Unveiling the Scandal: 95% of PhD Theses Flagged at Lucknow University

In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through India's higher education landscape, Lucknow University recently disclosed that over 95% of PhD theses submitted in early 2026 were flagged for plagiarism. This incident, involving 116 out of 121 submissions from January and February, underscores a deepening crisis in academic integrity at one of Uttar Pradesh's premier institutions. Scholars from batches admitted between 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 found their work scrutinized under the university's stringent anti-plagiarism protocols, revealing similarities ranging from 20% to 50%—far exceeding the permissible limit of less than 5% or 180 words for citations and factual content.

The Tagore Library at Lucknow University serves as the frontline in this battle, where soft copies of theses are mandatorily checked before proceeding to evaluation. This process, designed to uphold the originality expected in doctoral research, has instead exposed a systemic reliance on shortcuts, prompting immediate returns of the documents for revisions. As India's higher education sector grapples with rapid expansion under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to boost PhD enrollments to world-class levels, such scandals raise urgent questions about the quality and authenticity of research output.

The Mechanics of Plagiarism Detection at Play

Lucknow University's adoption of DrillBit software marks a pivotal step in combating academic misconduct. This advanced tool scans documents against vast databases comprising journals, theses, books, and even AI-generated content repositories. When a thesis is submitted, it undergoes automated analysis that generates a similarity index, highlighting overlapping phrases, structures, and ideas. In this case, the software detected not just direct copies but also paraphrased sections derived from artificial intelligence tools, which pull from global research pools.

Understanding the workflow: First, candidates upload their thesis soft copy to the library portal. Second, DrillBit processes it within hours, producing a report with color-coded matches—red for high-risk plagiarism. Third, if flagged beyond thresholds, the thesis bounces back with instructions for rework. This mechanism, while robust, faced backlash earlier in January 2026 when scholars reported glitches, claiming original content, including self-typed references, was erroneously marked. The university acknowledged potential issues but emphasized ongoing refinements, signaling a shift toward even more reliable Turnitin integration for undergraduate and postgraduate levels soon.

Root Causes: AI Overreliance and Supervisory Gaps

At the heart of the Lucknow University PhD plagiarism scandal lies the unchecked proliferation of AI tools like chatbots. These platforms, intended for tedious tasks such as data compilation or literature summarization, are increasingly misused for core 'thinking' processes—generating hypotheses, analyses, and conclusions. AI expert Mukul Srivastava notes, "Artificial intelligence itself is not the problem, but its misuse is. AI should be used in works that are time-consuming or tedious. However, when AI is used for ‘thinking’, the research loses its core of originality."

Contributing factors include inadequate supervision amid burgeoning PhD intakes. In India, PhD admissions have surged post-NEP 2020, with universities like Lucknow handling hundreds annually. Supervisors, often overburdened, may overlook methodological rigor, fostering environments where quick AI fixes replace painstaking library dives. Cultural pressures for swift completions, coupled with limited training in ethical AI use, exacerbate the issue. A senior Faculty of Arts professor at LU remarked, "This reform finally tilts the balance back in favour of genuine scholars, those who spend hours digging through books instead of relying on AI chatbots."

University's Swift Response and Proactive Measures

Lucknow University has responded decisively, returning all 116 flagged theses for revisions without awarding degrees until originality is assured. Honorary Librarian Keya Pandey emphasized, "Plagiarism checks are not just meant to catch copying but to ensure scholars return to genuine academic engagement, where critical thinking and authenticity remain central." The institution, which established departmental anti-plagiarism committees in 2023 under its PhD ordinance, is now gearing up for Turnitin deployment—a gold standard that detects AI beyond mere text matches.

These steps align with broader institutional reforms, including mandatory research methodology courses and plagiarism awareness workshops. By enforcing returns rather than penalties outright, LU prioritizes redemption, allowing scholars to infuse personal insights. This approach mitigates backlash while reinforcing standards, potentially setting a precedent for other Uttar Pradesh universities like Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) nearby.

