"What similarity percentage is allowed in my thesis?" is one of the most common — and most anxiety-inducing — questions postgraduate students ask. The good news is that the rules are clearer than most people think, because nearly every Indian university follows the same national framework.
The UGC framework that most universities follow
The University Grants Commission's Academic Integrity Regulations, 2018 set the standard that KUHS, Kerala University, RGUHS and most Indian universities have adopted for theses and dissertations. It defines four similarity "levels":
| Level | Similarity | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Level 0 | Up to 10% | Acceptable — no penalty |
| Level 1 | Above 10% to 40% | Revision required |
| Level 2 | Above 40% to 60% | Significant penalty / resubmission |
| Level 3 | Above 60% | Most serious — major consequences |
In practice, the target you want to hit is Level 0 — a similarity score of 10% or below.
What actually counts toward your score
A high percentage often comes from text that shouldn't be counted at all. A properly configured Drillbit check excludes:
- Your references and bibliography
- Quoted material that is correctly attributed
- Standard, unavoidable phrases and common technical terms
- Small matches below a set word threshold
This is exactly why two checks of the same thesis can show very different numbers — the settings matter. A correct check counts only genuine overlap.
University-by-university notes
- KUHS (Kerala University of Health Sciences): follows the UGC framework — aim for under 10%.
- University of Kerala (PhD): follows the UGC framework, with similarity reports required at submission.
- RGUHS (Karnataka): also adopts the UGC 2018 levels.
- DNB / DrNB (NBEMS): expects a low similarity thesis; confirm the exact limit and required certificate in the current NBEMS information bulletin, as the board specifies its own submission requirements.
Always check your own university's latest circular — limits and excluded-content rules are occasionally updated, and your guide/department may apply a stricter internal target.
How to bring your score down — the right way
If your report comes back above 10%, the solution is genuine revision, not tricks. Rewrite borrowed passages in your own words, cite every source properly, and convert close paraphrases into original sentences that reflect your own understanding. Tools that insert hidden characters or swap letters to fool the checker are detected and treated as misconduct — never use them.
How we help
At PG Students (Sajan Thesis Works), we run an official Drillbit similarity check — configured correctly so your references and quotes aren't unfairly counted — and give you a clear report of exactly where you stand. If you're above the limit, we guide you through legitimate revision to bring it within your university's requirement.
Contact us for a Drillbit plagiarism check and a verification certificate for your thesis.