Can You Become a Professor Without UGC NET? Alternative Paths Explained

Candidates are often found searching for ” Can you become a professor without UGC NET? Since UGC Net is considered one of the toughest test exams, candidates are often looking for alternative paths to become an assistant professor or get a PhD Admission. Why is that? Alternative paths could be seen as backup for several aspirants. In this article, we’ll discuss the alternative paths to becoming a professor without UGC NET, the importance of the UGC NET exam, and more.

Why UGC NET JRF?

UGC NET is one of the prestigious exams in the teaching profession. This exam not only qualifies you for an Assistant Professor but also makes you eligible for admission to a PhD. If you score well, you become eligible for Junior Research Fellowship, the government pays for your research around Rs 35,ooo to Rs 45,ooo aside from the allowances. You become eligible to apply to colleges across India. These are some perks you get for qualifying for the UGC NET. However, you can become a Professor without UGC NET.

Can You Become a Professor without UGC NET?

The National Eligibility Test has remained a standard benchmark for the teaching profession. However, there are other ways to become a professor without UGC NET. We’ll mention the alternative routes for all three levels, just like the University Grant Commission has divided the qualifications into three levels, which are:

For Admission in PhD: 

Candidates sometimes give a net to become eligible to submit their research proposal to various universities. Several universities conduct their own examination for eligibility. Candidates can apply to those universities, sit through their written test, and clear the interview to get admission.

For Fellowship: 

Junior Research Fellowship is well-known, making it harder for candidates to look past it. However, candidates who are willing to become full-time researchers offer their own fellowship if you pass the minimum criteria. These conditions are set by university norms. There is also the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship or special category fellowships that several candidates can apply for.

For becoming a Professor:

There is a list of alternative ways to become an Assistant Professor if ugc net is not an option. Here are some alternative ways to become a Professor without UGC NET:

1. PhD Program: According to Ugc norms, a PhD qualification is considered as equilivant to NET. But there are some key requirements: the thesis must have been evaluated by 2 external examiners; your PhD must be of regular mode, and you must have published at least 2 research papers along with your research work.
2. PoP (Professor of Practice): This is another scheme by the University Grant Commission, which states that a person might not have NET or PhD qualifications, but if he possesses practical experience, they’ll be eligible. This scheme was launched in 2022, claiming that a person having 15 years of experience is equivalent to a NET qualification or a PhD.
3. The State Eligibility Test: Candidates who are in doubt regarding the National Eligibility Test can opt for SET according to their state. There are several states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Mizoram, and more that conduct SET. Clearing a SET is the same as NET. You become eligible to apply as an Assistant Professor. The only difference is that SET qualifications are across the respective state only.
4. Abroad: If you want to become a professor without UGC NET, you can always apply for foreign colleges. Since teaching experience and research publications carry more weightage. There are countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, which are popular destinations.
5. Private Colleges/ Coaching Institutions: There are several private colleges or coaching centres that do not require UGC NET as a minimum qualification. You can start from there, polish your teaching skills, and work on your research publications to level up.