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PhD · Shodhganga · UGC · 2026 Guide

PhD Thesis Format — chapters, Shodhganga & UGC rules

The 8-chapter doctoral structure with original contribution, 500-word abstract, preliminary pages, citations and Shodhganga (INFLIBNET) submission — everything an Indian PhD thesis needs.

Updated June 2026·10-min read·By LivoDraft
Quick answer

A PhD thesis uses about eight chapters, including a distinct chapter on the original contribution to knowledge. The abstract runs to roughly 500 words, references usually exceed 80, and the final document is deposited on Shodhganga (INFLIBNET) as split files. Formatting follows UGC: TNR 12 pt, 1.5 spacing, A4, 1.5-inch binding margin, with roman-to-Arabic page numbering.

Overview

PhD thesis format overview

A PhD (doctoral) thesis in India follows the UGC/AICTE format with one defining addition: a dedicated chapter on the original contribution to knowledge. It is longer and more rigorous than a Master's thesis, carries a larger bibliography, and — crucially — must be submitted to Shodhganga (INFLIBNET) in a specific split-file format.

This guide covers the doctoral structure end to end. For the general standard see the main thesis-format guide; for Master's see the MTech thesis format.

Quick reference

PhD thesis format at a glance

▤ Standard UGC / Shodhganga PhD setup
Chapters
~8 (incl. original contribution)
Abstract length
up to 500 words
References
typically 80+, all verifiable
Binding margin
1.5 inch (left)
Other margins
1 inch each
Font / spacing
Times New Roman 12pt, 1.5 lines
Page numbering
prelims roman (i, ii…) · body Arabic (1…)
Submission
Shodhganga / INFLIBNET (mandatory)
Structure

The 8-chapter PhD structure

The standard doctoral chapter sequence LivoDraft uses (fully editable). The original-contribution chapter is what distinguishes a PhD from a Master's thesis.

  1. IntroductionProblem, research questions, objectives, scope, thesis roadmap.
  2. Literature ReviewCritical, thematic synthesis ending in an evidenced research gap.
  3. Theoretical FrameworkConcepts, models and theory underpinning the study.
  4. MethodologyDesign, data, instruments and justification of methods.
  5. ResultsFindings presented with tables and figures.
  6. Original Contribution to KnowledgePhD onlyThe novel contribution — what this thesis adds that did not exist before.
  7. DiscussionInterpretation against the literature; limitations.
  8. ConclusionAnswers each research question; future directions.
Front matter

Preliminary pages order

Roman-numbered, in this physical order — the abstract precedes the table of contents.

  1. Title pageunnumbered
  2. Supervisor's Certificatei
  3. Declarationii
  4. Acknowledgementsiii
  5. Abstractiv
  6. Table of Contentsv
  7. List of Tables / Figures / Abbreviationsvi+
  8. DedicationOptional
Abstract

The 500-word doctoral abstract

A PhD abstract runs up to about 500 words — longer than a Master's — and must cover the problem, methodology, key findings and, explicitly, the original contribution. LivoDraft keeps the abstract within your degree's word limit automatically.

PhD submission

Shodhganga (INFLIBNET) submission

Shodhganga is the national repository where every Indian PhD thesis is deposited under the UGC electronic-submission notification. It expects the thesis split into separate files — title, preliminary pages, each chapter, references and appendices — each in UGC format, alongside the full document.

⤓

LivoDraft exports a Shodhganga-ready package — a clean chapter-by-chapter split numbered in submission order, plus the complete thesis, so you can upload to your university's INFLIBNET handle without manual cutting.

References

Citations & references

Use the style your department specifies. A PhD carries the largest bibliography, so every entry must be real and verifiable — LivoDraft builds it from DOI-verified papers in your chosen style:

APA (Author, Year)IEEE [1]Harvard (Author, Year)MLAChicagoVancouver

See the full citation-styles guide to pick the right one for your discipline.

Draft your PhD thesis — formatted & Shodhganga-ready

LivoDraft drafts all 8 chapters, applies UGC/Shodhganga formatting, builds a 80+ DOI-verified bibliography, and exports both the full thesis and the chapter-split INFLIBNET package.

Draft my PhD thesis  →See pricing
FAQ

PhD thesis FAQ

How many chapters are in a PhD thesis?+
About 8: Introduction, Literature Review, Theoretical Framework, Methodology, Results, Original Contribution to Knowledge, Discussion and Conclusion.
How long is a PhD abstract?+
Usually up to about 500 words — covering the problem, methodology, key findings and the original contribution.
What is the Shodhganga format?+
Shodhganga (INFLIBNET) requires the thesis split into separate files — title, preliminary pages, each chapter, references and appendices — alongside the full document, in UGC format. LivoDraft exports this automatically.
What margins and spacing apply?+
1.5-inch binding margin, 1-inch top/right/bottom, 1.5 line spacing, Times New Roman 12pt on A4. Check your university handbook for variations.