Archive · 31 Jul 2026
Austrian Scholar’s 12‑Year PhD Delay at Pune University
Alexander Reisenbichler, an Austrian student, started a PhD at a university in Pune in 2014.
He says his supervisor didn’t give him the help he needed, so he couldn’t finish his work.
The university says the problem was paperwork and that they had already given him extra time because of COVID and his travel.
Alexander has asked the Austrian Embassy and the UGC for help and posted about it online.
The university’s vice‑chancellor says he should file a formal complaint, and if the delay wasn’t his fault, they might give him a special extension.
Alexander Reisenbichler enrolled in SPPU’s Anthropology Department in 2014 and has not finished his PhD after 12 years.
He claims his guide, Dr John Gaikwad, and former department head failed to provide necessary guidance and documentation.
The university and its faculty deny the allegations, citing administrative lapses and that extensions were granted for COVID‑19 and his stay abroad.
Reisenbichler has sought help from the Austrian Embassy, the UGC, and posted on X, while the university has not responded to extension requests.
Pro Vice‑Chancellor Parag Kalkar says the student should file a formal complaint; if the delay was not his fault, a special extension may be granted.
- Who
- Austrian scholar Alexander Reisenbichler and SPPU faculty
- What
- Dispute over a 12‑year delay in completing a PhD
- When
- Enrolled in 2014; dispute ongoing through July 2026
- Where
- Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
- Why
- Alleged lack of guidance versus administrative delays
- Scholar
- Alexander Reisenbichler
- University
- Savitribai Phule Pune University
- Enrollment Year
- 2014
- Duration
- 12 years
- Status
- PhD incomplete
