The University Grants Commission (UGC) determines the age limit for the NET exam, which differs for different groups of candidates. Meeting the NET-JRF age Limit requirements is critical since it decides whether applicants can apply for the exam. On January 5, 2023, National Testing Agency’s (NTA) updated the age limit for JRF to 30 years. Thus, as per the latest update on age limit, a candidate cannot apply for the NET JRF exam if they are over the age of 30.
Candidates for the JRF and Assistant Professor jobs must fulfill all requirements outlined in the NET-JRF 2023 Exam Eligibility. If not, the authorities will reject them later in the exam. However, candidates from restricted categories, such as SC/ST/OBC-NCL, PwD, and women, have an extension in age limit for a 5-years. This makes it essential to carefully read the NET JRF Eligibility 2023 below, which includes information on age limit, qualifications, nationality and the number of attempts.
NET-JRF Age Limit 2023
- The minimum age requirement for Junior Research Fellowships in NET JRF 2023 is 30 years old.
- Candidates from reserved categories, such as SC/ST/OBC-NCL, PwD, and women applicants, are given a relaxation of up to 5 years.
- The overall age relaxation on the above ground(s) shall not be greater than five years, per the most recent NET JRF age limit guidelines.
Candidates can review the NET-JRF age limit that is applicable to the various categories according to Government of India regulations in the table below.
Category |
Age limit |
Candidates having research experience in a relevant field related to their Post-Graduation |
5 Years |
OBC/SC/ST/PwD/Transgender/Women Applicants |
5 Years |
Armed Force |
3 Years |
Candidates with LLM Degree |
5 Years |
NET-JRF Eligibility 2023 – Reservation Policy
The commission carries out the Government of India’s proclaimed Reservation Policy. The candidates must review the exam reservation requirements according to UGC-NET JRF 2023 Eligibility. The reservation of seats is given in the table below.
Category |
Reservation of seats |
Scheduled Tribes (ST) |
7.5% |
Scheduled Castes (SC) |
15 % |
OBC (NCL) |
27% |
General EWS |
10% |
(PwD) with 40% or more disability |
4% |
NET JRF Eligibility Criteria for Nationality
The UGC-NET Exam is open to applicants who are Indian citizens. Candidates with citizenship in any other nation are not permitted to submit an application.An Indian citizen who lives abroad may apply for the exam. But they must make sure they have the right documentation proving their nationality.
NET JRF Exceptions
The minimal qualification will be to have NET/ SET/SLET according to UGC-NET JRF 2023 Eligibility 2023 for hiring and appointing Assistant Professors in Colleges, Institutes, and Universities. The exemption from NET/SET/SLET tests will be based on UGC regulations and modifications, as announced in the Gazette of India.
- The basic criteria for the UGC-NET JRF 2023 are not necessary for Ph.D. holders.If a candidate has already passed a State Eligibility Test (SET), such as the MH SET, APSET, KSET, etc., before June 1, 2002, they are not required to take the NET exam. Based on their SET scores, these applicants may submit applications for the position of Assistant Professor at colleges and universities across India.
- Candidates who passed the UGC/CSIR JRF test before 1989 are not required to take the NET exam.
- According to UGC-NET JRF 2023 Eligibility, only schools and institutions in the state from which they are applying will accept applications from individuals who passed the State Eligibility Exam after June 1, 2002.
NET JRF Age Limit for Assistant Professor
According to UGC-NET 2023 Eligibility, assistant professor posts in UGC-NET do not have an upper age limit. Candidates who pass the UGC-NET exam and are eligible for assistant professor positions are eligible to apply at any time.
Qualification Required in UGC-NET Exam
The minimum educational requirements for candidates to be qualified are referred to as the UGC-NET Qualification. The NET exam requires a Master’s degree or its equivalent from a recognized university or other educational institution as the minimum requirement for eligibility. The educational requirements for NET JRF 2023 Eligibility are detailed below for candidates to review.
- Minimum 55% for General/Unreserved/General-EWS : Candidates must have scored minimum 55% in post-graduation in the concerned subject or any equivalent exam.
