The UGC Chairman, M. Jagadesh Kumar, recently revealed that students with a 75% mark in their four-year graduation course could now apply for UGC NET or PhD. The provision was launched by UGC in 2022 considering the new education policy, with several criteria being set. If you're contemplating a PhD, it's crucial to understand the details of UGC's decision. Let's explore the new framework and what it means for PhD courses.
75% Honors Degree Opens Doors to PhD Applications
According to UGC, students finishing their four-year graduation track can apply for the NET exam and onwards to a PhD, provided they secure a 75% in their honors degree. Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), persons with disabilities, and economically weaker sections may be awarded a relaxation of 5% marks or equivalent grades. Previously, a two-year graduation plus a master's degree with a minimum of 55% marks were required for PhD admission. However, now it's possible with just an honors degree scored at 75%.
UGC Introduced Four-Year Graduation Course in 2022
In 2022, under the 'Minimum Standards and Procedure for Awarding PhD Degrees Regulations', UGC launched the Four-Year Undergraduate Program (FYUP). This alternative enables students to opt for a four-year course, deemed an honors degree. Per UGC, students seeking a three-year graduation need to earn 120 credits, while those going for a four-year honors degree must accumulate 160 credits. The choice of the course in graduation is up to the students and is entirely optional.
NET Exam Option for Any Subject
UGC has also provided an option for subject selection in the NET examination. Students can now attempt the NET for any subject, irrespective of their stream of study during graduation. This means it is not necessary to sit the NET for subjects exclusively studied during graduation.
Master's Degree No Longer Mandatory for PhD
Alongside FYUP's launch, UGC indicated this would facilitate PhD students. Previously, a master's degree was a prerequisite for applying to a PhD program. Now, students with a four-year graduation can apply for a PhD without needing a master's degree. UGC delineated during the framework launch that students currently enrolled in three-year UG programs under the existing Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) are eligible to extend to the FYUP.
Eligible for Assistant Professorship Without a PhD
Students who have attained an honors degree and wish to pursue a PhD must appear for the National Eligibility Test (NET), State Eligibility Test (SET), or State Level Eligibility Test (SLET). Successful candidates can proceed with their PhD and are also eligible for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). Moreover, UGC provides another option: if students clear the NET and decide against pursuing a PhD, they can apply for assistant professor positions in higher education institutes. However, those who clear the NET are only recruited for the assistant professor role; associate professor roles require completion of a PhD. After obtaining a PhD degree, students need not re-appear for NET to secure an assistant or associate professor's position.
Option of Research Honors Degree with Four-Year Graduation Course
Not just a PhD but also a research honors degree option is available with the four-year graduation course. If students choose research specialization in the UGC curriculum, they must initiate a research project during their course, which will grant them an honors degree with a research specialization.
PhD Admissions Based on NET Scores
UGC conducts the NET examination twice yearly, in June and December. Earlier, the NET score was used solely for JRF qualification and recruitment as an assistant professor post-master's degree. Meanwhile, universities organized separate entrance exams for PhD admissions, which students needed to pass. However, UGC revised this rule recently. In light of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recommendations by an expert committee, the decision was made to implement a single entrance exam (NET score) for PhD admissions. Now, students can seek PhD admissions at any institute based on their NET score alone.
UGC assures that the curriculum and credit framework prepared under NEP 2020 will provide students with an innovative and flexible higher education system. UGC developed this course in conjunction with the credit framework for undergraduate programs. 'As the FYUP curriculum includes multiple courses, skill-enhancing courses, value-added courses, and internships, it will boost opportunities for employment or further studies,' stated UGC.
