The University Grants Commission (UGC) has made National Eligibility Test (NET) mandatory for teaching jobs in higher education, in a reversal of a decision it took three years ago. Those holding a Ph.D degree, however, continue to be exempted. The UGC has told universities that those already registered for M.Phil and will complete the same before June 2009, shall be exempted from NET. However, NET will be compulsory for the candidates completing M.Phil degree after this date.
On June 11, 2006, the commission had exempted M.Phil degree holders from NET for appointment as faculty for undergraduate teaching. Later the B.L. Mungerkar Committee, constituted to review the decision, recommended that NET be restored as mandatory as the exemption was leading to deterioration in the quality of teaching. The UGC has accepted the recommendation, thereby restoring NET from July 1, 2009. The UGC has decided that the relaxation given to Ph.D holders from NET examination for teaching appointment will continue provided the research is conducted as per the new guidelines circulated by the commission earlier this month.
