The National Eligibility Test (NET), conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC), is a competitive exam held twice a year. The exam assesses candidates’ eligibility for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) positions in Indian universities and colleges.
To evaluate candidates’ proficiency, the exam comprises two papers: Paper-I and Paper-II. Paper-I is a general aptitude test that assesses candidates’ reasoning ability, comprehension, and divergent thinking skills, among other skills. Meanwhile, Paper-II focuses on the subject selected by the candidate.
If candidates obtain the necessary cut-off marks on both papers, they are eligible for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) award.
NET OVERVIEW
The National Eligibility Test, commonly known as NET, is a highly competitive examination in India. This exam is conducted to determine the eligibility of candidates for the post of Assistant Professor and to award Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). Here is an overview of the NET exam, using transition words to make the text more cohesive:
Firstly, the NET exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The exam is held twice a year, usually in June and December. Secondly, the NET exam is a computer-based test, which means that candidates have to appear for the exam on a computer at a designated test center.
Moreover, the NET exam consists of two papers – Paper I and Paper II. Paper I is a general aptitude test that assesses the candidate’s teaching and research aptitude, reasoning ability, comprehension, and general awareness. On the other hand, Paper II is a subject-specific test that assesses the candidate’s knowledge of the subject they have chosen.
Furthermore, candidates have to score a minimum of 40% marks in Paper I and Paper II separately to qualify for the Assistant Professor post. However, candidates who want to apply for JRF have to score a minimum of 50% marks in both papers.
In addition, the age limit for JRF is 30 years, and there is a relaxation of up to 5 years for candidates belonging to certain categories. Moreover, there is no age limit for Assistant Professor post.
Finally, candidates who qualify for the NET exam are eligible to apply for the post of Assistant Professor in universities and colleges across India. Additionally, those who qualify for JRF can pursue research in their chosen subject and receive financial assistance for their studies.

NET - Important Exam Dates
Exam Events | Exam Dates (June Session) | Exam Dates (December Session) |
---|---|---|
Online Application Submission | 15th April 2023 | 15th October 2023 |
Last date for online application submission | 10th May 2023 | 10th November 2023 |
Last date for fee payment | 15th May 2023 | 15th November 2023 |
Application form correction window | 20th to 25th May 2023 | 20th to 25th November 2023 |
Admit Card Release Date | 1st June 2023 | 1st December 2023 |
NET Exam Date | 12th to 18th June 2023 | 12th to 18th December 2023 |
Release of Provisional Answer Key | 25th June 2023 | 25th December 2023 |
Challenge against the answer key | 26th to 30th June 2023 | 26th to 30th December 2023 |
Release of Final Answer Key | 10th July 2023 | 10th January 2024 |
NET Result Declaration | 20th July 2023 | 20th January 2024 |
NET Application Form
The National Eligibility Test (NET) application process is an important step towards appearing for the exam. Here is a detailed overview of the NET application form with the use of transition words to make the text more coherent:
To begin with, the NET application form is available online on the official website of the National Testing Agency (NTA). Candidates are required to fill in the application form carefully and provide accurate information. Additionally, candidates need to have a valid email address and mobile number for registration purposes.
Moreover, before filling in the application form, candidates must ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria specified by the NTA. They must also have scanned copies of their photograph and signature in the prescribed format, which will be required for uploading during the application process.
Furthermore, candidates need to fill in their personal and academic details, including their name, date of birth, address, educational qualifications, etc. They will also have to select the subject for which they want to appear in the exam.
In addition, candidates are required to pay the application fee through the available payment methods. They must keep a copy of the fee receipt for future reference. Moreover, candidates are advised to verify their details before submitting the application form to avoid any errors or discrepancies.
Finally, candidates must keep a printout of the application form for their records. They should also keep a copy of the application fee receipt and other relevant documents safely for future reference.
In conclusion, filling in the NET application form is an important step towards appearing for the exam. Candidates must ensure that they provide accurate information and meet the eligibility criteria. They must also keep a copy of the application form, fee receipt, and other relevant documents safely for future reference.
NET Application Fee
Category |
ApplicationFee (June Session) |
Application Fee (December Session) |
---|---|---|
General | Rs. 1000 | Rs. 1000 |
OBC-NCL | Rs. 500 | Rs. 500 |
SC/ST/PwD/Transgender | Rs. 250 | Rs. 250 |
How To Apply for NET 2023
Applying for the National Eligibility Test (NET) 2023 is an important step towards pursuing a career in academia. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for NET 2023 with the use of transition words to make the text more coherent:
Firstly, candidates must visit the official website of the National Testing Agency (NTA) to register for the exam. They must click on the ‘Registration’ link and fill in their personal and academic details, including their name, date of birth, email address, mobile number, and educational qualifications.
Secondly, candidates must upload their scanned photograph and signature in the prescribed format. They must ensure that the photograph and signature are of good quality and meet the specifications mentioned in the application form.
Next, candidates must select the subject for which they want to appear in the exam. They must also select the examination center based on their preference and convenience.
