The University Grants Commission (UGC) has made a significant decision regarding PhD admissions, effective from the academic session 2024-25, by incorporating National Eligibility Test (NET) scores into the admission process. This move aims to streamline the admission process in alignment with the National Education Policy, eliminating the necessity for multiple entrance exams. The decision was reached during the UGC's 578th meeting on March 13, based on recommendations from an expert committee tasked with reviewing UGC NET exam provisions.

Currently, the NET exam primarily serves as the eligibility criterion for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and assistant professor appointments. The UGC NET exam, conducted biannually by the National Testing Agency in June and December, will soon release its notification for the June 2024 session on ugcnet.nta.nic.in.

Starting from June 2024, UGC NET qualified candidates will be categorized into three groups for PhD admissions: those eligible for PhD admission with JRF and assistant professor appointment, those eligible for PhD admission without JRF but for assistant professor appointment, and those only eligible for PhD programme admission.

For PhD admissions through NET, candidates in categories 2 and 3 will have their UGC NET scores contributing 70% towards their merit, with the remaining 30% determined through interviews. This combined merit approach applies to both categories 2 and 3, with NET scores remaining valid for one year.