Breaking: New
education policy announced.
Update: Professor
Academy launches new courses.
Alert: UGC NET dates
released for December.
National Eligibility Test (NET)
The National Eligibility Test (NET) is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to evaluate postgraduate candidates for higher academic and research opportunities in India. NET exams are conducted twice a year (in the months of June and December) and the exam is conducted by computer based test (CBT) Mode.
Benefits of Qualifying the NET Exam
Assistant Professor Positions
Become eligible for Assistant Professor positions in universities and colleges.
Junior Research Fellowship
Secure a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) with a monthly stipend to support research.
PhD Program Admission
Get direct admission into PhD programs with funding support.
Government PSU Jobs
Apply for government Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) jobs, where NET scores are considered.
Who Can Write NET Exam
Types of NET Exams
NET Exam Age Eligibility
NET Exam Age Relaxations
NET Exam Pattern
Benefits of NET Score
NET Exam Certificate Validity
Who Can Write NET Exam
Types of NET Exams
NET Exam Age Eligibility
NET Exam Age Relaxations
NET Exam Pattern
Benefits of NET Score
NET Exam Certificate Validity
Who Can Write NET Exam
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification with at least 55% marks (relaxation to 50% for SC/ST/PwD/Transgender candidates). Students from the 3rd semester of their Master’s program onwards are also eligible to apply.
Candidates who have completed a 4-Year Bachelor’s Degree (Honours/Research) with a minimum of 75% marks or above are also eligible.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts two types of NET exams
UGC NET
For candidates from Arts, Humanities, Commerce, Education, Management, and Languages backgrounds.
CSIR NET
For candidates from Science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Mathematics, and Earth Sciences.
Both exams are eligibility tests for PhD, Assistant Professor roles, and high scorers can also qualify for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
NET Exam Age Eligibility
UGC NET JRF Age Limit
30 years
CSIR NET JRF Age Limit
28 years
Assistant Professor (Both UGC NET and CSIR NET)
No upper limit
UGC NET Exam Age Relaxations
| Category | Age Relaxation (in years) |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Transgender | 5 years |
| Females of all categories | 5 years |
| Candidates holding LLM degree | 3 years |
| Candidates in the armed forces | Up to 5 years |
CSIR NET Exam Age Relaxations
| Category | Age Relaxation (in years) |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Transgender | 5 years |
| Females of all categories | 5 years |
| Candidates holding LLM degree | 3 years |
| Candidates in the armed forces | Up to 5 years |
UGC NET Exam Pattern
UGC NET paper 1
General aptitude and teaching methodology
UGC NET paper 2
Subject-specific knowledge
CSIR NET Exam Pattern
Part A
General aptitude
Part B
Subject-related MCQs
Part C
For candidates from Science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Mathematics, and Earth Sciences.
What are the benefits of a NET score?
Starting from the academic year 2024-25, the UGC has approved the use of UGC NET scores for PhD admissions in universities across India. This reduces the need for separate entrance tests in many institutions, making the process smoother for aspirants.
The UGC NET Qualification categories are as follows
| Qulified For | JRF | Eligible for Assistant Professor | Ph.D. Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category-1: Award of JRF and appointment as Assistant Professor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D. - Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Admission to Ph.D. only | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Along with PhD admissions, qualifying the NET exam offers several additional advantages:
Public Sector Opportunities
Some PSUs such as ONGC, NTPC, BHEL, and IOCL consider UGC NET/CSIR NET scores for recruitment in HR, management, and research positions.
Enhanced Academic Profile
A NET qualification strengthens your resume, improving your chances in teaching, consultancy, and subject expert roles.
Career Security & Growth
NET-qualified candidates enjoy better job stability and promotion opportunities within academic institutions.
International Recognition
In some cases, global universities recognize NET/JRF as an eligibility benchmark for higher studies or collaborative research.
NET Exam Certificate Validity
Validity for Ph.D. Admissions
The JRF award letter will remain valid for four years.
For Category 2 and Category 3 candidates, the NET score will be valid for one year for PhD admissions.
Who Can Write NET Exam
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification with at least 55% marks (relaxation to 50% for SC/ST/PwD/Transgender candidates). Students from the 3rd semester of their Master’s program onwards are also eligible to apply.
Candidates who have completed a 4-Year Bachelor’s Degree (Honours/Research) with a minimum of 75% marks or above are also eligible.
Types of NET exams
UGC NET
For candidates from Arts, Humanities, Commerce, Education, Management, and Languages backgrounds.
