UGC NET 2025: Age Limit & Eligibility for JRF Exam

The UGC NET 2025 exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is a national-level eligibility test for determining the qualification of candidates for the roles of Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) offered at Indian universities and colleges. To be eligible for JRF, candidates must not be older than 30 years as of the exam date. However, age relaxations are provided for categories such as OBC, SC/ST, PwD, and women applicants as per government norms. For the Assistant Professor post alone, there is no upper age limit. In terms of educational qualifications, candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university with at least 55% marks (50% for reserved categories).

Apart from academic eligibility, applicants must also appear in the subject of their post-graduation and ensure that their degrees are from UGC-recognized institutions. The UGC NET exam is held twice a year and includes two papers – Paper I (general teaching/research aptitude) and Paper II (subject-specific). Qualifying for the JRF not only provides a stipend to pursue research but also enhances academic and professional career prospects. Aspirants are advised to thoroughly review the latest notification for subject-wise syllabus, updated exam pattern, and detailed eligibility rules before applying.