Master of Philosophy
Indian universities offer M.Phil degrees mostly in the streams of arts, science and humanities. The duration is typically two years long. Several universities offer enrolment in their integrated M.Phil-Ph.D program and M.Phil degree holders are usually exempted from doctoral coursework requirement.
Doctor of Philosophy
Another two to eight years are usually required for the composition of a substantial and original contribution to human knowledge in the form of a written dissertation, which in the social sciences and humanities typically ranges from 50 to 450 pages. In many cases, depending on the discipline, a dissertation consists of a comprehensive literature review, an outline of methodology, and several chapters of scientific, social, historical, philosophical, or literary analysis. Typically, upon completion, the candidate undergoes an oral examination, sometimes public, by his or her supervisory committee with expertise in the given discipline.