The NET score allowed for admissions to Ph.D. in place of entrance test

Understanding How NET Score Affects Admission to Ph.D. Programs

UGC has made admission easier for students looking to do Ph.D. programs from the current academic year by asking universities/HEIs to accept students based on their NET scores. The decision was based on the recommendation of an expert committee that was formed to review the provisions of the National Eligibility Test (NET). Hence now students don't have to go through the cycle of taking numerous tests from different universities. 

The initiative was primarily accepted to allow students to be admitted with one national entrance test for Ph.D. and was a part of implementing the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), as stated by UGC Secretary Prof Manish R Joshi. 

Eligibility criteria for NET candidates will be: 

1. If the candidate qualifies as a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), they will be eligible for Ph.D. admission and can also be appointed as an Assistant Professor.
2. If the candidate doesn't have a JRF but qualifies for Ph.D. admission, they can also become an Assistant Professor.
3. If the candidate only qualifies for Ph.D. admission, they won’t get a JRF or become an Assistant Professor.

UGC also informed that from this academic year, NET scores will be declared in percentile along with marks. The new rule also states that for candidates who qualify in 2 and 3 categories, 70% will be given for test scores and 30% weightage for the interview for admission to Ph.D. programs. The full admission process will be based on the combined merit of NET marks and marks obtained in an interview or viva. While for candidates that come under categories 2 and 3 will have their NET scores valid for one year for Ph.D. programs. 

Editor’s note:

This new decision of UGC is an indicator of the organization’s perseverance in easing the process for candidates/students since taking multiple examinations is a stressful process. Eradicating these steps will streamline the process making it convenient for everyone involved in the process and enhance the educational output of the country.