IIT Bombay puts an 8-year cap on PhDs: A necessary reform or a threat to research?

IIT Bombay’s decision to cap PhD programmes at eight years has reignited the debate over how long doctoral research should take. While the move could bring accountability and prevent indefinite delays, it also raises concerns about research quality, supervisory responsibility and the unpredictable nature of academic work. The challenge is finding the right balance between timely completion and meaningful research.