UGC NET Eligibility Criteria: Every year, the NTA, entrusted by the UGC to conduct the UGC NET examination, holds the exam twice. For the year 2025, the UGC NET June cycle examination has already been concluded, and the application process for the December cycle is expected to begin soon. Based on the notification released for the June exam cycle, candidates must meet specific age and qualification criteria to be eligible for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor posts. In this blog, we have provided all the details about the UGC NET age limit, educational qualifications, and more.
What are the Eligibility Criteria for the UGC NET 2025 Exam?
To appear for the exam, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria as released by the National Testing Agency (NTA). As per the UGC NET eligibility norms, candidates must possess a Master's degree with at least 55% marks (50% for reserved categories) from a recognized university. Final-year postgraduate students can also apply provisionally. It is crucial to check subject-wise and category-specific conditions before filling out the application form.
UGC NET Eligibility Overview 2025
Before applying for UGC NET 2025, candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria set by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The detailed overview of the UGC NET 2025 Exam is as follows:
| Aspects | Details |
|---|
| Exam Name | UGC NET 2025 (University Grants Commission – National Eligibility Test) |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Purpose | Eligibility for Assistant Professor and/or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year (June and December cycles) |
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer Based Test) |
| Number of Subjects | 85 Subjects |
| Minimum Educational Qualification | Master's Degree with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/Third Gender) |
| JRF Age Limit | 30 years (as on 01.06.2025); relaxations available for reserved categories |
| Reservation Policy | As per Government of India norms |
| Official Website | https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
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What is the Required Educational Qualification for the UGC NET Exam?
To be eligible for the UGC NET 2025 exam, candidates must meet the educational qualifications prescribed by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Eligibility is primarily based on the candidate's postgraduate qualification from a recognized university. The details related to the UGC NET educational qualifications are as follows:
| Criteria | Details |
|---|
| Minimum Qualification | Master's degree or equivalent from a UGC-recognized university |
| Eligible Disciplines | Commerce, History, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, Education, Computer Science, and others |
| Minimum Marks (General/UR) | 55% aggregate marks in Master's degree |
| Minimum Marks (OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender) | 50% aggregate marks in Master's degree |
| Final Year Students Eligibility | Eligible to apply; must complete degree within 2 years of result declaration |
| Condition for Final Year Students | If minimum marks are not secured after final results, candidature will be canceled |
| Ph.D. Degree Holders (Before 19 Sep 1991) | 5% relaxation in marks (i.e., 50% required instead of 55%) |
| Foreign Degrees | Must be recognized by AIU (Association of Indian Universities) |
| Recognition Requirement | Degree must be from a UGC-approved institution or recognized equivalent body |
What is the Age Limit to Apply for the UGC NET 2025?
As per the last cycle's notification PDF, the age limit varies for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor aspirants. While JRF has an upper age limit, there is no such restriction for candidates applying for the post of Assistant Professor. The detailed age limits for both UGC NET JRF and UGC NET Assistant Professor are as follows:
UGC NET JRF Age Limit
The details of the UGC Net age limit are as follows:
| Category / Criteria | Age Relaxation | Maximum Age Limit for JRF |
|---|
| General (Unreserved) | No relaxation | 30 years |
| OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, Third Gender | 5 years | Up to 35 years |
| Candidates with Research Experience | Based on actual research period (Max 5 years) | Up to 35 years (if applicable) |
| Armed Forces Personnel (Service Experience) | 5 years | Up to 35 years |
| L.L.M. Degree Holders | 3 years | Up to 33 years |
UGC NET Assistant Professor Age Limit
NTA provides flexible age criterion to ensure that aspirants at different stages of their academic journey can apply for the UGC NET 2025 exam and advance in their teaching and research careers.
- There is no upper age limit for candidates applying for Assistant Professor through UGC NET.
- Candidates of any age can appear as long as they meet the educational qualification requirements.
