To be deemed eligible for the UGC NET examination in Management (Code 17), you must meet one of the following criteria:

(i) Possess a 2-year postgraduate degree, commonly known as a master’s degree.

(ii) Hold a bachelor’s degree that spans 4 years.

Let us explore and discuss the requirements and nuances of each qualification individually, for UGC NET in Management.

Those with 2 year Master’s degree

Marks Requirement

You can write UGC NET in Management subject if you’ve completed a 2-year Master’s degree program with at least 55% marks. The requirement is reduced to 50% if you are from SC, ST, OBC, PwD, or Third Gender category.

Which subject can you choose

According to the UGC notification, you’re allowed to take the UGC NET exam only in the subject of your post-graduation (master’s degree). For instance, if you’ve completed a Master’s in Sociology, you’re eligible to sit for the UGC NET exam in Sociology only. You cannot opt for subjects like Commerce or History.

If you’re aiming to appear for the UGC NET in Management (Code 17), you must hold a master’s degree in Management. Having an MBA degree makes you eligible for Code 17 Management, regardless of your specialization within the MBA program. All individuals with an MBA degree meet the eligibility criteria for Code 17 Management.

It may be noted that all MBAs are eligible for another subject of UGC NET. You are also eligible for Code 55 (HRM and Labour Welfare).

Generally, there is perception that if you have done MBA, you are eligible for Code 08 Commerce (or vice versa). This is a wrong understanding. The UGC notification clearly says that, “Candidates are advised to appear in the subject of their Post Graduation only. The candidates, whose Post-Graduation subject is not covered in the list  of UGC NET, may appear in a related subject”. This clearly means that M.Com students are not eligible for Code 17 Management and similarly, MBA students are not eligible for Code 08 Commerce.

Part Time or Full Time

Regardless of whether you obtained your MBA degree through part-time or correspondence mode, you are still eligible to sit for the UGC NET in Management (Code 17) exam. The mode of degree attainment does not impact your eligibility for the exam

Diploma and Certificate Courses

If you hold a post-graduate diploma or a certificate course, you are eligible for the UGC NET only if your diploma has been granted an equivalent status to a post-graduate degree. This equivalence status is determined by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), and you can check if your diploma is equivalent by visiting the AIU website. (AIU website)

Navigate to the Home Page, then click on Evaluation and follow the link provided. (this Link ) If your diploma appears on this list, then you are eligible; otherwise, you are not. Additionally, you can inquire with the principal or director of your college to confirm if your diploma has received an equivalence certificate from the AIU, as they are usually aware of this information.

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 HRM.

Foreign University Degrees

Likewise, if you have completed an MBA from a foreign institute or university, you are not automatically eligible for the UGC NET exam. However, if your program has been granted an equivalence certificate by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), you become eligible. You can verify the equivalence status of your MBA program by visiting the AIU website at www.aiu.ac.in.

Pursuing PG Degree or having failed in few subjects

If you’re currently enrolled in a two-year Master’s degree program (and not completed your degree), you are eligible to take the UGC NET exam.

Prior to June 2024, eligibility was restricted to students in their second year of study (December attempt of UGC NET).

However, a relaxation has been introduced since June 2024. Now, you can sit for the UGC NET exam at any time, even during your first year of pursuing your PG Degree. However, it’s imperative 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.

For those qualifying under “Admission to Ph.D. only” (Category 3), the timeline is different. 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

First thing, 4 year Bachelor’s degree makes you eligible for UGC NET, but you are eligible for ‘JRF’ and “Admission to PhD” only. You are not eligible for “Assistant Professor” eligibility.

Marks Requirement

You qualify for eligibility if you’ve completed a 4-year Bachelor’s degree program with at least 75% marks. 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 freedom to choose any subject from the list of 83 subjects for the UGC-NET exam, regardless of the discipline of your four-year bachelor’s degree. This means you can pursue a Ph.D. in any field you desire.

This approach aligns with the objectives outlined in the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes flexibility and multi-disciplinary education.

For example, if you have a B.Tech degree in Civil Engineering, you are eligible to apply for the UGC-NET exam in History or Commerce or any subject. This level of flexibility enables individuals with a four-year degree to sit for the UGC NET exam in any unrelated field.

Pursuing 4 year Degree or having failed in few subjects

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

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

For those who qualify 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 instance, 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, there is a relaxation of 5 years for candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, PwD, Third Gender, or Women categories. Female candidates, regardless 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.

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