UGC NET Eligibility 2025: Age Limit & Qualification

UGC NET Eligibility 2025:- National Testing Agency (NTA) will release the UGC NET 2025 notification along with the application form on its official website, ugcnet.nta.ac.in, tentatively in March 2025. The notification will include crucial details such as exam dates, eligibility criteria, and the application timeline. UGC NET exam is conducted twice a year, in June and December, to determine candidates' eligibility for the positions of Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).

The NTA sets the eligibility criteria for UGC NET based on factors like age, education, and nationality. As per the current norms, candidates applying for JRF must be up to 30 years old, while there is no age limit for the Assistant Professor post or PhD admissions. Additionally, applicants must hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field with at least 55% marks. Those who fail to meet these eligibility standards will be disqualified. Check out the article below for detailed UGC NET Eligibility 2025.

UGC NET 2025

As the UGC NET 2025 notification is expected to be released soon, it is advised that candidates carefully review the UGC NET eligibility before applying. The UGC NET exam eligibility is a crucial factor, as failing to meet the requirements will result in immediate rejection of the application. The UGC NET eligibility criteria include educational qualifications, age limits, and other necessary conditions set by the National Testing Agency (NTA). To avoid any issues later, candidates must thoroughly check the eligibility conditions before filling out the application form.

Who is Eligible for UGC NET?

Candidates aspiring to appear for the UGC NET 2025 exam must fulfill specific UGC NET eligibility criteria related to educational qualifications, age limits, and other conditions. The National Testing Agency (NTA) sets these guidelines to determine eligibility for the positions of Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. To ensure a smooth application process and avoid disqualification, candidates must carefully check the UGC NET exam eligibility before applying. Below are the detailed eligibility requirements:

UGC NET Educational Qualification

Candidates must meet the following academic requirements:

• Master’s Degree Requirement:

• Candidates should have a Master’s degree or equivalent from a UGC-recognised university or institution.

• The degree should be in one of the subjects offered in UGC NET or a closely related field.

• Minimum Marks Required:

• General category: At least 55% aggregate marks in post-graduation.

• OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, and Third Gender candidates: At least 50% aggregate marks in post-graduation.

• Final-Year Candidates:

• Candidates who are in the final year of their Master’s degree or awaiting results can apply provisionally. However, they must complete their degree within two years from the result declaration date of UGC NET.

Age Limit and Relaxation

The UGC NET eligibility age​ vary for JRF and Assistant Professor roles:

Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)

• Maximum age: 30 years as of the exam date.

• Age Relaxation:

• SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/Third Gender/Women candidates: 5-year relaxation.

• Candidates with research experience: Up to 5-year relaxation, based on the duration of research work.

• Candidates with LLM degrees: 3-year relaxation.

Assistant Professor

• There is no upper age limit to apply for Assistant Professor positions. Candidates can apply at any age if they meet the educational qualifications.

Nationality

To be eligible for UGC NET 2025, the candidate must be:

• An Indian citizen OR

• A subject of Nepal, Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who migrated to India before January 1, 1962, OR

• A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or East African countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.

UGC NET Subject-Wise Eligibility Criteria 2025

Here are some of the basic UGC NET Subjects Eligibility Criteria 2025:- 

UGC NET Eligibility Exemption

The minimum eligibility requirement for candidates seeking appointment as Assistant Professors in universities, colleges, and institutes is qualifying NET, SET, or SLET. However, as per UGC regulations and amendments, certain candidates are exempted from these exams under specific conditions.

The following candidates do not need to appear for the UGC NET Exam to apply for Assistant Professor positions:

• SET Qualified Candidates (Before 1st June 2002): Candidates who cleared the State Eligibility Test (SET) before 1st June 2002 are exempted from NET and can apply for Assistant Professor positions across India.

• SET Qualified Candidates (From 1st June 2002 Onwards): Those who qualified SET on or after 1st June 2002 can apply for Assistant Professor positions only in universities and colleges within the state where they cleared their exam.

• UGC/CSIR JRF Qualified Candidates (Before 1989): Candidates who passed the UGC/CSIR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) examination before 1989 are exempted from appearing in NET.

Check Out: PW UGC-NET History 11 Years PYQ Book

UGC NET Previous Year Question Paper​

If you are preparing for the UGC NET Exam, solving previous year question papers can be very helpful. These papers will give you a clear idea about the exam pattern, types of questions, and difficulty level. By practising them, you can improve your speed, accuracy, and time management. It also helps in understanding important topics and boosting confidence for the actual exam. Whether you are aiming for JRF or Assistant Professor, using UGC NET previous year question papers is a smart way to prepare better. 

Read More: UGC Net Passing Marks 2025: Minimum Passing Marks

UGC NET Eligibility 2025 FAQs

1. Who is eligible for the UGC NET Exam?

Candidates who have completed a Master’s degree with at least 55% marks (50% for reserved categories) in a relevant subject are eligible.

2. What is the age limit for UGC NET JRF?

The maximum age limit for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) is 30 years (with age relaxations for reserved categories), while there is no age limit for the Assistant Professor post.

3. Can final-year Master’s students apply for UGC NET?

Yes, final-year postgraduate students can apply, but they must complete their degree with the required percentage within the specified time.

4. What is the minimum qualification for UGC NET Assistant Professor?

Candidates must hold a Master’s degree with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD) in a relevant subject.

5. Is there any exemption from UGC NET for Assistant Professor posts?

Yes, candidates who have qualified SET (before June 2002) or UGC/CSIR JRF before 1989 are exempted from UGC NET.