Expansion of knowledge base through research programmes is the most fundamental aspect to develop a discipline. Recommendations of commissions and committees on the need of research for a discipline make it easier for educationists to develop that discipline. In this paper the authors have tried to deliberate the fact that various post independent Indian commissions and committees pointed out the potentiality of research works in library and information science (LIS). Thus the paper attempts to make the question of credibility once raised to accept LIS as a discipline null and void. For this the paper presents the view points of eminent scholars given in the first half of 20th century on the place of research in LIS and the genesis of doctoral research in LIS in India in nut shell. Thereafter, presenting the recommendations of commissions and committees on LIS research, it discusses the several related points of research programmes in LIS with special emphasis on doctoral research which have been deliberated by those recommendations. They are – need of research in LIS, areas of research, provision of fund, agencies and centre for research work, admission criteria, intake capacity and duration of research programme. The analysis of recommendations also takes into account the view points of Government of India on LIS research programmes.

Keywords: Curriculum development committee; Librarianship; Library committee; Doctoral research in LIS; Recommendations on LIS research; Review committee; University grants commission.