UGC NET exam 2024 is a very important entry point for all aspiring academics in India who want to pursue Assistant Professorships and Junior Research Fellowships in colleges and universities. The salary range of UGC NET-qualified candidates is as follows: Assistant professors will get between ₹57,700 and ₹1,82,400 per month and Junior research fellows will receive a stipend of ₹31,000 to ₹35,000 per month. This article provides a full overview of salary prospects, career growth and all the allowances that UGC NET qualified people can enjoy.
What is the UGC NET Exam?
UGC NET stands for the National Eligibility Test conducted by the NTA to determine whether an applicant has the right and competence for recruitment as Assistant Professor and/or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in the colleges and universities of India. It is conducted twice in a year and tests the knowledge and understanding of the candidates regarding various subjects that fall under the category of arts, sciences, social sciences, and many more.
Paper | Details | Subjects Covered | Duration | Total Marks |
Paper I | General Aptitude, Teaching and Research Awareness, Reasoning Ability | General Awareness, Research Aptitude, Teaching Methods, Reasoning | 3 hours | 100 Marks |
Paper II | Subject-specific knowledge | Subjects based on the candidate’s chosen field of study | 3 hours | 200 Marks |
UGC NET Salary 2024
Once you have successfully cleared the UGC NET exam, you open the doors to a career in academics. The salary for UGC NET 2024 qualifiers will depend on the job and institution. With over a million candidates appearing for the exam every year, the competition is fierce, and only about 6% of candidates manage to crack the test.
UGC NET Qualified Salary Overview
Qualifying UGC NET exams enables candidates to become Assistant Professors. They can even get the JRF, which is a Junior Research Fellowship, for research purposes. Below is an overview of the salary structure:
Position | Basic Salary | Total Monthly Salary |
Assistant Professor | ₹57,700 | ₹75,000 – ₹80,000 |
UGC NET JRF (Fellowship) | ₹31,000 | ₹31,000 – ₹35,000 |
UGC NET Salary Structure
Success in the UGC NET will open the gates for prestigious careers as Assistant Professors and Junior Research Fellows (JRFs) both in government and private colleges and institutions. Here’s a detailed overview of UGC NET salary structure, pay scales of Assistant Professors, JRFs, and career elevation in academia.
UGC NET Assistant Professor Salary
The salary scale for UGC NET-qualified Assistant Professors depends on the institution, be it government or private, and the experience level of the candidate.
- Government Colleges and Universities: The Assistant Professors in the government institutes have the salary as entry level of Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 60,000 per month, which increase with experience and qualification.
- Increased Salary with Seniority: The salary goes up and it can reach up to Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 with extra benefits, such as allowance, medical, retirement under UGC pay scale.
- Private Institutions: Private colleges and universities can sometimes pay a higher starting salary between Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 70,000 depending on the college or university and its location. Private colleges and universities cannot match the job security and benefits, however that government posts do.
Pay Components | Amount (INR) |
Pay Scale | Rs. 15,600 – 39,100 |
Academic Level | Level 10 |
Entry Pay | Rs. 57,700 |
Basic Salary | Rs. 56,100 |
Revised DA (50%) | Rs. 28,050 |
HRA (30% Class X) | Rs. 16,830 |
TA (Travel Allowance) | Rs. 7,200 |
DA on TA | Rs. 2,736 |
Gross Salary | Rs. 110,916 approx. |
UGC NET JRF Salary
- As compared to an Assistant Professor, financial support for those qualifying under the JRF provision through UGC NET is much more. The JRF is meant for a candidate pursuing research work in a subject.
- The current stipend for a UGC NET JRF amounts to Rs. 31,000 per month, which is increased to Rs. 35,000 per month during the next phase of research (for a total of five years).
- Additional Allowances: The JRF allowance, for the first time, is combined with the research-related allowances offered by the institution.
Post | Stipend (INR) |
JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) | Rs. 37,000 per month |
SRF (Senior Research Fellowship) | Rs. 42,000 per month |
UGC NET Salary Growth: Career Progression
The salary increases over time for UGC NET qualifiers, especially for those who have stepped up the academic ladder. The progression is as follows:
- Associate Professor: After a reasonable amount of teaching experience, the Assistant Professor can be elevated to the rank of Associate Professor. The remuneration for an Associate Professor would be between Rs. 60,000 and Rs. 1,00,000 per month, based on experience and institution.
