The UGC has established the "PhD Excellence Citation" to acknowledge and award outstanding research in different fields each year. The main goal of National Education Policy 2020 is to enhance innovation and a distinct approach in the education sector by advancing knowledge exploration. In a meeting on October 3, 2024, the UGC decided to give ten awards each year to outstanding PhD scholars in various fields, including Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences, and Indian Languages.

The UGC has suggested a strict two-tier selection process, consisting of a screening committee at the university level and a final selection committee at the UGC level. The assessment will take into account the uniqueness, knowledge enhancement, research approach, transparency, influence, and the general display of the thesis. According to a UGC report, there has been a substantial increase in the number of students pursuing research degrees, with PhD admissions increasing from 77,798 in 2010-11 to 161,412 in 2017-18, showing a 10% annual growth rate.

According to a UGC study, there was a significant increase in PhD admissions from 77,798 in 2010-11 to 161,412 in 2017-18, demonstrating a 10% annual growth rate, highlighting a notable rise in research degree pursuits.

Therefore, the UGC created the "PhD Excellence Citation" to acknowledge and celebrate the recipients from different fields annually with the goal of promoting top-quality research in Indian universities.