You can apply for UGC NET through a master's degree or an eligible four-year undergraduate degree. The marks required and the qualifications available are different for the two routes.
These are the eligibility rules for December 2026, from the NTA bulletin.
On this page
Master's degree: marks required
| Applicant category | Minimum aggregate marks in the master’s degree |
|---|---|
| General/Unreserved and General-EWS | 55% |
| OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and third gender | 50% |
EWS means Economically Weaker Sections; OBC-NCL means Other Backward Classes, Non-Creamy Layer. SC and ST mean Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. PwD/PwBD refer to persons with disabilities/persons with benchmark disabilities.
Marks cannot be rounded up to meet the requirement. If your university gives a CGPA, use its official percentage-conversion formula. See Chapter 2 of the December 2026 bulletin.
Can you apply while pursuing your MA?
Yes, you can apply provisionally while pursuing your master’s. You must complete it with the required marks within:
- Two years of the NET result for JRF or Assistant Professor eligibility.
- One year of the NET result for PhD-only qualification.
These conditions also apply when your final result is awaited. The bulletin gives the full provisions.
Four-year undergraduate degree: marks required
The requirement is 75% aggregate or equivalent. SC, ST, OBC-NCL, differently-abled and EWS applicants can receive a five-percentage-point relaxation, to 70%; the bulletin also allows other categories as decided by UGC. This route allows qualification for JRF and PhD admission, but not Assistant Professor eligibility. See NTA FAQ questions 23–24 and section 2.1(f) of the bulletin.
If you are in your final year or semester, you may apply provisionally. You must meet the degree requirements within two years of the NET result for JRF, or one year for PhD-only qualification. A three-year bachelor’s degree alone does not qualify under this route.
Which NET subject should you choose?
If you are applying through a master's degree, NTA advises choosing your postgraduate subject. If it is not listed, you may choose a related subject. If you are applying through a four-year undergraduate degree, you may choose the subject in which you want to pursue a PhD, regardless of your undergraduate discipline. See Chapter 2 of the bulletin.
Economics is subject code 01 on the UGC syllabus page. The subject entry also lists related fields such as Econometrics and Development Studies.
If you are unsure which subject to choose, contact NTA before applying:
- Email: ugcnet@nta.ac.in
- Helpdesk: 011-40759000
Include your degree title, university, course duration and marks. Give your name, contact details and application number, if you have one. These contact details are listed in the December 2026 bulletin.
JRF age limit
For the December 2026 cycle, the upper age limit for JRF is 30 years as on 1 December 2026.
| Who can claim relaxation? | Age relaxation |
|---|---|
| Women; OBC-NCL (Central list), SC, ST, PwD/PwBD and third-gender applicants | Up to 5 years |
| Applicants with eligible research experience | The eligible research period, up to 5 years; a certificate is required. Research towards a graduation or postgraduation degree does not count. |
| LLM degree holders | 3 years |
| Applicants who served in the armed forces | Based on length of service, up to 5 years |
Combined relaxation cannot exceed 5 years. See section 2.4 of the bulletin for the supporting-document conditions.
There is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor or PhD admission. See NTA FAQ questions 25–26.
Before filling the form
Check your category, subject code and marks against your documents. For CGPA conversion, category certificates, age relaxation or an equivalent qualification, follow the instructions in the current bulletin. After submitting the form, save the confirmation page and payment receipt.
Next, see the syllabus and paper pattern and choose one of our study plans.