DLitt

India

In India the DLitt degree was earlier called the Doctor of Letters, but presently DLitt is an abbreviation of "Doctor of Literature" or Doctorate in Literature (D.Litt.), since the year 2014, after a Gazette Notification by the Government of India mandated a change in the nomenclature. The D.Litt. is the highest postdoctoral degree awarded in the fields of arts, humanities and social sciences. The DLitt may be "earned" through research in a public university, or bestowed as an honoris causa award for distinguished achievements. For an earned DLitt degree, the entry requirement is a Doctor of Philosophy degree and evidence of substantial contribution to the field after completion of PhD. The DLitt Thesis is expected to be of an exceptionally high order, and is reviewed by eminent experts in the subject. The new vistas of knowledge embodied in the DLitt Thesis must also be publicly defended. DLitt (honoris causa) are conferred by public universities, usually on visiting dignitaries or on experts who may or may not have the prescribed qualification, but have substantially contributed to academic or professional development of a field of knowledge.