“Am I eligible for the UGC NET exam?” Checking for UGC NET Exam Eligibility is the first step for any aspirant.
Before you buy the books, before you make a study plan, and before you dream of “Dr.” or “Professor” before your name, you must answer this one question.
The eligibility criteria for the UGC NET exam can feel complex, with different rules for different categories, subjects, and goals (JRF vs. Assistant Professor). And with recent updates, like the inclusion of 4-year undergraduate degrees, it’s more important than ever to have a clear picture.
This guide is your definitive, one-stop resource based on the official UGC-NET December 2025 Information Bulletin. We will systematically break down every single requirement.
By the end of this post, you will know with 100% certainty if you are eligible to apply.
First, What is the UGC-NET Exam For?
Before we check your eligibility, let’s clarify what you are applying for. The UGC NET exam determines your eligibility for three distinct categories. You must choose your goal when filling out the application form.
Here is a simple breakdown of the three categories:
| Category | Eligible For | Award of JRF? | Appointment as Assistant Professor? | Admission to Ph.D.? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | Award of JRF & Appointment as Assistant Professor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Category 2 | Appointment as Assistant Professor & Admission to Ph.D. | No | Yes | Yes |
| Category 3 | Admission to Ph.D. only | No | No | Yes |
Your age and educational qualifications will determine which of these categories you are eligible for.
UGC NET Educational Qualifications
This is the most important section. Do you have the required marks in your degree?
For Master’s Degree Holders
This is the most common path for UGC NET aspirants.
- General/Unreserved/General-EWS: You must have secured at least 55% marks (without rounding off) in your Master’s Degree or an equivalent examination from a UGC-recognized university.
- Reserved Categories (OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, Third Gender): You need at least 50% marks (without rounding off) in your Master’s Degree.
That “without rounding off” part is critical. If you have 54.99%, you are not eligible under the 55% rule.
For Candidates Pursuing Master’s (Final Year)
What if you’re still in college? You can still apply.
Candidates who are pursuing their Master’s degree or have appeared for their final year exam but are awaiting their result can apply.
However, this application is provisional. You will only be considered eligible after you pass your Master’s degree with the required percentage.
- For JRF/Assistant Professor: You must complete your Master’s degree within two years from the date of your NET result.
- For Ph.D. Admission Only: You must complete your Master’s degree within one year from the date of your NET result.
CRITICAL UPDATE: For 4-Year Bachelor’s Degree Holders
This is the new rule change you must know. Candidates with a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s Degree can now apply for the UGC NET.
- General/Unreserved: You must have a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate.
- Reserved Categories (SC, ST, OBC-NCL, PwD, EWS): A 5% relaxation is allowed, meaning you need at least 70% marks.
- Candidates in their final semester/year of a 4-year degree program can also apply provisionally.
Extremely Important Limitation: Candidates qualifying with a 4-year undergraduate degree are eligible ONLY for ‘Award of JRF’ and/or ‘Admission to Ph.D.’. They are NOT eligible for ‘Appointment as Assistant Professor’.
Summary of Educational Qualifications
| Your Current Degree | General / EWS Marks | Reserved (SC/ST/OBC/PwD) | Eligible For… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree (Completed or Final Year) | 55% | 50% | JRF, Assistant Professor & Ph.D. |
| 4-Year Bachelor’s Degree (Completed or Final Year) | 75% | 70% | JRF & Ph.D. Admission ONLY |
| Ph.D. Holders (Master’s completed by 19 Sept 1991) | 50% (5% relaxation) | 50% | JRF, Assistant Professor & Ph.D. |
UGC NET Age Limit Criteria (JRF vs. Assistant Professor)
This is the second major filter, especially for JRF aspirants.
For Assistant Professor & Ph.D. Admission
This is simple and a huge relief for many:
- There is no upper age limit to apply for ‘Appointment as Assistant Professor’.
- There is no upper age limit to apply for ‘Admission to Ph.D.’.
You can be 25 or 55. If you meet the educational criteria, you can apply.
For Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
This is where the age limit is strict.
- Base Limit: A candidate should not be more than 30 years of age as of the specified date. For the December 2025 exam, this date is December 1, 2025.
However, there are significant relaxations for various categories.
Age Relaxations for JRF
A relaxation of up to 5 years is provided to the following candidates:
- OBC-NCL (Non-Creamy Layer)
- Scheduled Caste (SC)
- Scheduled Tribe (ST)
- Persons with Disability (PwD)
- Third Gender category
- All Women applicants
This means if you are a woman, your upper age limit for JRF is effectively 35 years.
Other Relaxations:
- L.L.M. Degree: Candidates with an L.L.M. degree get a 3-year relaxation.
- Research Experience: Up to 5 years relaxation based on time spent on research, backed by a certificate from a recognized institution.
- Armed Forces: Up to 5 years relaxation for candidates who have served in the armed forces.
Note: The total age relaxation from all sources combined (e.g., OBC + L.L.M.) shall not exceed five years under any circumstances.
Summary of Age Limits
| Applying For | General (Male) | OBC/SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender/All Women |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | No Age Limit | No Age Limit |
| Ph.D. Admission | No Age Limit | No Age Limit |
| Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) | 30 Years | 35 Years |
Do You Even Need to Take NET? (Exemption Criteria)
For some candidates, the NET may not be required for the post of Assistant Professor.
- NET/SET/SLET remains the minimum eligibility condition for recruitment as an Assistant Professor.
- SET Candidates (Pre-June 1, 2002): If you cleared the States Eligibility Test (SET) before June 1, 2002, you are exempt from NET and can apply for Assistant Professor posts anywhere in India.
- SET Candidates (Post-June 1, 2002): If you cleared SET on or after June 1, 2002, you are eligible to apply for Assistant Professor only in the universities/colleges of the specific state from where you cleared your SET.
- UGC/CSIR JRF (Pre-1989): Candidates who passed the JRF exam prior to 1989 are also exempt from appearing in NET.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- I am in the first year of my M.A. Can I apply for UGC NET 2025?
No. You must be pursuing the final year of your Master’s degree or awaiting your final year results to be eligible. - I have 54.8% in my Master’s. Can I apply as a General category candidate?
No. The requirement is a minimum of 55% “without rounding off”. 54.8% will not be rounded up to 55%. - Is there a limit on the number of attempts for UGC NET?
No. The official Information Bulletin does not specify any limit on the number of attempts for any category. - I cleared the Tamil Nadu SET (TNSET) in 2018. Can I apply for an Assistant Professor job in a Karnataka university?
No. Since you cleared SET after June 1, 2002, your eligibility for Assistant Professor is limited only to universities and colleges within Tamil Nadu. - I am a 42-year-old woman. Can I apply for Assistant Professor?
Yes, absolutely. There is no upper age limit for the post of Assistant Professor. - I have a 4-year B.Tech degree with an 80% aggregate. Can I apply for an Assistant Professor post through NET?
No. As a 4-year degree holder (with 75%+ marks), you are eligible to apply for JRF and Ph.D. Admission ONLY. You are not eligible for the ‘Assistant Professor’ post with this qualification.
Your First Step is Complete
You now have a complete and clear understanding of the UGC NET eligibility criteria.
Confirming your eligibility is the first and most important step of your journey. Many aspirants waste months preparing only to find out they were not eligible. You are not one of them, you are at the right place. You should start preparing for UGC NET Paper I now.
Leave a comment below with the subject you are applying for! Let’s build a community of people preparing for the UGC NET Exam. Share this guide with a fellow aspirant who is confused about their eligibility!
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