Introduction
One of the most stressful stages in a PhD journey is the final submission. After months or years of research, writing, revisions, and formatting, scholars often face one last hurdle: the plagiarism check. Most Indian universities — especially private institutions — now require scholars to submit a plagiarism report generated through tools like Turnitin or URKUND. The goal is clear: ensure the thesis reflects your original work.
But for many scholars, especially those unfamiliar with academic writing norms or citation practices, this stage can feel confusing and intimidating. Some worry about unintentional mistakes. Others are unsure how much similarity is allowed. And a few discover too late that their consultant or content writer has used copied material, putting their entire submission at risk.
This blog offers a simple, grounded explanation of how to check your thesis for plagiarism before you submit — especially if you’re studying in an Indian university with evolving academic systems.
Understanding the Basics of a Plagiarism Check
Plagiarism detection is not just about catching cheaters. It’s a tool to ensure that your writing reflects your own understanding — and that any sources you’ve used are properly acknowledged.
Most plagiarism detection software compares your thesis with:
- Published journal articles and books
- Student theses submitted globally
- Websites and online content
- Institutional repositories and conference papers
The result is a similarity report, which shows how much of your text matches existing material. But here’s where many scholars get confused — similarity is not the same as plagiarism.
For example, your literature review will naturally include quoted material and references. A small percentage of similarity is normal, especially in standard definitions or technical descriptions. What matters is whether you’ve cited the source and whether the overall writing reflects your own contribution.
Indian universities typically allow up to 10–15% similarity, but this can vary by department or supervisor. Always check the specific requirement at your institution.
Steps to Check Your Thesis the Right Way
If you’re nearing final submission and want to be confident your thesis will clear the plagiarism check, here are some key steps to follow — especially relevant for Indian scholars dealing with language challenges, limited supervision, or chapter-wise consulting support.
1. Use an Approved Tool
Your university likely has a preferred software — such as Turnitin, URKUND (Ouriginal), or similar. If you’re unsure, ask your research guide or the academic office. Some universities provide access through the library or research cell.
If you don’t have institutional access, some scholars use external academic editing firms to generate a pre-submission plagiarism report. If you do this, make sure:
- The tool used is the same or similar to what your university accepts.
- The report includes a detailed breakdown of matched sources.
- The firm does not store your thesis in public databases (to avoid future matches).
2. Review the Similarity Report Carefully
Once you get the report, don’t just look at the percentage. Check where the matches are coming from.
- If they’re in the reference list or headings, you can usually ignore them.
- If they’re in your literature review, check if you’ve cited properly.
- If they appear in your results or discussion chapters, that’s a red flag.
Always rephrase and re-cite matched sentences where needed. Don’t just rely on automated paraphrasing tools — they often keep the structure the same, which can still be flagged.
3. Fix Citation and Formatting Gaps
Many Indian PhD scholars lose marks not because of copying, but because of poor referencing. Make sure:
- Every source you refer to in-text appears in the reference list.
- Direct quotes are marked with quotation marks and a page number.
- Long blocks of copied explanation are rephrased into your own voice.
Use citation managers like Zotero or Mendeley if you’re dealing with many references. They’re free and can help format your bibliography correctly in APA, MLA, or your university’s required style.
4. Run a Final Check After All Edits
Some scholars edit their thesis after the plagiarism report — but forget to run the check again. If you make major additions or use consultant support for editing, always run a final version through the plagiarism tool again before submission.
Many Indian universities ask for the final report to match the exact version of the submitted thesis — including cover page, annexures, and acknowledgements. Double-check before printing or uploading your final copy.
What to Avoid While Trying to Reduce Similarity
In the rush to meet the similarity requirement, some scholars make mistakes that create new problems. Avoid:
- Using AI-based rewriters without understanding the meaning: They often distort academic content and still get flagged.
- Changing only a few words in copied text: This is still plagiarism if the structure is identical.
- Hiding citations or editing the reference list to reduce matches: This makes the problem worse and may invite disciplinary action.
- Submitting different versions for checking and for final review: If the university discovers this, your thesis can be rejected for manipulation.
It’s better to delay submission by a few days and get your work clean — than to rush and risk rejection or embarrassment during the viva.
Conclusion
Plagiarism checks are not hurdles to fear. They are guardrails that protect your academic credibility — especially in an environment where AI tools, ghostwriters, and online content make copying easier than ever. For Indian PhD scholars, especially those in private universities or interdisciplinary fields, taking charge of this stage is not just about ticking a box. It’s about claiming authorship with clarity and confidence.
When you check your thesis honestly, review your matches, cite properly, and ensure your voice is central — you submit more than a document. You submit a reflection of your journey. One that you can stand by, defend, and be proud of.