Credits: 12
Important: Before proceeding to this stage, the student must have successfully completed the required Research Methods course and also the required coursework in the field of Sri Aurobindo Studies offered by SACAR.

PREPARATION, SUBMISSION AND APPROVAL OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL
a) Research Proposal
The student works independently with his or her guide who provides necessary guidance for beginning work on the research proposal. As part of these discussions the students are asked to present their ideas for their M.Phil research project. The student works closely with the guide and completes a 4000-word proposal (approximately 15-20-double-space pages). This should also include a literature review that is relevant to the research topic. Necessary guidelines for proposal preparation and submission are provided by the SACAR guide.
b) Proposal Approval
The guide reviews the proposal and offers guidance and suggestions to the student. If no re-write is necessary, the guide writes a narrative evaluation thereby approving the proposal. In cases where the student is asked to make major revisions and re-submit the proposal, the guide gives clear deadlines to the learner so that the final approval can be granted.

RESEARCH AND DISSERTATION DEVELOPMENT
The student begins the research into approved topic and commences the development and writing of a dissertation in consultation with the guide. The student submits a completed draft of the dissertation to the committee/ guide for review in the following semester.

SUBMISSION OF COMPLETED DRAFT
The dissertation draft should be somewhere between 25,000-50,000 words (approximately 70-100 double-space pages) and should represent a significant contribution to the field, and not merely restate the writings and ideas of other authors. The M.Phil dissertation must be an original work demonstrating the candidate's ability to do independent research in the selected area/topic covering vast existing primary sources and other secondary literature relevant to the field of specialisation. The completed dissertation must be "defended" during an oral viva examination to be held during the last semester of the programme. Additional guidance for dissertation preparation and formatting is provided by the guide.

VIVA, REVISION OF DISSERTATION AND FINAL SUBMISSION
a) Viva Examination
At an appropriate time to be determined by the student and programme guide, the student appears for an oral examination (viva) as part of the dissertation review process. During this examination the student briefly presents his or her research and addresses the questions posed by the Expert Committee formed for the purpose by the consent of SOITS/IGNOU. The committee may also offer suggestions for revisions to the dissertation. The viva is conducted on SACAR campus preferably.
b) Revision and Submission of Final Dissertation
After the viva the student makes revisions to the dissertation based on the Expert committee's recommendations. Final formatting of the manuscript is also completed during this time. The revised dissertation, after the guide has reviewed and approved the final copy, is submitted to SOITS/IGNOU with a recommendation for the award of M.Phil degree to the student.