Published 28 September 2026
Defences before 2027: transition rule and online process
Publication of Decree PF-98 did not instantly replace every prior defence requirement. OAK issued a separate explanation of the rules applying to defences announced and held before 2027.
The transitional condition
Under paragraph 7 of PF-98, applicants whose defences OAK announced and who defended before 1 January 2027 receive their degrees under the procedure that applied before the decree took effect. Both the announcement and completed defence conditions matter in an individual case.
Electronic submission
The decree directed the responsible bodies to enable defence-related processes through a unified online system by 1 August 2026. OAK lists submission of dissertations and abstracts, reviewers’ and opponents’ opinions, defence scheduling and evaluation. That deadline does not itself confirm that every step operates in a particular council; specific procedures are removed only in 2027.
Keep the record
Retain evidence of the announcement, defence date and electronically submitted materials. Borderline cases should be assessed against the decree and official OAK explanations rather than a third party’s informal claim.
Verification sources
- OAK — transition period and digital defence systemSource: official Uzbekistan OAK website; published 23.06.2026.
- Presidential Decree PF-98 on research training and attestationSource: Lex.uz national legislation database; instrument dated 26.05.2026.
Prepared from official OAK and Lex.uz publications. Principal source: OAK — transition period and digital defence system.