What is UGC-NET, exam to qualify for a univ teacher’s job?

What is the UGC-NET, and who takes it?

The UGC-NET is a test conducted twice a year, in June and in December, by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The NTA also conducts public examinations like the JEE (Main), the NEET-UG, and the CUET for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The NTA has been conducting UGC-NET from December 2018 onwards. Prior to this, the exam was conducted by the CBSE.

As a test, the purpose of the UGC-NET is three-fold. Since 1989, the UGC-NET has been used to determine the eligibility of candidates for the post of assistant professor, the junior-most teaching position in universities. According to UGC rules, clearing the UGC-NET is the minimum eligibility criteria for the post of assistant professor even in private universities.

Since 1984, the UGC-NET has been used as the primary criteria for granting the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), which provides monetary assistance to those undertaking advanced studies and research leading to MPhil/PhD Degrees in humanities and social sciences including languages and sciences.

This academic session onwards, UGC-NET scores can also be used for PhD admissions. Earlier, these admissions were most often carried out based on universities’ and institutes’ own entrance exams. Under the new system, admissions to PhD programmes are based on both the NET score and marks obtained in an interview.

What is the structure of the exam and who is eligible to take it?

The three-hour long examination comprises two papers with multiple choice questions, and no negative marking.

Paper I, of 100 marks, is a general paper meant to assess teaching and research aptitude. Paper II, of 200 marks, is subject-specific. Candidates usually select the subject of their post-graduation. A total of 83 subjects are offered, including languages, history, law, anthropology, music, philosophy, political science, geography, and comparative literature. Paper II is meant to assess candidates’ proficiency in their given subject.

From December 2018 onward, the NTA had been conducting the UGC-NET as a computer-based test. This was changed this year, when the test was a pen-and-paper one, using an OMR sheet.

The computer-based test was held over multiple days and in multiple shifts, depending on the availability of centres. For instance, when UGC-NET was held in December last year, it was conducted over eight days, in 15 shifts. In contrast, the pen and paper test was held on a single day, June 18, in two shifts – from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm, and 3 pm to 6 pm.

Candidates in the General category have to secure at least 55% marks in their Master’s degree examinations to be able to appear for the UGC-NET. SC, ST, OBC, and persons with disability candidates need to secure 50% in their Master’s degree examinations.

Earlier this year, the UGC had said that candidates who have cleared a four-year undergraduate degree programme may also sit for the NET, if they have a minimum of 75% marks.

There is no age limit to sit for the UGC-NET for assistant professor posts and PhD admissions. However, for the JRF, there is an age limit of 30 years as of June 1.

How many people take the exam? How many qualify?

This year, around 9,08,580 candidates appeared for this exam at 1,205 centres across 317 cities, nearly twice the 4,62,144 who appeared for the exam in June last year, across 181 cities. In December last year, 6,95,928 candidates appeared in 292 cities.

A fraction of those who appear are successful. Last June, 32,304 candidates qualified for the post of assistant professor, while 4,937 candidates qualified for the JRF, in addition to being eligible for an assistant professor post.

Cut-off marks are declared subject- and category-wise for the post of assistant professor, and for the JRF. The number of candidates who qualify for eligibility to the post of assistant professor shall be 6% of the candidates who appeared for both papers, according to the NTA’s information bulletin on UGC-NET June 2024.