The University Grants Commission (UGC) has set the minimum qualification criteria for the direct appointment of assistant professors for all higher education institutions. According to the UGC, NET/SET/SLET is the minimum requirement for the direct hiring of assistant professors. The major route to assistant professorship eligibility is the UGC NET/SET/SLET test. However, there are also a few exceptions to this rule. The UGC has offered alternative ways to become eligible for assistant professorship without taking the NET/SET test. 

Is anyone without NET or SET eligible to be an assistant professor? 

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Candidates seeking assistant professorships who hold a Ph.D. from a recognised institution are qualified without passing the UGC NET/SET test. Without taking the NET/SET test, Ph.D. holders from the institutions recognised by the UGC are also eligible for assistant professorship.

A Ph.D. was previously required by the UGC for assistant professorships at colleges and universities across India. However, the UGC has made it clear that a Ph.D. is not required for assistant professorships until July 2023. Therefore, candidates for assistant professorships must have a master's degree with at least a 55 per cent grade point average and have passed the NET/SET exam. 

Eligibility required for assistant professor 2023

Age limit: There is no upper age limit.

Experience: Candidates who have previous experience in teaching or research will be given preference.

NET, SET or SLET: Candidates must have qualified for the National Eligibility Test (NET) or State Eligibility Test (SET), or they should have a Ph.D. degree from a recognised university.

Educational qualifications: Candidates must have a master's degree from a recognised university with at least 55 per cent marks. However, a relaxation of 5% is given to candidates belonging to the SC/ST/OBC/PWD categories.

UGC asks universities to refund 100% fee

In a recent circular, UGC also announced it would take punitive action against higher educational institutions (HEIs) violating the UGC fee refund policy. 

The panel asked institutions to permit a complete refund of fees within a given time frame so that students could select the course they wanted to take.