National Eligibility Test (NET) is aimed to award Junior Research Fellowship and eligibility for Associate Professor or Lectureship in all the Universities and Colleges of India. The exam is conducted twice a year. Currently, the examination is conducted by Central Board of Secondary Education on behalf of Union Grant Commission (UGC).
The examination is conducted for 84 subjects. The subjects include Humanities, Electronic Science, Social Science, Computer Science and Application etc. Around 89 cities from India are selected for the conduction of examination, providing the choice of choosing nearby city to the candidate.
Why To Take NET Exam?
NET examination is the eligibility test the eligibility of Lectureship and for Junior Research Fellowship. Those who get eligible for Junior Research Fellowship can go for research in the particular subject in which they have qualified the NET examination. Those who clear the exam are eligible as Lecturers or Assistant Professors. Many universities consider NET for the admission into M. Phil. or Ph.D.
National Eligibility Test (NET) Exam Eligibility
The academic eligibility criterion is pursuing Master Degree or equivalent exam in the listed subjects with 55% without rounding off and it is 50% for SC, ST, PWD and OBC candidates. Marks relaxation is also applicable to the Ph.D. degree holders who have completed their Master’s Degree before 19th September 1991, for attempting the NET exam.
The candidates appearing the final year of Master’s Degree are also eligible for giving the exam and they are expected to meet the required marks and complete the Master’s Degree within two years from the NET results declared date.
The upper age limit is restricted to 28 for applying for Junior Research Fellowship. 5 years of relaxation is given for SC, ST, PWD and to woman applicants besides the candidates who have research experience, with the submission of relevant certificates. However there is no upper age limit for applying only for the eligibility of Lectureship.
If the subject of the Candidate, in which he pursued Master’s Degree, doesn’t include in the list, the suitable subject can be taken.
National Eligibility Test (NET) Exam Structure
The examination consist three papers conducted in two sessions of a day. All the three papers are objective typed. There is no negative marking. Each question carries 2 marks.
First Paper tests the reasoning ability, comprehension skills and general awareness of the candidate. Out of 60 multiple choice questions, candidate has to answer any 50.
Second Paper and Third Paper tests the subject knowledge of the candidate in the selected subject with 50 and 75 compulsory questions.
How to Apply National Eligibility Test (NET)?
The candidate has to apply only through online. Candidate has to be ready with JPEG format of passport sized photo, of less than 300 kb. The print out of computer generated bank challan has to be taken after filling the details in the online application though the website www.ugcnetonline.in. After the payment in the mentioned bank, the computer allows to take the printout of Attendance Slip, Admission Card and Application Form.
How to Prepare National Eligibility Test (NET) Exam?
The syllabus includes the subject of Master’s Degree. Subject wise syllabus is also available in the website. Covering every topic is rather necessary.
As the exam aims to check the concepts of the candidates along with his speed and accuracy, being clear with the concepts and time management are equally important.
Divide the curriculum and practice all of the topics regularly. Spare equal time for concept understanding and practicing. Improving the speed can be attained only through thorough practice and continuous testing. Testing oneself with time limit is very useful.
Start as early as possible. It gives enough time to practice step by step which enables clear concept understanding.
Mock tests, previous question papers help a lot in understanding the questioning pattern and in checking the answering time etc. Practice with as many mock tests and previous test papers as possible.