New normal: IAS officer probably 1st in state to complete online PhD viva

Nagpur: Setting an example for its counterparts as well as traditional universities amid the lockdown, the Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) probably held the state’s first viva-voce for doctorate of philosophy (PhD) on a social media application where unlike the offline mode, a whopping 35 examiners grilled the candidate.
The other universities are yet to decide on holding the PhD viva which is a culmination of an aspirant’s years of research. It’s held before the coveted degree is awarded.
Atul Patne, an IAS officer (1999 batch) who served as Nagpur ZP CEO as well as Gadchiroli district collector (2009-2011), defended his thesis in an over two-hour online sessions with YCMOU panel members from Delhi, Chandigarh, Nashik and Nanded.
Patne, who hails from Nagpur, also presented 123 slides before the panel. He took leave to complete his research and other assignments. Patne is yet to get a posting.
YCMOU registrar Dinesh Bhonde said this could be the way forward even after the lockdown is lifted. “The viva was held on May 23 as per the UGC norms. This was the first online viva in Maharashtra. Not only did it save the university’s funds (travel and dearness allowances), it also facilitated a range of jury members. At times, external examiners are unable to join. The online format allows more people to ask the candidate questions. It makes it more transparent,” he said.
Patne said he was excited to answer so many queries from examiners, university officers and students. “I was told that this would be the first online viva. Hardly, anyone gets this opportunity. I had pursued this research purely for study purpose and wasn’t after the ‘Dr’ title as such,” he said.
Patne thanked YCMOU vice chancellor E Vayunandan who permitted re-registration of his PhD. “Initially, I couldn’t find time and so, the first registration lapsed. Around 2016, I restarted my research by dedicating whatever time I could manage after official work,” he said.
The title of Patne’s thesis is ‘Role and importance of innovation in development administration’ with special reference to Rajiv Gandhi Prashan Gatiman Abhiyan.
Bhonde said the university’s viva will be open for online participation. Meanwhile, others such as Nagpur University and IGNOU are yet to take a call on vivas.
IGNOU regional director P Sivaswaroop told TOI that the New Delhi headquarters will take a call on PhD vivas as it is a national university. However, Sivaswaroop himself has been appointed as an external examiner for an online viva to be held by a Visakhapatnam university this week.