The National Testing Agency (NTA) has recently released the examination schedule for the UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) / Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) to be held in December 2024. This highly anticipated exam, which serves as a gateway to lectureship positions and research fellowships in Indian universities and colleges, will be conducted in two phases. Phase I is scheduled from January 3rd to 16th, 2025.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the essential information candidates need to know, including exam dates, eligibility criteria, subjects covered, and the procedure for downloading admit cards.
Key Dates and Deadlines
Mark your calendars with these important dates:
- Exam Dates (Phase I): January 3rd to 16th, 2025
- Admit Card Availability: Admit cards will be available for download from the official website a few days prior to the commencement of the examination.
Application Fee
Candidates who have successfully completed the application and registration process are required to pay the prescribed examination fee. The fee structure is as follows:
- General Category: Rs. 1150/-
- EWS/OBC (Economically Weaker Sections / Other Backward Classes): Rs. 600/-
- SC/BC/PH (Scheduled Castes / Backward Classes / Persons with Disabilities): Rs. 325/-
Payment can be made through various online modes, including debit card, credit card, net banking, and UPI.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the UGC NET December 2024 examination, candidates must fulfill the following criteria:
- Educational Qualification:
- Candidates must hold a Post-Graduation degree or be appearing in the final year of their Post-Graduation program with a minimum aggregate score of 55% from a recognized university or college.
- Candidates with a 4-year Bachelor’s degree are also eligible to apply.
- Age Limit:
- For JRF (Junior Research Fellowship): The maximum age limit is 31 years.
- For NET (National Eligibility Test): There is no upper age limit.
Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories as per the NTA UGC NET guidelines.
Diverse Range of Subjects Covered
The UGC NET December 2024 examination covers a wide spectrum of subjects, ensuring opportunities for candidates from various academic backgrounds. Some of the key subject areas include:
- Humanities: Adult Education, Anthropology, Arab Culture and Islamic Studies, Archaeology, Buddhist, Jaina, Gandhian and Peace Studies, Comparative Literature, Criminology, Defence and Strategic Studies, Education, Folk Literature, Geography, History, Home Science, Human Rights and Duties, Indian Culture, Indian Knowledge System, Library and Information Science, Linguistics, Museology & Conservation, Philosophy, Political Science, Population Studies, Psychology, Public Administration, Social Work, Sociology, Tourism Administration and Management, Women Studies, Yoga.
- Languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Chinese, Dogri, English, French, German, Gujarati, Hindi, Japanese, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Pali, Persian, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Russian, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Spanish, Tamil, Telugu, Tribal and Regional Language / Literature, Urdu.
- Commerce and Management: Commerce, Management (including Business Administration, Marketing, Industrial Relations, Personnel Management, Financial Management, Co-operative Management).
- Sciences: Computer Science and Applications, Environmental Sciences, Forensic Science, Physical Education, Social Medicine & Community Health.
- Arts: Music, Performing Art (Dance / Drama / Theatre), Visual Art (including Drawing & Painting, Sculpture, Graphics, Applied Art, History of Art).
- Other: Disaster Management, Ayurveda Biology.
How to Download Your Admit Card
To download your admit card for the NTA UGC NET December 2024 examination, follow these simple steps:
- Visit the official website: Go to the official website of the National Testing Agency (NTA) for UGC NET: https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/
- Locate the admit card download link: Look for the link specifically designated for downloading the admit card for the December 2024 examination. This link is usually prominently displayed on the homepage or under the candidate activity section.
- Enter your login credentials: You will be redirected to a login page where you need to provide the following details:
- Your preferred language (Hindi or English)
- Your registration number or roll number
- Your password or date of birth
- The captcha code displayed on the screen
- Log in and download: After entering the correct information, click on the ‘Login’ button. You will then be able to access and download your admit card.
It is crucial to download and print your admit card well in advance of the exam date. The admit card is a mandatory document that you must carry to the examination center.
Prepare for Success
With the release of the exam schedule, candidates are advised to commence their exam preparation in earnest. Utilize the available time effectively to revise the syllabus thoroughly, practice previous years’ question papers, and familiarize themselves with the exam pattern.
The UGC NET is a competitive examination, and dedicated preparation is key to achieving success. Best of luck to all aspiring candidates!
