UGC Regulations for avoiding Plagiarism in academic fields in INDIA
University Grant Commission also known as UGC in short is a statutory Organization of the Government of India. UGC was established for the specific purpose of coordination, determination, and maintenance of standards of teaching, examination, and research in university education.
The latest guidelines of UGC for controlling plagiarism in academic works were given in 2018. These guidelines were published in a gazette on 31 July 2018, which is available on UGC Website.
As per UGC Guidelines Research Work should be based on original ideas of Author and should contain only following things:
- Abstract
- Summary
- Hypothesis
- Observations
- Results
- Conclusions
- Recommendations
Following things are allowed to be excluded while conducting similarity checks:
- Quoted work reproduced with all necessary permission and/or attribution
- References
- Bibliography.
- Table of content
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Generic terms
- Laws
- Standard Symbols
- Standard Equations
- Common knowledge or Coincidental terms, up to fourteen (14) consecutive words
Reporting Mechanism, Levels of Plagiarism and Applicable Punishments as stated by UGC:
Step-1
Any Academician finds incidence of plagiarism while reading any research Paper or Article or Thesis
Step-2
He / She shall report it to the Departmental Academic Integrity Panel (DAIP) of the Institute.
Step-3
DAIP shall investigate the complaint and report its findings as well as recommendations to the Institutional Academic Integrity Panel (IAIP) of the Higher Educational Institute within 45 days of receiving the complaint.
Step-4
Higher Educational Institute shall give its recommendation on penalties to be imposed to the Head of the Higher Educational Institute within a period of 45 days from the date of receipt of recommendation of DAIP.
The Levels of Plagiarism and Punishments for them as per UGC guidelines
Level
% Similarity
Punishment for
Thesis and Dissertation
Punishment for
Academic and Research Publication
L-0
0% – 10%
No Punishment
No Punishment
L-1
10% – 40%
Resubmit Revised Paper in 6 Months
Manuscript withdrawal
L-2
40% – 60%
Resubmit Revised Paper in 12 Months
- Manuscript withdrawal
- Loss of up to 1 annual increment
- Loss of power to supervise or guide new scholars for up to 2 Years
L-3
> 60%
Cancellation of registration from Course
- Manuscript withdrawal
- Loss of up to 2 annual increment
- Loss of power to supervise or guide new scholars for up to 3 Years
Repeated attempt of submitting Plagiarized content
1 level higher punishment than committed level
- 1 level higher punishment than committed level
- Disciplinary action if L-3 is repeated including suspension/termination
If Plagiarism is proved after benefit has been provided (degree or credits)
Degree may be suspended for a specific period as decided by Head of Institution
Credit may be suspended for a specific period as decided by Head of Institution
UGC clearly states in its gazette that these guidelines are applicable to all the staff and students, including faculty as well as researchers of all Higher Educational Institutions in India.
As per these guidelines, Higher Educational Institutions should take all the necessary measures to avoid plagiarism in academic work like:
- ♦ Using modern technologies to detect plagiarism
- ♦ Establishing mechanism to check Plagiarism before submission of work
- ♦ Include cardinal principles of academic integrity in their curriculum
- ♦ Providing training to staff and students to equip them with knowledge
- ♦ Spreading awareness in staff & students about plagiarism via seminars, awareness programs etc.
- ♦ Encourage staff and students to register on international researcher’s Registry systems.
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