Lucknow University executive council approves PhD reforms, thesis colour code

Lucknow University's executive council on Thursday, 8 October 2026, approved a series of reforms to strengthen research standards and academic infrastructure. The new measures include faculty-wise colour coding for PhD thesis bindings: blue for management, commerce, education, science and engineering, maroon for arts, fine arts, law and the Abhinavgupta Institute, and forest green for agriculture, yoga, alternative medicine, Ayurveda and Unani. The council also instituted a five-stage standard operating procedure for scholars transitioning from regular to part-time research.

Teachers from government and aided affiliated degree colleges have been granted official supervision rights for part-time PhD scholars, with Lucknow University serving as the nodal research centre. The council approved 5% weightage in PhD admissions for children of affiliated college teachers, following a demand by the Lucknow University Associated College Teachers Association (LUACTA). For the law department, 17 new self-financed teaching posts were sanctioned for the five-year LLB course, and temporary affiliation was granted to Mohammadi Law College, Lakhimpur. The newly built sports complex was named Prof DP Singh Krida Bhawan. Times of India reported that contractual staff pay in self-financed courses was revised, raising third-category pay to Rs 21,700 and fourth-category pay to Rs 18,000, benefiting about 94 employees.