The National Eligibility Test (NET) is administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the University Grants Commission (UGC). It determines eligibility for scholarships, student admissions, and assistant professorships.

Significance: The NET exam is essential for those seeking admission to Ph.D. programs in Indian universities and colleges, aspiring to work as Assistant Professors, or aiming for Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) and Young Research Fellowships (YRF).
Held twice a year, in June and December, it covers 85 subjects.

Exam Details: The exam consists of two papers, with a total duration of 3 hours. It is conducted in a computer-based format, and all questions are in multiple-choice format. The questions are available in both English and Hindi. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.

Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must have a Master's degree with at least 55% marks in the relevant discipline from a recognized institution. Those who have completed a 4-year undergraduate degree with 75% marks may also apply. Relaxations of 5% are available for candidates in the OBC, SC, ST, Persons with Disabilities, and Third Gender categories. Final-year students can also apply.

Age Limit: There is no upper age limit for candidates applying for the Assistant Professor role or Ph.D. admission. However, the maximum age for JRF candidates is 30 years, with a 5-year relaxation for specific categories.

How to Apply: Applications can be submitted online at https://ugcnetdec2024.ntaonline.in. Exam centers are available in major cities across the country.

Important Dates:
Last date to apply: December 10, 2024
Exam dates: January 1 to 19, 2025

For more information, visit https://ugcnet.nta.ac.in/.