UGC–NET

University Grants Commission–National Eligibility Test
AcronymUGC–NET
TypeComputer based test (CBT)
OMR (June 2024)
AdministratorNational Testing Agency
Year started1989–90 (1989–90)[1]
Duration3 hours (180 minutes)
Score range0–100 (Paper I)
0–200 (Paper II)
Score validityThree years (JRF)
Lifetime (assistant professor)
OfferedTwice annually (June & December)
Restrictions on attemptsNo restriction
RegionsIndia
LanguagesMainly English and Hindi
Annual number of test takersDecrease 5,44,485 (Dec 2021, June 2022 merged cycles)
Websiteugcnet.nta.ac.in
ugcnet.nta.nic.in

The University Grants Commission–National Eligibility Test (UGC–NET) is a standardised test in India conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the University Grants Commission. It is used to determine the eligibility of candidates for awarding of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), appointment as assistant professor, and admission to PhD in Indian universities and colleges. The exam can be taken in any one of the 83 subjects.[2] UGC–NET is one of the National Eligibility Tests (NET).[3]

Until July 2018, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted the exam, which was taken over by the NTA since December 2018. Currently, the exam is being conducted twice a year in the months of June and December in CBT-mode.[4] From December 2018 onward, NTA started releasing the UGC-NET e-certificate and JRF award letter online on its official website for the qualified candidates.

Qualifying criteria

A student has to obtain minimum qualifying marks in UGC–NET with aggregate 55% and 50% in their postgraduate's or master's degree, for General and Others respectively. The paper is divided into two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 is a general exam containing 50 questions of two marks each, totaling 100 marks. Paper 2 is a subject-specific exam containing 100 questions of two marks each, totaling 200 marks. The candidates have to attempt a total of (both in papers 1 and 2) 150 questions in three hours. There is no separate cutoff for any of the papers and the cutoff is decided on the aggregate marks. Amongst those candidates who have obtained minimum qualifying marks, a merit list is prepared subject-wise and category-wise using the aggregate marks of two papers secured by such candidates. [5]

SET/SLETs

A state-level equivalent exam of NET exam is conducted by the Indian states/UTs in their jurisdiction called State Eligibility Test/State Level Eligibility Test, determining eligibility for lectureship/assistant professorship at universities and colleges in that particular state/UT only.[citation needed]

UGC NET Mandatory for PhD admission

The new guidelines of UGC suggested use of UGC NET scores for PhD admissions. For this purpose, a new result "category" of "PhD only" was added from June 2024 onwards. Some have welcomed this change.[6]

June 2024 Cancellation

The NTA announced that the 2024 UGC NET exam would be conducted in OMR mode. The exam was conducted on 18 June 2024 in 2 shifts across the country. Due to reports of alleged paper leaks the exam was cancelled on 19 June 2024 and a fresh examination was announced. [7] NTA held the re-exam in CBT mode from August 21 to September 4.

See also

References

  1. ^ About the NET
  2. ^ "UGC NET December 2023 Live: UGC NET Admit card soon, exam city slips out at ugcnet.nta.ac.in". Hindustan Times. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  3. ^ TOI-Online (13 September 2019). "Which exam should you appear for? UGC NET, CSIR NET or both". The Times of India. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  4. ^ "Union Cabinet Approves Setting Up Of National Testing Agency". NDTV News Channel India.
  5. ^ https://ugcnet.nta.ac.in/images/information-bulletin-for-ugc-net-june-2024.pdf
  6. ^ Yadav, Amit (27 April 2024). "Unnecessary Unease with the Latest UGC Guidelines". Economic and Political Weekly. 59 (17).
  7. ^ https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2026809