Updated on Jul 09, 2025
Ankita Banerjee
UGC NET 2025 Eligibility Criteria: The UGC NET 2025 Exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to determine eligibility for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities. Candidates applying for UGC NET 2025 must meet basic eligibility conditions such as nationality, age limit, and educational qualifications. The exam is open to Indian nationals who have completed their post-graduation in a relevant field. The eligibility requirements differ for JRF and Assistant Professor posts. The UGC NET June 2025 exam is ongoing from 25th June 2025 to 29th June 2025. Candidates must carefully review the UGC NET 2025 eligibility criteria before filling out the application form. Continue reading to know more about the UGC NET 2025 Eligibility Criteria in detail.
Table of Contents
- UGC NET 2025 General Eligibility Criteria
- UGC NET 2025 Age Limit
- UGC NET 2025 Educational Qualification
- UGC NET 2025 Nationality
- UGC NET 2025 Subject Eligibility Criteria
- UGC NET 2025 Eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
- UGC NET 2025 Eligibility Exemptions for Assistant Professors
- UGC NET 2025 Reservation Policy
- UGC NET 2025 Eligibility Criteria FAQs
UGC NET 2025 General Eligibility Criteria
The general eligibility conditions for UGC NET 2025 remain the same for all candidates. The applicant must be an Indian citizen with a valid master’s degree or appearing in the final year of post-graduation. The age limit criteria apply only to those who wish to apply for JRF. Check out the following table for UGC NET 2025 General Eligibility Criteria:
Criteria | Requirement |
Nationality | Must be an Indian citizen |
Qualification | Post-graduation degree from a recognised university |
Final Year Students | Eligible to apply provisionally |
Number of Attempts | No limit |
Age Limit (JRF only) | Maximum 30 years (relaxation available for reserved categories) |
UGC NET 2025 Age Limit
The age limit for UGC NET 2025 depends on the post. For Assistant Professor, there is no age restriction. However, for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), the upper age limit is 30 years as of June 1, 2025. Age relaxations are provided for reserved categories and other eligible groups. Check out the following table for UGC NET 2025 Age Limit.
Category | Age Limit / Relaxation |
JRF (General Category) | Maximum 30 years as on 1st June 2025 |
SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Third Gender | 5 years relaxation |
Women (All categories) | 5 years relaxation |
Research experience holders | Up to 5 years based on duration of research |
LLM degree holders | 3 years relaxation |
Armed forces (subject to conditions) | 5 years relaxation |
Assistant Professor | No age limit |
Also Check UGC NET 2025 Application Process
UGC NET 2025 Educational Qualification
Candidates must have a master’s degree with at least 55% marks from a recognised university. Reserved category candidates are eligible with a minimum of 50% marks. Final year students are allowed to apply provisionally for the UGC NET 2025 exam. Check out the following table for UGC NET 2025 Education Qualifications"
Category | Minimum Qualification Required | Minimum Marks |
General/Unreserved | Postgraduate degree from UGC-recognised university | 55% aggregate |
SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/PwD/Transgender | Postgraduate degree from UGC-recognised university | 50% aggregate |
Final year PG students | Eligible provisionally | Subject to result |
PhD holders (PG completed before 19.09.1991) | Eligible with 5% relaxation | 50% aggregate |
UGC NET 2025 Nationality
To apply for UGC NET 2025, a candidate must be a citizen of India. Foreign nationals are not eligible to apply. Candidates must possess valid documents which must be approved by the Government of India to prove their nationality at the time of admission or appointment.
UGC NET 2025 Subject Eligibility Criteria
The UGC NET 2025 exam is conducted in 85 subjects. Paper 1 is common for all, and Paper 2 must be chosen based on the subject of post-graduation. Candidates must ensure that their subject is listed by UGC. If not, they can apply in a related subject. Some of the key subject eligibility criteria for candidates include-
- Candidates should select Paper 2 based on their PG subject.
- Candidates with a Master’s in Geography/Mathematics/Statistics can apply for Population Studies.
- Candidates with a Master’s in Humanities or Social Sciences can apply for Women Studies.
- Candidates with foreign degrees must ensure AIU equivalence.
UGC NET 2025 Eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
The UGC NET JRF 2025 Eligibility Criteria include age, qualification, and relaxation benefits. Candidates who qualify for JRF are also eligible for Assistant Professorship. But Assistant Professorship qualification does not grant JRF eligibility. Check out the following table for UGC NET 2025 Eligibility Criteria for Junior Research Fellowship posts.
Criteria | Requirement |
Maximum Age | 30 years (as on June 1, 2025) |
Educational Qualification | Master’s with required percentage |
Relaxation | Available for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Women/LLM holders/Researchers |
Dual Eligibility | JRF-qualified candidates are also eligible for Lectureship |
Check UGC NET 2025 Admit Card
UGC NET 2025 Eligibility Exemptions for Assistant Professors
Certain candidates are exempted from appearing in UGC NET 2025 for Assistant Professor roles. These exemptions apply based on past qualifications like PhD, JRF, or SET. Check out the following table for the exemptions available for candidates appearing for Assistant Professor Roles via UGC NET Entrance Test.
Qualification/Condition | Exemption Granted |
PhD holders as per UGC 2009 regulations | Exempted from UGC NET for Assistant Professor |
UGC/CSIR JRF qualified before 1989 | Exempted from UGC NET 2025 |
SET qualified before 1 June 2002 | Eligible for Assistant Professor across India |
SET qualified after 1 June 2002 | Eligible for Assistant Professor in the respective state |
UGC NET 2025 Reservation Policy
UGC NET 2025 follows the Government of India’s reservation policy. Reserved categories are given seat reservations in central universities and deemed universities. Check out the following table for UGC NET 2025 Reservation Policy for backward categories:
Category | Reservation Percentage |
Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% |
Other Backward Class (OBC) – Non-Creamy Layer | 27% |
Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10% |
Persons with Disability (PwD – 40% or more) | 4% |
UGC NET 2025 Eligibility Criteria FAQs
Can graduates apply for the UGC NET 2025 exam?
No, only postgraduates or final year PG students can apply for UGC NET 2025. Graduation alone is not sufficient.
Can the 12th pass apply for UGC NET 2025?
No, UGC NET 2025 requires a master’s degree or equivalent. Class 12 students are not eligible.
What is UGC NET 2025 qualification?
The UGC NET 2025 qualification requires a master’s degree with at least 55% marks. Reserved category candidates need only 50%.
Is a Master’s necessary for UGC NET 2025?
Yes, a master’s degree is compulsory for UGC NET 2025. Final-year PG students can also apply provisionally.
Is B.Ed compulsory for the UGC NET 2025 exam?
No, B.Ed is not required for UGC NET 2025. Candidates must have a post-graduation degree.
What is the age limit for UGC NET 2025?
For JRF, the age limit is 30 years as of June 1, 2025. There is no age limit for Assistant Professors.
Is NET compulsory after PhD?
No, candidates with PhD under UGC 2009 norms are exempted from UGC NET 2025 for Assistant Professor roles.
Can I appear for UGC NET 2025 in a subject not listed by UGC?
No, you must choose a subject listed by UGC. If your subject is not listed, apply for a related subject.
Can foreign degree holders apply for UGC NET 2025?
Yes, but the degree must be equivalent to an Indian PG degree, certified by AIU.
Can I apply for both Assistant Professor and JRF in UGC NET 2025?
Yes, you can apply for both. But qualifying JRF makes you eligible for Assistant Professor too.
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