PhD Candidates in India Must Disclose AI Use in Theses: AICTE’s New Guidelines for 2025

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has introduced new guidelines requiring PhD candidates in technical education to disclose any use of artificial intelligence (AI) in their theses, effective from the 2025 academic session. This mandate, part of a comprehensive framework submitted in July 2025, aims to uphold academic integrity amid the growing reliance on generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini. Candidates must include an AI disclaimer, copyright details, referencing, credits, and plagiarism checks in their work. In this article, we explore the details of these guidelines, their rationale, and their implications for PhD research in India. The Times of India

AICTE’s AI Disclosure Mandate: Key Details

The guidelines, developed by a task force led by former Bangalore University Vice-Chancellor KR Venugopal, were submitted to AICTE in July 2025 to regulate PhD and DSc programs in technical education. Key requirements include:

• Mandatory AI Disclaimer: PhD candidates must explicitly declare any AI usage in their thesis, including tools for drafting, analysis, or editing, with details on the extent of involvement.
• Supporting Measures: Disclosures must include copyright disclaimers, proper referencing of AI-generated content, credits for tools used, and plagiarism checks to ensure originality.
• Publication Requirement: Scholars must publish thesis-based articles as first and corresponding authors in peer-reviewed journals or conferences, independent of guides.
• Program Structure: PhD duration remains 3-6 years, with DSc (for senior academicians) at 1-3 years; eligibility aligns with UGC norms but emphasizes AI transparency.

These rules apply to full-time PhD programs in fields like engineering, computer science, and AI, addressing the rise of generative AI in research.

Reasons for the AI Disclosure Requirement

AICTE’s mandate responds to the ethical challenges posed by AI in academia:

• Maintaining Integrity: Generative AI can produce content indistinguishable from human work, risking plagiarism and undermining thesis originality.
• Global Standards: Aligns with international practices, such as the University of Georgia’s policy requiring AI disclosure in theses and the University of Toronto’s guidelines for graduate milestones.
• Quality Assurance: Ensures theses reflect genuine scholarly contribution, with plagiarism checks and referencing to validate AI-assisted elements.
• NEP Alignment: Supports India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by promoting ethical research practices in technical education.

The task force reviewed pan-India and global PhD guidelines to craft a framework that balances AI’s benefits with accountability.

Implications for PhD Candidates and Technical Education

The new rules will reshape research practices:

1. Enhanced Transparency: Candidates must document AI use, fostering ethical habits but adding administrative burden.
2. Academic Rigor: Mandatory publications as first authors ensure original contributions, potentially improving thesis quality.
3. Industry Preparation: Prepares graduates for AI-integrated workplaces, aligning with India’s $20 billion Semiconductor Scheme and Infosys’ 20,000 hires.
4. Enforcement Challenges: Universities must implement checks, with non-compliance risking degree invalidation.

The Bigger Picture: AI Ethics in Indian Academia

AICTE’s guidelines reflect India’s proactive stance on AI in education, amid global debates on tools like ChatGPT. With India’s #1 ranking in crypto adoption and a 115% urban festive e-commerce surge, AI is transforming sectors, but ethical use is paramount. This mandate parallels international efforts, such as the University of Toronto’s AI policy for theses, emphasizing disclosure for integrity. As PhD programs evolve, these rules position India as a leader in responsible AI research.

Challenges include defining “AI use” and training supervisors, but the framework supports NEP’s vision for innovative, ethical education.

What’s Next for AI in PhD Research?

Key developments include:

• AICTE’s rollout of training for universities on implementation by early 2026.
• Integration with UGC guidelines for non-technical PhDs.
• Potential expansions to include AI ethics courses in curricula.
• Monitoring compliance through annual audits and plagiarism tools.

Conclusion

AICTE’s mandate for PhD candidates to disclose AI use in theses starting 2025 is a crucial step toward ethical research in technical education. By requiring disclaimers and checks, it safeguards academic integrity while embracing AI’s potential. As India advances in AI and tech, these guidelines ensure theses remain original contributions to knowledge.