UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2025, Age Limit, Qualification

The UGC NET (University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test) is a nationwide exam held to check if candidates are eligible for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) positions in universities and colleges across India. The UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2025 is important in ensuring that candidates meet the required academic qualifications and age limits for the exam. These criteria help maintain a standard of eligibility, ensuring that only those who are qualified can compete for roles like Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship.

UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2025

The UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2025 include specific requirements for candidates applying for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor roles. To be eligible, candidates must have a Master’s degree with the required percentage of marks. The UGC NET Age Limit 2025 is 30 years and there is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor applicants. These criteria ensure that candidates have the appropriate academic qualifications and age suitability to apply for the UGC NET Exam 2025.

UGC NET Age Limit 2025

The UGC NET Age Limit 2025 criteria vary based on the position applied for. For the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), candidates must not exceed 30 years of age as of June 1, 2025. However, there is no upper age limit for candidates applying for the Assistant Professor role.

UGC NET Educational Qualification 2025

The UGC NET Educational Qualification 2025 requires candidates to have a Master’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university with at least 55% marks for General/EWS/OBC categories and 50% for SC/ST/PwD/Transgender candidates. Detailed eligibility criteria is provided below.

1. General/EWS/OBC-NCL Candidates: Must have secured at least 55% marks in a Master’s degree or equivalent from a UGC-recognized university or institution.
2. SC/ST/PwD/Transgender Candidates: Must have secured at least 50% marks in a Master’s degree or equivalent from a UGC-recognized university or institution.
3. Final-Year Master’s Students: Candidates in the final year of their Master’s degree can apply provisionally, provided they complete the degree with the required percentage within two years from the date of the UGC NET result declaration.
4. Ph.D. Holders: Candidates who have completed their Master’s degree before September 19, 1991, are eligible for a relaxation of 5% in the aggregate marks (i.e., 50% if Master’s degree is completed before that date).
5. 4-Year Bachelor’s Degree Holders: Candidates who have completed a 4-year/8-semester undergraduate degree with at least 75% marks or its equivalent are eligible to apply for JRF but must complete their Master’s degree with the required percentage for eligibility for Assistant Professor.

UGC NET Age Relaxation 2025 for JRF

Candidates applying for the UGC NET 2025 Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) must be under 30 years of age as of June 1, 2025. UGC NET Age Relaxation 2025 for JRF are available for certain categories as per government norms.

UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2025 Reservation Policy

The UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2025 Reservation Policy provides seat reservations for candidates belonging to various categories such as SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD and transgender. These reservations are based on government norms to ensure equal opportunities in education and employment. Eligible candidates must provide valid category certificates during the application process.

UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2025 Exemptions for Assistant Professor

Certain candidates are exempted from appearing in the UGC NET Exam for the post of Assistant Professor, based on specific qualifications or prior test results. The detailed UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2025 Exemptions for Assistant Professor is provided below.

• Ph.D. Degree Holders (as per UGC 2009 regulations): Exempted from appearing in NET/SLET/SET, provided their Ph.D. was awarded in accordance with the UGC regulations of 2009.
• SET/SLET Qualified Before June 1, 2002: Candidates who qualified SET/SLET before this date are exempted from UGC NET and can apply for Assistant Professor anywhere in India.

SET/SLET Qualified On or After June 1, 2002: Eligible to apply for Assistant Professor only in the universities/colleges within the state where they qualified the SET/SLET.