India, Aug. 14 -- For nearly four years, 100 doctoral students at the University of Mumbai (MU) have been in academic limbo, waiting for their research topics to be approved. Worse, there seems little chance of that happening any time soon as the Research Recognition Committee (RRC), which gives the all-important go-ahead, is yet to be set up.

These students are drawn from seven departments, most of them in the humanities faculty, including communication and journalism, music and special education. University sources said the RRC for these departments has not been constituted even though a new vice-chancellor was appointed in 2023.

The RRC plays a key role in a PhD student's journey. It approves their research topics, guides and proposa...