Furthermore, candidates must pay the application fee through the available payment methods, which include debit card, credit card, and net banking. Candidates belonging to reserved categories are provided with a certain amount of relaxation in the application fee.
After payment, candidates must verify their details and submit the application form. They must keep a printout of the filled-in application form and payment receipt for future reference.
Moreover, candidates must keep a check on the official website of the NTA for any updates or announcements regarding the exam. They must also ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria specified by the NTA.
In addition, candidates must prepare well for the exam by referring to the prescribed syllabus and previous year question papers. They can also seek guidance from experts and mentors to boost their preparation.
Finally, candidates must appear for the exam on the scheduled date and time. They must carry their admit card and a valid ID proof to the examination center.
In conclusion, applying for NET 2023 requires candidates to register on the official website of the NTA, fill in their personal and academic details, upload their photograph and signature, select the subject and examination center, pay the application fee, verify their details, and submit the application form. Candidates must also prepare well for the exam and stay updated with the latest announcements and updates on the official website of the NTA.
NET - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To be eligible for NET, candidates must have a postgraduate degree with at least 55% marks (50% for reserved categories) or an equivalent grade from a recognized university. Candidates who are in the final year of their postgraduate degree can also apply.
There is no limit on the number of attempts for NET. Candidates can appear for the exam as many times as they wish.
The syllabus for NET varies based on the subject chosen by the candidate. The NTA releases the syllabus for each subject on its official website. Candidates are advised to refer to the syllabus and prepare accordingly.
NET is conducted in two papers – Paper I and Paper II. Paper I consists of 50 objective-type questions, and Paper II consists of 100 objective-type questions. The exam is conducted for a duration of three hours.
NET is conducted in online mode at various examination centers across the country. Candidates must carry their admit card and a valid ID proof to the examination center.
The NTA releases the NET result on its official website. Candidates can check their result by entering their roll number and date of birth.
The validity of the NET score is for two years from the date of declaration of the result. Candidates who qualify in NET can apply for the post of Assistant Professor in universities and colleges across the country.
NET - Eligibility Criteria:
- Educational Qualification:
- Candidates must have a postgraduate degree with at least 55% marks (50% for reserved categories) or an equivalent grade from a recognized university.
- Candidates who are in the final year of their postgraduate degree can also apply.
- Candidates must ensure that their degree is in a relevant field of study as per the subject for which they want to appear in the exam.
- Age Limit:
- There is no upper age limit for the post of Assistant Professor.
- For the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), candidates must not be more than 31 years of age as on the specified date of the exam.
- There is relaxation in the upper age limit for candidates belonging to reserved categories.
- Citizenship:
- Candidates must be Indian nationals or have a valid passport or visa for studying in India.
- Candidates must also have their Aadhaar card or any other government-issued ID proof.
- Other Requirements:
- Candidates who have a PhD degree or have submitted their PhD thesis before the deadline of application are also eligible to apply. They must have completed their postgraduate degree by September 19, 1991.
Eligibility Criteria |
Details |
---|---|
Educational Qualification | Postgraduate degree with at least 55% marks or equivalent grade |
50% marks for reserved categories | |
Age Limit | No upper age limit for Assistant Professor post |
Maximum age of 31 years for JRF | |
Age relaxation for reserved categories | |
Citizenship | Indian nationals or valid passport/visa for studying in India |
Aadhaar card or government-issued ID proof required | |
Other Requirements | PhD degree holders or those who have submitted their thesis before the application deadline can apply |
NET Cutoff
Category |
Minimum Marks to be Obtained |
---|---|
General | 40% in Paper I and Paper II combined |
OBC (Non-creamy layer) | 35% in Paper I and Paper II combined |
SC/ST/PwD/Transgender | 35% in Paper I and Paper II combined |
NET Admission Process
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the NET admission process, along with transition words to make the text more coherent:
- Firstly, candidates must fill out the application form online on the official website of the National Testing Agency (NTA). This involves providing personal details, academic qualifications, and other relevant information.
- Once the application process is complete, candidates must pay the application fee online through the available payment methods. The application fee varies depending on the category of the candidate and the number of subjects they choose to appear for.
- After the application and fee payment are complete, candidates will receive an admit card from the NTA. The admit card contains important information such as the exam date, time, and venue. Candidates must carry the admit card to the exam center on the day of the exam.
- On the day of the exam, candidates must appear for both Paper I and Paper II, which are conducted in two sessions. The exam is conducted in computer-based mode and consists of multiple-choice questions.
- After the exam is conducted, the NTA releases the answer key for the candidates to evaluate their performance. Candidates can also challenge the answer key if they find any discrepancies.
- The NTA then releases the result of the exam on its official website. The result includes the overall score and the qualifying status of the candidate.
In conclusion, the NET admission process involves filling out the application form, paying the application fee, receiving the admit card, appearing for the exam, evaluating the performance through the answer key, and checking the result on the official website of NTA. Candidates must ensure that they fulfill the eligibility criteria and prepare well to score high in the exam.