UGC NET Nationality and Reservation Criteria
The UGC NET 2025 exam follows specific nationality requirements and provides reservation benefits to eligible candidates as per the Government of India's guidelines. The details related to the UGC NET nationality and reservation criteria are as follows:
Who Can Apply for UGC NET December 2025?
As per the UGC NET notification released earlier, the categories of candidates mentioned below can apply for the exam:
- Indian citizens are eligible to apply for UGC NET 2025.
- Foreign nationals can also apply, but their eligibility is subject to equivalency verification by AIU (Association of Indian Universities).
- Candidates from Nepal, Bhutan, and other SAARC nations may be eligible based on specific regulations set by the Indian government.
UGC NET Category Wise Reservation & Relaxations
The UGC NET 2025 exam follows the reservation policy of the Government of India for different categories:
| Category | Reservation Percentage | Relaxation in Age Limit | Relaxation in Qualification |
|---|
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 15% | 5 years | 50% marks in PG |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 7.50% | 5 years | 50% marks in PG |
| OBC-NCL (Other Backward Classes - Non-Creamy Layer) | 27% | 5 years | 50% marks in PG |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 10% | No age relaxation | 55% marks in PG |
| PwD (Persons with Disabilities) | 5% | 5 years | 50% marks in PG |
| Third Gender Candidates | Included under OBC-NCL benefits | 5 years | 50% marks in PG |
Important Points on UGC NET Reservation 2025
The key highlights of the UGC NET Reservation Policy 2025 that candidates must keep in mind while applying under reserved categories.
- Reservation is only applicable to central universities and institutions under the Government of India.
- State universities may have different rules.
- Candidates seeking category-based relaxations must submit valid and latest caste/category certificates at the time of application.
- The EWS category was introduced as per government policy, and candidates must provide an EWS certificate issued by a competent authority.
What is the Number of Attempts Allowed for the UGC NET Exam?
The UGC NET exam has different rules regarding the number of attempts for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor eligibility.
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): Unlimited attempts until 30 years (relaxations: SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD – 35 years, LLM holders – 33 years).
- Assistant Professor: No age limit or attempt restrictions.
UGC NET Eligibility Criteria Exemptions
Certain candidates are exempted from appearing for the UGC NET exam and can directly apply for Assistant Professor roles based on their qualifications. The eligibility exemption criteria, as per the last UGC NET notification, are as follows:
- Ph.D. Holders (as per UGC 2009 & 2016) are exempted for Assistant Professor roles.
- SET Qualified Candidates before 1st June 2002 are exempted nationwide; after that, exemption applies only in the respective state.
- UGC NET/JRF Qualified Candidates don't need to reappear unless improving their JRF score.
- Foreign Ph.D. Holders may be exempted if AIU-recognized.
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UGC NET Qualifying Marks 2025
To qualify for the National Eligibility Test, candidates must score the minimum marks set by NTA, based on their category. These UGC NET qualifying marks are calculated out of the combined score of Paper 1 and Paper 2. Meeting the UGC NET eligibility criteria alone is not enough and candidates must also secure the cutoff marks to be considered for Assistant Professor or JRF. Below is the category-wise minimum percentage required:
| Category | Paper 1 (Out of 100) | Paper 2 (Out of 200) | Total Qualifying Marks (%) |
|---|
| General/Unreserved | 40% | 40% | 40% (Aggregate) |
| OBC-NCL / EWS | 35% | 35% | 35% (Aggregate) |
| SC / ST / PwD | 35% | 35% | 35% (Aggregate) |
UGC NET Exam Categories 2025
The UGC NET 2025 exam classifies candidates into three categories based on their eligibility for JRF, Assistant Professor, and Ph.D. admission.
| Categories | Eligible for JRF | Eligible for Assistant Professor | Eligible for Ph.D. admission |
|---|
| Category-1 Award of JRF and appointment as Assistant Professor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Category-2 Appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D | No | Yes | Yes |
| Category-3 Admission to Ph.D. only | No | No | Yes |
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