National Eligibility Test (NET) as an Entrance Test for Admission to Ph.D.

 National Eligibility Test (NET) as an Entrance Test for Admission to Ph.D. 

The University Grants Commission conducts the National Eiligibility Test (NET ) through the National Testing Agcncy (NTA). The NET| is conducted twice a year. in June and Dcccmber. Currently. the NET scores are used (a) to award Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and (b) as eligibility for appointmcnt as Assistant Professor for those with a Master's degree. 

Many universities conduct their entrance tests for admission to their Ph.D. programmes. requiring the students to write multiple Ph.D. entrance tests. To help thc studcnts with one national entrance test for Ph.D. admissions as a part of implementing the National Educalion Policy 2020. The UGC constituted an expert commiltee to review the provisions of the National Iiligibility Test (NE'T). 

Based on the expert committee's recommendations. in its 578th  Mecting held on l3 March 2024. the UGC has decided that from the academic session 2024-25. thc NET- score can be uscd for admission to Ph.D. programmes in placc of entrance tests conducted by the different universities/HEIs. 

From June 2024 onwards. therelore. the NET candidates will be declared eligible in three categories:

Category-1: Eligible for (i) admission to Ph.D. with JRF and (ii) appointment as Assistant Professor.

Category-2: Eligiblc for (i) admission to Ph.D. without.JRF and (ii) appointment as Assistant Professor. 

Category-3: Eligiblc for admission to Ph.D. programme only and not for thc award of JRF or appointment as Assistant Professor. 

The result of NET will be declared in percentile along with the marks obtained by a candidate to utilize the marks for admission to Ph.D.

The JRF-qualified students are admitted into the Ph.D. programme based on an interview as per the University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2022.

For students 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 Ph.D. 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://ugenet.nta.nic.in.