UGC-NET - Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

• Candidateswho have secured at least 55% marks (without grace or rounding off) inMaster’s Degree (or) equivalent examination from Universities/Institutionsrecognised by UGC in Humanities (including languages) and Social Sciences,Computer Science & Applications, Electronic Science etc. are eligiblefor this Test. The Scheduled Caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST)/PhysicallyHandicapped (PH)/Visually Handicapped (VH) category candidates who havesecured at least 50% marks (without grace or rounding off) in Master’sdegree examination are eligible for this Test.

• Candidateswho have appeared OR will be appearing at the qualifying Master’s degree(final year) examination and whose result is still awaited OR candidateswhose qualifying examinations have been delayed may also apply for thisTest. However, such candidates will be admitted provisionally and shall beconsidered eligible for award of JRF/Lectureship eligibility only afterthey have passed their Master’s degree examination or equivalent with atleast 55% marks (50% in case of SC/ST/PH/VH category candidates). Suchcandidates must complete their P.G. degree examination within two yearsfrom the date of NET Result with required percentage of marks, failingwhich they shall be treated as disqualified.

• ThePh.D. degree holders whose Master’s level examination had been completedby 19th September, 1991 (irrespective of date of declaration of result)shall be eligible for a relaxation of 5% in aggregate marks (i.e., from55% to 50%) for appearing in NET.

• Candidatesare advised to appear in the subject of their post-graduation only. The candidates,whose post-graduation subject is not covered in the list of subjects initem No. 9, may appear in a related subject.

• Candidatesseeking concession in fee are required to submit attested copy of theirOBC/SC/ST/PH/VH certificate along with their Application Forms. Othercandidates are not required to submit any certificates/documents insupport of their eligibility alongwith the Application Form. Therefore,the candidates, in their own interest, must satisfy themselves about theireligibility for the Test. In the event of any ineligibility being detectedby the Commission, their candidature will be cancelled and they shall be liablefor legal action.

Age Limit

Junior Research Fellowship: Not more than 28 years as on the date mentioned in the brochure. A relaxation upto 5 years is provided to the candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/PH/VH categories and to women applicants. Relaxation will also be provided to the candidates having research experience, limited to the period spent on research in the relevant/related subject of post-graduation degree, subject to a maximum of 5 years, on production of a certificate from appropriate authority. Three years’ relaxation in age will be permissible to the candidates possessing L.L.M. Degree. Total age relaxation on the above ground(s) shall not exceed five years under any circumstances.

Lectureship: No upper age limit.

Exemption (Eligibility for Lectureship)

For M. Phil/ Ph.D candidates: The candidates having Ph.D. Degree in the concerned subject are exempted from NET for Under Graduate and Post Graduate level teaching. The candidates having M. Phil Degree in the concerned subject are exempted from NET for Under Graduate level teaching only. The candidates who have passed the UGC/CSIR JRF examination prior to 1989 are also exempted from appearing in NET.

For SET Candidates: The candidates who have cleared the State Eligibility Test (SET) accredited by UGC for eligibility for Lectureship held prior to 1st June 2002, are exempted from appearing in NET, being eligible to apply for Lectureship anywhere in India. For SET held from 1st June 2002 onwards, the qualified candidates shall be eligible to apply for the post of lecturer only in the universities/ colleges belonging to the state from where they have cleared their SET. All SET qualified candidates are also eligible to appear in NET, if they so desire.