Amid widespread discussions concerning the College Grants Fee’s (UGC) latest draft pointers, which proposed making the Nationwide Eligibility Check (NET) elective for school positions, UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar has addressed the confusion surrounding the matter. In a video shared on the microblogging website X, the Chairman clarified that the interpretation circulating on social media, suggesting that UGC NET is now not required, was inaccurate.
The confusion stemmed from claims suggesting that candidates with solely a grasp’s diploma may now apply straight for school roles with out the UGC-NET qualification.
➡️ As per 2025 draft rules, when you’ve got a PG diploma (NCrF Stage 6.5) with no less than 55% marks (or an equal grade) in disciplines akin to Arts, Commerce, Humanities, Schooling, Legislation, Social Sciences, Sciences, Languages, Library Science, Bodily Schooling, Journalism &… pic.twitter.com/TdxAWRLYZq
— UGC INDIA (@ugc_india) January 10, 2025
The UGC chief stated, “There are talks on social media that, from now onwards, there isn’t a want for UGC-NET. If somebody has a grasp’s diploma, they will straight apply for school positions in greater academic establishments. That’s improper. The UGC-NET remains to be required when you’ve got a grasp’s diploma in non-professional programmes. Nonetheless, for skilled programmes, akin to Engineering and Know-how, when you’ve got a grasp’s diploma in ME or MTech, you do not want the UGC-NET qualification for appointment as an assistant professor. That is consistent with the AICTE recruitment guidelines.”
For candidates holding a grasp’s diploma in non-professional packages, akin to Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences, the UGC-NET stays a compulsory requirement for appointment as an assistant professor. Nonetheless, candidates with a grasp’s diploma in skilled programmes like Engineering or Know-how (e.g., ME or MTech) are exempt from the NET requirement. This aligns with the All India Council for Technical Schooling (AICTE) recruitment guidelines.
The draft pointers, set for 2025, define the qualification standards for school positions throughout varied disciplines. To be eligible for an assistant professor position in topics akin to Arts, Commerce, Humanities, Legislation, Social Sciences, Sciences, Languages, Journalism, Administration, and extra, candidates should maintain a postgraduate diploma with no less than 55% marks (or an equal grade) and go the Nationwide Eligibility Check (NET), SET, or SLET.
Nonetheless, within the discipline of Engineering and Know-how, candidates with a postgraduate diploma (e.g., ME or MTech) with no less than 55% marks are eligible for appointment with out the necessity for the NET qualification, per AICTE requirements.
Moreover, candidates with a PhD in any self-discipline are exempt from the NET requirement and might be appointed as assistant professors.
For fields like Drama, Yoga, Music, Performing Arts, Visible Arts, and Conventional Indian Artwork Types akin to Sculpture, candidates with an undergraduate diploma {and professional} attainments are additionally eligible for assistant professor roles.