UGC NET Exam  >  UGC NET Notes  >  UGC NET Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025

UGC NET Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025


Important Details Regarding UGC NET Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible to appear for the UGC NET Examination, candidates must fulfill the UGC NET Eligibility Criteria in terms of their age, qualification, nationality, etc. Here are the key highlights:

  • Candidate's Educational Qualification

    • Candidates need to have completed a Master's degree or its equivalent from a recognized university.
    • General category candidates must have secured at least 55% marks, while reserved categories require a minimum of 50% marks.
  • Age Limit

    • For the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), the maximum age limit is 30 years for General category candidates.
    • Candidates belonging to OBC-NCL, SC/ST, PwD, Third gender categories, and women applicants are given a relaxation of 5 years in the upper age limit.
    • There is no upper age limit for candidates applying for the post of Assistant Professor.
  • Additional Criteria

    • Students currently pursuing their Master's degree or equivalent course are also eligible to take the UGC NET exam, provided they complete all course requirements before the exam date.
    • There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the UGC NET exam.

UGC NET Age Limit

The UGC NET Age Limit criteria are crucial as they determine the eligibility of applicants for the exam. Candidates must ensure they fulfill all conditions for UGC NET eligibility before submitting their applications. The following are the UGC NET Age Limit requirements based on the post applicants wish to apply for:

  • Post: Assistant Professor
  • UGC NET Age Limit: 30 years
  • Post: JRF
  • UGC NET Age Limit: No upper age limit

UGC NET Age Limit for JRF

The UGC NET JRF age limit is 30 years. Age relaxation is granted to candidates falling within reserved categories as per UGC NET Eligibility. Government of India regulations provide specific categories with age relaxation. Candidates from OBC, ST, SC, etc., categories are eligible for a 5-year relaxation. Refer to the table below for details:

CategoryAge Relaxation (in years)
SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Transgender5
Females of all categories5
Candidates holding LLM degree3
Candidates in the armed forces5 years subject to the length of service in the armed forces up to the first day of the month in which the UGC-NET is conducted
Candidates who have research experienceLimited to the period spent on research in the relevant subject of Post Graduation degree

Important Note for Candidates with Research Experience Seeking Age Relaxation:

  • Age relaxation of a maximum of 5 years will be provided to candidates with research experience, limited to the period spent on research in the relevant/related subject of post-graduation degree. This is applicable only upon production of a certificate from the appropriate authority, which should be a recognized Indian university/Institute of National Importance/foreign university duly approved/recognized/accredited in its own country/Public Sector Undertaking of Government of India/State Government in India.
  • The research should not have been carried out towards completion of graduation or post-graduation degrees.

It is crucial for candidates to understand the age relaxation guidelines before applying for the UGC NET exam.

UGC NET Age Limit for Assistant Professor

For the Assistant Professor or Lectureship position, there is no upper age limit according to the UGC NET Eligibility Criteria.

For detailed information on UGC NET Syllabus, candidates should refer to official sources to start their exam preparation effectively.

UGC NET Nationality

As per the eligibility criteria for the UGC NET examination, candidates must be Indian nationals. To establish their nationality, candidates are required to possess any of the following documents:

  • Birth Certificate
  • Aadhar Card
  • PAN Card
  • School Leaving Certificate

Having one of these documents is necessary to prove Indian nationality when appearing for the UGC NET exam.

UGC NET Educational Qualifications

Candidates aspiring to appear for the UGC NET exam must meet specific educational qualifications based on the subject they wish to pursue. It is essential to carefully review and understand these requirements before applying for the examination.

UGC NET Subject-Wise Eligibility Criteria - Educational Qualification

For those aiming to secure the position of Assistant Professor in a particular subject, possessing the prescribed educational qualifications is mandatory. Below are the details of the educational qualifications required for various subjects to be eligible for the UGC NET exam:

