The UGC NET/SET/SLET exam is the primary mode of eligibility for Assistant Professorship. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. The UGC has provided alternative modes of qualifying for Assistant Professorship without the NET/SET exam.
UGC Guidelines: According to University Grants Commission (UGC) the minimum qualification critera for the direct recruitment to the post of Assistant Professor for all Higher Education Institutions will be NET/SET/SLET. Candidates should fulfill all the UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 2023 before submitting their application form. Also, they should not enter any incorrect/fake details regarding their eligibility to avoid cancellation of their candidature.
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UGC-NET is being conducted by the NTA in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode since December 2018 onwards. UGC NET exams are held twice a year, one in December and other in June. UGC-NET is a test to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for ‘Assistant Professor’ and ‘Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor’ in Indian universities and colleges.
These regulations are now called the ‘University Grants Commission (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and other Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) (2nd Amendment) Regulations, 2023′. This came into force with effect from July 1, 2023.
Eligibility Criteria According to UGC Guidelines for Assistant Professor 2023
According to the UGC guidelines, the eligibility criteria for Assistant Professors in 2023 are as follows:
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must have a Master’s degree in the relevant subject with at least 55% marks. A Master’s degree should be from a recognized university. However, a relaxation of 5% is given to candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/PWD categories.
- NET, SET or SLET: Candidates must have qualified the National Eligibility Test (NET) or State Eligibility Test (SET). Alternatively, candidates who have a Ph.D degree from a recognized university are exempted from appearing for NET or SET.
- Age Limit: There is no upper age limit for Assistant Professorship.
- Experience: Candidates with prior teaching experience or research experience are given preference.
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PhD optional for Assistant Professor posts
As per the notification, Ph.D. qualification for appointment as an Assistant Professor would be optional from 01 July 2023. The notification further stated that the mentioned changes will be effective from 1 July, 2023.
Earlier in 2021, UGC had announced that PhD was not mandatory for direct recruitment of Assistant Professors till July 2023. The commission said it has extended the date of applicability of PhD as a mandatory qualification for recruitment of Assistant Professors in Departments of Universities from 1st July 2021 to 1st July 2023.
