Eligibility for Admission to the Ph.D. Programme  

The Candidates seeking admission for the Ph.D. programme shall meet any of the following requirements as to the eligibility:  

• The Candidate should have a Master's degree in Law or an equivalent professional degree approved by the Bar Council of India or the UGC, from time to time, with at least 55% of marks in aggregate or an equivalent grade in a UGC Grade point scale wherever any grading system is followed. A relaxation of 5% of marks, that is, from 55% to 50%, or an equivalent relaxation of grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer) or ‘Differently Abled’ and such other candidates as may be notified by the UGC and Government of Tamil Nadu from time to time, or for those who had obtained their Master's degree before 19th September 1991”. Or
• “The candidate should have an M.Phil degree in Law through regular mode (with course work) with not less than 55% of marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade or M.Phil in Commerce through regular mode (with course work) having secured not less than 55% of marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade (as mentioned above, wherever grading system is followed) along with atleast undergraduate degree in Law (LL.B) through regular mode. A relaxation of 5% of marks or an equivalent relaxation of the grade may be allowed as mentioned in Regulation (a). Further, subject to the Regulations, a Candidate 4  may also be admitted to the Ph.D. programme if his/her M.Phil. Dissertation is evaluated, but the viva-voce examination is pending.
  • Explanation: the eligibility marks of 55% (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed) and the relaxation of 5% to the categories mentioned in Regulation 2.1. (a) and (b) are considered solely for qualifying marks without including the grace mark procedures]. Or
• The candidate should have a law degree (LL.B.) [through the regular mode] as well as passed the Company Secretary Examination conducted by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and shall have the Associate Membership of the Institute. Importantly, the research proposed by such a candidate should be inter-disciplinary in its design and approach. Or
• The candidate should have a law degree (LL.B.) [through the regular mode] and additionally passed the final examination of Chartered Accountants conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). Besides, the research proposed by such a candidate shall be inter-disciplinary in its design and approach.

Award of Ph.D. in Law / Interdisciplinary

The Ph.D. in Law shall be awarded for the candidates who applied under the eligibility condition mentioned in Regulations

• As referred above as well as
• For those candidate who had completed M.Phil in Law. Whereas, for the candidates who applied under Regulations (b) (M.Phil in Commerce), (c) and (d) will be eligible only for the award of Ph.D. (Interdisciplinary), provided all other necessary conditions are fulfilled under the TNNLU Ph.D. Regulations, 2021].

 Enrolment & Duration of the Programme

• The University shall offer its Ph.D. programme in both full-time and part-time modes. However, ordinarily, the enrolment for the Ph.D. programme in the University shall be in full-time mode and where the full-time mode of study is not possible for the candidates then such candidates can register their Ph.D. programme on a part-time mode subject to the terms of the Regulations.
• For conversion from either part-time to full-time or from full-time to part-time shall only be permitted by the Doctoral Council. For this purpose, the candidate desiring to have availed such a conversion in his/her enrolment mode shall make an application to the Doctoral 5  Council and pay the required fees. All decisions regarding JRF and SRF will be considered and approved by the Council.  “Provided if a candidate admitted into Ph.D. full time programme, his or her programme may be converted to part-time if he or she  
  • Gets a full time employment
  • Marries (applicable to women candidates only) and is not in a position to continue as a full time research student.]  
• The minimum duration for the Ph.D. programme on a full-time mode shall be 3 years (including course work) and the maximum duration is 5 years from the date of candidate’s registration. Within the said maximum period, the candidate shall complete the research work undertaken by him/her and submit it for evaluation. In the case of a part-time candidate, the minimum period is 4 years (including course work), and this includes the time spent for research at any other place with the permission of the supervisor. The maximum duration shall be 6 years.
• On completion of the maximum duration, an extension of up to one year (two extensions, each for six months) may be granted by the Doctoral Council on the recommendation of the research supervisor if it is convinced that the candidate seeking such extension will be able to complete the writing of his/her thesis within the period of extension.
• The Doctoral Council shall thereon inform the candidate concerned, and the Vice-Chancellor if such an extension is granted or rejected.
• The extension, mentioned above, may be awarded subject to the candidate paying the notified fees which may be revised by the University from time to time.
• Notwithstanding anything said in Regulation 3.3, women candidates and Persons with more than 40% disabilities may be allowed a relaxation of two years in the aforementioned maximum duration. [In addition, a woman candidate may be provided maternity Leave/Child Care Leave once in the entire duration of Ph.D. for 240 days. 

