DAC

Doctoral Advisory Committee (DAC)

There shall be a DAC for each Ph.D. student, which will have the following responsibilities: 

• Review the Ph.D. research proposal and finalize his/her topic of research. 

• Supervise and mentor the student to develop the study design and methodology of his/her research. 

• Identify the course(s) that the student may have to take. In the absence of DAC, the Ph.D. supervisor shall advise on the courses to be taken by the student and inform the coordinator. 

• Periodically review and assist the student in the progress of his/her research work 

Composition of the DAC

Thesis supervisor, co-supervisor (if any), two members from the same research area as recommended by the supervisor(s), and one member nominated by the director of the Institute from a different field of research.

(The DAC members of AcSIR Ph.D. students need to be Ph.D. degree holders. A proper justification of scientific expertise has to be provided for the inclusion of a non-PhD faculty member as a DAC member along with his/her academic CV for prior approval of the Dean of the concerned subject faculty. 

The nominated DAC members should be, as far as possible, only from the institute of the Ph.D. student’s enrolment or other AcSIR-affiliated institutes (CSIR or non-CSIR). In exceptional cases, a DAC member may also be nominated from a reputed non-AcSIR affiliated institute. No honorarium or TA/DA is admissible to any DAC member for attending the Ph.D. student’s DAC meetings, which can also be attended online. )

• The Ph.D. student shall appear before the DAC at least once a year to make a presentation of the progress of his/her work for evaluation and further guidance, although it is preferred that the DAC meeting of the Ph.D. student is conducted every semester. The proceeding of the DAC meetings shall be recorded in a specified format as a DAC report and sent by the AcSIR coordinator

• In an academic year, a student must appear for at least one DAC meeting (in person or online) and submit a six-month Progress report, in lieu of a DAC meeting by physical presence, with DAC members' signatures. 

• In case the progress of the Ph.D. student is unsatisfactory, the DAC shall record the reasons for the same and suggest corrective measures. If the Ph.D. student fails to implement these corrective measures in a specified time frame, the DAC may recommend cancellation of his/her enrollment to the concerned Dean after approval of the institute Director. The decision of the Director, AcSIR shall be final in this matter. 

• The students are also encouraged to informally interact with the DAC members for guidance and advice pertaining to their research. 

• The DAC would also recommend the Ph.D. student for his/her comprehensive examination as well for the submission of the thesis. 

• The primary supervisor, who is also the convener of the DAC, will be responsible for timely conducting the DAC meetings and submitting the DAC reports to the AcSIR institute coordinator. 

• A minimum of at least two months gap has to be mandatorily maintained between two consecutive DAC meetings. 

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When to constitute?

DAC can be constituted immediately after the allotment of supervisor(s). The proposed committee will need approval from the Director, IGIB, the Associate Dean/Dean, Biological Sciences, AcSIR and the Director, AcSIR. Supervisor(s) are advised to take prior consent from the proposed members.

In case the DAC/supervisor/co-supervisor needs to be changed this form is to be used. If the DAC constitution has to be changed, this should be done BEFORE holding the next DAC.

Comprehensive : 

1. A student is eligible to appear for the Comprehensive Examination only after s/he has successfully completed the minimum credit requirements of the coursework and at least DAC-1. 

2. The students shall appear for the comprehensive examination, on the recommendation of their DAC, any time between the IInd semester and the end of the IVth Semester. In case of a delay, prior approval of the concerned Dean with due justification is mandatory. 

3. It is recommended that the Ph.D. students complete their comprehensive examination by the end of their 3rd semester of Ph.D. enrollment so that they are eligible to apply for the AcSIR International Joint Ph.D. Degree Program (cotutelle) Fellowships. 

4. No honorarium or TA/DA is admissible to any member of the comprehensive examination board. 

5. If the candidate fails to clear the Comprehensive Examination in two attempts, his/her enrollment in Ph.D. is liable to be canceled. 

6. Act as a Director's nominee in comprehensive for IGIB: Dr. Shantanu Chowdhury, Dr. Ritushree Kukreti, Dr. Chetana Sachidanandan, Dr. Kausik Chakraborty, Dr. TN Vivek, Dr. Sheetal Gandotra

Important Notes:

Ø  Entire Ph.D. tenure including thesis writing and Submission is for SIX YEARS from the date of enrollment for all students irrespective of their batch of enrollment.

Ø  Change in the Title of the Ph.D Thesis : 

• The broad area of the title of the Ph.D thesis should be finalized by the time the student appears for the comprehensive examination 

• Any subsequent request for the change in the thesis title must be reported through the DAC meetings. 

• The final change in the thesis title will be allowed at the DAC IV (Open Colloquium) of the student; the old and the changed title must be recorded on the DAC form and endorsed by all the DAC members and the student and it must receive due approval of the concerned Dean.

• The title provided in the Synopsis (summary of the work) approved by DAC IV (Open Colloquium) will be considered as the final title of the thesis. 

• Beyond the DAC IV (Open Colloquium), any request for the change in the title of the thesis will not be entertained unless suggested by the thesis external examiner(s) and accepted by the competent authority at AcSIR-HQ. 

Ø  Student must submit the thesis within six months of conduct of "Open Colloquium".

Ø According to the revised timeline from the Senate's 34th meeting, the following applies to students whose Pre-Thesis Open Colloquium (PTOC) is conducted after August 7, 2025: (AcSIR OM)

PhD thesis can be submitted any time within three (03) months of the successful completion of the Pre-Thesis Open Colloquium (PTOC);