Shodhganga – a national level open access ETD repository of Indian electronic theses: current status and discussions

This paper aims to examine the progress and current status of Shodhganga: a reservoir Indian electronic theses. The paper further discusses the need and importance of a centrally maintained repository in the current age and the role and challenges of universities, libraries and researchers in development of institutional repositories at university levels.

Data are collected from Shodhganga server/Web site followed by simple excel analysis which are presented in the paper in the form of tables and graphs.

As on 30 June 2015, a total of 40,175 theses have been deposited in the repository by 217 universities. Jawaharlal Nehru University has submitted highest number of theses (4570, 11.37 per cent) followed by Anna University (2910, 7.24 per cent), Mahatma Gandhi University (2056, 5.12 per cent) and Bundelkhand University (1760, 4.38 per cent). Highest number of theses has been submitted from the state of Tamil Nadu. Numbers of theses and site visitors are gradually increasing (2010-2015).

Shodhganga central repository of Indian electronic theses is an important step of Informational and Library Network Centre and University Grants Commission (UGC) in the Indian subcontinent. The paper recommends that besides UGC-recognised universities, other private/deemed universities, IITs, NITs and IISERs should also be welcomed for voluntarily deposit their theses in the Shodhganga central repository, and one of the fastest way to make progress is to let students upload their works directly.