Who is eligible for UGC NET English? UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2025 (Updated)
- Nerd's Table
- Apr 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 30
UGC NET English Eligibility Criteria 2025 (Updated) – Qualification, Marks, Exemption Rules
Are you eligible to apply for UGC NET English in 2025? Before you begin your preparation, it's crucial to understand the eligibility conditions, minimum qualification, and exemption rules set by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
In this detailed post, we break down everything you need to know about UGC NET Eligibility Criteria— in simple terms — based on the official guidelines.
📘 Table of Contents
📍 1. Minimum Educational Qualification
To be eligible for UGC NET (including UGC NET English):
You must have secured at least 55% marks (without rounding off) in your Master’s Degree or equivalent.
Your degree must be from a UGC-recognized university or institution.
Accepted disciplines include:
Humanities (including English and other languages)
Social Sciences
Computer Science & Applications
Electronic Science, etc.
📍 2. Category-Wise Marks Criteria
The following candidates are eligible with minimum 50% marks in PG:
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)
SC
ST
PwD (Persons with Disability)
Note: This relaxation is strictly for reserved category candidates.
📍 3. Provisional Eligibility for Final-Year PG Students
If you're in the final year of your Master’s or awaiting results, you can still apply.
You will be provisionally admitted, but:
You must secure the required marks (55% or 50%) within 2 years of the NET result.
Otherwise, your candidature will be disqualified.
📍 4. Relaxation for Ph.D. Holders (Before Sept 19, 1991)
If your Master’s was completed on or before 19th September 1991, and you also hold a Ph.D. degree:
You are eligible with just 50% marks in PG (instead of 55%).
This rule applies irrespective of the date of result declaration.
📍 5. Subject and Course Equivalence Guidelines
You should appear in the subject of your post-graduation.
If your subject is not listed by UGC:
Choose a closely related subject.
If you hold a foreign degree/diploma, or PG diploma:
Get its equivalence confirmed from AIU (Association of Indian Universities) → aiu.ac.in
📍 6. UGC NET Exemption Criteria for Assistant Professorship
The following candidates are exempt from NET/SLET/SET, but only for Assistant Professor posts:
🔹 i. Ph.D. Holders (UGC 2009 Regulations)
If awarded Ph.D. as per UGC 2009 guidelines, you're exempt from NET.
🔹 ii. JRF Qualified (Before 1989)
If you qualified UGC/CSIR JRF before 1989, you're exempt from NET.
🔹 iii. SET Qualified (Before 2002)
If you passed State Eligibility Test (SET) before 1st June 2002, you're eligible to teach anywhere in India.
If passed on/after 1st June 2002, you’re eligible to teach only in the same state.
❓ 7. FAQs on UGC NET English Eligibility
Q1: Can a final year PG student apply for UGC NET English?
Yes, but you must complete PG with required marks within 2 years of result.
Q2: Is there any age limit for UGC NET English?
No age limit for Assistant Professor.
For JRF, age should be below 30 years (with relaxation for reserved categories).
Q3: I have a PG Diploma from a foreign university. Am I eligible?
Only if your diploma is certified equivalent to a Master's degree by AIU.
🎯 Final Tip: Double-Check Before You Apply
UGC clearly mentions that candidates are responsible for verifying their own eligibility.If you're later found ineligible, your candidature will be cancelled.
🔗 Useful Links
UGC NET Official Website (nta.ac.in)
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