National Eligibility Test (NET)

The National Eligibility Test (NET), also known as UGC NET or NTA-UGC-NET, is a test to determine eligibility for college and university level lecturership and for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) for Indian nationals. It aims to ensure minimum standards for the entrants in teaching professions and research. On behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the test for determining the eligibility of Indian nationals for the Eligibility for Assistant Professor only or Junior Research Fellowship and Eligibility for Assistant Professor both in Indian universities and colleges.

Until July 2018, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted the UGC NET exam but from December 2018 onwards, NTA is conducting the UGC National Eligibility Test. As per the press-release by Indian Government, the exam would be conducted twice a year, and it will be conducted in an online mode instead of offline mode.

University Grants Commission (UGC) announced in 2013 that the candidates who clear the NET successfully would be eligible for lucrative jobs in public sector undertakings (PSUs). PSUs can use UGC-NET scores for the recruitment process of the posts of executives in their organizations in disciplines like science (R&D), management, corporate communications, human resources, and finance. This step taken by the UGC would also increase the number of students taking the UGC-NET examination which has witnessed a gradual decline in recent years.

UGC NET qualification is divided into the following steps:

• Obtain minimum qualifying marks with aggregate 55% marks to General and 50% to others in master’s degree.
• The paper will be divided into two papers – Paper 1 & 2. The students would have to attempt total (both paper 1 &2) 150 questions in 3 Hours.
• Those who score more than the cutoff marks in the exam would be declared qualified for JRF.
• On the other hand, Top 6% of candidates will be selected for each subject and category eligibility for JRF only if they haven’t applied for Assissant lecturer.

From net qualified students, a list of JRF will be prepared. The merit list will be prepared by using a formula.

Candidates clearing NET exams are also eligible for Junior Research Fellowship. UGC follows the Government of India’s reservation policy, as per which a minimum of 27%, 15%, 7.5% and 5% of fellowships are reserved for the OBC (non-creamy layer), SC, ST and persons with disabilities (PWD).

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