- Minimum 50%: Candidates who belong to the Non-creamy layer, SC, ST, or PwD and who have scored a minimum of 50% marks in their post-graduation in the concerned subject or any equivalent exam from a UGC university or recognized institute.
- For Candidate Pursuing their PG: Candidates in their final year who are enrolled in a post-graduate course or who are awaiting the outcome of their post-graduate course may apply for this exam. However, only provisional allotments will be made to these applicants, and they won’t be eligible to become assistant professors or JRFs until they have completed their post-graduate studies and met the necessary requirements for UGC-NET Eligibility 2023.
- For Ph.D. degree holders:Ph.D. holders who passed their master’s level examination before September 19, 1991, regardless of the date the results were announced, are eligible for a 5% aggregate mark reduction (from 55% to 50% for applicants in the UR category). A candidate who has earned the CA, CS, or ICWA designation may also sit for the UGC-NET exam.
- Transgenger Category: According to UGC-NET Eligibility, candidates in the transgender category would be qualified to receive the same fee, age limit, and qualification requirement relaxations for junior research fellowship and assistant professor positions as were offered to SC/ST/PwD categories.
- In their own interests, applicants who hold a post-graduate diploma or certificate from an Indian university or institute or a foreign degree, diploma, or certificate from a foreign university should confirm that their diploma, degree, or certificate is equivalent to a master’s degree from one of India’s reputable universities.
- As per the results of each UGC-NET JRF 2023 or CSIR NET JRF 2023 exam, Schedule Caste candidates can apply for a National Fellowship
Frequently Asked Questions on UGC-NET Eligibility
What is NET JRF 2023 Eligibility 2023, specifically?
To be eligible to take the NET JRF 2023 exam, candidates must hold a master’s degree or its equivalent with a minimum grade point average of 55% from a university recognized by the UGC. There is no upper age limit for assistant professors, however there is one for junior research fellowships: 30 years.
What is the Age limit for NET JRF?
The UGC-NET JRF 2023 Age Limit for the Junior Research Fellowship test is 30 years. For JRF positions, there is also an age relaxation. While candidates for the LLM and the armed forces receive a 3 year relaxation, SC/ ST/ OBC candidates receive a 5 year relaxation.
What is the Assistant Professor UGC-NET JRF 2023 age limit?
There is no upper age limit for the Assistant Professor position according to UGC-NET 2023 Eligibility. Candidates may take the exam at any age if they have teaching experience and the ability to assist students in selecting a rewarding profession.
How many UGC-NET JRF Exam tries are available?
Candidates seeking JRF and assistant professor positions may apply as many times as they like until they receive an average rating. Therefore, before registering for the exam, it is imperative to be aware of the UGC-NET JRF Age Limit.
Is a graduate eligible to sit for the UGC-NET JRF exam?
According to UGC-NET JRF Eligibility, graduates are not qualified to take the exam. To enroll for the exam, candidates must hold a master’s degree. Candidates who have taken their master’s degree final exam and are awaiting the results are also qualified for the exam and may submit an application.
What are the requirements for candidates from the reserved categories to be eligible for the UGC-NET?
Candidates from the OBC NCL,SC,ST, or PwD categories must have received at least 50% marks (without rounding off) in a Master’s degree or equivalent examination in order to be eligible for this exam, according to UGC-NET JRF Eligibility.
Can a candidate in their last year take the UGC-NET ?
Yes, individuals in their last year of a postgraduate program or those awaiting the outcome of their masters degree may sit for the UGC-NET exam.
Can candidates who have earned a Ph.D. apply for the NET?
Yes, applicants who have earned a Ph.D. are also qualified to sit for the UGC-NET exam. They will also benefit from having a Ph.D. because they won’t be required to achieve the minimum standards outlined in the UGC-NET Eligibility criteria.
Can an IGNOU master’s degree be used to sit for the UGC-NET JRF 2023 exam?
Yes, applicants with an IGNOU master’s degree are qualified to take the UGC-NET exam. For 2023 NET Eligibility, candidates must have a master’s degree with a minimum grade point average of 55%.