UGC-NET vis-a-vis CSIR-UGC NET: Introduction and A Comparative Analysis

Find a Comparative Analysis of UGC-NET vis-a-vis CSIR-UGC NET. How similar or different are they from one another?

There is much confusion in the minds of many of my blog readers wanting to appear in NET regarding UGC-NET and CSIR-UGC NET, more spcifically which NET they have to appear. Therefore this exclusive article is being posted to help them find the difference through a comparative analysis. There is yet another NET, being conducted by ASRB (Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board), called ASRB NET for 55 Agricultural disciplines and I am sure readers are not confused about the same

This article gives you a brief historical perspective on NET and also tells you why you should appear in NET, so that you have a panoramic view of the whole exam even before you start preparation.

What is UGC-NET and CSIR-UGC NET? A brief history..

In early eighties, it was increasingly felt by public and leading educationists alike that quality of education system in India had deteriorated as a large number of people who had neither the competence nor the aptitude for teaching made an easy entry into the teaching profession. The cause for this was identified to be the absence of a Benchmark Qualifying test for entering into teaching profession.

Therefore, the Government on India, through a notification on 22nd July, 1988 entrusted the task of conducting the eligibility test for Lectureship to UGC. UGC was already conducting an examination for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) since 1984. As a result of this 1988 notification; UGC is conducting the National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) for Lectureship as well as with CSIR (CSIR-UGC NET) for both Lectureships as well as for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) since 1989.

What is the difference between UGC-NET and CSIR-UGC NET?

UGC NET (or simply called as NET) is held for 79 applied science/non-science subjects. On qualifying in this test, you become eligible to apply for the post of lecturer/Assistant Professor in all Indian universities/Institutes/colleges as well as JRF . UGC issues the notification for NET as well as conducts the exam.

While CSIR-UGC NET is held for pure-Science subjects (Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Earth Atmospheric Ocean & Planetary Sciences) & Engineering Science. On qualifying in this test, you become eligible to apply for the post of lecturer in all Indian universities/Institutes/colleges as well as to receive Fellowships (UGC/CSIR) under various schemes subject to you finding placement in the universities/IITs/other national organizations. CSIR issues the notification for CSIR-UGC NET as well as conducts it.

When is NET exams held?
National Eligibility Test (NET) is conducted by UGC (University Grants Commission) and CSIR (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research) twice every year in the months of June and December. 

Why should you appear in NET exams?
Effective from 14th June, 2006, if you want to join the teaching profession as a lecturer in any of the UGC sponsored universities/Institutes/colleges, it is a must for you to qualify in the NET exam except if you are a Ph.D. degree holder (for PG level and UG level teaching) or a M.Phil degree holder (for UG level teaching only). Click here to read the UGC notification in this regard.

Thats all... hope with above short introduction on NET you have now a better panoramic view to start your preparation.