UGC NET stands for University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test. It is a national-level examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
The exam is conducted twice a year, in the months of June and December, to determine the eligibility of candidates for the role of Assistant Professor and for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for appearing in UGC NET exam are as follows:
The candidate must have completed a Master’s degree or equivalent in the relevant subject from a recognized university with at least 55% aggregate marks (50% for reserved categories).
Candidates who are in the final year of their Master’s degree or whose result is awaited can also apply for the exam.
- There is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor.
- For JRF, Not more than 30 years as on 1st day of the month in which the examination is concluded.
Age Relaxation
There is a relaxation of 5 years for candidates belonging to reserved categories.
Instruction for Age Calculation
Step 1: Determine the candidate’s date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY format).
Step 2: Calculate the candidate’s age as of the cut-off date (Cut off date is the 1st day of the month in which the examination is conducted).
Step 3: If the candidate is eligible based on the age criteria, he/she can apply for the UGC NET JRF exam.
For example, if a candidate was born on 15th March 1994 and the UGC NET JRF ex-amination will be conducted in the month of December 2023, the candidate’s age on the cut-off date will be 29 years 6 months 8 days (as of 1st December 2023). Therefore, the candidate will be eligible to appear for the UGC NET JRF exam in 2021.
The Examination shall be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode only.
Pattern of Examination
The Test will consist of two papers. Both the papers will consist of objective type, multiple choice questions. There will be no break between papers.
Instruction
- There is no negative marking for incorrect answer.
- All Questions are Compulsory.
- Total time duration of examination is 03 hours (180 minutes) without any break.
Computer Based Test (CBT) is a method of conducting examinations using a computer or digital device. Instead of using pen and paper, candidates take their tests on a computer, where they read and answer questions directly on the screen.
The test questions and answers are presented on a computer and the responses of the candidates are also recorded and evaluated by the computer itself.
Step I: Login: For login, the candidate will have to enter login-ID and password provided by UGC.
Step II: Instruction Page: After login, instruction page will be appear.
Step III: Display of Question: After general instruction question will be appear on Screen. Candidate is now able to choose the correct answer from given options.
Important Instruction
- Must insure that the computer/mouse/Keypad allotted to you is in working condition. If it is malfunction then inform to competent authority for replacement.
- The countdown timer in the top right side of computer screen will display the time remaining (in minutes) available for the candidate to complete the examination. When the timer reaches zero, the examination will end by itself. Candidate will not be required to end or submit the examination.
- The Question Palette displayed on the right side of screen will show the status of:
- Number of Question Not Visited
- Number of Question Not Answered
- Number of Question Answered
- Number of Question Marked for Review
Answering a Question
Procedure for answering a multiple choice type question:
- To select the option(s), click on the corresponding button(s) of the option(s).
- To deselect the chosen answer, click on the button of the chosen option again or click on the “Clear Response” button.
- To save the answer, the candidate MUST click on the “Save & Next” button.
- To mark the question for review (without answering it), click on the “Mark for Review & Next” button.
Note: The Question which status is “Answered and Marked for Review” will be consider for evolution.