  • UGC NET Environmental Science Eligibility: Candidates interested in becoming an Assistant Professor in Environmental Science must hold a Master's degree in Environmental Science with a minimum of 55% marks.
  • UGC NET Eligibility for Physical Education: Aspiring candidates should have completed a Master of Physical Education (M.P.Ed.) with at least 55% marks.
  • UGC NET Life Science Eligibility: Applicants need to possess a Master's degree in Life Science with a minimum of 55% marks to qualify for the Assistant Professor position through UGC NET.
  • UGC NET Public Administration Eligibility: Candidates aiming for the Assistant Professor role in Public Administration must have a Master's degree in Public Administration with at least 55% marks.
  • Eligibility for UGC NET Management: The UGC NET exam offers three specializations in Management. Candidates must have completed either a Master of Financial Management (M.F.M.), Master of Marketing Management (M. Mkt. M.), or Master of Tourism Management (MTM) with a minimum of 55% marks in their respective fields.
  • UGC NET in Library Science Eligibility: To be eligible, applicants should possess a Master of Library Science (M. Lib. Sc.) degree with at least 55% marks.
  • UGC NET Sociology Eligibility: Candidates must hold a Master's Degree in Sociology with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks to qualify.
  • UGC NET Eligibility for Law: Aspiring candidates need to have completed a Master of Law (LLM) with at least 55% marks in aggregate to be eligible for the UGC NET examination.
  • UGC NET Forensic Science Eligibility: Applicants must possess a Master's degree in Forensic Science and have secured at least 55% marks in aggregate.
  • UGC NET in Commerce Eligibility: Candidates must have completed a Master of Commerce (M.Com) with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate to be eligible for the Assistant Professor position in Commerce.
  • UGC NET in Education Eligibility: Aspirants should have a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks to qualify for the post.
  • UGC NET in Yoga Eligibility: Candidates interested in the Assistant Professor position for Yoga must possess a Master's Degree in Yoga with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks.
  • UGC NET Mathematics Eligibility: Those aiming to be selected as Assistant Professors in Mathematics should hold a Master's degree in Mathematics with at least 55% marks.
  • UGC NET Population Studies Eligibility: Applicants need to have a Master's Degree in Population Studies and have passed with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks to be eligible for the Assistant Professor position in Population Studies.

Important Points of UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2024

Critical Eligibility Criteria

  • Candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Transgender categories receive a 5% marks relaxation.
  • Applicants must possess a post-graduation degree from a UGC-recognized institution in fields like Electronic Science, Humanities, Computer Science & Applications, Social Science, etc.
  • Candidates awaiting final year results of their master's degree can apply provisionally. They must clear the exam within two years from the date of NET result to be considered eligible.
  • PhD holders completing their master's exams by September 19, 1991, are entitled to a 5% aggregate marks relaxation.
  • Chartered Accountants (CA), Company Secretaries (CS), or Cost and Works Accountants (ICWA) are eligible to appear for the UGC NET exam.
  • SC students can apply for the National Fellowship based on merit in UGC-NET-JRF or CSIR-NET-JRF exams.
  • Aspirants should take the exam in the subject of their Post-Graduation. If their subject is not listed in UGC NET subjects, they can choose a related subject.
  • Candidates with a post-graduate diploma/certificate from an Indian or foreign university should verify its equivalence with a Master's degree from recognized Indian universities via the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi.

For details on UGC NET Result, visit EduRev.


UGC NET Number of Attempts

  • There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the UGC NET exam.
  • Candidates aiming for a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) must fulfill the CSIR UGC NET qualifying criteria.
  • For those aspiring for teaching roles, there is no upper age limit.
  • A candidate can take the UGC NET exam for the Assistant Professor position a maximum of six times.
  • There are no limitations on appearing solely for the Assistant Professor role.
  • Rules regarding attempts can differ based on categories like General, OBC, SC/ST, and any updates from UGC or conducting authorities.

UGC NET Eligibility Exemption

The candidates aiming for the Assistant Professor role or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) possess the privilege of exemptions from the UGC NET eligibility criteria. These individuals can seek employment as Assistant Professors in universities and colleges across India based on their State Eligibility Test (SET) outcomes.

UGC NET Eligibility Exemption for Assistant Professor

The fundamental criterion for appointing individuals as Assistant Professors in Universities, Colleges, and Institutes still stands at NET/SET/SLET. Nonetheless, the UGC regulations offer exemptions from NET/SET/SLET examinations under specific circumstances. The subsequent candidates are excused from taking the UGC NET Exam to secure a position as an assistant professor:

  • Candidates who have cleared the States Eligibility Test (SET) conducted by the UGC before June 1, 2002, are relieved from appearing in the NET exam. They are eligible to apply for the role of Assistant Professor across India.
  • For those who passed the SET post June 1, 2002, they can only apply for the Assistant Professor position in universities or colleges where they cleared their state-level exams.
  • Individuals who successfully completed the UGC/CSIR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) examination before 1989 are exempted from the NET requirement.

For the best online classes for UGC NET Paper 1, refer to EduRev.

