UGC Taken to Court over Violation of NET Eligibility Criteria

Students in Hyderabad are all set to challenge University Grants Commission (UGC) on National Eligibility Test’s (NET) guidelines for lecturer posts. NET is conducted by UGC every six months. A recently introduced rule that, only top 15% candidates in NET will be eligible to take up teaching as a profession in colleges and universities.

Up until last year, candidates who scored minimum marks were eligible for teaching positions. Students from English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) made a statement saying that they will approach the court against UGC guidelines.

The disapproving students said that the UGC’s decision was in violation of a Kerala High Court order, issued on 17th December, 2012. An absolute figure of 28,000 students appeared for the NET examination from Osmania University Centre.

"In its order, the Kerala HC had clearly stated that NET was only an eligibility test and not a competitive examination. The exam is only meant to test whether the candidates are qualified to teach or do research. However, by deciding to grant NET certificates to only the top 15% candidates, UGC is denying an opportunity to others," said Mohan Dharavath, student union leader, EFLU. Students claimed that the new guidelines will do more harm than good.

"Those candidates who had secured NET in the past would appear for the examination to get grants under Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). Such candidates are likely to figure in the top 15% of the merit list over and over again denying opportunity to others," said Dharavat.

The students are planning to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) within a month’s time.

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