Jawaharlal Nehru University is set to accept the National Eligibility Test (NET) as the selection parameter for PhD admissions from the current academic year, a move being criticised by teachers’ associations.

The university administration has, however, consulted its deans.

At present, universities conduct their entrance tests or rely on a common entrance test and viva voce to select candidates for PhD admissions.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) conducts the NET to select eligible candidates for the posts of assistant professors in colleges and universities. The top scorers, however, are declared eligible for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). The JRF awardees are not required to appear for the PhD entrance of any university. They directly appear for interviews and get selected for PhD.

According to the proposal, JNU will continue to admit students qualifying for JRF. It used to hold its entrance test till 2022. In 2023, the university selected students based on a common entrance test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). From the current year, it wants to admit students based on the NET conducted by the NTA on behalf of the UGC instead of its own entrance or a common test.

On April 19, the JNU administration asked the Deans of Schools to provide names of subjects related to their school listed for the NET. “A candidate seeking admission in your School/Centre of School of Studies/Special Centre has to appear in the relevant subjects of NET examination,” said the email
communication.

An email has been sent to JNU vice-chancellor Santishree D. Pandit to understand her perspectives on the development. Her response is awaited.