4 (four)
(Subject 1): Compulsory: Algorithms.
(Subject 2 & 3): From your own Research Area.
(Subject 4): From any Area other than your Research Area.
400 (100 marks per subject).
(i) A student will select 2 Research Areas from choices available at this [Link].
Note that: The First Research Area, let's call this RA1 here, should match with your planned area of research (always in discussion with your supervisor, of course). The Second Research Area, let's call this RA2 here, can be any other available on the link provided above.
(ii) Now (a) select 2 subjects from RA1; (b) select 1 subject from RA2; (c) Algorithms is the compulsory 4th subject to be written by all students.
(iii) Full marks for each subject will be 100 with the following break-up:
Written - 75 marks; Viva - 25 marks;
Available at this [Link].
At least 50% marks jointly in the two subjects chosen in your research area and at least 50% marks jointly in Algoithms and the subject chosen outside of your research area.
Please refer to the AGSRD website to verify your eligibility for the PhD qualifying examinations. These qualifiers are conducted by your supervisor.
Students who wish to appear for the qualifiers must contact their supervisor and mutually decide on four subjects that align with their research interests. The selected subjects must comply with the guidelines prescribed by AGSRD.
The supervisor is responsible for appointing the examiners for these qualifiers.
The dates of the exam is decided by the supervisor.
- (i) Download all relevant forms available under the appropriate header at this [Link]. Additionally, fill the candidate-exam-detail form at this [Link] (Note: All materials available at this link are maintained by the AGSRD. If you find any issue with any content, please approach the AGSRD, not the CSIS DRC/Office.])
- (ii) Create a Google Drive Folder with the following format "[Name]_[StudentID]_PhDQualifier".
- (iii) Now put all filled in forms and other relevant documents in this folder.
- (iv) Send an email to the DRC convener, cc to the CSIS office and your supervisor, providing the link to this folder for further processing.
- (v) Note: When sending the email, you will be prompted to provide edit/view rights; please provide 'Edit' rights to all addresses (including cc).
Officially, it takes a few weeks before the AGSRD office notifies you about the outcome of your exam.
Note that it is the AGSRD who declares your results; Not the DRC.
For students joined on or after Jan 2024, the coursework has to be completed within one year of joining. The qualifiers have to be cleared within one year of completion of the course work. For example, if a student joined in Jan 2024 and completed the course work by end of June 2024, the student will have to clear the qualifiers on or before July 2025.
Exams may be scheduled at the mutual convenience of the examiner(s) and student(s), at any time of the year as decided by the supervisor. However, results must be submitted to the DRC (drc.csis@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in) at least two days before the nearest AGSRD phase deadline. AGSRD accepts results four times a year (twice each semester), and these deadlines - announced by the DRC once received from AGSRD - are typically shared well in advance.
For any further questions, the first point of contact is csis.office@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in
Any ongoing PhD student has an option to re-register for the PhD under exceptional circumstances. However, the student has to then clear the coursework and qualifiers again.
Comment ends here
a) Selecting examiners
The supervisor must contact faculty colleagues and request them to serve as examiners.
A list of potential examiners is available at Syllabus and Examiners.
b) Scheduling exams and viva
In consultation with the examiner(s) and student(s), the supervisor decides the dates for the written exam and viva based on mutual convenience.
c) Administrative arrangements
All logistical responsibilities - such as booking examination halls, arranging invigilators, and ensuring the smooth conduct of the exam - rest entirely with the supervisor.
Note: The DRC does not provide assistance for these activities.
d) Ensuring proper question paper format
Supervisors must ensure that examiners prepare question papers according to the following guidelines:
Written Exam Requirements
- Maximum Marks: 75
- Duration: 3 hours
- Must include: Examiner Name, Academic Year (AY 20XX–YY), and Semester Number on the question paper.
e) Submission of examination documents
The supervisor must submit the following softcopies to the DRC:
- Written examination question paper(s)
- Evaluated answer scripts
Failure to submit these may lead to the results not being endorsed, as AGSRD requires mandatory archival of these documents.
f) Viva documentation
The viva may be recorded (with the consent of all participants) for transparency. This recording, if made, should also be submitted to the DRC.
g) Marks entry
After the exam and viva are completed, the supervisor must update the marks in the designated marks entry document. See AGSRD website for the link