and
topic. clearing of optional other clearances (if
(Work distribution: courses of the PhD required).
40% from theory & program.
60% from clinical (3) Objective Structured
skill training). Clinical Examination
Acquire 2 credits:

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Six seminars related (OSCE) for clinical skills
to the topic of PhD- (for DM/MCh).
related work. (4) Part 1 and Part 2
exams to continue for
MD/DM/MCh.
Phase 2 Comprehensive The candidate is
(4th and 5th examination expected to spend
years 30% of the time in
clinical work in the
parent department
and the remaining
70% of the time to
conduct PhD research
work; and, complete
the research
objectives, fulfill the
mandatory
requirements of the
PhD degree, conduct
the colloquium, and
submit the thesis.

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13.2. Doctoral Advisory Committee and progress evaluation

Doctoral Advisory Committee (DAC) will be formed for the student within one month from the
date of registration to the PhD program. The DAC shall monitor the progress made by the
scholar in his/her PhD research work. DAC may review the following:

1. Log book - Details of the courses attended, seminars presented and examinations passed
will be recorded.
2. Course work - The student has to score a minimum of 50% marks for each module to qualify
for the credits of that module.
3. Seminars - Objective evaluation system will be used for evaluation of seminars, and the
evaluation will be done by the faculty/guide.

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The Guide and DAC may encourage the student to attend more courses as per the requirement
of the specific research area. Semi-annual reports have to be submitted by the student to the
Division of Academic Affairs through the DAC. The details of the courses completed and a soft
copy of the seminars may be submitted to the Division of Academic Affairs prior to the
comprehensive examination.

13.3. Comprehensive examination


The student shall appear for the comprehensive viva voce examination to continue with the
PhD program soon after the completion of the MD/DM/MCh degree. The comprehensive
examination may be cleared preferably by the 37th or 38th month from the date of registration
for the MD/DM/MCh program. For the evaluation, an oral test (to assess his/her basic
knowledge of the subject and research methodology) will be conducted. The assigned PhD
Guide may initiate the process for the conduct of the comprehensive examination. A minimum
score of 60% is required to pass the comprehensive viva voce test for admission to the PhD
course after clearing the MD/DM/MCh examination.

In the event of failure in the comprehensive viva voce examination, a second chance will be
allowed within one year to clear the examination. The candidate will not be eligible to receive
senior resident’s pay in case he/she does not clear this examination. In case the candidate fails
in the second attempt also, he/she will be deregistered from the PhD program.

13.4. Change of title of PhD thesis


Change of title of the thesis may be effected on the recommendations of the research guide and
the DAC members with the approval of the Academic Committee and the Director any time
before the presentation of the colloquium.

Change of research area will not be allowed under normal circumstances. However, under
exceptional circumstances, it may be allowed with the approval of the Academic Committee.

13.5. Change of research guide


Change of research guide is not encouraged. In extraordinary cases, change of research guide
may be permitted with the approval of the academic committee on the recommendation of the
Head of the Department and the Director.

13.6. Thesis Submission


The thesis should reflect the substantial work carried out for the advancement of scientific
knowledge; or, for product design and development; or, for applied work of an innovative
nature. It should show competence in critical analysis of scientific data as well as a thorough
familiarity with background literature. When the research work is completed, the scholar may
submit the PhD thesis. The procedure to be followed is listed below:

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(i) There shall be an open colloquium where the student shall present his/her work
before an audience consisting of the DAC, PhD guide, staff and students of the
Institute. Relevant suggestions received during the presentation may be
incorporated into the thesis by the student.

(ii) A synopsis may be submitted three months before the submission of thesis. The
synopsis of the work done shall be approved by the DAC before submission to the
Division of Academic Affairs (DAA).

(iii) A scholar is expected to have, as first author, either one original research
publication with an impact factor ≥3 or 2 publications in indexed journals. This is a
mandatory requirement to be fulfilled for the award of PhD. Review articles will not
be counted for this purpose. The publications shall be from the research work done
during the period of registration of the PhD. The articles may be published/
accepted for publication before the viva-voce examination. Scholars are also
expected to present their work in an international conference and a national
conference.

(iv) Thesis should be prepared as per the “style manual” published in the Institute
website.

(v) Soft bound copy of thesis may be submitted to the DAA along with the hard copy of
the application for thesis evaluation.

(vi) It is the responsibility of the student and research guide to subject the thesis for
plagiarism check. Support in this may be obtained from the SCTIMST library. On
plagiarism check, the similarity should be minimum and shall not exceed 10%. The
thesis shall be submitted to the division of academic affairs along with the
plagiarism check report certified by the guide.

