UGC NET mandatory for assistant professor jobs: Jagadesh Kumar clarifies on rules

NEW DELHI: Qualifying UGC - National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) is mandatory for appointment as assistant professor for those having masters degree in non-professional courses, the University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar clarified after several medial reports claimed otherwise.

The Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday notified the draft UGC regulations for minimum qualifications for appointment and promotion of teachers and academic staff in universities and colleges.

Hours after the draft UGC faculty recruitment regulations 2025 was notified, teachers opposed the removal of cap on contract teachers in higher education and expressed apprehension about government interference. The new UGC rules for vice-chancellor appointment was also strongly criticised by various teachers associations, chief ministers of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.

Reports, including one on the Hindustan Times, can be seen as implying that the “UGC NET will no longer be a mandatory qualification for appointment as an assistant professor”.

Citing the misinformation, the UGC chairman in a video message said on X: “That is wrong. The UGC NET is still required if you have a masters degree in non-professional programmes and in professional programmes such as engineering and technology, if you have masters degree in ME, MTech, then you do not need UGC NET qualification for appointment as assistant professor, and this in tune with the AICTE recruitment rule.”

Also read Analysis: What the new UGC regulations on recruitment mean for academics, from assistant professor to VC

What does the draft UGC regulations 2025 say?

As per 2025 draft UGC regulations for faculty recruitment: “If you have a PG degree (NCrF Level 6.5) with at least 55% marks (or an equivalent grade) in disciplines such as arts, commerce, humanities, education, law, social sciences, sciences, languages, library science, physical education, journalism and mass communication, management, drama, yoga, music, performing arts, visual arts, and other traditional Indian art forms like sculpture, you must qualify in the National Eligibility Test (NET), State Eligibility Test (SET) or State Level Eligibility Test (SLET) to be eligible for appointment as an assistant professor”.

However, for the appointment of assistant professor in engineering and technology departments, if you have a ME, MTech degree (NCrF Level 7) with at least 55% marks or an equivalent grade, you will be eligible for appointment as an assistant professor without qualifying in NET. “This rule aligns with the AICTE requirements for entry-level appointments in engineering and technology disciplines,” the draft regulations states.

Moreover, those having a PhD degree will be eligible for appointment as an assistant professor without needing UGC-NET. For subjects such as drama, yoga, music, performing arts, visual arts, and other traditional Indian art forms like sculpture etc., applicants with a UG degree and professional attainments are eligible for appointment as assistant professors.