Updated on Feb 01, 2025
Asmita
UGC NET 2025 Eligibility: As per the updated UGC guidelines candidates with a 4-year bachelor’s degree can apply for UGC NET 2025 Examination. Candidates who have finished their Master’s degree are also eligible to apply. UGC NET 2025 Eligibility Criteria guidelines state that candidates applying for JRF must not be more than 30. However, candidates belonging to the category will get age relaxation as per the government norms.
UGC NET 2025 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates hoping to become assistant professors or be eligible for Junior Research Fellowships (JRFs) in Indian colleges and universities must meet the UGC NET 2025 Eligibility Criteria. Here is a thorough explanation:
- Educational Qualification
Applicants must possess a Master's degree or its equivalent from an accredited university with a minimum cumulative score of
| Category | Qualification |
|---|---|
| General/Unreserved | Minimum 55% marks in Master’s Degree |
| OBC/SC/ST/PwD | Minimum 50% marks in Master’s Degree |
| Pursuing or Awaited Results | May apply provisionally |
| Bachelor's Degree Holders | Minimum 75% marks or equivalent grade |
Final-year students or those awaiting results can also apply provisionally, provided they fulfil the eligibility criteria at the time of result declaration.
- Age Limit
- For JRF: The upper age limit is 30 years as of the first day of the exam month (usually June). A relaxation of up to 5 years is granted for OBC-NCL, SC/ST, PwD, and women candidates.
- For Assistant Professor: There is no age limit for Assistant Professor applications.
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC/SC/ST/PWD/Women/Third Gender | up to 5 years |
| LLM Candidates | up to 5 years |
| Research Scholars | up to 5 years (based on the period spent in research) |
| Armed forces | up to 5 years (based on the time period spent in the defence) |
| Third Gender Category | Same relaxations as SC/ST/PwD |
- Importantly, candidates can take the "Population Studies" (015) course if they have a Master's degree in either geography (with a focus on population studies) or mathematics/statistics. Furthermore, students who hold a Master's degree in the social sciences or humanities, including languages, are qualified to enrol in the course "Women Studies" (074).
- As per the information provided by the University Grants Commission (UGC), the selection of candidates for the National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC), National Fellowship for Other Backward Classes (NFOBC), and Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students (MANF), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Minorities Affairs, is conducted through the UGC-NET. Candidates aspiring for the fellowships above are required to apply for the UGC NET.
UGC NET 2025 Eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship
UGC NET 2025 Eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship requires candidates to possess a master’s degree or a four-year integrated bachelor's degree from a recognized university. Additionally, applicants must not exceed 30 years as of December 1, 2025. On qualifying for UGC NET JRF 2025, candidates become eligible to pursue research in their chosen field and will receive a stipend while working on their research endeavours.
UGC NET 2025 Eligibility for Assistant Professorship
UGC NET 2025 Eligibility for Assistant Professorship requires candidates to appear in the UGC NET 2025 exam. Achieving qualifying NET exam scores makes candidates eligible to apply to their desired colleges and universities across India for the position of Assistant Professor. While there is no age cap for this role, candidates must possess a master’s degree from a recognized university, and their subject should be included in the UGC NET subject list.
UGC NET 2025 Eligibility for Master's/Bachelor's Degree Holders
UGC NET 2025 Eligibility for Master's or Bachelor's Degree Pursuers states that candidates in the final year of their Master's degree or Four-Year Bachelor's degree program, or those awaiting the results of their qualifying Master's degree examination, are eligible to apply for the exam. However, the results will be categorized as:
- In case you are a Master’s degree student, you will be provisionally admitted and will be considered eligible for the award of JRF/ Assistant Professor only. You should pass the Master’s Degree or equivalent examination with at least 55% marks within two years from the date of the NET result. In case you qualify for ‘PhD admissions only’, you must complete your Master’s degree or equivalent examination within a timeframe of one year from the date of the NET result.
- If you are a student of Four Year/8 Semester Bachelor’s Degree Programme, you will be admitted provisionally and will be considered eligible for the award of JRF/admission to PhD only within two years (if qualified for the award of JRF)/within one year (if qualified for admission to PhD only) from the date of declaration of the NET result.
UGC NET 2025 Eligibility for Ph.D. Admission
UGC NET 2025 Eligibility for Ph.D. Admission requires candidates to possess either a Master’s degree or a Four-Year/8-Semester Bachelor’s degree to qualify solely for PhD admissions. If you are pursuing or your result is awaited, you must complete your degree within one year from the date of the NET result declaration.
UGC NET 2025 Eligibility Criteria FAQs
Who is eligible for the net exam 2025?
Ans.Candidates who meet the following criteria are eligible for the UGC NET exam: Educational Qualification: A Master's degree or equivalent in a relevant subject from a recognized university, with at least 55% marks (50% for reserved category candidates)
Will there be a negative marking in UGC NET 2025?
Ans.Total Marks: 200, 100 Questions, two marks per question, No negative marking for incorrect answers.
Is net qualification valid for a lifetime?
Ans.The UGC NET certificate for Assistant Professor / Lectureship is valid indefinitely or for the rest of the applicant's life. In contrast, the UGC NET JRF Award Letter was only valid for three years from the date of issuance.
What is the qualification for the NET exam 2025?
Ans.Scroll down for complete educational qualification details: Candidates should have completed their post-graduation from a UGC-recognised college/university. The minimum marks for the General Category are 55%, and SC/ST/OBC/PwD are 50% for reserved categories.
How many attempts for UGC NET?
Ans.There is no limit on the number of attempts for the UGC NET exam. Candidates can apply and appear for the exam as often as they want, provided they meet the educational and age criteria.
What is the official website of the UGC NET application form for 2025?
Ans.UGC NET Application Form 2025: The National Testing Agency (NTA) will release the UGC NET 2025 application form for the June session on the official website at ugcnet.nta.ac.in.
What is the pattern of UGC NET 2025?
Ans.The UGC NET syllabus 2025 is divided into two sections. Consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions, Paper 1 assesses the general teaching and research aptitude of all the candidates
Does the UGC NET syllabus change every year?
Ans.The UGC NET syllabus will be revised as per NEP 2020. The new syllabus will cover all 83 subjects. The final UGC NET Syllabus will be published based on the feedback received. The syllabus will be reintroduced in June 2024.
Does UGC NET repeat questions?
Ans.In the UGC NET exam, previous questions are generally not repeated word-for-word. However, the exam follows specific patterns with similar concepts, themes, and questions.
What is the future after clearing UGC NET?
Ans.Candidates can pursue a career in the teaching field upon qualifying for Assistant Professor through the National Eligibility Test. Based on the key skills, candidates can teach and train the following people: Teach Undergraduates. Educate Professional Students.
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