(vii) The DAA will send the thesis to the examiners. Based on the evaluation reports and
favourable recommendation of the examiners, the candidate will be asked to appear
for the final viva voce examination prior to be granted the PhD degree.

(viii) Within two weeks of successful completion of the viva voce examination, two
hardbound copies and a corrected soft copy of the thesis shall be submitted to the
DAA. The student may handover all raw data and soft and hard copies of the thesis
to the research guide.

(ix) Soft copy of the corrected thesis may be submitted to the Division of Academic
Affairs.

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13.6. Panel of Thesis Examiners
The Guide, in consultation with the DAC members, shall submit a panel of 6-8 external
examiners to the DAA, six months prior to the proposed date of submission of thesis. It is
advisable to select the thesis examiners who are experts in the subject area from prestigious
academic institutions/national institutes across India (rather than having local experts) to
avoid conflict of interest. The thesis will be sent to two external examiners listed in the panel
approved by the academic committee. The guide also will be asked to submit an evaluation
report of the thesis.

13.7. Thesis Evaluation


On the submission of PhD thesis at the DAA, it will send the thesis to the examiners. The PhD
thesis will be evaluated by two external examiners and the research guide. The evaluation
report submitted by the external examiners should highlight the salient features of the thesis
and make a clear recommendation regarding its acceptance or rejection for the award of the
PhD Degree. In case any of the three evaluators (2 external examiners and research guide)
gives a recommendation against the award of the degree, the thesis will be sent to a fourth
examiner for evaluation. If the report from the fourth examiner is positive, the viva-voce
examination will be held. If the fourth examiner’s report is also negative, the thesis will be
rejected.

If the first two external examiners recommend against award of the degree, the thesis will be
rejected. If a thesis is rejected, the candidate will be allowed to re-submit the thesis within one
year, after addressing the issues raised by the examiners.

Evaluation Report from Examiners


Each examiner will be requested to send his/her report to the Registrar/Deputy Registrar with
a copy to the Dean within one month of receipt of the thesis. The research guide may also send
the report within this period. The report must contain a critical evaluation of the thesis and a
clear recommendation.

In case the examiners are unable to make a definite recommendation, they may indicate one
of the following alternatives: (a) Minor revision/clarifications not involving retyping of the
thesis. This may be carried out and the approval of the examiner may be obtained at the time
of the viva voce; or, (b) Major revision involving rewriting of one or more sections, but not
involving additional research. In this case, the thesis will be sent back to the examiner.

Thesis Defence and Viva-voce Examination


There shall be a viva voce of the scholar in the presence of the examiners, the faculty and the
students of the Institute. In instances where the thesis involves instrumentation/devices, the
candidate will be expected to demonstrate them and explain their features.

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The viva-voce examination will be conducted at the Institute after the thesis has been adjudged
to be satisfactory. This examination, in which a ‘pass’ criterion is obligatory, shall be conducted
by a Board that consists of: (a) The Head of the Department as the Chairman, (b) At least one
of the external examiners who evaluated the thesis. (If both the examiners cannot be present
for the viva-voce, the Director will appoint substitutes), and (c) Research guide.

Members of the board for viva voce should report to the Registrar /Deputy Registrar regarding
whether or not the candidate’s performance in the examination was satisfactory. No marks
will be allotted in the viva voce examination. If the scholar fails in the viva voce examination,
he/she may be permitted to appear again within 3 to 12 months (second attempt). If he/she
fails in the second attempt, he/she will not be permitted to continue with the PhD program.

The members of the viva voce examination board shall forward to the Registrar/Deputy
Registrar a consolidated recommendation consisting of the reports of the examiners who
evaluated the thesis and the reports on the candidate’s performance in the viva voce
examination. Before submitting the consolidated recommendation, they must ensure that the
thesis is corrected and ready for placement in its final form in the library.

14. Further information


For further information on the PhD program, PhD manual, coursework, approved PhD guides, standard
operating procedures for the students and guides, various forms related to the PhD program may be
available on accessing the following link:

https://www.sctimst.ac.in/Academic%20and%20Research/Academic/Guidelines,%20Manuals,%20
Forms/

Further information may also be obtained from:

The Registrar, Division of Academic Affairs,


Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology,
Thiruvananthapuram - 695011, Kerala, India.
Contact telephone Nos.: (0471) 2524269, 2524289, and 2524649.
Email: regoffice@sctimst.ac.in

Dr. S. Manikandan
Associate Dean (Exams and Curriculum)
Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology
Thiruvananthapuram - 695011, Kerala, India.
Contact No.: 9446334711
Email: kanmanis@sctimst.ac.in

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