Eligibility Criteria for Assistant Professor through UGC NET Exam in Arts Subjects

The University Grants Commission (UGC) conducts the National Eligibility Test (NET) to determine the eligibility of candidates for Assistant Professorship and for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. The eligibility criteria for candidates applying for the Assistant Professor eligibility through the UGC NET Exam in arts subjects are as follows:

1. Educational Qualifications:
Candidates must have a Master's degree in the relevant subject with at least 55% marks (50% for reserved categories) from a recognized university or institution. The subject in which the candidate has pursued the Master's degree should fall under the arts subjects such as History, Political Science, Sociology, Economics, etc.

2. Age Limit:
There is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor eligibility through the UGC NET Exam.

3. UGC NET Exam:
Candidates must qualify the UGC NET Exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The exam consists of two papers - Paper-I and Paper-II. The qualifying marks for General category candidates are 40% aggregate marks in both papers combined, while for OBC-NCL, PwD, and SC/ST candidates, the qualifying marks are 35% aggregate marks.

4. Relaxation in Qualifications:
Relaxation in the minimum percentage of marks is provided to candidates belonging to reserved categories as per the UGC guidelines. For example, candidates belonging to OBC-NCL, PwD, and SC/ST categories are given a relaxation of 5% in the minimum percentage criteria for educational qualifications.

5. PhD Degree:
Candidates who have a PhD degree in the relevant subject are exempted from the minimum eligibility criteria of qualifying the UGC NET Exam. However, they still need to apply for the Assistant Professor position and go through the selection process.

6. Selection Process:
After qualifying the UGC NET Exam, candidates need to apply for the Assistant Professor position in universities and colleges. The selection process may include an interview or presentation of a teaching demonstration, depending on the institution's requirements.

Important Note:
It is essential for candidates to regularly check the official notifications and guidelines issued by the UGC and NTA for any changes or updates regarding the eligibility criteria for Assistant Professor through the UGC NET Exam in arts subjects.