The quality of publications and the scholarly content of the Ph.D. thesis shall receive the highest level of scrutiny, as the thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctoral degree at St. Joseph University. The format and requirements of the thesis shall be examined by the designated Scrutiny Committee for acceptance as a valid thesis submission, in accordance with the prevailing regulatory frameworks, including the St. Joseph University Research Regulation 2018, the UGC Regulations 2022, and the SJU Manual for the Preparation of the Ph.D. Thesis, as amended from time to time.

Minimum Parameters for Scrutinizing Ph.D Thesis

The evaluation of the Ph.D. thesis shall include a review of all supporting academic outputs and compliance documents. This encompasses the scholar’s research publications; evidence of research paper presentations in national and international seminars or conferences or journals, accompanied by brochures, certificates, proceedings, and other relevant documentation; submission of the hard and soft copies of the thesis in accordance with the University’s Research Guidelines; and verification of plagiarism levels through the 'DrillBit Extreme' software.

Document Submission Requirements for Research Scrutiny

• A cover/request letter addressed to the Research Coordinator must be submitted by the scholar, duly signed by the Research Supervisor and forwarded through the Head of the concerned Department, along with all required documents.
• The scholar must submit one copy of the hard-bound and soft-bound thesis. Final copies should be printed only after the scrutiny process is completed.
• A hard copy (printout or photocopy) of all research paper publications must be provided. In the case of offline publications, the corresponding journal proceedings must also be submitted.
• A hard copy (printout or photocopy) of research paper presentations or seminar participation must be submitted, along with supporting materials such as certificates, brochures, invitations, or other relevant evidence.
• A soft copy of the thesis must be submitted in a CD or pen drive only.
• The plagiarism report of the thesis, duly signed by both the Research Scholar and the Research Supervisor with their names and signatures, must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to submitting the thesis to the Research Coordinator.

Timeline and Guidelines for the Research Scrutiny Committee

• The Research Scrutiny Committee will process the submitted documents within 10 to 15 working days from the date of their acceptance by the Committee Chairperson.The maximum duration may be extended depending on pending assignments.
• Any unofficial communication regarding the scrutiny process will not be entertained, and Research Supervisors are requested to ensure strict compliance.

Formatting and Binding Specification of Ph.D Thesis

• The thesis must be submitted in both softbound and hardbound formats. The softbound copy should have a flexible cover made of thick white art paper, while the hardbound copy should be prepared with diary binding using an Indigo Blue (041A2F) wrapper with white lettering.
• All text should be formatted in Times New Roman, with font size 14 for headings and size 12 for the main text, using 1.5 or 2.0 line spacing. Page numbers must also be in Times New Roman font. Additionally, the print quality of the thesis should strictly adhere to the standards and guidelines prescribed by the university.

Verification of Research Publications and Presentations

• The Research Scrutiny Committee shall thoroughly examine the publications and paper presentations submitted by research scholars. The Committee will verify whether the scholar has published research papers in refereed international or national journals with valid ISSN numbers. It will also review the details provided by the scholar regarding each publication, including journal information, publisher credentials, and ISSN authenticity.
• Furthermore, the Committee will ensure that the names of both the research scholar and the Research Supervisor, along with the university name, are correctly mentioned in each publication. In addition to publications, the Committee will scrutinize all certificates and supporting documents related to the scholar’s paper presentations made at conferences or seminars.
• The Scrutiny Committee has the authority to recommend or not recommend the scholar for thesis submission toward the award of the Ph.D. degree at St. Joseph University, based on a detailed justification report prepared during the scrutiny process.

Organisation and Conditions of the Committee

• The Chairman holds the authority to convene a meeting of the Research Scrutiny Committee (RSC) upon the submission of thesis-related documents by a research scholar for the scrutiny process. The Chairman may also assign specific members of the Committee to undertake the scrutiny duties as required.
• If a research scholar who is supervised by or directly associated with any Committee member submits a Ph.D. thesis for scrutiny, that particular Committee member shall be excluded from participating in the scrutiny process until the final scrutiny report is issued.

Power to Modify

Notwithstanding the provisions stated above, the University Governing Council or Academic Council reserves the right to amend or revise these procedures at any time, provided such modifications are supported by valid reasons and deemed necessary for upholding and enhancing the reputation of the University.