Marks Requirement

Candidates who have completed a 2-year Master’s degree program with at least 55% marks are eligible to appear for the UGC NET exam. However, for individuals belonging to the SC, ST, OBC, PwD, or Third Gender categories, the minimum requirement is reduced to 50%.

Which subject can you choose

According to the UGC notification, candidates are limited to selecting the UGC NET exam only in the subject of their post-graduation (master’s degree). For instance, if an individual has completed a Master’s in Computer Science, they are eligible to appear for the UGC NET exam in Computer Science exclusively. Choosing subjects like Psychology or English is not permitted under this rule. You cannot choose subjects such as Psychology or English.

If your subject of post-graduation is not available in the list, you can write the UGC NET exam in a ‘related’ subject. This option of choosing related subject is available, only if subject of your PG degree is not available in the list of 83 subjects of UGC NET. (List of UGC NET subjects)

Part Time/Full Time/Online Degrees

Regardless of whether you obtained your master’s degree through part-time, correspondence, or online mode, you are still eligible to participate in the UGC NET exam. The method of acquiring the degree does not impact your eligibility for the examination.

Diploma and Certificate Courses

If you hold a post-graduate diploma or a certificate course, rather than a post-graduate degree, you are not initially eligible for the UGC NET exam. However, if your diploma or certificate has been recognized as equivalent to a post-graduate degree, you become eligible. The determination of this equivalence status is conducted by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). You can verify the equivalence of your diploma by visiting the AIU website. (AIU website)

To check the equivalence status, visit the AIU website’s Home Page, then proceed to the Evaluation section and follow the provided link (click this Link). If your diploma is listed as equivalent on this website, you meet the eligibility criteria for the UGC NET; otherwise, you can not write UGC NET exam.

Additionally, you can seek confirmation from the principal or director of your college regarding whether your diploma/certificate has received an equivalence certificate from the AIU, as they are usually well-informed about this matter.

For example, institutions like IIM provide a 2-year diploma instead of a degree. Initially, this might seem ineligible for the UGC NET. However, PG Diplomas from IIMs have been granted equivalence certificates by the AIU, making them eligible for UGC NET in specific subjects like Management (Code 17) or HRM (Code 55).

Law Graduates have to confirm the equivalence of your degree not through AIU but through Bar Council of India (BCI).

Foreign University Degrees

Furthermore, having completed a Masters degree from a foreign institute or university does not automatically qualify you for the UGC NET exam. However, if your program has obtained an equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), you become eligible. You can confirm the equivalence status of your Masters degree by visiting the AIU website at AIU website

Pursuing PG Degree or having failed in few subjects

If you’re currently enrolled in a two-year Master’s degree program but haven’t finished it yet, you’re eligible to take the UGC NET exam.

Previously, eligibility was limited to students in their second year of study (the December attempt of UGC NET) before June 2024.

However, a relaxation has been introduced since June 2024. Now, you can apply for the UGC NET exam at any point, even during your first year of pursuing your Master’s Degree. However, it’s important to complete your master’s within 2 years from the date of declaration of the UGC NET result for Category 1 and Category 2 candidates.

The timeline varies for those qualifying under the “Admission to Ph.D. only” (Category 3). You must complete your master’s within 1 year from the date of the UGC NET result declaration.