Ph.D. Admission 2024: UGC NET To Determine Doctoral Admissions, No Separate University Exams
New Delhi, 28th March 2024: In a landmark decision, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced a significant overhaul in the admission process for PhD programs across universities and higher education institutions (HEIs) in India. Henceforth, admissions to doctoral research programs (PhD Admission 2024) will be facilitated through the National Testing Agency (NTA) via the National Eligibility Test (UGC NET), conducted biannually in June and December.
The UGC’s notification emphasizes that universities and HEIs will no longer conduct separate entrance exams for PhD admissions (PhD Admission 2024). However, they retain the prerogative to conduct interviews for candidate selection. The selection process will now allocate 70% weightage to the UGC NET score and 30% to the interview.
Moreover, starting from June 2024, UGC NET results will be released in three categories. These categories will determine eligibility for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor positions, and PhD admissions. The National Testing Agency (NTA) will now disclose UGC NET results in percentile format, including candidates’ marks.
This transformation in the PhD admission process marks a significant shift towards standardization and streamlining. Speaking on the decision, a UGC official stated, “The move aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in the doctoral admissions process, ensuring fair opportunities for all aspiring researchers across the nation.”
Additionally, this move is expected to relieve candidates of the burden of preparing for multiple entrance exams conducted by different universities. It will also provide a more structured and uniform approach to PhD admissions, ultimately benefiting both students and academic institutions.
