Those with 2 year Master’s degree

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.

Those with 4-year Bachelor’s degree

Having a 4-year Bachelor’s degree makes you eligible for the UGC NET, but specifically for ‘JRF’ and “Admission to PhD” purposes. It does not qualify you for eligibility as an “Assistant Professor”.

Marks Requirement

If you have successfully completed a 4-year Bachelor’s degree program with a minimum of 75% marks, you are eligible. However, if you belong to the SC, ST, OBC, PwD, or Third Gender category, the minimum requirement is reduced to 70%.

Which subject can you choose

You have the flexibility to select any subject from the list of 83 subjects for the UGC-NET exam, (List of UGC NET subjects) regardless of the discipline of your four-year bachelor’s degree. This grants you the opportunity to pursue a Ph.D. in any field of your choice.

This approach is in line with the objectives outlined in the National Education Policy 2020, which prioritizes flexibility, multiple entry and exit along with multi-disciplinary education.

For instance, if you hold an MBBS degree, you are eligible to apply for the UGC-NET exam in Hindi, Law, or any other subject. Such flexibility enables individuals with a four-year degree to participate in the UGC NET exam in fields that may be unrelated to their academic background.

Still Pursuing Degree or having failed in few subjects

If you are presently pursuing a four-year Bachelor’s degree program (and have not yet completed it), you are eligible to apply for the UGC-NET exam only during your final year/semester.

However, it is essential to obtain your bachelor’s degree within 2 years from the date of the UGC-NET result declaration.

For those eligible for the “Admission to Ph.D.” option, completion of the bachelor’s degree must occur within 1 year from the date of the UGC-NET result declaration.

Age limit

To be eligible for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), your age must not exceed 30 years as of the 1st day of the month in which the UGC NET is scheduled to be conducted.

For example, if you plan to take the UGC NET in June 2024, you should be under 30 years of age on 01 June 2024. Similarly, if you intend to sit for the UGC NET in December 2024, your age should be below 30 years on 01 December 2024.

However, candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, PwD, Third Gender, or Women categories enjoy a relaxation of 5 years. Female candidates, irrespective of category, have an age limit of 35 years.

There is no upper age limit to apply for Assistant Professorship. Candidates can apply at any age.

Similarly, there is no upper age limit for admission to Ph.D. (without JRF). Candidates can apply at any stage of their lives.

Category System in UGC NET

Candidates appearing for UGC NET will be eligible for the following categories:

Candidates achieving Category I status unlock opportunities for JRF, Assistant Professor roles, and Ph.D. enrollment.

However, Category II qualifiers gain access to Assistant Professor positions and Ph.D. admission.

Meanwhile, candidates attaining Category III status secure admission to Ph.D. programs exclusively.

Selection Process for Ph.D

If you qualify for JRF, you will get admission solely on the basis of interview performance. The interview has 100% weightage in the selection process for Ph.D.

However, if you qualify for “Admission to Ph.D” option, the UGC NET score has a weightage of 70%. The interview has 30% weightage in the selection process for Ph.D.

Validity of UGC NET Certificate

JRF Award is valid for 3 years from the date of issue of the JRF award letter or completion of your degree within 2 years from the date of declaration of UGC-NET result, whichever is later.

UGC-NET exam score is valid for 1 year for admission to Ph.D from the date of issue of UGC NET scorecard or completion of your degree within 1 year from the date of declaration of UGC-NET result, whichever is later.

Assistant Professorship is valid for lifetime from the date of issue of the UGC NET certificate or completion of your degree within 2 years from the date of declaration of UGC-NET result, whichever is later.