Now those who have completed 4 years of graduation will be able to give NET exam directly, UGC changes rules

Students pursuing four-year undergraduate degree (FYUP) can now directly appear for UGC NET and pursue PhD. This decision has been taken by the University Grants Commission (UGC). UGC said that to pursue PhD with or without JRF, students must have secured at least 75 percent marks or equivalent grade in a four-year undergraduate program.

In the current system, for the National Eligibility Test (NET), students only need a postgraduate (PG) degree with 55 percent marks. Under the new rules, now students with four-year bachelor's degree can also appear in this examination.

According to UGC Chairman Professor M Jagadish Kumar, students who complete the four-year undergraduate program (FYUP) and obtain a degree will be considered eligible to directly pursue PhD. Such students can also give NET exam.

Students who complete FYUP will be allowed to appear in any subject in which they wish to pursue PhD. It is noteworthy that these subjects may be different from those which the students have studied during FYUP.

However, UGC has also set some conditions for this. Students who have completed FYUP or are pursuing graduation degree after completing eight semesters will be eligible in this new system. However, upon completion of four-year degree, these students are required to have minimum 75 percent marks.

Even where there is a system of grades instead of marks, the grade should be equal to 75 percent marks. However, some relaxation in marks can be provided to SC, ST, OBC, physically handicapped and economically weaker section students.