The move is being seen a bit of reversal of 2006 decision of UGC, in which it allowed non-NET Ph.D degree holders for appointment as teachers in higher education.

However, for M.Phil degree holders, NET may be retained as eligibility criteria for appointment as teachers in higher education. The commission in 2006 had allowed non-NET M.Phil degree holders' appointment as teachers in under-graduate courses, while retaining NET for employment in post-graduate courses.

The commission at its meeting on Wednesday and Thursday has reportedlygiven its nod to a new central examination for those seeking registration in Ph.D courses in any university in the country The move is aimed at improving the quality of those doing Ph.D, which the commission admitted - have gone down in absence of any regulation.

UGC chairperson Professor Sukhdeo Thorat, however refused to comment on the development. "I wE speak on the issue only when final decision is made," he said. The commission sources, however, told HT that there was unanimous view at the meeting for introduction of a new framework to regulate registration of Ph.D degrees. "Only those who have cleared the national level examination would be allowed to register for the Ph.D courses," a UGC source said.

Many universities had put admissions on hold following the UGC's direction to streamline the admission process to improve quality of research. The new regime has been suggested following a report of Planning Commission member Balchandra Mungekar, which cited dilution in quality of research due to imregulated registration in Ph.D and M.Phil courses.