 Availability of Seats & Admission Notification

• On an annual basis, TNNLU shall decide through the Doctoral Council a predetermined or manageable number of Ph.D. scholars to be admitted. This shall be done considering the number of available Research Supervisors, the scholar-teacher ratio and other academic/physical infrastructure including library facilities of the University.
• The Ph.D. notification may be prepared based on the guidelines/norms made by the UGC and other statutory bodies concerned, and by considering the reservation policy of the Government from time to time.
• The University, then, shall issue an admission notification on its website and an advertisement in at least 2 national newspapers, of which at least 1 shall be in the regional language. The notification shall specify the number of vacancies, criteria for admission, details of the entrance test, the procedure for admission and where necessary, specify the examination centre(s).

Admission Procedure

• Application for admission shall be submitted along with the research proposal/synopsis of the topic of research to the Registrar of TNNLU in the prescribed form and on payment of the prescribed fees.
• Then there shall be a screening for the Ph.D. admission. The screening for Ph.D. admission shall consist of two components, viz., an Entrance Test and an Interview. Besides, if the candidate seeks to avail of the TNNLU Research Fellowship, if any, for pursuing research then he/she shall appear for the Admission Test to determine the interse merit based on which such Research Fellowship shall be awarded.
• The syllabus for the Entrance Test shall consist of 50% of research methodology and the other 50% shall be subject-specific.
  • The question paper of the Entrance Test shall have two parts. Questions in Part-A shall cover the research methodology, constitutional law, jurisprudence, environmental law, international law and human rights law. Whereas, the Part-B shall test students on the subject specific knowledge. The duration of the Test shall be one and half hours with additional half an hour for the visually impaired or differently abled students.
  • Part-A shall contain Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). In this Part, all questions shall be compulsory and carry 2 marks each. There will be no negative marking for the questions answered wrongly.
  • The Part-B shall have five descriptive or analytical questions relating to the area of study chosen by the student. Each question carries equal marks. d. Notwithstanding what is stated in Regulation
• The University reserves the right to exclusively focus on research methodology component for 50 marks in Part-A of the Entrance Test.  e. The Entrance Test shall ordinarily be conducted at the university. However, the University reserves the right to choose the mode of the Entrance Test (online/offline).
• A candidate securing 50% of marks (in the case of general category) and 45% (in the case of Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes) in the Entrance Test shall alone be considered as qualified. Such candidates shall be declared as eligible to be called for interview.
• Later, the candidates who have passed the Entrance Test shall be called for an interview. All the candidates seeking admission to the Ph.D. Programme who have passed the Entrance Test, shall be required to present themselves for an interview before the [Doctoral Council. This Council shall be comprised of all the research supervisors from within the University and where necessary, external experts may be invited by the Vice-Chancellor to interview the candidates and screen their research proposals.
• In the interview, the candidates shall present their research proposal before the Doctoral Council.
• During the Candidates’ presentations on a research proposal, the Doctoral Council shall assess the students for 50 marks and award marks on the following parameters:
  • Candidate’s ability in presenting and defending the research proposal (10 marks);  
  • Research aptitude of the Candidates (as evidenced by research publications and papers presented in conferences in the subject area) (5 marks);
  • Research methodology adopted (10 marks);  
  • The viability of the topic of research (5 marks);  
  • (i) whether the candidate possesses the competence for the proposed research (1 mark);  (ii) whether the research work can be suitably undertaken at the TNNLU (1 mark); and  (iii) whether the proposed area of research can contribute to new/additional knowledge (3 marks); (i.e., d (i) to (iii) carries 5 marks); and d. Notwithstanding what is stated in Regulation
  • The University reserves the right to exclusively focus on research methodology component for 50 marks in Part-A of the Entrance Test.
  • The Entrance Test shall ordinarily be conducted at the university. However, the University reserves the right to choose the mode of the Entrance Test (online/offline).
• A candidate securing 50% of marks (in the case of general category) and 45% (in the case of Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes) in the Entrance Test shall alone be considered as qualified. Such candidates shall be declared as eligible to be called for interview.
• Later, the candidates who have passed the Entrance Test shall be called for an interview. All the candidates seeking admission to the Ph.D. Programme who have passed the Entrance Test, shall be required to present themselves for an interview before the [Doctoral Council. This Council shall be comprised of all the research supervisors from within the University and where necessary, external experts may be invited by the Vice-Chancellor to interview the candidates and screen their research proposals. 4.2.6 In the interview, the candidates shall present their research proposal before the Doctoral Council.
• During the Candidates’ presentations on a research proposal, the Doctoral Council shall assess the students for 50 marks and award marks on the following parameters:
  • Candidate’s ability in presenting and defending the research proposal (10 marks);  
  • Research aptitude of the Candidates (as evidenced by research publications and papers presented in conferences in the subject area) (5 marks);
  • Research methodology adopted (10 marks);
  • The viability of the topic of research (5 marks);  
  • (i) whether the candidate possesses the competence for the proposed research (1 mark);  (ii) whether the research work can be suitably undertaken at the TNNLU (1 mark); and  (iii) whether the proposed area of research can contribute to new/additional knowledge (3 marks); (i.e., d (i) to (iii) carries 5 marks); and 

