Universities, colleges urged to use national eligibility test scores for PhD admissions

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has urged higher education institutions (HEIs) to use National Eligibility Test (NET) scores instead of conducting their entrance tests for admission to PhD programmes starting academic session 2024-2025.

In a significant decision aimed at streamlining the PhD admission process, the university body announced on Wednesday that NET scores could be used for admission to PhD programmes instead of entrance tests conducted by different universities and higher education institutions.

This decision comes as a relief to students who previously had to undergo multiple entrance exams conducted by various universities for PhD admissions.

Following recommendations from an expert committee, the university body made this decision in the 578th meeting held on March 13.

The NET, conducted biannually in June and December, serves the dual purpose of awarding Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) and selecting Assistant Professors among master's degree holders.