
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently announced a significant change in the admission process for PhD programs, effective from the 2024-25 academic session. Henceforth, scores obtained in the National Eligibility Test (NET) will serve as a criterion for PhD admissions. This strategic move aims to simplify the admission procedure, eliminating the need for candidates to sit for multiple entrance exams conducted by various universities.
Aligned with the directives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, this decision was ratified during the 578th UGC meeting held on March 13. It followed recommendations put forth by an expert committee. The UGC-NET, a biannual examination administered in June and December, traditionally served to award Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) and select Assistant Professors among candidates holding master’s degrees.
The new directive delineates three distinct categories of eligibility for UGC NET qualified candidates. Firstly, candidates may apply for PhD admission coupled with JRF eligibility and assistant professor positions. Alternatively, they may seek PhD admission without JRF eligibility but with prospects for assistant professor roles. Lastly, candidates may exclusively pursue admission to PhD programs. However, in the case of PhD admissions, the selection process will accord 70 percent weightage to UGC NET scores and 30 percent to interview performance when determining the merit list.
UGC chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar took to social media to announce that the National Testing Agency (NTA) intends to implement the new admission process imminently. He affirmed, “From the academic session 2024-2025, all universities can utilize NET scores for admission to PhD programs, replacing the diverse entrance tests currently conducted by universities/Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs).” The official notification for UGC NET June 2024 is anticipated to be released soon on the designated website at ugcnet.nta.nic.in. It is noteworthy that NET scores remain valid for one year from the date of examination.