UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2018

Taking the UGC NET examination is an important step if you aspire to become a Lecturer or carry out research work for an organisation. The exam is conducted to identify suitable candidates who can do well in research work or assistant professorship. In order to choose the most talented and brilliant candidates, an eligibility criterion has been prescribed by the exam conducting authority that applicants must fulfil before they take the entrance exam. The UGC NET 2018 eligibility criteria may include requirements related to educational qualification, age limit and other aspects.

For aspirants, it is a must to know that their eligibility will be defined as correct only after their confirmation of the Age Criteria and Educational Qualification. However, the factors for the applicants of JRF and Assistant Professor will categorically differ. Similarly, some relaxation has also been imposed for the reserved categories of the nation. The National testing Agency (NTA) has defined each criterion in detail, candidates can check out these details given below and see whether they fulfil these criteria.

The candidates willing to apply for the exam should be well aware of the following UGC NET eligibility criteria:

• The candidate should have a Master’s degree with minimum 55% marks (without rounding off) from a UGC recognised university in any of the 100 subjects mentioned on the official website of CBSE UGC NET.

• Students belonging to SC/ ST/ OBC/ PwD category are required to have at least 50% marks (without rounding off) in Master’s degree are eligible for the test.

• Those who are appearing in the qualifying exam or waiting for the results can also apply. However, they are required to complete their PG within two years from the date of NET result.

• The PhD degree holders who have completed their Master’s degree by September 19, 1991, will be eligible for a relaxation of 5% in the aggregate marks.

Junior Research Fellowship-

• Candidate should not be more than 30 years of age.

• There is a relaxation of 5 years for women applicants and the candidates belonging to SC/ST/ OBC and PwD category.

• Candidates with research experience have been granted time relaxation for their research work on the subject related to their post-graduation course. 

Assistant Professor-

• There is no upper age limit for the candidates applying for the post of assistant professor.

• Minimum eligibility criteria will not be applicable for the candidates who have completed or are about to complete PhD.

• Candidates with a passing certificate of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Junior Research Fellowship (CSIR JRF) or UGC JRF dated before 1989, need not appear for UGC NET 2018, as they can directly apply to any college or university all over India for the post of Assistant Professor.  

• Candidates with the SET (States Eligibility Test) score are also exempted from appearing for UGC NET 2018. The only thing to keep in mind for such candidates is that, that the SET certificate dated before 1st June 2002 will allow them to apply for the Assistant Professor post in universities and colleges all over India but for the candidates with SET certificate dated after 1st June 2002 will be able to apply only to the institutions within the SET States only.