What is The Eligibility for the NET Exam and KSET?

The NET and SET exams are conducted for Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowship positions in Indian universities. The National Testing Agency (NTA) is in charge on account of the UGC (University Grants Commission). Most states conduct SET exams similar to the UGC NET exam to recruit Assistant Professors. Also, NET Exam has a nationwide application, so it is more centralised.

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• SET Exam

The State Eligibility Test is held at the state level for all aspirants who want to become Assistant Professors. Candidates might also be granted a Junior Research Fellowship through the SET exam.

• KSET exam

Each year, the Karnataka State Eligibility Test Center at the University of Mysore administers the Karnataka State Eligibility Test also known as KSET. The exam is held for the positions of lectureship/Assistant Professor in Karnataka.

The KSET 2022 test is held in 41 topics across Karnataka at 11 nodal centres.

Eligibility for the KSET exam

1. There is no age restriction for this exam.
2. General candidates must have at least 55%, whereas other categories must have 50% of marks in their master’s degree from a UGC-accredited university.
3. PhD degree holders who have completed their master’s by September 19, 1991 (regardless of the date of result declaration) will be eligible for a 5% reduction in aggregate marks (from 55% to 50%) for taking the SET.
4. If you have already passed UGC-NET or CSIR-NET. You are exempted from the KSET exam.
5. If the candidate passed the State Eligibility Test (SET) before June 1, 2002, they are exempted from the KSET.
6. Candidates who have taken or will take the qualifying master’s degree (final year) exam or whose results are still pending, or students whose last year examinations have been postponed may apply for this test.

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UGC NET Exam

The NTA administers the UGC NET Exam to select qualified candidates for Lectureships and Junior Research Fellowships. It is a national-level eligibility test used to pick only the most deserving individuals.

UGC NET is a test for all aspirants in Science, Arts, Humanities, Commerce, and other fields. The UGC NET is held for 81 disciplines. CSIR NET is for applicants in the science stream.

Eligibility for NET exam

1. A master’s degree with at least 55% from any recognised university for the General Category and 50% for the other categories is the minimum cut-off for UGC NET & CSIR NET. There is no upper age limit for lectureships.
2. Candidates who passed the UGC/CSIR JRF examination before 1989 are likewise excused from taking the NET.
3. Candidates who have taken or will take the qualifying master’s degree (final year) exam or whose results are still pending, or students whose last year examinations have been postponed, may apply for this test.
4. There is no age restriction for applying for a UGC NET Assistant Professor or Lecturership. Applicants for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) must be under 31 years old to be eligible for the UGC NET 2022 exam. Age relaxation is given to SC, ST, OBC, PwD, women, and other category candidates.

Both these tests serve the same objective. If you pass the SET Examination, you are qualified for a job as an assistant professor only in a specific state. You will be unable to work as a lecturer outside of the state. In contrast, candidates who have passed the UGC NET examination can apply to any university across the nation. The UGC NET Exam is conducted twice a year. However, the SET Exam is held once a year.