Course Work

• The research students admitted to the Ph.D. programme shall complete the coursework within one year from the date of joining.
• Ordinarily, the Ph.D. coursework shall be conducted by the University in an offline mode. However, the University reserves the right to conduct the same in an online mode if it is impossible to administer the course work in an offline mode owing to COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or for any other reasons.
• “Unless exempted, every candidate admitted to the Ph.D. programme shall do mandatory Ph.D. coursework for 16 weeks. The Course work is designed for 10 credits comprising of the following components: 

Assessments and Marks Allocation

• The Syllabus for the research methodology including quantitative methods, computer applications and research ethics shall be framed by the Doctoral Council of TNNLU and the syllabus relating to the subject-specific courses shall be framed by the supervisor of the research student concerned in consultation with the Research Committee.
• Grades in the course work, including research methodology courses shall be finalized after an assessment by the course teacher and the evaluation of the end semester examination if any.
• The Doctoral Council shall administer the course work and the evaluation of the same. At the end of the course work, the Doctoral Council shall direct the examination department of the University to complete the entry of marks/grade in the records of the candidate.
• Thereafter, the result of the Course work shall be communicated to the research student and a grade card shall also be issued to him/her by the University.
• A candidate who obtains a minimum of 55% of marks or its equivalent grade in the course work alone shall be eligible to continue in the programme and submit the final thesis.
• Also, if need be, the full-time research students may be required to assist the professors of the University in organizing seminars, conferences, publications and lectures, etc.

Progress Report by the Research Student

• All research students (enrolled on part-time & full-time mode) shall submit a semester-wise progress report to their Research Supervisors.
• There shall be a half-yearly open presentation of the research student convened by the Chairperson/Convener of the Doctoral Council on the recommendation of the research supervisor.
• A half-yearly presentation of the progress of the research shall be made by each candidate, before the respective Doctoral Committee, which may be attended by other research Supervisors and research students of TNNLU.
• The Doctoral Committee shall draw up minutes on the presentation and assessment and also record whether the [research] 13 student has been making satisfactory progress or not. A copy of the minutes so made shall be sent to the Registrar with due intimation to the Doctoral Council and Academic Section. 

Attendance

• A student registered as a full-time Ph.D. research student shall have at least 80% attendance every semester. Failing which, such scholar’s name shall be removed from the rolls of TNNLU subject to other provisions stated herein.
• Notwithstanding what is stated in Regulation
• The Doctoral may condone the shortage of attendance up to 10 % on an application made by the student, duly recommended by the Research Supervisor.
• Unless exempted by the Doctoral Council, Regulations 4.7.1 and 4.7.2 may also be applied to the part-time scholars during the term of the Ph.D. coursework.
• A research student shall be eligible to attend interdisciplinary conferences/seminars/specialized training programmes connected with his/her area of research or visit other places for collecting data, and such days when they were away from TNNLU, including days of travel, shall be counted for attendance or for periods of being in residence at TNNLU if they have been duly authorized to do so by the Research Supervisor and endorsed by the Doctoral Council.
• Notwithstanding anything contained in the Regulation regarding attendance,
  • a candidate who comes under the national/state or such other fellowship or scheme/project etc. shall be governed by the

• The University reserves the right to determine and revise the fee structure applicable to the Ph.D. research students from time to time.
• Every research student shall promptly pay the applicable categories of fees (See Annexure-A) as may be notified by the University, from time to time, by its circular on the notice board or by notification on the TNNLU’s website. However, a Teacher/Research Officer of TNNLU who is also the research student/student in the University is exempted from the payment of such hostel and user fees or charges and refundable deposits if any.
• Every research student is also required to remit the term fees (semester fees) along with the production of an attendance certificate (full-time research students) and a progress report. Also, every research student shall make an open presentation of the progress of research achieved during that semester before the payment of the next semester fees before the Doctoral Committee that may be constituted by the Doctoral Council.
• A list of the research students defaulting on the payment of fees shall be maintained and notified by the University on its website and where necessary by a postal correspondence such a candidate may be informed.
• If any research student fails to remit the fees which are due within 30 days from the last date specified by the University, then the University reserves the right to remove the name(s) of such research students from the rolls. A corresponding note shall be displayed on the TNNLU’s notice board and website.
• In cases where the default in payment of fees exceeds 30 days, the research student shall be required to apply for re-admission within 180 days, which shall be placed for consideration before the Doctoral Council. If the Doctoral Council is satisfied with the genuineness of the causes of delay then it shall be competent to take the appropriate decision to re-admit the research student. However, the registration shall remain cancelled if the research student is in default of fees for more than 180 days from the actual due date.