UGC NET (National Eligibility Test) is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for the University Grants Commission twice a year, in June and December. For Central University aspirants it decides three things: eligibility for Assistant Professor posts, the award of the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), and admission to PhD programmes. This guide explains how the exam works and how Central Universities use the score; dates for the current cycle appear in the updates panel as soon as NTA announces them.
UGC NET at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducted by | National Testing Agency (NTA) for UGC |
| Cycles | Twice a year: June and December |
| Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Papers | Paper 1 (teaching and research aptitude) and Paper 2 (your subject), in one sitting |
| Questions and marks | 150 objective questions, 300 marks (2 marks each) |
| Duration | 3 hours, no break between the papers |
| Negative marking | None |
| Subjects | 80+ subjects in humanities, social sciences, commerce, languages and allied areas |
| Qualifies for | JRF, Assistant Professor and PhD admission (three result categories) |
Three ways to qualify: JRF, Assistant Professor and PhD
Since the June 2024 cycle, NTA declares UGC NET results in three categories:
- Category 1: JRF, appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to PhD.
- Category 2: appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to PhD, without JRF.
- Category 3: admission to PhD only.
Candidates in categories 2 and 3 are admitted to PhD on a combined score in which the NET score carries 70 percent and the university interview 30 percent. A category 3 score is valid for PhD admission for one year.
Eligibility
Education: a master’s degree or equivalent with at least 55 percent marks for General and EWS candidates, and 50 percent for OBC (non-creamy layer), SC, ST, persons with disabilities and third gender candidates. Final-year master’s students can apply. Candidates with a four-year (eight-semester) bachelor’s degree with at least 75 percent marks (with the 5 percent relaxation for reserved categories) can appear for JRF and PhD admission.
Age: for JRF, not more than 30 years on the cut-off date given in the information bulletin, with relaxation of up to 5 years for OBC (non-creamy layer), SC, ST, persons with disabilities, third gender and women candidates, and further relaxation for research experience as listed in the bulletin. There is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor and PhD admission.
Exam pattern
| Paper | Questions | Marks | What it tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 50 | 100 | Teaching and research aptitude: reasoning, comprehension, divergent thinking, ICT, people and environment, higher education system |
| Paper 2 | 100 | 200 | The subject you choose, at master’s level |
| Total | 150 | 300 | 3 hours, all questions compulsory, no negative marking |
Use the score calculator on this page to work out your raw marks from the answer key.
Application fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | Rs. 1,150 |
| General-EWS and OBC (non-creamy layer) | Rs. 600 |
| SC, ST, persons with disabilities, third gender | Rs. 325 |
Bank charges and GST, where applicable, are extra. Fees can change between cycles, so confirm them in the current information bulletin.
How to apply
- Open NTA’s UGC NET portal and register with your mobile number and email ID.
- Fill the form: personal details, qualification, the category you are applying for (JRF with Assistant Professor and PhD, Assistant Professor with PhD, or PhD only), subject and exam city choices.
- Upload your photograph and signature in the prescribed size.
- Pay the fee online and download the confirmation page.
- Use the correction window, if NTA opens one, to fix mistakes; nothing can be changed after it closes.
Qualifying marks and how the result is prepared
To be considered, a candidate must score at least 40 percent aggregate in both papers together (General and EWS) or 35 percent (OBC non-creamy layer, SC, ST, persons with disabilities and third gender). From the candidates who cross this minimum, the top 6 percent of those who appeared in both papers, worked out subject-wise and category-wise, are declared qualified, and JRF is awarded from the top of that list. That is why cutoffs differ from subject to subject and from one cycle to the next.
JRF fellowship and validity
The Junior Research Fellowship pays Rs. 37,000 per month for the first two years and Rs. 42,000 per month as Senior Research Fellowship after that, plus HRA as per rules. The JRF award is valid for three years from the date of issue of the e-certificate, and the candidate must join a PhD programme within that period. Eligibility for Assistant Professor does not expire.
UGC NET and PhD admission at Central Universities
Central Universities fill PhD seats under the UGC PhD Regulations, 2022. NET qualified candidates are admitted on the 70:30 formula of NET score and interview, JRF holders are often considered separately, and many universities still hold an entrance test for candidates without NET. The PhD admission page lists every open PhD form at Central Universities with its last date.
UGC NET for Assistant Professor jobs at Central Universities
NET, together with a master’s degree with 55 percent marks, is the basic eligibility for direct recruitment of Assistant Professors at Central Universities; candidates holding a PhD awarded under the UGC regulations of 2009 or 2016 are exempted from NET. Most Central Universities advertise teaching posts through the common CU-Chayan portal, and open vacancies are listed in the recruitment section of this site.
Frequently asked questions
Is there negative marking in UGC NET?
No. Every correct answer earns 2 marks; a wrong or unattempted question earns zero.
How many times can I appear for UGC NET?
There is no limit on attempts. Only the JRF has an age limit.
Is UGC NET the same as CSIR NET?
No. CSIR NET, also held by NTA, covers science subjects such as chemical, life, physical, mathematical and earth sciences, while UGC NET covers humanities, social sciences, commerce, languages and allied subjects.
Do I need NET for PhD admission?
Not always. A NET qualification in any category lets you skip the entrance test at most Central Universities, but candidates without NET can still apply through the university’s own entrance test where one is held.
Official website
Apply, download admit cards and check results only on NTA’s UGC NET portal, ugcnet.nta.ac.in. Information bulletins and public notices are also posted on nta.ac.in.
