The University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved the use of National Eligibility Test (NET) scores for PhD admissions starting from the 2024-25 academic session. This decision aims to streamline the admission process for doctoral programs and aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Candidates will no longer be required to write multiple entrance exams conducted by various universities for PhD admissions. Admission to PhD programs will be based on UGC NET scores, and no separate exams will be required, as confirmed by UGC Chairman, Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar.
The announcement follows the 578th UGC meeting held on March 13, where recommendations from an expert committee were considered. The NET is conducted twice a year, in June and December, to award Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) and select Assistant Professors for those holding master’s degrees.
This move is expected to simplify the admission process for PhD aspirants and reduce the burden of multiple entrance exams, in line with the government’s efforts to reform the higher education sector.
