UGC NET December 2024: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has opened the application window for UGC NET December 2024. Aspiring candidates can register on the official website, ugcnet.nta.ac.in. The last date to apply and pay the examination fee is December 11, 2024, up to 11:50 PM. The exams will be conducted from January 1 to January 19, 2025, with detailed schedules and admit cards to be released closer to the exam dates.
Eligibility Criteria Expanded for 4-Year Undergraduate Degree Holders
In a significant update announced earlier this year, the University Grants Commission (UGC) now allows candidates with a four-year undergraduate degree to appear for UGC NET to pursue PhD programs. Announced earlier in April this year by UGC Chairman Jagadesh Kumar, this change marks a shift in academic prerequisites. To qualify, candidates must have scored at least 75% or equivalent grades in their four-year undergraduate program.
Previously, a master’s degree with a minimum of 55% marks was mandatory for NET eligibility. Candidates from reserved categories, including SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer), and economically weaker sections, are eligible for a relaxation of 5% in the required marks.
Assistant Professor Eligibility Remains Unchanged
While 4-year undergraduate degree holders are now eligible for NET and PhD admission, they are not yet permitted to apply for assistant professor roles through UGC NET. Currently, a master’s degree is still required for such positions, as per UGC guidelines.
Application Process Details
Applicants need to provide details such as the program name, passing year, university name, location, and whether their final year results are awaited. Apart from this, the registration process remains the same as in previous cycles. Here’s a screengrab for reference-
Post-examination, the NTA will release the provisional answer keys and recorded responses on its official website, ensuring transparency. Further announcements regarding exam cities and results will follow soon.
