KUHS thesis guidelines for MD/MS, made simple
The KUHS Post Graduate Thesis/Dissertation Regulations 2024, laid out so you can see every deadline, format rule and step at a glance — with each rule linked to the clause it comes from.
At a glance
Your thesis timeline, step by step
In order — each step needs the one before it. The clause numbers point to the regulation itself.
- Within 30 days of joiningGuide assigned by the HoDClause 7(a)
- Start of the academic yearAttend the institution's workshop on writing a research protocolClause 9(a)
- Before submissionProtocol approved by the Department, then accepted by the IRC/SRC, then cleared by the IECClause 9(d), 10(a–b)
- Within 6 months of course startSubmit the protocol online to KUHS — 4 months for 2-year courses, unless your course regulations set another limit+3 months grace with late feeClause 11(a–d)
- Within 3 months of submissionUniversity review of the protocol; decision published on the websiteClause 12(g)
- At least 6 monthsCarry out the research after the University approves the protocolClause 20(i, iii)
- 6 months before the final examSubmit the thesis to the University, with the prescribed feeClause 20(ii)
- After evaluationHall ticket issued only once the thesis is acceptedClause 21(b)(iii)
If you miss the protocol deadline Clause 11(e–h)
- A grace period of 3 months is allowed with a late fee fixed by the University.
- The submission window closes at the end of the grace period.
- Missing it can extend your course by the number of days until you do submit, with a superfine decided by the University.
Formatting the thesis book
Everything the regulation specifies about how the printed thesis must look.
The order of sections
Arrange the book in exactly this order.
Preliminary pages
Clause 19- Title page
- Declaration by the student; bona fide certificate from the Guide; endorsement by the HoD and Head of the Institution
- Acknowledgements
- Abstract with keywords
- Table of contents
- List of tables
- List of figures
- List of annexures
- Definitions and abbreviations
Main text
Clause 19- Introduction, research question, aims and objectives, hypothesis (if any), review of literature
- Methodology, results, discussion
- Limitations and scope for future studies
- Conclusions and policy implications (if any)
- Summary
References
Clause 19- Consolidated list, in order of citation
Annexures
Clause 19- Blank data sheets and blank consent forms
- Master chart — without any patient-identifying information
- Questionnaires, scales, instruments; permissions for copyrighted material
- IEC approval, plagiarism checking certificates, certificate of completion from the IEC
The abstract
- Background, research question (if any) and objectives
- Methods
- Results and discussion
- Conclusion
Keywords: Up to 10, chosen preferably from MeSH, separated by semicolons.
Source: Annexure — Format for Thesis/Dissertation Abstract
What to submit
Certificates and declarations Clause 19(n), 17(b), Annexures
- Declaration by the candidate
- Certificate by the Guide
- Endorsement by the HoD and Principal
- Plagiarism verification certificate
- Self-plagiarism exclusion certificate and/or self-plagiarism co-authors certificate
- Certificate of quarterly progress monitoring by the Department
- Copyright declaration — KUHS may preserve and disseminate the thesis
The regulation requires adherence to the University's plagiarism policy in force; it does not itself state a similarity percentage.
How to submit Clause 20
- Soft copy in .pdf, .odt, .docx or .doc, submitted by e-mail and on CD-ROM/DVD-ROM
- The required number of hard copies to your Department
- A complete submission within the time limit is mandatory to register for the final examination
How the thesis is evaluated
Three examiners: one from another KUHS-affiliated institution, two from other universities. Clause 21(b)
Two examiners accept
The thesis is accepted
Two examiners suggest changes
Resubmit with the changes within 30 days; usually re-examined by the same examiners
Two examiners reject
Resubmit within 30 days, evaluated as a fresh thesis; a course extension of up to one year may be granted
Every resubmission needs the prescribed fee and fresh plagiarism certificates. If your course regulations prescribe their own evaluation procedure, that procedure applies instead.
Easy to get wrong
Check past topics first Clause 8(c–d)
Protocols that closely resemble a study already done under the University are liable to be rejected — search the University's register of previous studies before choosing.
Changing your guide Clause 13
The Principal must notify the University within two weeks of the event; if not done within a month, the final thesis is liable to be rejected.
Changing title or methods Clause 14
Request it through the University website with IEC approval; a change in methodology is treated as a fresh protocol submission.
Progress is reviewed Clause 6(f), 17
Your Department assesses progress every quarter, and departmental review meetings are held every six months.
Always confirm with your department. Universities issue batch-specific circulars with exact dates and fees, and course regulations can override parts of this regulation. This page summarises the regulation below; it is not an official document.
- Regulation
- KUHS Post Graduate Thesis/Dissertation Regulations 2024
- Published
- Kerala Gazette Extraordinary No. 1786, Vol. XIII, 5 June 2024
- Approved
- Academic Council 27.02.2024 (item 36.08) · Governing Council 01.03.2024 · Senate 23.03.2024
- Notification
- No.10155/2022/AC1/Gen.A2/KUHS (2), dated 27 February 2024
- Official PDF
- http://www2.kuhs.ac.in/kuhs_new/images/uploads/pdf/academic/2024/PG-Thesis-Gazetted-Regulation.pdf
- Verify gazette
- https://compose.kerala.gov.in/
- Last checked
- 14 September 2026
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