- The exam comprises two papers – Paper 1 which is common for all candidates, while Paper 2 is a subject-specific test.
- Candidates can choose out of 83 subjects from the UGC NET subject list, based on the subject they have studied at the Master’s level.
- Indian candidates with Master’s degrees or equivalent examinations from universities/ institutions recognised by UGC with a minimum of 55% Marks applied for the Exam.
- There is no upper age limit for the post of Assistant Professor.
- Candidates can choose to appear for the UGC NET exam for either JRF, Assistant Professor, or both posts.
UGC NET Exam Overview | |
Name of Organization | |
UGC Full Form | University Grants Commission |
Exam Conducting Body | National Testing Agency |
Name of Examination | National Eligibility Test (NET) |
Post Name |
|
Exam Cycle | UGC NET December 2023 |
Notification Release Date | 30th September 2023 |
| Start Date to Apply | 30th September 2023 |
Last Date to Apply | 31st October 2023 (up to 11:59 P.M.) |
Last date for successful transaction of Examination fee | 31st October 2023 (up to 11:59 P.M.) |
Application Correction Window | 1st – 3rd November 2023 (up to 11:59P.M) |
UGC NET Exam Date | 6th – 22nd December 2023 |
| UGC NET Exam Centre Announcement | Last week of November 2023 |
| Admit Card Date | The first week of December 2023 |
Duration of Examination | 180 minutes (03 hours) No break between Paper 1 & Paper 2 |
Timing of Examination | First Shift: 09.00 am to 12.00 pm |
Mode of Exam | Online |
The detailed application fee for different categories is shown below in table-
Category | Application Fees |
UR (General category) | INR 1150 |
| General-EWS/OBC-NCL | INR 600 |
SC/ ST/ PWD and Third Gender | INR 325 |
Eligibility Criteria
The candidates must have a Master’s degree with an aggregate of 55%. The candidates who appear for the JRF Exam should not be above the age of 30 years (as of 01.12.2022). The candidates applying for the Assistant Professor post have no upper age limit. Several age relaxations are offered to candidates which are given in the table below.
Category | Age Relaxation |
SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Transgender | 5 years |
Females of all categories | 5 years |
Candidates having research experience | Limited to the period spent on research (Maximum of 5 years) |
Candidates holding LLM degree | 3 years |
Candidates in the armed forces (subject to the length of service in the armed forces) | 5 years |
Check in-depth details on UGC NET Eligibility criteria here!
Exam Pattern & Syllabus
The Examinations will consist of two papers as said above:
Paper I is a compulsory paper that all candidates need to give
Paper I will consist of 50 questions for 100 marks (2 marks each) with no negative markings.
Paper II needs to be chosen by the candidates based on his/her specialization.
The important subjects which are a part of the Paper 2 are Economics, Political Science, Philosophy, Psychology, History, Commerce, Management, English, etc. The total number of subjects in Paper 2 is 83. Paper II will have 100 questions for 200 marks (2 marks each) with no negative marking.
UGC NET Paper | Total Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
I | 50 | 100 | 3 Hours |
II (Subject Specialisation) | 100 | 200 | |
Total | 150 | 300 | 3 Hours |
UGC NET Selection Process 2023
The UGC NET is a qualifying exam for candidates willing to apply for Assistant Professor and JRF posts in Government Universities and Institutes. The selection process for the appointment of the NET-qualified candidates to these posts will be decided by the respective institution. However, to qualify for the NET exam candidates must keep in mind the following:
- The candidates from the general category should score 40% in aggregate (in both papers) and the candidates from other categories need to secure at least 35% in aggregate in order to qualify for the post of Assistant Professor & JRF
- 6% of the total candidates who appeared will be qualified for the post of assistant professor.
- The number of candidates qualified or rejected is decided based on the formula developed by UGC which can be understood by the example given below-
Number of candidates to be declared qualified for Eligibility for Assistant Professor in the subject ‘Mathematics’ for the General Category (UR) category | Number of candidates belonging to UR category who secure at least 40% aggregate marks in both the papers taken together for UR category for ‘Mathematics’ (x) Total slots derived for UR category as per Step II (÷) Total number of candidates belonging to UR category overall subjects who secure at least 35% aggregate marks in both the papers taken together |