National Eligibility Test, also known as the UGC NET exam, is conducted twice yearly to select eligible candidates for both Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or only Assistant Professor in Indian colleges and universities.
Let’s understand the other eligibility conditions for Assistant Professor post apart from the qualification in the UGC NET exam.
To become an assistant professor, there are certain requirements and eligibility criteria. UGC stated in one official notification in 2018 that “The PhD Degree shall be a mandatory qualification for promotion to the post of Assistant Professor (Selection Grade/Academic Level 12) in Universities. The PhD. Degree shall be a mandatory qualification for direct recruitment to the post of Assistant Professor in Universities with effect from 01.07.2021.” This has created a lot of confusion among aspirants. Therefore, let’s understand this scenario for better understanding.
Is PhD mandatory for applying for the Assistant Professor position?
In a revised notification, the UGC published a notice and clarified that as per the regulations for recruitment of teachers and academic staff, 2018 mandates PHD to be the qualifying criteria for direct recruitment to the post of Assistant Professor in universities with effect from 1st July 2021.
But with respect to the scenario of Covid-19, as per a recent development Ministry of Education, UGC has put on hold the PhD Minimum Qualification For Assistant Professors in Universities. UGC extended the date of applicability of PhD as a mandatory qualification for recruitment of Assistant professor from 1st July 2021 to 1st July 2023.
According to the new standard, a Doctorate is not necessary until 2023, and recruiting suitable applicants will continue to be based on the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) result.
Therefore, it can be stated that the University Grants Commission (UGC) has delayed the need for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree for the employment of Assistant Professors until July 2023.
This implies that candidates without a Doctorate can apply for Assistant Professor positions for the time being.
Eligibility Criteria for Assistant Professor in Universities
- Candidates will be admitted provisionally and shall be considered eligible for award of eligibility for Assistant Professor only after they have passed their Master’s Degree or equivalent examination with at least 55% marks (50% marks in case of OBC-NCL/SC/ ST / PwD / Third gender category candidates).
- NET/SET/SLET shall remain the minimum eligibility condition for recruitment and appointment of Assistant Professors in Universities/Colleges/ Institutions.
- The eligibility for Assistant Professor will depend on the performance of the candidate in both the papers of UGC-NET in aggregate.
- Candidates who qualify for the Test for eligibility for Assistant Professor will be governed by the rules and regulations for the recruitment of Assistant Professors of the concerned Universities / Colleges/ State governments.
- There is no upper age limit in applying for UGC-NET for Assistant Professor.
- PhD as a mandatory qualification for recruitment of Assistant professor from 1st July 2023 as per the extended qualification criteria.
About UGC
The University Grants Commission (UGC) is a Statutory Body of the Government of India, Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education, established under the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 (3 of 1956), with two responsibilities: funding and coordinating, determining, and maintaining standards in higher education institutions.
The UGC`s major functions include the following:
- University education promotion and coordination.
- Developing and sustaining university standards for teaching, examination, and research.
- Creating regulations governing basic educational criteria.
- Monitoring changes in collegiate and university education; distributing money to universities and colleges.
- Acting as a critical link between the Union and state governments, as well as educational institutions.
- Advising the federal and state governments on the steps that must be taken to strengthen university education.
Related Links:
| UGC NET Books | UGC NET Job Profile & Salary |
| UGC NET Eligibility Criteria | UGC NET Certificate |
| UGC NET Application Form | UGC NET Exam Centers |
| UGC NET Exam Pattern |
