NET

Succumbing to the pressure from the teaching community, the University Grants Commission (UGC) is on its way to getting rid of the National Eligibility Test (NET) requirement for those who hold M Phil and PhD degrees. The NET is the minimum requirement to get a job as a lecturer in universities and colleges.The NET was originally implemented to ensure uniformity, objectivity and merit in the selection process of university and college lecturers. Seventeen years later it is on its way out. The UGC has decided to allow PhDs and M Phils to teach postgraduates and under-graduates, respectively.However, those with just a post graduation degree would still need to clear the NET exam to be able to teach in university. At present, the requirements for becoming a lecturer include passing the NET and a minimum of 55 per cent marks in postgraduation. Those who have acquired a PhD degree before December 2002 are exempt from having a NET clearance, but all those who have completed a PhD after 2002 do need to clear NET. With a large number of doctorates failing to make it to the teaching profession due to not passing the NET, teachers’ unions and educators have raised objections against the system. Some have also accused UGC of interfering in the universities’ autonomy. While pointing to the flaws of the NET, Historian Sumit Sarkar had said the examination pattern does not suit research-oriented minds.The removal of the NET barrier would mean becoming lecture would be a much easier job. The weeding out process associated with the NET clearance has also been blamed for one of the reasons behind vacant teaching posts in universities and colleges across the country. Sources in Human Resources and Development Ministry said the shortage of quality faculty has been a governmental concern and the relief would help colleges easily fill the vacancies.National Eligibility Test (NET), the qualifying exam taken by those applying for a lectureship in colleges, will be scrapped for M Phil and PhD holders.Those with a postgraduate degree must still take the NET.In 2005, only 7500 qualified out of 1.75 lakh postgraduate students who took the NET. The NET was meant to ensure uniformity, objectivity and merit in the selection process.