Comments for Post #C27982

Transfer your credits to a different university if you’ve already completed some thesis in PHD. It’s legit and most universities allow it. Do some research around that. All the best. Don’t punch him it won’t help you get your degree.

My department never gave me a PhD advisor in the first place; so I can relate to a large extent. My suggestion: 1. Try to change your advisor if possible. In the last few years, newer faculty would have joined; perhaps one of them can become your advisor. 2. Finish your PhD and get your degree. Get a job and start working. 3. Optional: Punch your current advisor and share the video in this group.

Go ahead. Don’t regret later.

Brother, 33M, 6 years in PhD at new IIT - I feel you. What you are feeling is not anger, it's burnout + helplessness. Every PhD student who had an absentee advisor has had this exact fantasy of punching/vandalizing. You are not alone, and you are not a bad person for thinking it. But please don't act on it - one punch will finish YOUR career, not his. What he is doing is very wrong ethically - taking PhD students for extra allowance and then spending time as visiting scholar abroad, zero mentoring. But as you saw, HOD and PhD office won't help - this is the sad system in many new IITs. Since you said you want to complete at any cost (and you have already invested 6 years), let's focus on exit strategy: 1. Stop expecting mentoring from him.** Accept he is absent. Your PhD is now a self-driven project. 2. Get a shadow advisor.Find one friendly prof in your dept or another IIT who works in similar area. Don't ask officially, just go to them for technical doubts. Many profs help informally. 3. Document everything.Email your advisor weekly with updates and ask for inputs (even if he doesn't reply). Keep trail. This will help if you need to go to Dean Academics or file formal grievance later. 4. Target minimum publishable unit.Don't chase perfect thesis. Ask seniors who finished under him - what was the minimum papers/patent needed? Do that and push for thesis submission. 5. Talk to your dropped-out labmates.they might know the exact loophole to change advisor or get co-guide officially. Sometimes changing co-guide to main guide is possible after 5 years. 6. Mental health:6 years is a lot. Talk to IIT counselling cell, not because you are weak, but because you need a neutral space. And talk to family - don't isolate. Don't vandalize office. Use that anger to write one more paper and get out of there. Your degree is bigger than his ignorance. You have survived 6 years - you are almost there. Don't let 1 moment of anger destroy 6 years of hard work. Finish and never look back.

Just finish your research yourself. Complete all the mandatory things like number of journal Papers, conferences etc., and submit. PhDs are usually for people who can research on their own but with minimal help for direction and solving any hurdles during the research. Your PhD is not entirely dependent on the supervisor alone. It’s not his job to make you complete your PhD. Supervisor endha thollayum kudukama gammunu irukardhe periya vishayam as far as I know. In 6 years, how many papers have you published? Have you finished your requirements?

1. U can change ur supervisor, can follow that procedure (but i will not advise it, specially at this stage). 2.u hv learned whatever u cud in phd, just write it up focusing on intro and analysis part, and bind the thesis...examiners focus on these two parts mainly and even u wont open thesis again once awarded.. u hv spent 6 years now dont waste it by doing something...keep some more patience, once u hv ur degree u can tell ur supervisor he is good for nothing... These new IIT/NIT professors are useless.. My brother is also in same boat matching ur timeline... He himself prepared the panel and got it forwarded by his supervisor... U too do same... Patience is the key here.. Just few more months...

Reality of advisors. God complex.

It's true; I have seen it.

Try change university . Get attached to another Dean, nothing prevents having multiple Advisors/Mentors, then the second advisor will himself talk to the present n sort out maybe. Look for a friend of your present Mentor, no matter on private payment basis, that will solve it. Write your grievance to the vice chancellor & copy it to chancellor & HoD, in a respectful manner. Involve a lawyer to draft it. Even if the president of india fwds your letter to your hod, your work is done, lol, yes thts practical not theory. PS: Copy it to the Minister HRD as well.

Your frustration is completely understandable, especially after investing six years of your life in a PhD and feeling that your advisor has not provided the guidance you were promised. But acting on the urge to punch or vandalise his office could turn an academic problem into a legal and disciplinary problem that ultimately damages your career. At this stage, the priority should be getting your PhD completed, not winning a fight with your advisor. Start documenting everything, meetings requested, unanswered emails, research progress, approvals, feedback, and previous complaints. Keep communication professional and preferably in writing. Then explore every formal option available, changing supervisors if the institute permits it, forming a co-supervision arrangement, approaching the doctoral committee or dean, or requesting an independent review of your progress. Since you have already invested six years, it is worth getting a clear written roadmap for what remains, required experiments, publications, thesis requirements, deadlines, and who can approve each stage. If necessary, seek guidance from a senior faculty member you trust who is outside the immediate conflict. Most importantly, don't let an irresponsible supervisor push you into doing something that could jeopardise the degree you've worked so hard for. Anger is justified, violence isn't. Protect your future first.

Keep at it. You will complete you phd. Don't worry too much.

Supervisors never help. I am also a scholar but my supervisor never helps me in any way. Everything is done by me alone.

And full life, this life will punch u

Thank your stars that you aren't a lady