UGC NET Eligibility - Reservation Policy

The candidates are offered reservations depending on their category. Below are the reservations for seats offered to candidates in each category:

  • Scheduled Castes (SC) - 15%

    Reserved seats: 15%

  • Scheduled Tribes (ST) - 7.5%

    Reserved seats: 7.5%

  • OBC (NCL) - 27%

    Reserved seats: 27%

  • General EWS - 10%

    Reserved seats: 10%

  • Persons with Disability (PwD) with 40% or more disability - 5%

    Reserved seats: 5%

UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2024- Certificates Required

To establish eligibility for the UGC NET Exam and request relaxations in the UGC NET Eligibility Criteria, candidates must possess the following certificates:

  • Caste/Category Certificate for individuals belonging to OBC (Non-creamy layer)/SC/ST/PWD categories.
  • Degree/Diploma Certificate of post-graduate diploma/certificate conferred by an Indian or Foreign University/Institute. Candidates should ensure the equivalence of their degree/diploma with a Master's degree from a recognized Indian university accredited by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi, to prevent disqualification in the future.

UGC NET Provisions Relating to Persons with Disability (PwD)

  • “Persons with Disability (PwD)” means a person with long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairment which, in interaction with barriers, hinders his full and effective participation in society equally with others.
  • ‘Persons with benchmark disabilities’ means a person with not less than forty per cent (40%) of a specified disability where a specified disability has not been defined in measurable terms and includes a person with a disability where a specified disability has been defined in measurable terms, as certified by the certifying authority.

Scribe Details

PwD candidates who are visually impaired or dyslexic (severe) or have a disability in the upper limbs, or have lost fingers/hands, thereby preventing them from properly operating the Computer Based Test platform may avail of the services of a scribe (amanuensis). The scribe will help the Candidate read the questions and key in the answers per the directions of the Candidate. A scribe will neither explain the questions nor suggest any solutions. PwD candidates who desire to avail the services of a scribe need to opt for this during the online registration for the exam. The Scribe will be provided by the National Testing Agency only. The candidates will not be allowed to bring his/her scribe.

UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2024 Summary

The UGC NET (University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test) is an important exam for individuals seeking a Junior Research Fellowship or Assistant Professorship in various subjects. Below is a detailed summary of the key information related to the UGC NET Eligibility Criteria for the 2024 cycle.

Important Dates

  • UGC NET December 2023 Result Announcement: The results for the December 2023 cycle have been declared.
  • UGC NET December 2023 Exam Dates: The exam was conducted from 6th to 19th December 2023.
  • UGC NET June 2024 Notification: The notification for the June 2024 exam will be released soon.

Exam Pattern

The UGC NET exam is conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for over 80 subjects. The exam consists of two papers:

  • Paper I: Includes 50 questions
  • Paper II: Includes 100 questions

Preparation Resources

For effective exam preparation, candidates can utilize the following resources:

  • UGC NET Previous Year Papers: These papers help candidates understand the exam's difficulty level and question format.
  • UGC NET Test Series: This series allows candidates to identify their strengths and weaknesses through practice tests.

It is crucial for aspirants to stay updated with the latest information and study materials to excel in the UGC NET exam. Continuous preparation and practice are key to success in this competitive examination.

The document UGC NET Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025 is a part of UGC NET category.
All you need of UGC NET at this link: UGC NET

FAQs on UGC NET Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025

1. What are the educational qualifications required for UGC NET eligibility?
Ans. Candidates must have a postgraduate degree with at least 55% marks to be eligible for UGC NET.
2. Is there an age limit for UGC NET eligibility?
Ans. There is no upper age limit for candidates applying for UGC NET.
3. What is the nationality criteria for UGC NET eligibility?
Ans. Candidates of any nationality can apply for UGC NET.
4. How many attempts can a candidate make for UGC NET exam eligibility?
Ans. There is no restriction on the number of attempts a candidate can make for UGC NET.
5. Are there any additional criteria for UGC NET eligibility?
Ans. Apart from educational qualifications, there are no additional criteria for UGC NET eligibility.
Download as PDF

Top Courses for UGC NET

Related Searches

past year papers

,

study material

,

Summary

,

UGC NET Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025

,

Free

,

Sample Paper

,

mock tests for examination

,

pdf

,

MCQs

,

Important questions

,

UGC NET Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025

,

Objective type Questions

,

Previous Year Questions with Solutions

,

shortcuts and tricks

,

Viva Questions

,

Semester Notes

,

ppt

,

video lectures

,

Extra Questions

,

UGC NET Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025

,

Exam

,

practice quizzes

;