The All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi has proposed doing away with interviews at all stages of the PhD selection process and making it based on written examination for greater transparency.

“The selection process should be completely objective, transparent, and should be based on written examination (MCQs and OSCE/OSPE). There shall not be any interview at any stage,” an office memorandum issued on Tuesday said.

It also said that the Ph.D. entrance examination should be conducted biannually along with DM/MCh entrance examination at various centres of the country.  “The academic section has been asked to examine the same and initiate appropriate agendas for further deliberations in the Staff Council, Academic Committee, Standing Finance Committee, to ensure an early implementation of these proposed reforms,” it further said.

The administration has also proposed to start 40-50 Ph.D. Institute fellowship at par with Prime Minister’s Research Fellows (PMRF) scheme and to apportion a budget of Rs 200 crore for the same, subject to necessary approvals from statutory committees of the AIIMS and the Government of India.