UGC NET Eligibility Criteria: The UGC NET Eligibility 2025 has been released by National Testing Agency (NTA) in its official notification for June 2025 cycle. As per the UGC NET June Notification 2025, candidates must meet specific educational qualifications, prescribed age limit, and fulfill other eligibility conditions set by NTA to appear in the exam. Whether you're aiming for JRF or just the Assistant Professor post, knowing the correct eligibility criteria will help you avoid mistakes during the application process.
UGC NET Eligibility
As per the latest UGC guidelines, candidates must have a postgraduate degree with at least 55% marks (50% for reserved categories) from a recognized university to be eligible. The upper age limit for JRF is 30 years, with age relaxation provided to OBC, SC, ST, PwD, and female applicants as per government norms. Importantly, there is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor eligibility. This article will deal with everything you need to know about UGC NET Eligibility Criteria for June 2025 cycle.
UGC NET Eligibility Overview 2025
Before applying for UGC NET June 2025, candidates must ensure they meet the prescribed eligibility criteria set by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Candidates who want to sail through the exam must check and fulfill all the eligibility criteria for the exam. Below is a overview of the UGC NET 2025 Exam:
| Aspects | Details |
|---|
| Exam Name | UGC NET (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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UGC NET Educational Qualification
To be eligible for the UGC NET 2025 exam, candidates must meet the prescribed educational qualification set by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The eligibility is primarily based on the candidate's postgraduate qualification from a recognized university. Below are the detailed criteria:
| 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 |
UGC NET Age Limit 2025
The UGC NET age limit for June 2025 cycle varies for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor aspirants. While JRF has an upper age limit, there is no such restriction for Assistant Professor candidates. Below is a detailed breakdown:
UGC NET Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) Age Limit
The maximum age limit for JRF is 30 years as of the exam date. Age relaxations are applicable for reserved categories as per NTA guidelines:
- OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, and Third Gender: 5 years relaxation (i.e., up to 35 years).
- Candidates with research experience: Relaxation based on the period spent in research (maximum 5 years).
- Armed Forces candidates: 5 years relaxation for those with service experience.
- L.L.M. degree holders: 3 years relaxation applicable.
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 for June cycle follows specific nationality requirements and provides reservation benefits to eligible candidates as per the Government of India's guidelines. Below is a detailed breakdown:
Who Can Apply for UGC NET June 2025?
As per the UGC NET June Notification 2025, following category of candidates 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
Here are 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.
UGC NET Number of Attempts 2025
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 UGC NET Eligibility Criteria and can directly apply for Assistant Professor roles based on their qualifications. Below is the criteria of UGC NET Eligibility Exemptions:
- Ph.D. Holders (as per UGC 2009 & 2016) are exempted for Assistant Professor roles.
- SET Qualified Candidates before June 1, 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 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 |
