**Policy Summary: JRF to NET Qualified Scholars**
This document summarizes the Ministry of Education's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4079, answered on August 18, 2025, regarding Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) access for National Eligibility Test (NET) qualified scholars. The question addressed concerns about NET-qualified candidates re-appearing for the NET exam to secure JRF scholarships and sought information on potential government solutions.
The Ministry of Education clarified that the UGC-NET exam determines eligibility for JRF awards, Assistant Professor appointments, and Ph.D. admissions. There are 11,750 JRF slots available annually. JRF recipients receive fellowships from the UGC to support their Ph.D. studies. Candidates qualified for Assistant Professor roles and Ph.D. admission but not JRF can pursue doctoral studies independently or seek fellowships from other eligible schemes/sources. The response indicates the government is aware of the issue of NET-qualified candidates attempting to improve their scores to obtain JRF status but does not explicitly outline new policies or changes to the current system to address this concern. The Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, provided the response.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Education: The central government ministry responsible for education in India.
Department of Higher Education: A department within the Ministry of Education responsible for higher education.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Shri Rajmohan Unnithan: Member of Parliament who posed the question.
National Eligibility Test: A national-level test conducted in India to determine eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor positions.
Junior Research Fellowship: A scholarship awarded to candidates who qualify the National Eligibility Test (NET) to pursue Ph.D.
University Grants Commission: A statutory body established by the Indian Union government responsible for the coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of university education in India.
Assistant Professor: A teaching position in universities and colleges. NET qualification is often a requirement for this position.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4079
ANSWERED ON 18/08/2025
JRF to NET Qualified Scholars
4079. Shri Rajmohan Unnithan:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is fact that National Eligibility Test (NET) qualified candidates are further
appearing in NET Examination to secure the scholarship under Junior Research
Fellowship (JRF);
(b) whether the Government proposes to implement a simple and effective solution
through University Grants Commission (UGC) for providing scholarship to NET
qualified students in order to restrain them from further appearing for same
examination; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) to (c) The National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) is conducted to determine eligibility
for the following:
i. Award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
ii. Appointment as Assistant Professor
iii. Admission to Ph.D.
There are 11750 slots per annum for Junior Research Fellowships (JRFs). The
candidates, those who are awarded JRF are provided fellowship by the UGC for
pursuing Ph.D. The candidates who have qualified for the appointment of Assistant
Professor and admission to Ph.D. may pursue Ph.D. on their own or avail the
fellowship from other schemes/sources depending upon their eligibility for the scheme.
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