In a landmark decision, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced significant alterations to the process of Ph.D. admissions across the nation. As per the latest directive, the National Eligibility Test (NET) the NET- score can be used for admission to Ph.D. programmes in place of entrance tests conducted by the different universities/HEIs.
Read Official Notification here: Click me
Read Disclaimer too at the end!
In a meeting held on March 13, 2024, during its 578th session, the UGC approved the recommendations put forth by an expert committee tasked with reviewing the provisions of the National Eligibility Test (NET). Consequently, starting from the academic session of 2024-25, candidates appearing for the NET will be eligible for admission to Ph.D. programs in various universities and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) throughout the country.
Under the revised framework, NET candidates will be categorized into three distinct groups based on their performance:
1. Category-1: Candidates qualifying under this category will be eligible for both admission to Ph.D. with Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and appointment as Assistant Professor.
2. Category-2: Candidates falling under this category will be eligible for admission to Ph.D. programs without JRF but can still be appointed as Assistant Professors.
3. Category-3: Candidates in this category will be eligible solely for admission to Ph.D. programs and will not be eligible for the award of JRF or appointment as Assistant Professors.
The determination of the eligibility of NET for different categories is summarized below:
Furthermore, the UGC has mandated that the NET results will be declared in percentile along with the marks obtained by each candidate, facilitating their utilization for admission to Ph.D. programs. Additionally, for candidates qualifying under Categories 2 and 3, the admission process will entail a 70% weightage for test scores and a 30% weightage for the interview/viva voce.
It is crucial to note that the validity of NET marks for candidates in Categories 2 and 3 will be limited to one year for admission to Ph.D. programs. Moreover, for JRF-qualified students seeking admission to Ph.D. programs, the admission process will include an interview as per the University Grants Commission's regulations.
The introduction of these reforms marks a significant stride towards streamlining the Ph.D. admission process and aligning it with the objectives outlined in the National Education Policy 2020. The UGC has underscored its commitment to fostering academic excellence and promoting equitable access to higher education opportunities for aspiring scholars.
Candidates aspiring to pursue Ph.D. programs are advised to stay updated with the forthcoming notification and Bulletin of Information for the NET June 2024, which will be issued by the National Testing Agency shortly at https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
Disclaimer:
Inarch Center is sharing the information provided above based on the latest developments regarding the National Eligibility Test (NET) and its implications for Ph.D. admissions. However, it is essential to note that before making any decisions or taking any actions, individuals are strongly encouraged to refer to the official notification and guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the National Testing Agency (NTA).
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, Inarch Center advises readers to verify the details independently through official sources. Inarch Center shall not be held responsible for any discrepancies or misinterpretations arising from reliance solely on the information provided herein.
For the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding the NET and Ph.D. admissions, please refer to the official notifications and announcements available on the respective websites of UGC and NTA.