UGC relaxation for PhD candidates

CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 17: University Grants Commission (UGC) has given a nine-year relaxation to PhD candidates from taking its national eligibility test (NET). This decision is expcted to benefit hundreds of research students and scholors. the eligibility test for lecturership in universities and affiliated colleges. The UGC has given the latest order on July 31. The amendment in the UGC Regulation, 2000, in this regard will be carried out in the government's official gazette soon.

NET will continue as a compulsory requirement for appointment. This is applicable even for candidates holding a PhD degree. But candidates who have submit to their PhD thesis to their respective universities on the concerned subject on or before December 31, 2002, are exempted from appearing in the NET examination. Earlier, the exemption to PhD candidates was only till December 31, 1993. If, candidates claiming exemption from NET under this order, fail to clear PhD, they should pass NET to be eligible for lecturership.

Meanwhile educational sources says that NET qualified candidates are opposing the new order. This is primarily on the argument that NET is more difficult to cross over when compared to PhD. The order is applicable to all universities in the country established or incorporated under a central or state Act, every affiliated institution or college and all institutions deemed to be universities. UGC has not made any change regarding the eligibility condition for candidates having Master of Philosophy (M Phil) as a qualification. Candidates who have completed or have submitted their M Phil thesis to their respective university by December 31, 1993, will be exempt from appearing in the NET.