PhD Admission: NET Scores Set To Be Deciding Factor, No More Entrance Tests

New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked higher education institutions (HEIs) to use National Eligibility Test (NET) scores, instead of conducting separate entrance tests, for admission to PhD programmes from the 2024-2025 academic session.

“The HEIs are requested to utilise the NET score for admission to PhD programmes instead of conducting their entrance tests from the forthcoming academic session 2024-2025,” UGS said in an official release dated March 28.

The move, aimed at streamlining the PhD admission process, will be welcomed by students who previously had to undergo multiple entrance exams conducted by different universities for PhD admissions.

UGC made the decision at its 578th meeting on March 13 following recommendations from an expert committee.

The NET is conducted twice a year — in June and December. It serves the dual purpose of awarding Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) and selecting Assistant Professors among Masters degree holders.

“From the academic session 2024-2025, all universities can use NET scores for admission to PhD courses, replacing the need for separate entrance tests conducted by individual universities or Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs),” UGC chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar said.

“NTA is working on launching the NET application process for the June 2024 session sometime next week,” he added.

NET results will be released in percentile along with the candidate’s marks, allowing for their use in PhD admissions.

Beginning June 2024, candidates who have qualified in UGC NET will be eligible for PhD admissions in following categories:

* PhD with JRF and appointment as assistant professor.

* PhD without JRF and appointment as assistant professor.

* PhD only, and not for the award of JRF or appointment as assistant professor.

JRF-qualified students seeking admission to PhD courses will undergo an interview.

For those qualifying in categories 2 and 3, 70% weightage will be given to test scores and 30% weightage to the interview for PhD admission.

PhD admission will be determined by combined merit of NET marks and interview/viva voce scores.

NET marks obtained by candidates in categories 2 and 3 will remain valid for one year for PhD admissions.