CSIR NET
For candidates from Science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Mathematics, and Earth Sciences.
Both exams are eligibility tests for PhD, Assistant Professor roles, and high scorers can also qualify for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
NET Exam Age Eligibility
UGC NET JRF Age Limit
30 years
CSIR NET JRF Age Limit
28 years
Assistant Professor (Both UGC NET and CSIR NET)
No upper limit
NET Exam Age Relaxations
| Category | Age Relaxation (in years) |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Transgender | 5 years |
| Females of all categories | 5 years |
| Candidates holding LLM degree | 3 years |
| Candidates in the armed forces | Up to 5 years |
CSIR NET Exam Age Relaxations
| Category | Age Relaxation (in years) |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Transgender | 5 years |
| Females of all categories | 5 years |
| Candidates holding LLM degree | 3 years |
| Candidates in the armed forces | Up to 5 years |
UGC NET Exam Pattern
UGC NET paper 1
General aptitude and teaching methodology
UGC NET paper 2
Subject-specific knowledge
CSIR NET Exam Pattern
Part A
General aptitude
Part B
Subject-related MCQs
Part C
For candidates from Science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Mathematics, and Earth Sciences.
What are the benefits of a NET score?
Starting from the academic year 2024-25, the UGC has approved the use of UGC NET scores for PhD admissions in universities across India. This reduces the need for separate entrance tests in many institutions, making the process smoother for aspirants.
The UGC NET Qualification categories are as follows
| Qulified For | JRF | Eligible for Assistant Professor | Ph.D. Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category-1: Award of JRF and appointment as Assistant Professor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D. - Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Admission to Ph.D. only | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Along with PhD admissions, qualifying the NET exam offers several additional advantages:
Public Sector Opportunities
Some PSUs such as ONGC, NTPC, BHEL, and IOCL consider UGC NET/CSIR NET scores for recruitment in HR, management, and research positions.
Enhanced Academic Profile
A NET qualification strengthens your resume, improving your chances in teaching, consultancy, and subject expert roles.
Career Security & Growth
NET-qualified candidates enjoy better job stability and promotion opportunities within academic institutions.
International Recognition
In some cases, global universities recognize NET/JRF as an eligibility benchmark for higher studies or collaborative research.
NET Exam Certificate Validity
Validity for Ph.D. Admissions
The JRF award letter will remain valid for four years.
For Category 2 and Category 3 candidates, the NET score will be valid for one year for PhD admissions.
Salary for NET-Qualified Candidates
| Stipend for JRF(First 2 Years) | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Fellowship / Month | 37,000 | 37,000 | 37,000 |
| HRA / Month (%) | 27% | 18% | 9% |
| HRA / Month (Amount) | 9,990 | 6,660 | 3,300 |
| Total / Month | 46,990 | 43,660 | 40,300 |
| Total 2 Years (+ Contingency) | 11,47,760 | 10,67,840 | 9,87,200 |
| Stipend for SRF(Next 3 Years) | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Fellowship / Month | 42,000 | 42,000 | 42,000 |
| HRA / Month (%) | 27% | 18% | 9% |
| HRA / Month (Amount) | 11,340 | 7,560 | 3,780 |
| Total / Month | 53,340 | 49,560 | 45,780 |
| Total 3 Years (+ Contingency) | 19,80,240 | 18,44,160 | 17,08,080 |
Total JRF + SRF Stipend (Up to ₹31 Lakhs)
Tier 1
JRF: ₹11,47,760 | SRF: ₹19,80,240
₹31,28,000
Tier 2
JRF: ₹10,67,840 | SRF: ₹18,44,160
₹29,12,000
Tier 3
JRF: ₹9,87,200 | SRF: ₹17,08,080
₹26,95,280
National Fellowship Seat Allocation
NFSC – National Fellowship for SC Students
Category: Scheduled Caste (SC)
No. of Fellowships/Year: 2,000 fellowships/year
All subjects included
NFST – National Fellowship for ST Students
Category: Scheduled Tribe (ST)
No. of Fellowships/Year: 750 fellowships/year
Across disciplines
NFOBC – National Fellowship for OBC Students
Category: Other Backward Class (Non-Creamy Layer)
No. of Fellowships/Year: 1,000 fellowships/year
Based on NET score
UGC NET
Start your UGC NET journey today! Enroll in expert-led courses, practice with authentic exam-style tests, and study with updated books to boost your success.
CSIR NET
Prepare smarter for CSIR NET! Learn from structured courses, practice with research-focused test series, and access the latest books designed for CSIR NET success.