First of all, congratulations to aspirants who have qualified for the Assistant Professor or JRF! However, the third category of ‘PhD Only’ introduced recently by the University Grants Commission (UGC) seems to be like a huge scam. The blog will try to address this issue and other relevant issues that you might face while you prepare for pursuing PhD or willing to build a career in academia. Whether you’re a NET qualifier, aiming for JRF, or caught in the midst of the new ‘Ph.D. Only’ category, let’s dive into the issues that matter most to students like you.
Here is the list of concerns we want you to consider with respect to UGC-NET/JRF exam:
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What’s the big deal with ‘Ph.D. only’ Category?
One of the biggest concerns has been the introduction of the ‘Ph.D. Only’ category. Are you also wondering, “Why was this category introduced?” It’s a fair question, especially for those who didn’t qualify for JRF or Assistant Professor roles. Understanding the motive behind this category could clear up a lot of confusion. So, how does this new category help? And what are the job prospects for students who qualify under this category? Are you also thinking whether it gives an edge to students who couldn’t make it for JRF or Assistant Professor, the answer isn’t entirely clear yet. Will the qualification of NET under the ‘Ph.D. Only’ lead to better opportunities? That’s something students like you would love to be clear about.
Now, here’s another disturbing part—the certificate validity. It’s currently valid for just one year. One year? Is UGC really serious? That’s hardly enough time for students to navigate through admissions, let alone secure a seat in a Ph.D. programme. The natural question is: What happens if a student doesn’t secure admission within that year? Shouldn’t there be a way to extend the certificate’s validity by at least five years? After all, the road to Ph.D. admission isn’t always that smooth.
And speaking of admissions, will candidates who’ve qualified under this category be given equal consideration during the Ph.D. admission process? Additionally, what about students who’ve already completed or are in the midst of their Ph.D. journey—how does this qualification benefit them?
Another important question is about the status of the NET. If a student qualifies for Ph.D. only and gets registered for the programme, will their NET qualification still count? These are real concerns that many students are eager to have answered.
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Multiple-Time NET Qualifiers-Is It Really Necessary?
Here’s another troubling issue: multiple-time NET qualifiers. There are candidates who’ve qualified for NET numerous times but couldn’t make the cut for JRF. What should they do now? One suggestion on the table is to exempt candidates from taking the NET after they’ve qualified once. If a student is aiming specifically for JRF, they could simply apply under the ‘Only JRF’ category. Wouldn’t this save both time and effort for so many candidates? It’s certainly a topic worth discussing.
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. This is no joke. Really? You can apply for JRF only if you’re in between 21 to 30 years. What about candidates who want to pursue Ph.D. after leaving their stable jobs after they have turned 30 years old? It seems UGC is least bothered about higher education. If JRF is all about nurturing young researchers, why not give everyone a fair shot, regardless of their age?
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Percentile or Percentage-What’s Fair?
When it comes to exam results, the current system of using percentiles has raised a few eyebrows. We noticed that students would prefer if the UGC released results based on percentage scores instead of percentiles for English Literature. Percentiles can sometimes be misleading, creating unnecessary confusion. A straightforward percentage score seems like a fairer way to reflect a student’s performance.
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One Exam, One Shift -Why Not?
Ever wondered why the UGC-NET exam is conducted in multiple shifts? Many candidates like you feel that this system is unfair, given the variation in difficulty levels across shifts. Hey! What’s the solution? Obviously! UGC must conduct the exam in one shift only, preferably in offline mode. This way, everyone gets an equal chance without worrying about discrepancies between different exam sessions.
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More JRF Fellowships, please!
Lastly, one of the most pressing demands is to increase the number of JRF fellowships. The competition is fierce, and many deserving candidates miss out due to limited seats. Increasing the number of fellowships by just 2% could make a world of difference for those aspiring to pursue research. After all, more opportunities mean more bright minds contributing to the academic landscape.
If you missed the cut-off or plan to take the exam in the next cycle, we have your back! You can plan to join Sahitya Classes and ace your UGC-NET exam! At Sahitya Classes, you will receive the Best UGC NET coaching in Delhi. Additionally, you will be provided with recorded and live classes taken by the proficient ex-Assistant Professor, Prof. Vineet Pandey who has qualified 10 times NET and 2 times JRF. You will also get high-quality UGC NET English notes pdf. There’s more to this storyline. You will also get practice tests and mock tests to check your progress as per UGC NET paper 1 syllabus, and UGT NET English Literature syllabus. If you are looking for online coaching, then Sahitya Classes is one of the best providers of UGC-NET online classes.
Here is a wonderful opportunity knocking at your door! At Sahitya Classes, you will receive high-quality UGC NET English notes pdf and UGC-NET online classes at a discounted price till Diwali. So, why do you want to waste this opportunity? Access live and recorded classes by Prof. Vineet Pandey and ace your UGC-NET exam preparations. So, what are you waiting for? Join Sahitya Classes and crack UGC-NET with a good percentile.
If you are interested in accessing the latest hardcopy and softcopy notes, course syllabus, previous years’ question papers, answer keys, crash courses, Google Drive Course, and wish to receive personal guidance from Prof. Vineet Pandey, please fill out the form!