UGC Guidelines: How LU's Standards Compare

The University Grants Commission (UGC), India's higher education regulator, mandates plagiarism checks via its 2018 (Promotion of Academic Integrity and Prevention of Plagiarism) regulations. These classify similarity into levels: Level 0 (up to 10%, no penalty), Level 1 (10-40%, revise manuscript), up to Level 4 (debarment). Exclusions cover quotes, bibliography, and common knowledge. UGC's detailed policy requires all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to use tools like Urkund or Turnitin and submit theses to INFLIBNET's Shodhganga repository.

LU's stricter 5% threshold exceeds UGC minima, reflecting proactive governance. While UGC has cracked down on AI-pasted theses elsewhere—like rejecting dozens at Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar Bihar University (BRABU) in February 2026— no specific response to LU yet. This incident may prompt national audits, emphasizing supervisor accountability and AI ethics training.

Expert Voices and Stakeholder Perspectives

Reactions pour in from academia. Research scholar testimonials highlight vindication: "Long hours spent in the library are beginning to matter, and the idea that hard work pays off no longer sounds outdated." Critics, however, point to software limitations, echoing January's glitch complaints where even cited works triggered false positives.

Broader voices include calls for systemic overhaul. Experts advocate hybrid models: AI for efficiency, humans for innovation. In Uttar Pradesh, where PhD outputs fuel faculty recruitment, this scandal impacts hiring, as universities prioritize verified integrity. Student bodies demand transparent appeals, while supervisors face scrutiny over guidance lapses.

Similar Scandals Rocking Indian Higher Education

This is no isolated event. In February 2026, BRABU returned theses for AI copying exceeding 40% similarity. IIT Bombay probed a professor for plagiarism earlier. Nationally, 303 retractions from Indian universities since 2020 stem from misconduct, per databases like Retraction Watch. Galgotias University faced backlash over dubious publications, highlighting predatory practices.

• BRABU: Dozens rejected for AI content, mirroring LU's scale.
• RV University: Researcher accused post-theft plagiarism in January 2026.
• Trend: 50%+ PhD theses in some studies show plagiarism traces, per 2021 surveys.

These cases signal a pan-India crisis, amplified by PhD proliferation without proportional integrity infrastructure. Detailed coverage in Times of India.

Far-Reaching Impacts on Scholars and Institutions

For scholars, delays mean extended stipends, stalled careers—critical in competitive academia where PhDs unlock faculty roles. Mentally, revisions under pressure compound anxiety, especially post-glitch scares. Institutions risk reputational damage; LU's NIRF ranking could dip, affecting funding and enrollments.

Economically, flawed research undermines India's R&D ambitions, with NEP targeting 10,000+ quality PhDs yearly. Globally, Indian papers face skepticism, hampering collaborations. Positively, it catalyzes reforms, rewarding diligent researchers and weeding out opportunists.

Challenges in Modern Plagiarism Detection

Tools like DrillBit excel at surface matches but falter on sophisticated paraphrasing or AI 'humanization'. Steps to improve:

• Train on Indic languages for cultural nuances.
• Integrate manual reviews by committees.
• Educate on ethical citations—e.g., distinguishing AI summaries from original synthesis.

LU's glitch episode illustrates: No formal contest mechanisms led to panic. Future-proofing demands hybrid human-AI oversight.

Solutions and Path Forward for Ethical Research

Solution-oriented strides include:

1. Mandatory AI ethics modules in PhD coursework.
2. Supervisor training on detection tools.
3. National Shodhganga enhancements for pre-submission checks.
4. Incentives for original work, like fast-tracks for low-plagiarism theses.

Universities must foster cultures valuing process over product—library immersions, peer reviews. Policymakers could enforce UGC 2.0 with AI-specific clauses. Ultimately, reclaiming integrity elevates Indian higher education globally.

Photo by Muskan Dev on Unsplash

Outlook: Rebuilding Trust in Indian PhD Ecosystem

The Lucknow University episode, while alarming, offers redemption. By enforcing revisions, it salvages careers while signaling zero tolerance. As India eyes Viksit Bharat @2047, robust PhD quality is non-negotiable. Stakeholders—from UGC to scholars—must collaborate for a future where innovation trumps imitation, ensuring doctoral pursuits embody true scholarly pursuit. LU's anti-plagiarism policy page.