UGC NET scores can be used to seek admission into PhD programmes across universities from 2024-2025 session!
According to the University Grants Commission, the National Eligibility Test (NET) scores will be used for PhD admissions from 2024-25, eliminating the need for separate entrance tests conducted by universities and higher education institutions.
The NET is conducted twice a year—in June and December. Its scores are currently used to award Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and to determine eligibility for appointment as an Assistant Professor for those with a Master’s degree.
According to University Grants Commission (UGC) officials, the commission had constituted an expert committee to review the provisions of the exam, and based on the panel’s recommendations, it has decided that from the academic session 2024-25, the score can be used for admission to PhD programmes.
Starting from the academic session 2024-2025, universities nationwide will be able to use NET scores for admissions to PhD programmes, replacing the need for separate entrance tests conducted by individual universities and higher education institutions (HEIs).
This marks an important step in streamlining the admission process and enhancing accessibility for aspiring doctoral candidates.
“By leveraging the NET, which is conducted biannually, universities can offer greater flexibility to students, allowing them to utilize their scores from either session to apply for PhD programmes across various institutions,” UGC Chairman Jagadesh Kumar said.
In an official notification, the UGC said that from June 2024 onwards, the NET candidates will be declared eligible in three categories;
- For admission to PhD with JRF and appointment as assistant professor
- For admission to PhD without JRF and appointment as assistant professor
- For admission to the PhD programme only and not for the award of JRF or appointment as assistant professor.
The result of UGC NET would be declared in percentile along with the marks obtained by a candidate to utilise the marks for admission to PhD.
The JRF-qualified students are admitted into the PhD programme based on an interview as per the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022. For students who qualify in categories 2 and 3, 70 percent weightage will be given to test scores and 30 percent to the interview for admission to PhD programmes.
The PhD admission will be based on the combined merit of NET marks and the marks obtained in the interview or viva voce per the notification. The marks obtained in the NET by the candidates in categories 2 and 3 will be valid for one year for admission to PhD.
The registration process for UGC NET June 2024 is expected to begin next week.
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Click here for the official notification.
Source: Lawctopus
