New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced a major change in doctoral program admissions. From the 2024-25 academic session, National Eligibility Test (NET) scores will count for PhD admissions. This aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aims to simplify the process.
Currently, candidates undertake multiple entrance exams conducted by different universities for PhD admissions, but now it will solely rely on UGC NET scores, as confirmed by UGC chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar.
Following discussions on an expert committee’s recommendations, during the 578th UGC meeting on March 13, the announcement was made. The NET is conducted twice a year in June and December, offering Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) and selecting Assistant Professors for master’s degree holders.
Jagadesh Kumar also mentioned that the National Testing Agency (NTA) is preparing to start the application process for the June 2024 NET session. He stated that starting from the academic session 2024-2025, universities can use NET scores for PhD program admissions, eliminating the requirement for separate entrance tests.
Under the revised rules, candidates qualifying for the UGC NET will be eligible for three categories:
- PhD admission with JRF and assistant professor posts
- PhD admission without JRF but for assistant professor posts
- Admission to PhD programs only
For PhD admissions, 70% of the merit list will be based on UGC NET scores, with the remaining 30% from interviews.
The UGC NET June 2024 notification is expected to be released soon on ugcnet.nta.nic.in, and NET scores are valid for one year.
