Purpose: To develop a concept for simplifying the complications of the Ph.D. journey of research scholars in India. Design/Methodology/Approach: Postmodernism research philosophical paradigm; Inductive research approach; Observation data collection method; Longitudinal data collection time frame. Findings/Result: It is evident that the key drivers that play an important and decisive role in simplifying the complications of the Ph.D. journey of research scholars in India are i) the level of focus on ‘Fact’ and ‘Factors’; ii) level of interest in the ‘Fact’ and ‘Factors’; iii) level of autonomy provided to choose the ‘Fact’ and ‘Factors’. Originality/Value: The ‘8Fs’ concept is unique as no such concepts are being developed in India to date. We determinedly believe that a holistic adoption of the ‘8Fs’ concept by every stakeholder of the research education system would help increase the Ph.D. success rate in India. Paper Type: Conceptual Theory
