University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Jagadesh Kumar has announced a significant change in eligibility criteria for pursuing a PhD and appearing for the National Eligibility Test (NET). Under the new regulations, students with four-year undergraduate degrees can now directly enroll in PhD programs and sit for the NET examination.
Previously, candidates for the NET were required to hold a master’s degree with a minimum of 55% marks. However, under the revised guidelines, candidates with four-year undergraduate degrees must have obtained a minimum of 75% marks or equivalent grades in their undergraduate course to pursue a PhD, whether with or without a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
According to Mr. Kumar, candidates with four-year undergraduate degrees are now permitted to pursue a PhD in any subject of their choice, regardless of the discipline in which they earned their bachelor’s degree.
To be eligible, candidates who have completed a four-year or eight-semester bachelor’s degree program must have achieved a minimum aggregate of 75% marks or its equivalent grade on a grading scale, where applicable.
Furthermore, a relaxation of 5% marks or equivalent grade may be granted to candidates belonging to specified categories such as SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer), differently-abled individuals, economically weaker sections, and others, as determined by the UGC.
This adjustment in eligibility criteria aims to broaden access to higher education and research opportunities for individuals with four-year undergraduate degrees, aligning with efforts to promote inclusivity and diversity in academia.
