NET scores can be used for PhD admissions from 2024-25 session, decides UGC

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided that the National Eligibility Test (NET) scores can be used for PhD admissions starting from the academic session 2024-25. The decision has been taken to help students with one national entrance test as part of the National Education Policy, the commission said. Students will no longer be required to sit for multiple PhD entrance tests conducted by different institutions.

The commission took the decision in its 578th meeting held on March 13 based on the recommendations of an expert committee which was formed to review the provisions of the UGC NET exam.

Currently, the NET exam is conducted for eligibility to award Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and for the appointment of assistant professors. The National Testing Agency conducts the exam twice a year, in June and December. UGC NET June 2024 notification and information bulletin will be issued soon at ugcnet.nta.nic.in, the commission said.

UGC informed that from June 2024 onwards, the UGC NET qualified candidates will be eligible in three categories:

• Category-1: Eligible for admission to PhD with JRF and for appointment as assistant professor.
• Category-2: Eligible for admission to PhD without JRF and for appointment as assistant professor.
• Category-3: Eligible for admission to PhD programme only.

PhD admissions through NET

Explaining the procedure for admissions to PhD programmes, the commission informed that the UGC NET result will be declared in percentile along with the marks obtained by a candidate which will be used to admit candidates.

For students who quality in categories 2 and 3, 70 percent weightage will be given to UGC NET scores and 30% weightage to the interview for admissions. “The PhD admission will be based on the combined merit of NET marks and the marks obtained in the interview/viva voce,” the commission added.

For PhD admissions, the NET scores obtained by the candidates in categories 2 and 3 will be valid for a period of one year.