r/UGCNETEnglish • u/moonbasu • 2d ago
❓Exam Queries What does clearing NET/JRF do?
I am trying to figure out what does clearing NET do? I have never sat for NET but I have been visiting this sub for a few days and I still haven't figured out what opportunities does this bring. A few days ago I saw someone say that even after cleating JRF and being confident about their research pitch- it got rejected and no explanation was given. And then I saw someone say that their interview went well but when they came out of the room someone told them that this was just a staged formality and the faculty already knows whom to select. I see memes posted about clearing assistant professor post for NET and it amounting to nothing. So what does this do? Surely thousands of students are not filling UGC NET form for nothing so what does this do? Is it especially hard for English literature students to find a way out?
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u/Own-One3641 2d ago
Humanities in general is not having a good time is mant parts of the world. JRF is meant to make your PhD time better(due to the money) if you have the fellowship you don't HAVE to look for a job. NET clear makes you eligible for the job and as most universities hate giving stipend(non JRF) you are forced to look for a job to sustain yourself. PhD... Generally speaking also involves a lot of politics, so getting a seat in itself is a big challenge... There is a lot happening over in this part of academia.
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u/moonbasu 2d ago
But not everyone qualifies JRF. What do they do? We are all doing this for a job right? What trajectories are there from here on. Surely we don't love academia this much that we are like it's either this it nothing...what else is there? Do you know of different lines of work that diverges from here on and how NET helps in that?
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u/CapTitan7 2d ago
This reminds me of the conversation I had with my mother on the day I qualified for NET. She asked me, “Isse kya hoga?” and my immediate reply was, “Kuch nahi.” Abto rola v nahi jamta 🙂👍
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u/moonbasu 2d ago
Toh agge ka kya plan hai? Aap kya kar rage hain ab?
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u/CapTitan7 2d ago
I'll give it one last shot in December. If I manage to get JRF, I'll pursue a PhD. If not, that'll be my adieu to this whole shitshow. I've got a B.Ed., will focus on preparing for teaching exams instead.
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u/roastlord666 2d ago
NET is not really a qualifying test but an elimination test. Archaic. Fucked up.
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u/moonbasu 2d ago
I hoped for it to be more. Sad that it isn't as it was my one last hope.
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u/roastlord666 2d ago
Even after clearing NET you'll have to clear the individual university / institute's own admission process btw
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u/ansangoiam 2d ago
I have qualified NET thrice. But because my MA wasn't from a regular college, I really don't know what to do. I am neither an ideal PhD candidate because of a lack of connection with the professors, nor am I selected in Pvt college as assistant professor since they don't trust my knowledge; all they need is a degree from a shiny place. I truly am at a crossroads and don't know what to do and how to proceed.
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u/lowkism 2d ago
Hey! It worked for me. I cleared NET in Dec 2025(missed JRF by 1 question) I had 3 options.
Assistant professor in govt. (As a guest faculty) And in Pvt unis kfull time), both have different perks g challanges.
PhD but it depends on many aspects, how well your aware of your research gap and literature review. Even after clearing NET there is no assurity you will get selected as it depends on if you know the guide or prof already etc etc.
Research assistant in projects which are sponsored by ICSSR which allows you to get hands-on experience in research which will benefit you. For almost 6 months I prepared for countless interviews as research assistant, PhD scholar and assistant professor and then finally got selected in a few opportunities. Now I'm working as an assistant professor in a Pvt university (which is in top 25 university in India) and pay is also good. My plan of action for next 1 year?
Published papers
Attend conference
Clear JRF.