How Many Attempts for UGC NET? No. of Attempts, Eligibility Criteria, Age Criteria and Educational Qualification

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How Many Attempts for UGC NET

UGC-NET June 2025 exam, the National Testing Agency will be conducting the UGC NET June 2025 exam. 83 subjects will be covered in a single day of the UGC NET examination. UGC NET Application form is open from 7 October, 2025, for registration. Prior to applying for the NTA NET exam, students must verify their eligibility for the UGC NET in 2025. There are certain criteria for UGC NET eligibility listed in the article. Make sure to check them out. The NTA has given us the liberty to not limit the number of attempts to appear for the UGC NET Exam. As long as the candidates fulfil the UGC NET eligibility criteria, they can appear for the exam.

We have included here the whole UGC NET eligibility 2025 for candidates’ convenience, including the educational requirements, age restrictions, and relaxation guidelines for candidates from reserved categories like SC, ST, OBC, and PwD. Before proceeding with the UGC NET application form, don’t forget to check the eligibility criteria.

How Many Attempts for UGC NET?

There is no limit on the number of attempts for the UGC NET exam. Candidates can apply and appear for the exam as many times as they want, provided they meet the educational and age criteria for the exam.

The National Testing Agency’s official website has announced the UGC NET Eligibility Criteria. Before submitting an online application for UGC NET 2025, candidates should be aware of this information. The NTA updated the upper age limit for Junior Research Fellowships on January 5, 2023. All requirements listed in the NET Exam Eligibility are mandatory for candidates to be considered for Assistant Professor and JRF posts. If not, the authorities will reject them later in the exam.

The subject of your Post-Graduation
Educational Qualifications Masters Degree or equivalent with minimum 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwD/Transgender candidates)
Age Limit30 years for JRFNo age limit for AP
Number of AttemptsJRF and AP exams have no age limit
NationalityIndian
Subject EligibilitySubject of your Post-Graduation

Also Read: UGC NET Eligibility Criteria 

UGC NET Age Criteria

Because they define whether or not candidates can take the exam, the UGC NET Age Limit requirements must be fulfilled. Candidates should confirm before submitting their application that they meet all requirements for UGC NET eligibility. The following UGC NET age limit restrictions must be met by the candidates, depending on the post for which they are applying.

PostUGC NET Age Limit
Assistant Professor30 years
JRFNo upper age limit

As stated below, candidates who meet the special criteria for UGC NET Eligibility are eligible for an age relaxation. Regulations from the Government of India state that certain categories are eligible for age relaxation. Candidates who fall under the OBC, ST, SC, etc. categories will be eligible for a five-year remission. Check the details in the table below.

CategoryAge Relaxation (in years)
SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Transgender5
Females of all categories5
Candidates holding LLM degree3
Candidates in the armed forces5 years, subject to the length of service in the armed forces upto the first day of the month in which the concerned UGC-NET is conducted
Candidates who have research experienceLimited to the period spent on research in the relevant subject of the postgraduate degree

Also Read: How To Download UGC Net Admit Card?

UGC NET Educational Qualification

A candidate needs to meet the following educational qualifications to appear for the UGC NET 2025 exam:

  • In the master’s degree exams, candidates must have received at least 55%. Candidates from the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backwards Class (OBC), Persons with Disability (PwD), and Transgender categories are granted a 5% relaxation.
  • As a result, candidates from reserved categories only need to receive 50% in their master’s degree exams.
  • A UGC-recognised college or university must have granted candidates their post-graduation degree in a related field, such as computer science and applications, electronics science, humanities, or social science, etc.
  • Candidates may also apply online for the UGC NET exam if they are enrolled in or expecting the results of their master’s degree final exam.
  • These applicants are only given temporary admission and aren’t regarded as eligible until they receive the results of their master’s exam.
  • According to the official website, “Such candidates shall complete their PG degree examination within two years from the date of NET result with the required percentage of marks, failing which they shall be considered disqualified.”
  • PhD holders are eligible for a 5% aggregate mark reduction, meaning that just 50% of the necessary marks are needed for candidates whose master’s exams were completed on September 19, 1991 (regardless of the date the results were announced).

Also Read: Best Books for UGC NET

UGE NET Attempts for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)

There is no limit on the number of attempts for the UGC NET JRF. However, candidates must meet the prescribed age limit to be eligible for JRF. While you can appear multiple times, only those within the maximum age limit (including applicable relaxations) are considered for the Junior Research Fellowship.

CategoryMaximum Age 
General/ EWS30 years 
OBC/SC/ST/ PwD/ Transgender 35 years
Women (all categories)35 years 

Category-Wise Age Relaxation for JRE

The National Testing Agency provides age relaxation for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) candidates belonging to reserved and special categories, as per Government of India norms. Eligible categories such as SC, ST, OBC, PwD, women candidates, armed forces personnel, and candidates with research experience are granted additional years over the standard age limit, allowing them fair opportunities to compete for the JRF. The following relaxations are allowed as per the Government of India rules:

Category Age Relaxation
SC/ST/OBC/PWD/ Transgender 5 years 
Women candidates 5 years 
Candidate with an LLM degree 3 years 
Armed forced personnel Up to 5 years (depending on service period)
Research experience Limited to years spent in research (subject-related)

Also Read: What is the UGC NET Success Rate: Includes Topper

The National Testing Agency provides age relaxation for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) candidates belonging to reserved and special categories, as per Government of India norms. Eligible categories such as SC, ST, OBC, PwD, women candidates, armed forces personnel, and candidates with research experience are granted additional years over the standard age limit, allowing them fair opportunities to compete for the JRF.

FAQs

Can a student who has passed just class 12 appear for the UGC NET?

No, a candidate who has passed only class 12th is not allowed to appear for the UGC NET examination.

How many UGC NET attempts are allowed?

Candidates who are interested in the UGC NET examination should note that there is no limit to the number of attempts.

Who conducts the UGC NET examination?

The National Testing Agency (NTA) holds the UGC NET examination. For every interested candidate, they must check the UGC NET eligibility criteria before applying.

How much age relaxation is given to SC/ST/OBC candidates for JRF?

Candidates from SC, ST, and OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) categories are eligible for a 5-year age relaxation for the Junior Research Fellowship.

Do women candidates get age relaxation in UGC NET JRF?

Yes, women candidates of all categories are eligible for a 5-year age relaxation for JRF.

UGC NET Admit CardUGC NET Exam Date
UGC NET Preparation: Strategy, Tips, Reference BooksUGC NET Exam Analysis
UGC NET Mock Test List of UGC NET Participating Colleges
and Universities

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