UGC-NET 2023: Exams to be held from Dec 6-22; apply by Oct 28

This year’s UGC-NET (National Eligibility Test), which enables research under the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and appointments as Assistant Professors in universities and colleges, will take place from December 6 to 22. The deadline to submit online applications for the test is 5 pm on October 28.

The fee of Rs 1,150 could be paid until 11:50 pm on October 29. Candidates belonging to backward or economically weak sections need to pay only Rs 600, and those from scheduled, differently abled, and transgender communities need to pay Rs 325. GST and bank charges will also have to be paid.

A candidate can submit only one application. Websites to apply are https://ugcnet.nta.ac.in and https://ugcnet.ntaonline.in.

Scheduled and backward category candidates have to clear the UGC-NET or CSIR-NET to obtain the national fellowships set aside for them.

Conditions that apply
UGC-NET could be attempted by candidates in 83 subjects, including humanities topics such as languages, music, physical education, and law; science topics such as computer, electronic, environmental, and forensic; and other branches such as the Indian Knowledge System. They should have the following qualifications: A Master’s degree with 55 percent marks The cut-off mark is 50 percent for the backward, scheduled, differently abled, and transgender categories. Final-year students will also be considered.

The age limit is 30 years as of December 1, 2023, for JRF. The age limit for backward, scheduled, differently abled, transgender, and female applicants is 35 years. However, there is no upper age limit for applicants to the Assistant Professor post.

Applicants earning eligibility for Assistant Professor alone will not be considered for JRF. But those who have acquired JRF eligibility can apply for the job of assistant professor.

Test pattern
UGC-NET is conducted by the NTA (National Testing Agency) in computer mode. There will be two papers, each lasting three hours. There will be two shifts on all the exam days.

The first paper will have 50 questions, for a total of 100 marks. The questions will deal with aptitude for teaching and research, logic, general knowledge, the ability to imbibe ideas, and multidimensional thinking.

Meanwhile, the second paper will comprise 100 questions for a total of 200 marks, and it will be the subject chosen by the candidate. All questions have to be answered, and there are no negative marks.

There will be exam centers in all districts of Kerala. The syllabus for each subject is given on the website www.ugcnetonline.in/syllabus-new.php.

Both papers are mandatory, and to obtain eligibility, candidates have to score at least a combined mark of 40 percent. The cut-off is 35 percent for scheduled, backward, differently abled, and transgender candidates.

Six percent of the applicants in each category who attempted both papers will gain eligibility for an appointment as an assistant professor. Reservation norms under Central Government rules will apply in this regard.

Contact details
Complete details of the exam are available in the information bulletin on the website. Call 011-40759000 for clarifications. Email: ugcnet@nta.ac.in

The NTA has also advised candidates to download the mobile app SANDES to receive regular updates regarding the test.