Higher Education: Punjab University Announces Restructured Policy Framework for Doctoral Research

The University of the Punjab has implemented a regulation prohibiting doctoral research centered on living prominent individuals, as stated in an official directive distributed by the institution’s Deputy Registrar (Academic).

The strategy received formal endorsement from the Advanced Studies and Research Board (ASRB) during a session convened on May 11, 2026.

According to the guidelines, no future PhD dissertations focusing on living celebrated figures will be pursued by researchers at the University of the Punjab. Nevertheless, this limitation excludes those distinguished individuals who have been granted or presented with a state civil honor by the authorities.

The memorandum additionally clarifies that any doctoral candidate intending to investigate a living public figure decorated with a civil honor must secure advance authorization from the ASRB via the appropriate DDPC prior to initiating their investigative work or outline development.

The mandate has been distributed to all academic faculty deans and directors of instructional departments to ensure strict adherence.

Duplicates of the directive have likewise been forwarded to the Chairperson of the Punjab University Quality Control Cell, the Director of the Quality Enhancement Cell, the Controller of Examinations, and the secretariats of the Vice Chancellor, Pro-Vice Chancellor, and Registrar.