A STUDY OF THE SCHEME OF DEVELOPING HIGH-QUALITY RESEARCH (SHODH)

High-quality research plays a pivotal role in knowledge creation, innovation, and the promotion of sustainable development within the higher education sector. Recognizing the need to enhance the standard of doctoral research, the Government of Gujarat launched the Scheme of Developing High-Quality Research (SHODH) to provide structured financial and academic support to Ph.D. scholars. The present investigation explores the objectives, framework, implementation process, and perceived effectiveness of the SHODH scheme in improving research quality. A descriptive survey research method was used, and data were gathered from SHODH beneficiary doctoral scholars through a questionnaire. The collected data were analysed using statistical techniques such as percentage analysis and independent sample t-tests. The results reveal that the SHODH scheme exerts a positive impact on research continuity, scholarly motivation, and overall research quality among beneficiaries, with statistically significant differences observed across selected demographic variables. The findings of the study highlight the effectiveness of state-level research funding initiatives and their role in strengthening research ecosystems in higher education.