The aim of the cycle of studies that leads to the Doctorate is “the furtherance of philosophical and theological studies and allied disciplines” (Art. 2). The canonical doctorate is conferred after the successful completion of the doctoral programme that consists of two parts.

1. a) The purpose of the first part of the doctoral programme, which lasts for six months, is twofold: to check the capacity of the candidate to do research and to enable him/her to do the preparatory work in the area in which he/she desires to do research. Accordingly, the first part consists of (i) the Orientation Programme, (ii) the study of required languages, (iii) writing two research papers of 7000 to 8000 words each related to the area of one’s doctoral research under two guides within six months, and (iv) passing the candidacy examination with a minimum grade of B+, in which a two-member board consisting of both guides will examine the student orally for one hour on the basis of the two research papers.
2. b) The Second part of the doctoral programme intends to help the student to do independent scholarly research with the guidance of his/her guide, thus to make an original contribution to the particular area of research through writing the dissertation, defending it and publishing it at least in part. Accordingly, the second part consists of
1. (i) submitting doctoral dissertation proposal to the chairperson of the doctoral committee within three months from the time the candidacy examination is held, which includes the aim of the dissertation, the method to be employed, and the guide suggested for the doctoral dissertation.
2. (ii) writing a doctoral dissertation under a guide, which must be composed according to the norms of scholarship, of 60,000 words minimum if it is a systematic study, and of 100,000 words minimum if it is a historical study.
3. (iii) presenting a paper related to the student’s doctoral research in the doctoral colloquium of the respective faculties before submitting his/her doctoral dissertation,
4. (iv) public defence of the dissertation before a board of three examiners, and
5. (v) publication, at least in part, of the doctoral dissertation in order to obtain the canonical doctorate. (For further details see Bye-Laws to Art 31, Statutes of Jnana Deepa Institute).

During the tenure of the doctoral programme, the doctoral student reports to the chairperson of the doctoral committee the progress of his/her research every year on or before March 30. The annual report of research progress should also include timeline of further research and be approved by his/her guide.