- Professor: Professors are the highest-paid in all academic professionals. In a governmental institution, the pay of a professor can vary between Rs. 1,00,000 to Rs. 1,50,000 per month or more as per the institution and the individual’s experience.
UGC NET Direct Earning Source | How to Earn after Qualifing UGC NET? Aditi Mam
UGC NET Salary Structure Comparison
Role | Salary Range (per month) |
Assistant Professor (Entry-level) | Rs. 30,000 – Rs. 60,000 |
Assistant Professor (Experienced) | Rs. 60,000 – Rs. 1,00,000 |
Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | Rs. 31,000 – Rs. 35,000 |
Associate Professor | Rs. 60,000 – Rs. 1,00,000 |
Professor | Rs. 1,00,000 – Rs. 1,50,000+ |
UGC NET JRF Scholarship 2024
The UGC NET JRF Scholarship is the award of financial aid to postgraduate students who would like to pursue their research in areas such as humanities, social sciences, and sciences. The Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) stipend is roughly Rs. 37,000 for two years, and then candidates are eligible for Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) with a stipend of Rs. 42,000 per month. These fellowships are basically to support the research activity and the PhD journey of candidates. The scholarship is available for two years and is extendable subject to research progress.
Position | Progression for JRF | Progression for Assistant Professor |
Junior Research Fellow | Initial role after qualifying JRF. | Assistant Professor (Entry Level) |
Senior Research Fellow | Promoted after 2 years as JRF based on performance and review. | Assistant Professor Grade-I |
Research Associate-I | After SRF or PhD completion, transition into advanced research roles. | Assistant Professor Grade-II |
Research Associate-II | Continuing research projects; managing subordinates. | Associate Professor |
Research Associate-III | Supervising major projects, securing independent funding. | Professor |
Author/Consultant | Writing academic publications or consulting roles. | Dean/Head of Department |
UGC NET Job Opportunities at Public Sector Undertakings
UGC NET qualification opens various career opportunities in Public Sector Undertakings for candidates who wish to make a career as a teacher and researcher. Most of the PSUs recruit UGC NET qualified candidates in research, academics, or administrative departments. The employment opportunities are Junior Research Fellows, Senior Research Fellows, or other research-based posts.
Benefits of UGC NET in PSUs
Benefit | Description |
Higher Salary Packages | UGC NET -qualified candidates often get competitive packages plus benefits in terms of DA, HRA, and TA. |
Wide Career Opportunities | Opens doors towards research, academics as well as to administrative sections in top PSU’s viz. ONGC, NTPC, BHEL, etc. |
Job Security | Provides stable employment and long-term career growth in reputed government organizations. |
Preference in Recruitment | PSUs prioritize UGC NET-qualified candidates for research and academic-based roles. |
Diverse Roles | Roles range from Junior Research Fellows (JRFs) and Senior Research Fellows (SRFs) to administrative positions. |
Growth and Promotions | Structured career growth opportunities with scope for promotions to senior roles over time. |
Support for Higher Research | It encourages higher researches pursued with jobs with a grant by PSU. |
Other Career Options Beyond UGC NET
Apart from teaching and research roles in universities and colleges, a UGC NET-qualified candidate has a wide range of careers:
- Research Institutes and Labs: Candidates can work in government research organizations like CSIR, ICAR, ISRO or private R&D companies with competitive pay.
- International Universities: UGC NET qualification, being recognized by a number of foreign universities, gives scope for teaching and research abroad.
- Government Jobs: Besides academics, UGC NET qualification can lead to many governmental jobs in the educational department and even can progress to roles in policy making.
Conclusion
UGC NET qualification opens gateways to very rewarding and promising careers in academics, research, and public sector undertakings. It comes with competitive salary, job security, career advancement, as well as several benefits of the job. Start preparing today to secure your future!
FAQs for UGC NET Exam Centers 2024
Visit the official website at ugcnet.nta.ac.in.
The exam city slip contains details about the exam city centers.
No electronic gadgets will be allowed inside the exam centres.
Contact the NTA helpline at the numbers or email provided on the official website for support.
A printed copy of the admit card, A valid photo ID (e.g., Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID), and a passport-sized photograph (matching the one in your application).
