NET Score Allowed For PhD Admissions From 2024-2025 In Place Of Entrance Test: UGC

From the academic session 2024-2025, all universities can use the NET score for admission to PhD programmes in place of entrance tests.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) announced that students can now use their NET scores for admission to Ph.D. programmes, replacing the entrance tests conducted by various universities and higher education institutions (HEIs). UGC Chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar on X said, “From the academic session 2024-2025, all universities can use NET score for admission to PhD programmes in place of entrance tests conducted by the different universities/HEIs. NTA is working on launching the NET application process for June 2024 session sometime next week.”

UGC Secretary Prof. Manish R Joshi said that implementing one national entrance test for Ph.D. admissions aligns with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020). An expert committee was formed to review the provisions of the National Eligibility Test (NET).

Based on the committee's recommendations during a meeting on March 13, 2024, it was decided that starting from the academic year 2024-2025, students could use NET scores for admission to Ph.D. programmes instead of separate entrance tests conducted by universities/HEIs.

From June 2024 onwards, the NET candidates will be declared eligible in the three categories:

1. Eligible for admission to Ph.D. with JRF and appointment as Assistant Professor.

2. Eligible for admission to Ph.D. without JRF and appointment as Assistant Professor.

3. Eligible for admission to Ph.D. programme only, without JRF or appointment as Assistant Professor.

NET scores will be declared in percentile along with the candidate's marks for admission to Ph.D. programmes. Additionally, for candidates in categories 2 and 3, 70% weightage will be given to test scores and 30% weightage to the interview for Ph.D. programme admission. The admission will be based on the combined merit of NET marks and interview/viva voce marks. The NET marks obtained by candidates in categories 2 and 3 will be valid for one year for Ph.D. admission purposes.

Education Loan Information: