Overview
The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for Assistant Professor, Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), and PhD admission in Indian universities and colleges. The exam is held twice a year, in June and December, in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode across 85 subjects. The June 2025 cycle is a significant opportunity for candidates aspiring to pursue academic and research careers.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Master’s degree or equivalent from a UGC-recognized university with at least 55% marks (50% for OBC/SC/ST/PwD categories).
- 4-year undergraduate degree holders with a minimum of 75% marks are also eligible.
- Candidates in the final year of their Master’s degree can apply provisionally.
Age Limit
- JRF: Maximum 30 years as of January 1, 2025 (relaxation of 5 years for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, and female candidates; 3 years for LLM degree holders).
- Assistant Professor: No upper age limit.
- Relaxation up to 5 years for candidates with research experience or those who served in the armed forces.
Application Process
The application form for UGC NET June 2025 is available from April 16, 2025, to May 7, 2025 on the official website ugcnet.nta.ac.in. Follow these steps to apply:
- Visit ugcnet.nta.ac.in and click on ‘UGC NET June 2025 – New Registration’.
- Complete registration to receive login credentials (Application Number and Password).
- Log in, fill in personal and educational details, and select the subject and exam city preferences.
- Upload a photograph and signature in the specified format and size.
- Pay the application fee via Credit Card/Debit Card/Net Banking/UPI.
- Download and save the confirmation page.
Note: A correction window will be available in May 2025 to edit certain fields. Changes via Post/Fax/WhatsApp/Email/by hand are not accepted.
Exam Pattern
The UGC NET June 2025 exam consists of two papers conducted in a single 3-hour session without a break:
| Paper | Details | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Assesses teaching and research aptitude (reasoning, comprehension, general awareness) | 50 MCQs | 100 |
| Paper 2 | Subject-specific, based on the candidate’s chosen subject | 100 MCQs | 200 |
Marking: Each correct answer carries 2 marks; there is no negative marking.
Qualifying Marks: General category: 40% aggregate in both papers; Reserved categories: 35%.
Selection: Top 6% of candidates qualify for Assistant Professor; JRF cutoffs are higher.
Important Dates
- Application Period: April 16, 2025 – May 7, 2025
- Application Correction Window: May 2025 (exact dates to be announced)
- Admit Card Release: June 2025 (tentative)
- Exam Dates: June 21, 2025 – June 30, 2025
- Result Declaration: August 2025 (tentative)
Check the official website ugcnet.nta.ac.in for updates.