From Shelf to Society: Turning Doctoral Research into National Progress
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
India stands at a critical juncture in its academic evolution. As global education systems begin to realign research with real world impact, the traditional model of doctoral education in India is increasingly being questioned. The recent discussion triggered by academician Biju Dharmapalan, published in Book No. 6 (2026) Surf & Dive of The Hindu, highlights a pressing concern: Are Indian PhDs creating knowledge that matters beyond university walls?
His observations point to a system deeply rooted in outdated metrics, where success is measured not by impact but by volume.
The Problem with Paper Counting
As Biju Dharmapalan notes, “progress is judged less by the depth of original insight and more by the number of papers indexed in certain databases.” This single line captures the core issue. The current system incentivises scholars to produce multiple publications, often at the cost of originality and relevance.
The result is predictable. Research becomes fragmented, repetitive, and disconnected from societal needs. Instead of solving problems, scholars are busy meeting publication targets.
The Illusion of Academic Productivity
The emphasis on indexed journals has created an illusion of productivity. A scholar with five papers is often seen as more accomplished than one who develops a single impactful innovation.
Dr. Dharmapalan rightly questions whether a thesis should be evaluated based on “the number of papers a scholar has produced or the societal relevance of the work.” This is not just an academic concern. It is a national one.
India does not lack research output. It lacks meaningful outcomes.
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Another structural issue is time. Many doctoral candidates spend five to eight years completing their degrees. According to the article, delays are frequently tied to publication requirements rather than the research itself.
This creates a system where time is wasted not in thinking or experimenting, but in waiting. Waiting for journal acceptance. Waiting for reviews. Waiting for bureaucratic approvals.
A system that delays innovation is a system that discourages it.
Exploitation in the Research Ecosystem
Dharmapalan does not shy away from addressing a sensitive issue. He points out that many scholars are treated as “labour that supervisors can take for granted.”
This imbalance of power often leads to prolonged PhDs, where students are retained to sustain lab output and publication pipelines. The scholar’s growth becomes secondary to the supervisor’s metrics.
Such practices not only demotivate researchers but also dilute the integrity of academic mentorship.
The Myth of the Lengthy Thesis
In many Indian universities, the size of a thesis is still seen as a marker of quality. Documents exceeding 200 pages are common.
However, Dharmapalan challenges this notion by reminding us that even groundbreaking research can be concise. The insistence on length leads to unnecessary expansion, wasting time and energy on content that adds little value.
Clarity is sacrificed for volume. Insight is buried under pages.
Research That Never Leaves the Shelf
Perhaps the most troubling observation is that much of India’s doctoral research remains unused. Theses are archived, rarely accessed, and seldom translated into policy or practice.
As the article states, many works “don’t often help with public policy, new ideas in business or the health of communities.” This represents a massive loss of intellectual capital.
In a country facing challenges in healthcare, agriculture, and sustainability, this disconnect is not just inefficient. It is unacceptable.
The Case for Practical Outcome Based PhDs
This is where the idea of practical outcome based PhD certification becomes crucial. Instead of evaluating scholars solely on written work, the focus must shift to what their research achieves.
This could include prototypes, technologies, policy frameworks, or scalable solutions. China’s emerging model demonstrates that such an approach is not only possible but effective.
A PhD should not just answer questions. It should create change.
By integrating industry experts into evaluation panels and allowing alternative forms of submission, universities can ensure that research is both rigorous and relevant.
A Roadmap for Reform
Reforming India’s PhD system requires more than minor adjustments. It demands a fundamental shift in mindset.
First, evaluation criteria must prioritise impact over publication count. Second, timelines should be flexible and aligned with the nature of the research rather than journal cycles. Third, collaboration with industry and government bodies must become a core component of doctoral work. Institutions must recognise that producing more PhDs is not the goal. Producing better ones is.
Knowledge That Works
The message from Biju Dharmapalan’s article is clear and urgent. India must rethink not just how PhDs are conducted, but why they exist.
- A doctoral degree should not be an academic ritual. It should be a powerful tool for national development.
- Moving towards practical outcome-based PhD certification is not about abandoning academic rigour. It is about restoring purpose.
- If India can align its research ecosystem with real-world needs, its PhDs can become engines of innovation rather than archives of unused knowledge.
The choice is simple. Continue counting papers or start creating solutions.
About Dr. Biju Dharmapalan:
Dr. Biju Dharmapalan is a distinguished academic leader, science communicator, and educator currently serving as the Dean of Academic Affairs at Garden City University, Bengaluru. With over two decades of experience in teaching, research, and academic administration, he has built a reputation as a strong advocate for meaningful and socially relevant science. He holds a PhD in science communication from the CSIR National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research and is widely recognised as a National Award winning science writer and columnist. His work spans biosciences, education reform, and public engagement with science, and he has authored multiple books and articles in national publications. Beyond academia, he has contributed to policy discussions, research projects, and science outreach initiatives, making him a key voice in bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and societal needs.
