Is Your AKTU PG Thesis Ready for 2026? Deadlines, Plagiarism Rules & Viva Schedule Explained

If you're a postgraduate student at Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), this latest circular is something you simply cannot ignore.

Whether you're pursuing M.Tech, M.Pharm, or M.Arch/MURP, the university has released critical guidelines for thesis submission, evaluation, and viva voce for the 2025–26 session.

Imagine this: you've worked months on your thesis, but a missed deadline or formatting mistake stops your submission entirely. Sounds frustrating, right? That’s exactly why understanding these rules is crucial.

Key Dates You Cannot Afford to Miss (2025–26 Session)

Internal Evaluation & Upload Window

1. May 1, 2026 – May 10, 2026

2. Institutions must:

1. Complete internal evaluation
2. Upload applications via Director ERP login

Fee Payment Process

Students must:

1. Pay fees through their own ERP login
2. Only after institution uploads the application

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

1. ❌ No late submissions allowed
2. ❌ No alternate submission methods accepted

👉 Quick Reality Check:If you miss the deadline, your thesis won’t be accepted at all—no exceptions.

Thesis Submission Requirements (Technical Guidelines)

File Format Rules

1. Must be in M.S. Word format
2. Only one single file allowed

Mandatory File Structure

Your file must include:

1. Cover page
2. All required signed attachments

Formatting Standards

1. Follow official Ph.D/M.Tech/M.Pharm thesis guidelines from AKTU website

Important Warning About Repositories

1. 🚫 Do NOT upload your thesis to any repository during plagiarism checks
2. This can increase similarity and lead to rejection

👉 Common Mistake:Students often upload drafts to multiple tools—this can unintentionally raise plagiarism percentage.

AKTU Plagiarism Rules Explained (Similarity Index Made Simple)

What Counts as Plagiarism?

Plagiarism includes:

1. Copying someone else's work
2. Paraphrasing without credit
3. Unauthorized collaboration (collusion)
4. Copy-pasting from the internet

👉 Think of it this way:Your thesis should reflect your understanding, not just reworded content from others.

Allowed Similarity Limits

1. ✅ Total Thesis: Maximum 20%
2. ✅ Single Source: Maximum 5%

What Gets Checked?

1. The Literature Review is mandatory in plagiarism checks

What Is Excluded?

These sections are not counted:

1. References
2. Bibliography
3. Table of Contents
4. Preface & Acknowledgements
5. Equations & standard symbols

Penalties for Plagiarism (Levels 0 to 3 Explained)

Special Cases

1. ⚠️ Repeat offenders face one level higher penalty
2. ⚠️ If plagiarism is found after degree award: Degree may be put in abeyance (suspended)

👉 Bottom line:This isn’t just about submission—it can impact your entire degree.

Documents Required for Final Submission

Before submitting, make sure you have:

1. ✅ Plagiarism Report (Turnitin / Grammarly / Plagscan)
2. ✅ Non-Plagiarism Certificate (signed by supervisor)
3. ✅ Supervisor’s Bonafide Certificate
4. ✅ Thesis Submission Form

👉 Pro Tip:Create a checklist and verify everything before final upload.

Pro Tips to Avoid Plagiarism (Save Your Degree!)

Smart Writing Practices

1. Always acknowledge sources
2. Use quotation marks for exact text

Proper Paraphrasing

1. Don’t just replace words
2. Rewrite ideas in your own understanding

When in Doubt, Cite

1. Not sure if it’s common knowledge?
2. 👉 Just cite it

👉 Example:Instead of copying a paragraph, summarize it in 2–3 lines and add a reference.

Conclusion: Final Checklist Before You Submit

Before you hit submit, double-check:

1. 📅 Deadlines (May 1–10, 2026)
2. 📄 Proper format (single Word file)
3. 📊 Plagiarism under 20%
4. 📑 All required documents ready

This is your final step before evaluation and viva—don’t rush it at the last moment.

View Official Notification: Read full Notification here

👉 Action Step:Open the official PDF, verify each requirement, and prepare your submission at least 2–3 days early to avoid last-minute issues.