Madurai Kamaraj University PhD thesis format

What does MKU prescribe for thesis format?

Everything MKU says about layout is in clause 13 (synopsis) and clause 14 (thesis). The table puts the two side by side, because they differ in spacing and you submit them together.

The regulations use soft words: the thesis “may be printed in 1.5 line spacing”, in a legible font “e.g.” Times New Roman. Treat them as the standard anyway. Using 1.5 spacing and Times New Roman 12 avoids any argument at the Research Section.

The 250-page limit is the one number that bites. The regulations don’t say whether appendices and the appended publications count towards it. Ask the Research Section before you finalise, especially if your appendices include long questionnaires or data tables.

Where the regulations are silent, follow your department’s practice and your supervisor. Most Indian theses use a wider binding-side margin (roughly 38 mm) with 25 mm on the other three edges, lower-case roman numerals on preliminary pages, arabic numerals once Chapter 1 begins, and tables and figures numbered chapter by chapter. Our thesis structure guide covers the usual order of pages and chapters.

What must an MKU thesis contain?

The regulations don’t give a title-page specimen or a certificate wording. They do require three things inside the thesis:

• An undertaking from you and a certificate from your supervisor (clause 14.3). Together they must attest that the work is original, that there is no plagiarism, and that it has never been offered for another degree or diploma, at MKU or elsewhere. Your department will have a standard wording. Use it.
• Your publications, appended (clause 15.1). Research articles from your PhD work published in refereed journals, as sole author or with your guide as co-author, are attached to the thesis. For a paper accepted but not yet published, attach the acceptance or “in press” certificate with the manuscript. Seminar papers you presented are attached too.
• Evidence of the pre-submission presentation. A certificate that the RAC’s feedback has been incorporated goes with the Thesis Submission Form (clause 12).

Because the publications are bound into the thesis, the 250-page question above matters. A thesis of 230 pages with four papers appended can go over.

Can an MKU thesis be written in Tamil?

Clause 14.1 says theses are in English, except in language subjects, where the thesis is in that language. If a thesis in any other subject is written in Tamil, you must also submit an equal number of copies in English. So you would submit four Tamil copies and four English copies.

That doubles the translation and printing work, and both versions have to say the same thing. If you are thinking of writing in Tamil in a non-language subject, discuss it with your guide and the RAC before you start writing up.

What similarity limit does MKU apply?

Clause 14.2 says every thesis is checked with the facility at the Dr. T.P.M. Library of MKU. The check happens twice: at the pre-submission presentation and again at submission. Your supervisor gives a certificate, countersigned by the Director (Research), that the “content does not exceed 30% of the total thesis for all subjects except languages and 50% for Mathematics”.

Treat that 30% figure with caution. The regulations date from 2016. The UGC’s plagiarism regulations of 2018 made up to 10% similarity the level that attracts no penalty. Above 10%, a revised thesis is required. Neighbouring universities such as Bharathidasan and Bharathiar now accept 10% at most, and MKU may have moved too through an internal decision we could not find online. Plan for 10% or less, and get the TPM Library to confirm today’s MKU figure on paper. The four UGC bands and what is normally excluded are set out in our plagiarism limits guide.

How do you submit a thesis at MKU?

Before submission

• Publications. The May 2019 amendment requires at least two research papers as first author, relevant to your research, in national or international journals listed by the UGC. The 2016 text asked for one. The synopsis form (2022 version) asks for the number of UGC-CARE-listed publications.
• Two seminars. You present two research seminars in your department: the first on the problem and objectives, the second on data, analysis and inferences. The second can instead be a paper presented at a national or international conference.
• Pre-submission presentation. You present to the RAC in a session open to faculty and scholars, then incorporate the feedback. You can submit no earlier than one month after it, and must submit within three months of it. The synopsis form warns that if you miss three months, you present again. Our pre-submission seminar guide covers how to prepare.

Synopsis and thesis together

MKU takes the synopsis along with the thesis, rather than months earlier as many universities do. Submit four signed copies of the synopsis and a PDF on a labelled CD. Enclose the confirmation-of-registration letter, the original certificates for your two seminars and the pre-submission presentation, and, for part-time scholars, the certificate of work done under the guide. Remember that the synopsis must not name you or your guide. Our synopsis format guide covers what to put in 10 to 15 pages.

With it, submit the thesis (four hard copies, three PDFs) and the Thesis Submission Form, forwarded by your guide and your head of department or institution. Enclose your original PG and research degree diplomas and no-due certificates from the Research Section, your department, the department library and the TPM Library. Scholars in university departments also need no-dues from the hostel and staff quarters where applicable.

If your registration period has run out, clause 15.4 allows up to three months’ grace at ₹500 a month. After that, you pay research and extension fees as applicable.

Examiners and viva

Your supervisor submits a panel of ten examiners in a sealed cover. Under the 2022 amendment, four must be from other universities and colleges within Tamil Nadu and six from other states, with no more than one per state. Foreign examiners are optional. Since May 2023, supervisors also submit a separate panel of three Professors or Associate Professors within Tamil Nadu for the viva.

Two external examiners and your supervisor (as convener) evaluate the thesis. All three must find it satisfactory before the public viva. The viva is announced at least 15 days ahead, and a copy of the thesis is kept in the department for the public to read. You present for up to 30 minutes, and questions are limited to 60 minutes. Within 30 days of the award, MKU forwards your PDF to the UGC for hosting on INFLIBNET.

MKU thesis checklist before submission

These are the items the regulations and forms name. Anything not listed (margins, headings, citation style) should be approved by your supervisor.

• Your pre-submission presentation before the RAC is done, and it is at least one month but no more than three months before your submission date.
• Your guide has certified that the RAC’s feedback has been incorporated.
• The thesis is 250 pages or fewer, on A4, in a legible 12 pt font at 1.5 spacing, printed on both sides.
• The scholar’s undertaking and the supervisor’s certificate on originality and non-submission elsewhere are in the thesis.
• Your published papers are appended, with acceptance or “in press” letters and manuscripts for any not yet out.
• The TPM Library plagiarism check is done, and the supervisor’s certificate is countersigned by the Director (Research). You have the current MKU limit confirmed on paper.
• The synopsis (10–15 pages, double-spaced, with no candidate or guide name) is ready in four copies with a PDF on CD.
• You have four hard copies of the thesis and three PDFs identical to the print.
• If a non-language thesis is written in Tamil, you have an equal number of English copies.
• The thesis submission form is ready with original PG diplomas and no-due certificates from the Research Section, your department, the department library and the TPM Library.
• Your supervisor’s panel of examiners (and the separate viva panel of three within Tamil Nadu) is ready in a sealed cover.

If you want the layout, numbering and references made consistent before your RAC presentation, our thesis formatting service does that. It works on presentation only.