UGC NET Eligibility Criteria is prescribed by the National Testing Agency on behalf of the University Grand Commission. Candidates looking to participate in the UGC NET examination for June or December cycle have to qualify for the same. The agency has prescribed the minimum UGC NET age limit and educational qualification. Additionally, the candidates will also be eligible to enjoy reservation benefits and exemptions applicable to the post they are applying for.
UGC NET Eligibility Criteria
As per the UGC NET eligibility criteria, the NTA revised the upper age limit for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) on January 5, 2023. Candidates must be no older than 30 years old to apply for the UGC JRF. Those who meet the eligibility requirements can proceed to fill out the application form. Candidates need to review the eligibility criteria for both the NET JRF and the NET Assistant Professors/Lecturers before applying. The UGC NET is conducted biannually to assess candidates’ qualifications for JRF and Assistant Professorships along with admission to PhD.
UGC NET Age Limit
The National Testing Agency has prescribed the minimum age limit that candidates have to possess to be eligible for the exam. The agency has notified separately the age limit for both JRF (Junior Research Fellow) and Assistant Professor and the same can be checked below.
JRF
Candidates applying for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) should not exceed 30 years of age as of the first day of the month (i.e., June) in which the UGC NET exam concludes. This age limit applies only to the current examination. Candidates can check out the age relaxation applicable to the post as per UGC NET eligibility criteria.
Assistant Professor
There is no age restriction for applying for the position of Assistant Professor or Lectureship through the UGC NET exam.
UGC NET Educational Qualification
Candidates applying for the UGC NET examination have to possess the basic eligibility prescribed for appearing in the exam. According to UGC NET eligibility criteria, candidates should have the following educational qualifications:
- Candidates must obtain a minimum of 55% marks in their master’s degree examinations. However, a relaxation of 5% is available for those from Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Class (OBC), Persons with Disability (PwD), and Transgender categories, allowing them to qualify with 50% aggregate marks.
- It is essential for candidates to have completed their post-graduation from a UGC-recognized institution in relevant fields such as Humanities, Social Sciences, Electronic Science, Computer Science & Applications, among others.
- Candidates who are currently in the final year of their master’s degree or awaiting results can apply online as per UGC NET eligibility criteria. These candidates will be admitted provisionally and must achieve the required percentage in their master’s degree to be considered eligible. They must complete their PG degree within two years from the NET result date; otherwise, they will be disqualified.
- PhD degree holders whose master’s degree was completed on or before September 19, 1991, are eligible for a 5% relaxation in aggregate marks, meaning they only need to secure 50% marks.
UGC NET Reservation Policy
The UGC NET exam follows the Government of India’s reservation policy, reserving seats in central universities and deemed universities according to established guidelines for various categories. Here, in the section below you can check the reservation applicable to UGC NET eligibility criteria.
| Category | UGC NET Reservation of seats (In %) |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 15 |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 7.5 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) | 27 |
| General-Economically Weaker Sections (General- EWS) | 10 |
| Persons with Disability (PwD) with 40 per cent or more disability | 4 |
UGC NET Exemptions
Candidates who are applying for the post of Assistant Professor under the UGC NET examination will be eligible for exemptions. These applicable to UGC NET eligibility criteria can be checked below:
- Awardees of PhD degrees in accordance with UGC Regulations, 2009 are exempt from the requirement of meeting the minimum eligibility criteria for UGC NET.
- Candidates who cleared the UGC/CSIR JRF examination before 1989 are exempt from appearing for the exam as per UGC NET eligibility criteria.
- Those who passed the State Eligibility Test (SET), such as MH SET, APSET, KSET, etc., before June 1, 2002, are exempt from appearing for the UGC NET exam. Such candidates can apply for the position of Assistant Professor in colleges and universities across India based on their SET score.
- Candidates who cleared the State Eligibility Test after June 1, 2002, can apply for the position of Assistant Professor only in colleges and universities located in the state from which they cleared the SET exam.
UGC NET Subject Eligibility
One of the most important UGC NET eligibility criteria for the exam is the selection of the appropriate subject while submitting the application form. The UGC NET exam comprises Paper 1 and Paper 2.
- While Paper 1, titled ‘General Paper on Teaching and Research Aptitude,’ is compulsory for all candidates, they need to choose an appropriate subject for Paper 2.
- According to the official UGC NET notification, candidates are advised to appear in the subject of their post-graduation only. However, there are some exceptions as mentioned below:
- Candidates with a Master’s Degree in Geography (with a specialization in Population Studies) or Mathematics/Statistics are also eligible to appear for ‘Population Studies (Subject Code 015).
- Candidates with a Master’s Degree in Humanities (including languages) and Social Sciences are eligible to appear for ‘Women Studies’ (Subject Code 074).
Other Criterias Applicable to UGC NET Eligibility Criteria
Apart from the basic UGC NET Eligibility Criteria, candidates also have to fulfill the other eligibility criteria listed in the section below.
- Candidates should take the UGC NET exam in the subject that corresponds to their post-graduation degree.
- If a candidate’s post-graduation subject is not listed among the subjects offered by UGC, they may choose to appear in a related subject as per official guidelines.
- Candidates with a post-graduate diploma or certificate from an Indian university, or a degree/diploma/certificate from a foreign university, must verify that their qualification is equivalent to a master’s degree from a recognized Indian university.
- The equivalence of foreign or Indian diplomas/degrees/certificates must be confirmed by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) in New Delhi.
FAQs
Who is eligible for the UGC NET exam?
Candidates with a master’s degree from a UGC-recognized university, securing at least 55% marks (50% for reserved categories), are eligible to apply for the UGC NET exam.
Can I apply for NET after graduation?
No, candidates must have completed their master’s degree to be eligible for the UGC NET exam; graduation alone does not qualify for application.
Can an undergraduate apply for UGC NET?
Undergraduates cannot apply for the UGC NET exam. A completed master’s degree is a mandatory requirement for eligibility.
What is UGC NET salary?
The salary for UGC NET qualified Assistant Professors varies by institution but typically ranges from ₹30,000 to ₹60,000 per month, depending on experience and university regulations.
Can I do PhD without NET?
Yes, candidates can pursue a PhD without qualifying for the NET exam, but some universities may require it for admission or offer fellowships.