NET Examination: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided that starting from the academic session 2024-25, PhD admissions can utilize National Eligibility Test (NET) scores. This decision aims to streamline the admission process under the National Education Policy, eliminating the need for multiple entrance exams. The UGC made this determination during its 578th meeting on March 13, based on recommendations from an expert committee tasked with reviewing UGC NET exam provisions.
National Eligibility Test (NET) will also act as an Entrance Test for admission to PhD Programs by the different universities/HEIs. NET score will now be allowed for admissions to PhD in place of entrance test from academic year 2024-25.
UGC Secretary Prof Manish R Joshi informed that to help students with one national entrance test for Ph.D. admissions as a part of implementing the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), an expert committee was constituted to review the provisions of the National Eligibility Test (NET).
The following are the three categories where NET candidates will be declared eligible:
Eligible for :
(i) admission to Ph.D. with JRF and (ii) appointment as Assistant Professor
Eligible for :
(i) admission to Ph.D. without JRF and (ii) appointment as Assistant Professor
Eligible for :
(i) admission to Ph.D. programme only and not for the award of JRF or appointment as Assistant Professor
NET scores will be declared in percentile along with the candidate’s marks to utilise the marks for admission to Ph.D., informed the public notice.
UGC also informed that for candidates who qualify in categories 2 and 3, 70% weightage will be given for test scores and 30% weightage for the interview for admission to Ph.D. programmes. The admission will be based on the combined merit of NET marks and the marks obtained in the interview/viva voce. The marks obtained in the NET by the candidates in Categories 2 and 3 will be valid for a period of one year for admission to Ph.D.
The notification and Bulletin of Information for the NET June 2024 will be issued by the National Testing Agency shortly at https://ugcnet.nta. nic.in.